Tire Question (TwoWheelsExpensive)

"Alex Zapata" (alexzapata)
10/18/2016 at 12:15 • Filed to: None

So I am looking to replace the rear tire of the Monster since I bought it with it being flattened towards the middle, I really don’t want to keep it like that and bike tires are really important.

It fits Diablo Rosso II standard in a 180/60 R17 tire, but I want to upgrade to the new Rossos (the IIIs) but they only come in 180/55, I am concerned of the effect this could have on it, but I really want the more versatile compound since it rains a fair bit here, plus it’s supposed to last a bit longer (though I suspect I will get to my limit of 2 years with them without them running out).

So my option is to get the wrong (?) size in the new tire or get the OEM size on the old tire or maybe change brand alltogether, though I think Pirellis are the best tires for bikes.

Opinion OPPO?

DISCUSSION (20)

bob and john > Alex Zapata
10/18/2016 at 12:25

changing a 60 to a 55 isnt going to be that big of a deal.

personally, I’m not a big fan of the rossos (or pirellis for that matter). expensive, turn into hockey pucks if its anything remotly damp or cold and they dont last anything NEAR as long as the michelins PR4s.

Look into pilot road 4s (if you want something with distance) or dunlop Q3s (kinda like the rossos. but warm up faster and are 2/3rds the cost.) and yes, both those tires I mentioned are dual compound tires.

Alex Zapata > bob and john
10/18/2016 at 12:44

I’m not enemy of changing brand, but I would have to change both tires and I kinda want to squeeze a bit more life out of the front and I’ve been warned that running different brand tires front and back is a really bad idea.

Aren’t PR4s more like Angels than Rossos? Angels are an option as well (though changing both) though they’re a bit more expensive.

bob and john > Alex Zapata
10/18/2016 at 12:49

nah. rossos = PR. supercorsas = Pilot power.

also, look at the prices of Q3s. I can get a set of Q3s here for less then the rear of the pirellis.

Decay buys too many beaters > Alex Zapata
10/18/2016 at 12:54

If you wore down the middle and you want more life, get the PR4. I’ve got a set on my triumph and they do almost as well as my other bikes equipped with pilot powers while lasting far longer.

yamahog > Alex Zapata
10/18/2016 at 13:07

If you’re tracking it, buy tires from whoever has representation at your track.

If you’re not, get tires better suited to what you’re using it for.

bob and john > yamahog
10/18/2016 at 13:29

why the track side rep? just curious.

iSureWilll > Alex Zapata
10/18/2016 at 13:37

Going to a 55 size tire will be no problem on the Monster. Source: I was a tech at a Ducati dealer for 2 years and worked with 1 of 35 Ducati Master Techs in the country. It will drop the back of the bike a few millimeters and the speedo will be “slightly” off but it won’t make any real difference on the street.

IIRC the Diablos come on the Monsters from the factory. Not a bad tire, but probably not the longest lasting. If it was my bike, I would get the Rosso III rear for now and when you need to change next time, get the Pilot Road 4's or something.

Bultaco's JMOD TownCar drives his pa to drinkin > bob and john
10/18/2016 at 13:42

Q3s are nice, I put them on my bike. They heat up very fast in the summer and stick stick stick. That said, be wary in the winter months. Mine like to slide like mad when cold, much worse than the old set they replaced.

Alex Zapata > Decay buys too many beaters
10/18/2016 at 13:44

I am not a nutty rider, I’m more of a day trip kind of guy so I don’t get near absolute performance I just want it to be safe.

Also I bought the bike recently, I did not wear the current tires down, the past owner did.

Alex Zapata > yamahog
10/18/2016 at 13:48

Don’t plan to track the Monster, the only tire manufacturer that attends (some) track days is Pirelli at Hermanos Rodriguez, also the easiest brand to find, though I live in a country where it’s easier to find bike tires at the dealer than anything else. Pirelli has the widest reach here, 2nd best probably Conti, the rest are much harder to reach outside the capital city where I live.

Decay buys too many beaters > Alex Zapata
10/18/2016 at 13:49

Gotcha, still for non track usage the Pilot road is wonderful (probably one of the best available in the wet too) and I’ve never really had an issue running different compounds front and rear.

Alex Zapata > iSureWilll
10/18/2016 at 13:56

Thank you! Great to have someone who probably knows my bike better than me chime in!

I actually liked the Rossos, though I come to Ducati from BMW GSs, so probably is just the having-a-proper-tire sensation.

In what sense would you say the Rossos are lacking and the PR4s are better?

Alex Zapata > Decay buys too many beaters
10/18/2016 at 14:01

I’ll see if I can get them easily and how much they are, pretty much everyone says the same thing.

yamahog > bob and john
10/18/2016 at 14:21

Because in case of incident, you can get back on with a matching set quickly and without wasting track time or having to bring an extra set around.

Alex Zapata > Decay buys too many beaters
10/18/2016 at 14:26

Update: Absolutely no official presence by Michelin for motorcycles whatsoever in my country, I could get them but it would end up costing 50-60% more than the Pirellis, so not an option at all.

Alex Zapata > iSureWilll
10/18/2016 at 14:32

Update: I can’t edit comments.

Update 2: No presence by Michelin at all in my country, so it boils down to Bridgestone, Pirelli or Continental. (Technically also Metzeler, that I know I can get at my old BMW dealer)

iSureWilll > Alex Zapata
10/18/2016 at 14:45

I would say the Rossos will pull ahead in the edge grip area. For track riding where your goal is to not just have fun, but get that extra few tenths, the Rossos might be best.

The PR4's will come out ahead in longevity and rain traction IMO. If you compare these to car tires, the Rosso is more like a “summer tire” and the PR4 is more like an “all season tire”. The PR4 won’t square off as soon as the Rosso but won’t have quite the same grip on the edge of the tire when you’re leaned over.

If you do most of your riding on the street where you are upright I think the PR4's would be a better fit. Since you don’t have a Michelin presence, I’ve had good luck with Bridgestone BT-016's, links below, on my Monster 695.

Front - http://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt-016-pro-hypersport-front-tires/

Rear - http://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt-016-pro-hypersport-rear-tires/

Joel Ness > iSureWilll
10/19/2016 at 07:38

Came here to say this and I’m not even mad bro.

Joel Ness > Alex Zapata
10/19/2016 at 07:43

I’ve been running pirelli angel gt’s for a couple years now on an SV1000 (same kind of torque band) and I’ve run through rain and found them pretty good in the wet. During the summer I got really good edge grip (dragged peg on a hair pin and it felt super planted).

Joel Ness > Joel Ness
10/19/2016 at 07:48

To elaborate, I do think they aren’t spectacular in the wet though. Longevity wise, I’ve gotten through one riding season (got them mounted in march 2016) with them and I’ll probably wait to replace until spring of next year unless I catch another drill bit in my tire :(