Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Just noticed Michelin released the Road Pilot 3. Michelin says it has better grip and longer wear than the Road Pilot 2

http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/twpro ... roduct/313

And a review here

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/news/2011/r ... ad-3-23643

Well.... when I read the tests... the bridgestone BT023 is also a big player.
First place : Michelin PR 2ct , runner up Bridgestone BT023

I have some MICHELIN stickers on my fairing,
And I'm very happy with the PR 2ct
So... for me I think the next set is a PR3.

I replaced the Stock battleaxes with some Shinko Ravens. Could not believe the performance from these budget priced tires. Payed about $150 for both tires and they put the origional tires to shame. I was hanging the s curves near my home at over 15 mph faster than I ever could with the battleaxes and have raised that number even higher since breaking in the tires.

The BT020 rear tire was in production from 1999. Thats 12 years ago!!!! Any tire that was brought out since then should and would be better.
For the more heavier bikes, like anything from the Bandit 1250 upwards weight wise, Dunlop Roadsmart seems the better choice over the PR2 because of the weaker carcass/sidewall build of the PR2.

I'll try to find the article again and it may have been in this forum, but be very careful of bargain tires, especially bargains on name brands, but models that aren't made any more. Sometimes they are ones that have been sitting around quite awhile. Tires like everything else can go stale and quite frankly be unsafe. I know there is a way to read the data on the sidewall so you know when the tire was made.
I look at these like my helmet...if your head is only worth $80 or so then get an $80 helmet. I do believe that you get what you pay for....

Yup, there is a 4 figure DOT code on the sidewall of a tire, at least for tires made AFTER the year 2000.

Like "DOT 4004" means that the tire was produced in the 40th week (first 2 digits) of 2004 (last 2 digits)
DOT 4509 means 45th week of 2009 etc etc etc

About running cheap tires yes or no.
It all depends on riding style and the bike you own. If I were to buy an old bike like a 250-500cc Honda/Suzuki with no intention of riding it hard I wouldn't mind getting something less expensive. On the 650F however I ride hard and fast and want some good rubber on it. Maybe I'm paying to much but I only buy 'premium' brand tires like: Pirelli, Dunlop, Michelin, Metzeler and Continental. No more Bridgestones for me tho.... they blew it

I have a set of the Road Pilot 3's on order and will have them installed next week.

Do the road pilot 3's have a tall profile like the RP2's? I have heard tons of good reviews on this line of tires and as soon as my OEM tires wear out I'll be picking up a set, but I prefer a flatter profile tire. Don't need any extra help leaning the bike, with the wider handlebars on I have on my GSX it will whip into turns no problem on the OEMs. I like to have the extra contact patch for straight line traction and stability too, so I'm trying to avoid the taller profile if I can. Maybe it's the American in me, but I think they look much better too haha.

Bostondann let us know what you think of the tires once you mount them, I'm curious...

the Shinkos I mentioned before have proven to be good tires and are holding up well even after 6000 miles on them. they still outperform the Bridgestones hands down and seem to be wearing better. I was talking to a fellow at the bike shop down the street he was telling me he had been wondering about them but had not tried them. He told me that the way he understood it they are a new company and are trying to break into the market was the main reason for the prices(and no I did not buy the tires from him). We got to talking about them while my 650f was getting a new DOD chain installed.Like you Kadett I ride hard and fast most of the time and they have surpassed my every expectation. Though my main reason for the purchase was because of the budget at the time the tires HAD to be replaced for safety I have been very happy with them,of course some folks know me for taking chances

But the fact that they outperform the Bridgestones is no suprise. Like I said in my previous post. The BT020 tire is more then 10 years old so by design/rubber composition, any new tire should be better then them

that is a good point,but I am sold on these Shinkos. I have ran all sorta brands over the years an these have impressed me the most. but like the old saying goes, even a blind squirrel gets a nut every now and then

Do you have these tires on yet?

seconded on the shinko 009's

just broke them in, and blew the chickenstrips away. The profile on the tire is spot on for the 650f. it doesn't leap in like supersport specific tires, but because we have a -handlebar- and not clip ons, you just steer it in, and it rolls down in a very linear fashion, sticks like glue, and makes you feel like a champ. It just acts like it should, you roll on the power leaned over, and it digs and digs, no drama. I'm not dragging pegs or anything, but it seems to really work, and I'll be reporting on my mileage after summer's end.

I had at least a half inch of unworn tread on my bridgestones when they took their hike. I just didn't and couldn't in good faith trust them, quite frankly.

My main point is, don't be fooled by the price tag guys, new tires are new tires. They took quite a bit of weight to balance, but that doesn't seem to be the norm, and the balance is an afterthought now when I experience the difference between nearly 3 year old rubbish tires, and even a bargain brand's new faire. And boy do they hook off a dead start. They sure like drag racing, those shinko boys.

I have drug the pegs a few times since putting on the Shinkos (startled me the first time ) and yes they do grip off the line like no other. So far I have about 7,000 miles on them and still have a good bit of tread left.