Yet another tyre thread

[rpsmith79]

So, started to use the bike for commuting (600 Hornet) and Friday morning the roads were damp and greasy, and I felt I had no confidence grip wise, but felt fine on the ride home in the dry

A quick recap of my back story, passed DAS 6 months ago, bought 2003 Hornet with 15k miles, tyres 'look' in good condition, plenty of tread etc

But, as it is such a low mileage bike for its age, I have no idea how old the tyres actually are (Bridgestone BT 023's)

So I went back to my training school to ask their advise, as the have a small workshop and offer tyres/fitting

They pretty much only ever recommend Bridgestone, as that is what they use on all their school bikes, and I know most folk on here recommend Michelin PR3/4's

They have offered me either Bridgestone BT 023's at £185 fitted or BT 016's at £173 fitted

So, thoughts please, are these decent prices for a start, and how do they compare to PR3/4's

TL:DR Which is best, Bridgestone BT 023, 016 or Michelin PR3/4, and would old tyres give little confidence on wet greasy roads
____________________
Current Bike: Honda CG125 ES4 // Honda CB600FS Hornet // Triumph Street Triple R

[kgm]

The PR3/4 are much better in the wet IMO. I could easily spin up the Bridgestone bt021 my bike came with at 50mph going for an overtake, not so with the PR's. Haven't tried the other two but the PRs work so well I've not had any reason to change.

[G]

Did you lose traction?

If not - then pretty much, I'd suggest it's "all in your head" ... it doesn't mean your tyres are good or are not - they may still be sucky .

[RhynoCZ]

Why does everyone here recommend only PR3 and PR4 tyres? Do they pay you or something?
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Ste]

It's because that's what was recommended to them when they asked and when they had them fitted, the new tyres were amazing compared to the shitty squared off tyres they had previously.

[chickenstrip]

[RhynoCZ]

There are so many choices and good deals, though.
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[chickenstrip]

[Courier265]

[rpsmith79]

[kramdra]

[rpsmith79]

[kramdra]

No I dont think thats it, might be, but they are almost always after the DOT marking with some other codes and in a recessed oval like this,

www.popgom.es/upload/popgom/editor/image/corporate/FAQ/DOT.jpg

It is often only on one side.

[rpsmith79]

[rpsmith79]

[kramdra]

Yes that is it. 5 years is getting a bit old, but depends on the tyre. Manufacturers say they have a 5 year warehouse shelf life, and I guess a year or two use after that.

Last year I fitted a 2013 and it was perfectly grippy - swapped it off in september and has sat in the garage, waiting to be scrapped, it now has deep cracks all over the centre.

[G]

[rpsmith79]

Tyre pressures are fine, and don't drop, even if left for weeks at a time, there are small cracks around the sidewall, but nothing major

Going to ride into work on it tomorrow and ask a few of the long term bikers what their thoughts are in them
____________________
Current Bike: Honda CG125 ES4 // Honda CB600FS Hornet // Triumph Street Triple R

[Pigeon]

[rpsmith79]

[Powderhead]

[rpsmith79]

[stinkwheel]

I didn't get on with PR3 s at all but the 4's have been a revelation, especially in the wet.

The longevity of them is also way better than anything I've used previously. They are slow to square off and those off cuts on the front stop it feathering.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Barnoe]

I have Bridgestones on my bike, had them on since i bought the bike...no idea how old they are :/

The front is ok, but the back looks in bad shape, my MOT is due in April and it will fail.
Not sure which to go for BT-023 or Pilot 4s...

notice they do a Pilot 5 now too has anyone upgraded from 4 to 5 on here? if so whats the verdict
____________________
You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.

[Courier265]