MCN 2020 Best Sports Touring Tyres

[Matt]

Linky

The main point of interest for me is they have Dunlop, and Continental, and Bridgestone in the list.

Metzeler wins, and Dunlop 2nd. Interesting that even from the stock photos one can see the different profiles. Obviously this article doesn't take longevity into consideration, and their testing, inevitably, is subjective.

Annoyingly it has tempted me to call BMW and change my order!

Oh yes and the big fail of the test I almost forgot, they ordered the normal Road 5 and not the fatty BMW GT.

[Phmode]

It's very strange that they didn't use the GT Road wotsit.

And I'm always amazed at how different tyres 'suit' some bikes more than others, even across a wide range of rider demographics. Sorry, should have warned of a big word coming up but tooearly for the brain to be engaged...

And, for the penny-pinching among us, we have no idea of useful life comparisons.

But you are right Matt, the profile difference is obvious even to me and I'm still 😴

[Matt]

I can't wait to get the new tyres on. As Richard will attest these Battlax things are dead, but also even in isolation (ha) it's obvious how much flatter their profile is than anything I've had before. But even then it's so easy to turn, so the proper curvy stuff will be great!

Has everyone seen the FortNine video on tyres? I would link but I'm in spine agony so maybe later.

[Bruno]

I'm a big fan of the Roadsmart III's.  I had three rears and two fronts on the previous bike, and they are excellent.

[Matt]

FortNine Tyres Video

He looks twelve, is apparently a bit older than me, grew up on bikes and their productions on youtube are amazing quality.

[Phmode]

I'm a big fan of the Roadsmart III's.  I had three rears and two fronts on the previous bike, and they are excellent.

Jeez, a five-wheeled bike...

[Bruno]

I'm a big fan of the Roadsmart III's.  I had three rears and two fronts on the previous bike, and they are excellent.

Jeez, a five-wheeled bike...

Boom, boom!

[Belco100]

Road 5 is no longer recommended for the K1600 - the 190/55 is actually 203mm wide an can rub on the swingarm. Some do, some don’t 

[black-k1]

FortNine Tyres Video

He looks twelve, is apparently a bit older than me, grew up on bikes and their productions on youtube are amazing quality.

... and he has a shot of an H2 SX SE in the video!   

I think the key point about motorcycle tyres these days is that as long as you stick to the mainstream manufacturers it's nearly impossible to buy a bad tyre.  Gone are the days when many of us started biking where you literally took your life in your hands fitting the latest rubber from Japan or riding a new Japanese bike with OEM rubber on.

Long gone is the Avon SM with it's square profile and ability wear groves in solid granite without losing any of its tread.

As a satisfied PR5 user I would normally be reluctant to change. I did try the Metzler on my K1300S and loved it appart from the fact it white lined very badly from very early on, which was a real pain for commuting into London.  Since lockdown has curtailed my commuting,  and I'm on a different bike, I may give it another go.

[Matt]

FortNine Tyres Video

He looks twelve, is apparently a bit older than me, grew up on bikes and their productions on youtube are amazing quality.

... and he has a shot of an H2 SX SE in the video!   

I think the key point about motorcycle tyres these days is that as long as you stick to the mainstream manufacturers it's nearly impossible to buy a bad tyre.  Gone are the days when many of us started biking where you literally took your life in your hands fitting the latest rubber from Japan or riding a new Japanese bike with OEM rubber on.

Long gone is the Avon SM with it's square profile and ability wear groves in solid granite without losing any of its tread.

As a satisfied PR5 user I would normally be reluctant to change. I did try the Metzler on my K1300S and loved it appart from the fact it white lined very badly from very early on, which was a real pain for commuting into London.  Since lockdown has curtailed my commuting,  and I'm on a different bike, I may give it another go.

Aha, only starting in '08 I've been quite fortunate to avoid all that! I imagine that caused a lot of limping beginners.

[Phmode]

Let's just say that back in the day, you didn't see lean angles on race tracks that are now common on the road.

Can't remember where I read/heard it but some eejit was saying that a good tyre will be a good tyre no matter what it is fitted to. Try telling that to the guys at Red Bull and Mercedes; at the Silverstone races Mercedes were shredding their Pirellis and Red Bull weren't and then at Catalunya Mercedes were sailing fair to victory while Max was bitching and whinging about his tyres having gone after a handful of laps.

Current bike tyres aren't quite the same lottery (and makers don't change the mix for every set you buy) but I'll still stick to the Michelins until there is a concensus about a better all-round tyre for use in the UK and very few tyre comparison tests run the tyres till they are shot.

[chriscanning]

Currently into Michelins 

[Phmode]

 

[revd]

Personally I'm into PR5's and found them to be long lasting and excellent grip wet/dry and on overbanding and white lines. Being a longtime commuter, I'm now switching to the K1200R as a fun bike, so will look for something similar.  I'll still ride sensibly, but might do track days if time/money permit.