I have 2006 ZX14 and I need a new rear tire . I read the 2010 poll in the general forum , I check search couldn't find much newer stuff about tires. So my question is if most here still think the Michelin Pilot Road 2 are still a pretty good tire or is there something better. I ride in town mostly don't do very much on twisty roads but I live in Arizona and it gets hot here ( record high is 114 deg.). I read in the poll that some of the new Michelin had trouble with the heat and this worries me a bit. I have had a rear tire go flat on the freeway it wasn't fun. So I would like some advice on a good tire.

Thanks old fool

I've tried Avon, Bridgestone, Metzler, Dunlop, and Continental. My Ninjee chews them to shreds and then just grins at me... like Snuffy's avatar. I'm hoping Michelin has a solution.

* Last updated by: hagrid on 10/29/2012 @ 6:07 PM *

These deals always amaze me.....10K out of a set?Sheesh...just how are you doing that.I can't possibly be riding so different than you?I'll go with the road surface....but you said you went all over...so...IDK.Most I EVER got from a tire here was 5600 miles...then cords.Sheesh.And I don't buy el cheapo tires either...tried a bunch....top mfg's.Fronts always last two to one...sometimes more.

"since I replaced the original tires at 4,000 miles"...I've NEVER even come close to 4K with any original tire....not here.1500...that's about it.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/29/2012 @ 6:28 PM *

I've got 38,000 miles on my zx-14, and have been running PilotRoad 2 tires since I replaced the original tires at 4,000 miles. I do a lot of long distance trips and can usually get 10 to 12,000 miles on a set. This summer, I was in the south-west riding in over 100 degree heat and had no problems. When it's time to replace them again, I'll buy another set of PR2's.

I'm sure others will have things to say, but I'm happy with them!

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The stock Metzler Sportech M5 Interact's on my 14R have 7300 miles so far - even went to the dragway for 12 runs - and still have meat on them. They do show wear, but are holding up spectacularly well for me. Rear has the obligatory flat-spot (way more highway droning than corner carving), but not really that bad, only feel it when hitting the expansion cracks/lane transition bumps that run in line with the direction of riding. Front has less than expected tread cupping, and not a very noticable flat spot.
Throttle-hand-to-tire-wear ratio seems to make a huge difference in mileage seen, as I'm sure if I hammered it harder the tire wear would have been more rapid.
That being said, I do ride this bike less aggressively overall than my ZRX1100, but not all that much. You'd think with twice the hp it would rip through tires.

So, I'm buying the stock replacements when it's time to change.

* Last updated by: ZRXDarryl on 10/30/2012 @ 6:56 AM *

Well....I've ridden hard....mild....inbetween..on different sets of tires....no matter how I ride...they just don't last.I finally said...'forget it'....and just rode for fun.Gotta be the chip seal here...that's all I can think of.Wish they'd just leave the asphalt exposed...be much smoother actually.Like riding on a cloud...then they go and cover it with this chip seal stuff......snow and ice I guess..they're trying to protect the road.But it doesn't last any longer than an asphalted surface.The roads still get heaves and stuff in em.It's a yearly deal....chip sealing new road surfaces that would most likely be just fine in the Winter.

They resurfaced the whole road from Glacier Park(east side)all the way up to Browning.MANY miles....sweet canyon riding...just awesome.With asphalt.Painted the lines...the whole deal.It was gorgeous...the road...smooth,very nice.Then...they go and cover it with this chip seal....still gorgeous...yes...but there goes the motorcycle tires!Great for gripping....terrible for wearing(on a bike).Like riding on a grinder...

I actually DID like those stock Metzlers...yup...but they didn't last me either!Wish they'd bring back those Pirelli Sporttouring Diablos....they were the best IMO.They replaced em with the Angel ST's...good...but not as long wearing as the others.

Had Dunlop Streetsmarts(#1)on there...they were very nice tires...lasted pretty good...handled nicely.Hard in the center,softer on the outsides.Very good grip....You could get to the curves.....ride hard...then on the straights...go pretty good...to keep the center worn down even with the sides...up here...that worked pretty well.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/30/2012 @ 8:50 AM *

That sucks. There's a couple towns near Boston, one I grew up in, that coats some side streets with 1/4" purple granite, then slop down tar over it. We'd play street hockey on it - tore up those orange pucks fairly quickly. Forget it if you ever fell off you bicycle on that shiite.
Thankfully it's rare on the main roads.
Anyway - I've become a big fan of Michelin Pilot Powers on my ZRX, get around 4K+ on them before they're toast.
Swore off Dunlops after a couple high-sides, 1st on a 207 then the replacement 208, so not a fan of them, or Bridgestones. Just getting to the end of a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso's that work great on both street and track, I think they're about 5k on the Rex.
What about Metzler Z6's? I had a set of those I really liked, anyone try those on the 14 yet?

"Swore off Dunlops after a couple high-sides", ...ya...know what ya mean...they get hard fairly quick....but the Streetsmart 1's,they worked very nicely.Although...there were some complaints about grip with em.I never had any grip issues...and I pushed em pretty hard...till the 'side' profile was melted.Gripped good.But I hear ya.I actually liked the streetsmarts....felt confidant on em.NOT the Streetsmart 2's....but the streetsmart 1's.

Don't know anything about the Metzler 6's....I do like the 5's though.They didn't last long here.

I've always had good performance out of Pirellis...the Rosso's,Diablos...Angels.Just finding one that lasts...that's my deal.And I've tried riding in every mode possible besides pushing her;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/30/2012 @ 10:32 AM *

Well...I'm...almost old;)License?I don't go koo koo...been ticketed a couple of times...and warned a couple....but my highest speeds were on open wide curves and big long straights...I don't go crazy like that anymore really.

I like koo koo.Every bike I had tires get shreded.My Roads 2 is getting great mileage in the garage.I like getting on it in the lower gears.Wheelies kill tires and downshifting hard.I want to trash this rear tire so I can get a set of Pilot Powers 1.I liked them soft tires,wheel seems to lift faster.I only ride about 3000 miles a year so thats one back tire.I don't see how your going through those tires withe traction control Zach.Must be a mystery of science.
Craig

I thought there was enough left on my rear PRII to ride to Arkansas, ride two days there, and then ride back home. After the ride down and 300 miles of twisties, it was shot. Got around 6600 miles total. New PRII mounted at Yamaha of Harrison.

".My Roads 2 is getting great mileage in the garage"....

@Craig: might have something to do with my gut combined with the 37 traffic lights on my commute.

Zach,I had almost the same commute when I was your age.From Cecil through Bridgeville through S Park take a left by the big intersection by the park.Took a right towards Baldwin then a right on S. Park Rd and went around to South Hills Disposal.I can't count the lites but it was about 45 minutes.I got off work at 2AM and I used welding gloves.Man it was cold.
Craig

Chapparral has a good sale going on right now on PRIIs- $161 and change for a 190/50/17 rear and $115 and change for the 120/70/17 front. Free shipping, also. I'm tempted to buy a set just to have them laid up.