Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

I realize this is a pretty well beat up topic but I just replaced my tires - again with Pirelli's of course because there simply is no better choice
I just got 12k out of my Angel and they would still pass state inspection with the amount of tread left
So why does everyone else use Michelin or some other brand?

Maybe this topic should be a poll question?

Pilot road 2....tryed, tested, price and lasts good km's--miles ....no need to change ,or give it a second thought.
I mean ,its not like buying a different beer at a pub ,you can switch back to your beer in 10 minutes...tyres are different ,if you don't like them your stuck with them for a while or way out of pocket to change back.

I roll cheap, I roll shinko.

I don't need track tires, I don't need max attack profiles, break-in graphics, a big name and prestige, or dual density wear patch flim flammity whatever, I need tires that stop go stand up and get down when I tell them to. Mileage has officially become secondary.

I tried buying tires that "last" (raven 009) and I got as much mileage outta them as grippier, lower mileage tires because they spin like crazy when I ride like a hooligan.

Now I'm gonna try the 011 Verge. supposed to last a while, but be significantly more grippy than the raven's compound. We'll see. the "rolling" patch is slick to start with, so maybe it won't spin the back tire when I clutch a wheelie up... we'll see though.

They'd damned sure better heat up faster.

I put BT023s on because I mostly use my bike for commuting and these seem to do well. I have about 3K miles on the current ones with very little wear and they do good in rain.

Pilot Road 2, Perfect for the F, Enough said

I had a Michelin Road 1 on the F, getting ready to pull it off actually. it's rubbish.

Cant really compare the Road 1 with the 2 or 3. Thats like comparing the stock BT020 rear tyre with a BT023.
I've used the Road 2 on my 650F and my Speed Triple and couldn't be happier. Never ever lost grip in the dry and gives perfect feedback in the wet. Excellent stopping power in the wet and last long enough. I got 13k km out of a rear PR2 tire on the 650F but that was with 6k km of mountain carving in Germany so cant really put that on the tire

Now with the Speed Triple, i've done numerous powerwheelies, traffic light sprints and such and after 5500km there's still more then 50% of thread left.

Just put on Road 3's, a world of difference with the original Bridgestones. Road it on wet roads to the installer, and back on the same roads. While squirrely before, it was very solid with the new tires. This could be because the old ones were worn out, but right now I'm happy with the new tires. As a side note, I used Motorcycle Superstore who lists "prefered" installers. This worked well for price and convenience. They ship the tire to the installer, and then you set up an appointment with them.

Dunlop Roadsmart's. My choice was simple... value for the money. They were substantially less than the Pilot road 2's, get good reviews, and I love how they handle. 6000k so far & no complaints.

The Shinko 011 verge is excellent for those who don't do hooligan acts, want a tire that really lasts, and want it to feel and ride really sporty.

The profile on the tire is that of your typical supersport tire, it dives to the sidewalls, and instills a lot of confidence when you get there, no questions asked. They -are- however the same compound as the raven. I can just tell. It bar nothing acts the same when I'm spanking wheelies, and what have you. It's still greasy when it's hot out, but only just barely. If I sidestep the clutch in a shady patch of asphault, it comes straight up, no questions asked. Just like a Raven. Where they differ, is that a raven is very, Very rounded. So much so, it lends a sort of ultra-stable harley-ish bravado to the ride of the bike. It doesn't get rushed, it doesn't leap into anything, but on the other hand you can Bank on the tire's stability and trust how it'll react each and every time. It's a good tire to cut teeth sports riding if you're a careful rider to begin with, just because it's just that smooth of a performer. It offers solid feedback when you're past the limit, the gentle curve of the sidewall catches slides in a manner that is so predictable that one could call it "fun" after the waves of terror wears off.

To summarize Shinko's 009 Raven is a touring tire that you can put on a sportsbike, and still live with it, and be happy with how it does for you, because you knew why you put it on.



The 011 Verge feels racy by comparison, it just does. I really like it, but the borrowed compound fails the killer looks, and the racy profile at the end of the day. It desperately wants to be a -sport- touring tire, but it's ultimately a touring tire in a sports jacket. I won't be putting another one on.

I may try either the podium, or the apex next. I absolutely know the apex won't last, but it's supposed to have near-heroic levels of grip, for 4000-5k miles, which is all I get out of ravens because of how badly I treat them with wheelspun wheelies, drag racing, and general hooliganism. My friend chuck the stunt rider that absolutely destroys brakes, tires, stunt cage pucks, you pretty much name it swears by the apex for how cheap it is, and that it doesn't slip for his 5mph 12-oclock idle-wheelies, and circle wheelies, and what have you. On the other hand, he runs ONLY a pilot power on the front, because he wants absolutely as much grip as he can get for endo's and coaster stoppies from 40+ mph, and the 100 yard warm up is a big plus too.

One thing is -certain- however. Shinko does -not- make a bad tire. They just need to better describe what their tires do, I think.

We have a member that has PR3 and they have cracked or spit ..the post is here some where.
Anyways ,I was talking at the bike parking at work with a few guys and they have also read and heard about the PR3 failing.
Stick to what you know and trust in the PR2 and wait 12 months ,till you get real feed back from owners all over the world.
Like with any thing you never buy the first model .

Found it.

http://www.gsx650f.biz/post41287.html?hilit=trip#p41287