Tyre experiences

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I posted this in another forum a while ago, but think it might be helpful here as well :)

Would be nice if others could add their experiences

Righto, I've now ridden with a few brands and models, thought I'd share what I've had so far.

Michelin Pilot Power 2CT (07 Hornet 600 ABS)
I couldn't fault these at all, loved them, gave a nice and predictable feeling tipping in. Definitely confidence building tyres for a newbie.

In the wet; absoloutely brilliant tyres.

How long did they last; 6-8000 miles for the rear, double on the front.
That was mainly commuting, with weekend rides and a trackday or 2.
(For the set I got 8k out of I was a new rider and not pushing the tyres anywhere near as hard as I did the 2nd set I put on.

Overall Very good

Bridgestone BT014 (07 Hornet non-ABS)
I wasn't overly keen on these, they didn't give the same levels of confidence as the 2CTs, they just didn't really feel like they gave as much feedback.

I'd happily use these for commuting, but as they are a single compound tyre they might not last all that long. I'd also use these for the odd weekend blast, and maybe on track, though they might be shot after 1 track day.

In the wet; Not bad at all, just not as good as the 2CTs

How long did they last; No idea, I did about 1.5-2k miles on them over the course of a month on a hire bike.

Overall Good

Dunlop 201 (92 Fightered CBR 600F)
I hated these, very little feedback and took a while to warm up.

I'd use them to commute with and sod all else.

In the wet; Never used them in the wet, they were bad enough in the dry.

Overall Bad

Bridgestone BT016 (92 Fightered CBR 600F)
A lot better than the Dunlops, nice feedback and confidence (more so than the 014) triple compund rear, dual compound front.

I've used these for commuting as well as a couple of blasts at the weekend, not used on track though. (Though i happily would)

How long did they last; Don't know, I've done about 2k miles and they seem barely worn in.

In the wet; Very good, almost equal to the 2CTs

Overall Very Good

Bridgestone BT014 (2003 VTR 1000 SP2)
Feel ok, fairly confidence inspiring, feel better than they did on the Hornet. Other than that very little different. (they don't last as long on the SP2 as they would have done on the Hornet).

Overall Good

Metzeler Racetec (2003 VTR 1000 SP2)
I only used these on track and very briefly on the road, never in the wet (I had a 6" nail go into the tyre, and out the sidewall riding along the embankment outside the Tate Britain, builders in London eh!)

They warm up very quickly, have a steeper profile than any of the other tyres I have used.

Tipping in is faster, noticably, but not scary. Very confidence inspiring, very good tyres.

Be aware though these don't have much tread depth, and may not last very long. You can mitigate the high cost of these (similar in price to the 2CT) by buying part worn ones, loads around either on the dodgy auction site or if you know anyone who races.

Overall; Very good in the dry, no personal experience in the wet, but from what I've been told not good.

To summise;

For a bike which is only likely to be taken out in the dry, road or track I'd go for the Metzelers any day.

For a bike which will be ridden in sun or rain, I'd take the 2CTs over any other, they are the best road tyres I have used.

Anyone else fancy adding their experiences?

Hope it's useful, I might write a more coherant version at a later date
 
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