Tyre advice wanted please

[Major Major]

No - I don't want advice about track day set up pressure! - much more mundane. :h

My bird has the tyres that were on when I bought it second hand - Dunlop D205 Sportmax Touring.

The front still has a lot of life left but the rear needs replacing now. I use the bike for touring and fun and though I'm no track day fiend I do like to have "fun" when I can.

So

1) what tyres would you recommend?

2) would you recommend keeping the front tyre as it currently is until it wears down or replacing both tryres as a pair?


Many thanks

Major Major

 

[gypsy]

ive had the dunplops and they are rubbish compared to the Avon Azaros
Running a pair of Avon Vipers at the mo but they are not going to last anywhere near as long
so its the standard Avon Azaros bird specific for me

 

[Centaur]

Meeee tooooo

Vipers on now but will gallop back to Azaros asap.......or maybe Bridgestone 020s.... I used to indecisive now I'm not so sure. Both great tyres. Vipers fantastic but don't plan on going far on them! :bow:

 

[Rods]

i'd recommend changing the front when you change the rear.

i also use the avon azaros (had bridgestone 020's before). both very good tyres, but i think you'll probably get more mileage out of the avons. and in my humble opinion i think the grip on the avons is just as good... if not better than the bt020's.

alternatively if you fancy something moire sporty the vipers have had brilliant reviews by everyone who's tried them (i haven't cos i can't afford to change tyres every 4k!! :B

have a look at these other threads...

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=19367&highlight=tyre+choice

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=15281&highlight=tyre+choice

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=18414&highlight=tyre+choice

don't know where you're based, but i use micheldever tyres (in micheldever, surrey). very good service, and dirt cheap (?160ish or so for a pair of avons fitted). probably a good idea to call first to make sure you get the bird specific tyres (whichever tyre you decide to go for).

 

[Rods]

micheldever tyres ... 01962 774437

 

[R2B2]

Yeah, ditto the Azaro's......... just right I would say for the use you have in mind.

The Dunplops are extremely basic compared to just about everything else.

 

[stan the man]

hiya martin....

w;;v ..agree with all the above.
azaro's for me as well.....a great "allrounder"(hope the peeps from avon are reading this thread)and just so happens a group of us are visiting their factory today.


















freebie's here we come...yeeeeeeeaaaaah :yo:


































:}

 

[blumeeni]

You shit the bed again Stan or just excited and can't sleep

Azaro's for me had vipers(nice but wont last)020's which were on last I didn't like
I'm back on the Azaros now I can't really fault them I just hope they're gonna be good as a winter tyre

 

[ianrobbo1]

mornin all, had 020's now the Vipers I shall be asking the question at Avon today, cos I'm not happy about the longevity of these,!!

 

[stan the man]

You shit the bed again Stan or just excited and can't sleep

nah pete...left the front window open as it was soooo warm,and got awoken by cars going down the road,the birds singing..and jackie snoring (joking about the jackie bit ).been up since 5.30,been for a walk up the cimla,through the gnoll woods,back to town then home....just got in.get bike in a mo,and clean it ready :lick:

see ya later

 

[stan the man]

THREAD HI-JACK ALERT



















sorry folks :bow: :bow: :blush:

 

[Major Major]

Thanks

Thanks for all the advice - should have done a search on tyres. :blush: :blush: Didn't realise what a can of worms it was going to be.

will look at the Avon Azaros.


By the way -

How do you know you've got 'Bird specific tyres though?

And Rods, why do you recommend chaning the front tyre at the same time as the rear when there is wear left in the front.

Thanks

 

[frenchuk]

How do you know you've got 'Bird specific tyres though?

Simple, you order them from blackbird spares, manned (?) by our own 1200Pete

 

[blumeeni]

I always change both together as well it's not nessesary I know but I like the box fresh feel of fitting a pair and at ?140 a pair fitted to loose wheels inc valves and balancing why not eh!

 

[Rods]

2 fresh tyres - bike handles perfectly

with the azaros i would reckon to get between 7-8k out of the rear, so changing the front at the same time makes sense, rather than having to fit tyres every 4k.

i haven't ordered tyres from pete at blackbird spares - but i have ordered other things from him, and would definitely recommend trying him if you're happy to fit your own tyres.

 

[Rods]

I always change both together as well it's not nessesary I know but I like the box fresh feel of fitting a pair and at ?140 a pair fitted to loose wheels inc valves and balancing why not eh!

where do you go for your tyres blu?

 

[stan the man]

rods.......

blu (and me) go to trevor richards T/A pontardulais tyre centre in swansea...a bit far for you to travel maybe.not sure if he does mail order,but you could ring him on 01792 884686 and tell him pete sent you.

 

[blumeeni]

A guy just down the road from me in Pontardulais called T. Richards. Bolgoed Rd.
?150 for em ride in ride out

 

[blumeeni]

oops there must be an echo in here

 

[stan the man]

oops there must be an echo in here

you on that bacardi again pete :t