Which Tires and Why?

Speednuts · Dec 8, 2001

Just curious. Time for new rubber and I'm looking for the stickiest compound. I've heard good and bad about all tires listed below but nothing recent. Also what psi are you running and what suspension set-up are you using for your weight and riding style?<FORM method=post action="http://pub56.ezboard.com/fkawasakizx12rfrm17.processVote?topicID=6.topic"><table border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="55%">
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<tr><td><input type="radio" name="choice" value="1">Dunlop 207's

Ted Edwards · Dec 8, 2001

I'm running 41 Psi front and rear, I've put my suspension settings on a post somewhere and a few of us are running with these settings. Easy would be able to point the way to that particular post.

Regards

Ted

Guest · Dec 8, 2001

The tires to go with are Rennsports, super soft up front, soft in back, run 180/55 in the back, turn in and handling will scare you

Guest · Dec 9, 2001

because I get'm @ insane prices & they stick!

Blitzkrieg · Dec 9, 2001

I have heard good things about the Michelin Pilots from several guys, and they are what are going on my 12 next.

Guest · Dec 9, 2001

Michelin Pilot Sport is the best combination of traction and longevity (a relative term when applied to ZX12 rears) that I've ever used.

CrotchRocket · Dec 9, 2001

I have Pilot Sports and use them for DragRacing...They hook up nice...No wheel spin in the warm and hot weather...

The 207s sucked...The tire would break loose on occasions when I shifted to 2nd...

CrotchRocket

" I just live my life a 1/4 mile at a time "

easyrider · Dec 9, 2001

You may want to try the new Dunlop D207RR

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CrotchRocket · Dec 9, 2001

Easy...I saw the new Pilot Sports...They have alot less grooves, putting more rubber to the ground...For me that would be good since I DragRace 80% of the time the 12 is out on the road...

As for the 207s...Riding around with them on the street was good as long as I was riding not overly aggresive!!! I would buy them again for normal riding, but the Pilots gave you a more secure feel in wrm and hot weather...The Pilots in cold, you better be careful till they are warmed up!!!

CrotchRocket

" I just live my life a 1/4 mile at a time "

Speednuts · Dec 9, 2001

I'm trying to decide which is going to give me the best grip in the twisties since that is where I spend most of my time. You should be careful on any tire until you get them warm. One limitation here though. It may be overkill but I love the 200 rear tire. I like having that much meat on the ground behind me. Gives the bike a very stable feel I like on the roads I ride. I may be sacrificing a little side to side transition but that's okay because I like to ride with smooth aggression. Leaning(no pun intended) towards the Dunlops once again.

easyrider · Dec 9, 2001

The Dunlop D207RR is a new tire that Dunlop is putting out that should be much more stickier than the D207 but have the longevity of a D207. Hopefully the cornering characteristic of predictable slide will be the same as well.

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Guest · Dec 9, 2001

For my style of riding the BT010 is the way to go. Personally, I think the front end has a more planted feel. Also if you are cocerned about longevity my 1st set of 010s went over 8k because of the hard compound in the middle (softer on the edges) where as the original 207s were toast at 3500 mi. and I was breaking the bike in for 2000 of those mi. And at $202 delivered to your door from Chapparel and if you aren't a rich guy, the BT010s are the ticket in my book buy a long way.

OldKneeDragger · Dec 9, 2001

I'm with silver01bullet... The rennsports are the most confident inspiring and make your bike feel lighter and quicker. The Rennsport is the only tire that gave me so much confidence that I can drag the fairing in the corners without scaring the hell out of me.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> : Second best are the Pilot Sports which stick very well but wear fast and take a bit to warm up. The BT010's are barely marginal... They stick well but wiggle around a lot on tar snakes and never give me much confidence. I haven't tried the new 207RR but I sure didn't like the original 207's.. Right now I have a set of BT56SS which seem to stick better than the BT010's and so far seem to wear pretty well (1,000 miles on them so far and still look good).

I've yet to get 3,000 miles on any tire and I really think different tires will fit different riding styles. There was a good article at www.tl1000.com/pb_tires/sport_rider_sep_2001.htm . I hope it still works. For what it's worth, they didn't like the BT56SS<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT="

">

Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub56.ezboard.com/uoldkneedragger.showPublicProfile?language=EN>OldKneeDragger</A>

at: 12/9/01 3:32:20 pm

kingzx12r · Dec 10, 2001

Put me down for the Metzeler MEZ3 soft compound with 180 on the rear for the track. Went to Mosport a closed circuit track and tried both stock and MEZ tires. Dunlops were good at 28 lbs but were less predictable cornering than the Metzler tires. I think I'm staying with Metz personal preference and they work good at the drag strip also. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT="

">

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When ya gotta go, do it!

Guest · Dec 11, 2001

I used the BT010s for a long trip after my first set of 207s, but they were just too scary to keep on the bike for city traffic. Get up to a high speed and try to stop quickly on BT010s. Eventually you'll slide to a stop (50ft later than you expected). And the 207s are a lot more squirrelly in corners than the Rennsports. The Rennsport 190/50 helped with turn-in, and both deep corners and one wheel antics feel perfect. But does anyone know how the road Rennsport does in rain or mileage yet?

Gibzx12 · Dec 11, 2001

I'm sticking with the 207's for now or at least until I here wonderful things about another leading brand, why cos I had them on my ZXR 750, they came with my ZX12, and I'm generally pleased with their performance.

I tend to run the pressures at 38 PSI, at both ends, it being slightly warmer out here.

GibZX12

Guest · Dec 11, 2001

Anyone have strong feelings/experiences for anything other than a 200 on the rear?

Guest · Dec 11, 2001

A 180 is great for twisty riding. The 180/55 profile is a little taller and puts more in contact with the ground at lean. The 190 is still better than the 200 but not my choice. It's cool to mount a 180 or 190 on a stock rim, lots have done it. The only thing the 200 is good for is painting it white, putting it in the backyard and filling it with sand

Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub56.ezboard.com/usilver01bullit.showPublicProfile?language=EN>silver01bullit</A> at: 12/11/01 4:31:46 pm

Guest · Dec 12, 2001

"I'm sticking with the 207's"-

One should never use the words "sticking" & "207's" in the same sentence! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT="

">

gk12r · Dec 12, 2001

Standard 207 at rear - 207RR at front with the forks pulled through 7mm. I'm amazed at the conflicting stories with regards to riders who are using the same tyre, obviously it's horses for courses (rider ability,experience and size,etc).

Which Tires and Why?

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