ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: BenderEmf on January 15, 2019, 03:32:09 AM
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I bought my bike used and the PO put some ridiculous hard-compound touring tires on the bike that don't exactly inspire confidence when leaned over in a turn. Maybe it's all in my head but I'd like to put something a bit softer and rounder; what does the forum recommend?
I saw according to the unofficial manual, the newer MY bikes come with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II's. I see the Rosso III's are out now, but apparently not in the OEM-recommended sizes.
The other line I was looking at was Michelin's Road 5. I had Pilot Road 2 and 3's on my last bike and loved them, apparently the Road 5 is the latest and greatest (having dropped "Pilot" from the name) but again, they're not made in Zero's OEM size.
So maybe the question is a two-parter. Not only what tire have you got but also, have you stuck with the OEM size? If not then what size are you using and how has it treated you?
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Michelin Anakee 3. Awesome tyre OEM size on my DS. Warm up fast, last 30000 km"s and good confidence.
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Whoops! I should have specified that I'm personally curious about S/SR tires, but if you guys want to share your picks for your DS/DSR or FX/FXS, then by all means. :) (Thanks buutvrij!)
For convenience: https://zeromanual.com/wiki/Stock_Tires
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The tires that came on my 2018 S from the factory are Pirelli Diablo Rosa II. They are OK, but I think there are better tires on the market.
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My 2016 S had a relatively hard set of Pirellis, Sport Demons, I think? I can't remember. I know that I was ready to replace them at 17K before I got hit and the bike was totaled. I had a set of Dunlop GPR300s ready to go, now they're in my garage waiting for me to wear out the stock Pirellis on the 2018 S. The newer S has the same softer compound tires that were standard on the SR so I'm thinking they probably won't last as long. We'll see.
I value tire life over pretty much everything else although if they make the bike feel scary in the rain or on curves that will be a problem. I never had a problem with the Sport Demons, but I'm curious how the Dunlops will be. Since the bike is American made, I figure I'd go with American made tires and see how it goes. I've heard others say they won't last as long as the Sport Demons as they are a stickier sport compound. As soon as I make the switch (might take awhile) I'll report back.
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Bridgestone T31 - You need to get a slightly wider size, but its worked for my last set.
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I bought my bike used and the PO put some ridiculous hard-compound touring tires on the bike that don't exactly inspire confidence when leaned over in a turn. Maybe it's all in my head but I'd like to put something a bit softer and rounder; what does the forum recommend?
I saw according to the unofficial manual, the newer MY bikes come with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II's. I see the Rosso III's are out now, but apparently not in the OEM-recommended sizes.
The other line I was looking at was Michelin's Road 5. I had Pilot Road 2 and 3's on my last bike and loved them, apparently the Road 5 is the latest and greatest (having dropped "Pilot" from the name) but again, they're not made in Zero's OEM size.
So maybe the question is a two-parter. Not only what tire have you got but also, have you stuck with the OEM size? If not then what size are you using and how has it treated you?
On the S/SR the stock size is 140/70/17, I found a deal on-line to a tire that was recommended, but it only came in 150/70/17. At a friends recommendation, I tried it and the width looked great and the tire shape was much nicer than other tires I tried at the stock size.
I kept the front tire the same, but I never noticed that the rear tire was slightly larger in diameter.
My front tire tends to wear out a sooner, so it would make sense to try going from the stock 110/70/17 to 120/70/17. Anyone have any issues with that. You get more tire options those larger sizes.
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For the last 20 years all of the front tires on all of my motorcycles (except for my Royal Oilfield) have worn out before the rear tire. And I keep a close eye on my tire pressures.
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Here's another vote for Michelin Anakee's, but then I have a DSR.
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On my DS :
Front : Michelin Anakee (3?)
Rear : Metzeler Tourance Next
It came with stock Pirelli MT60, which were good on the dirt, but very slippery on the wet (I kept spinning the rear wheel at green lights), The Tourance solved that.
I wish I had the same brand front & rear, but I have to contend with whatever's available when I turn up at a tire shop.
Corentin
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For the last 20 years all of the front tires on all of my motorcycles (except for my Royal Oilfield) have worn out before the rear tire. And I keep a close eye on my tire pressures.
You obviously corner harder than you accelerate. :D
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I bought my bike used and the PO put some ridiculous hard-compound touring tires on the bike that don't exactly inspire confidence when leaned over in a turn. Maybe it's all in my head but I'd like to put something a bit softer and rounder; what does the forum recommend?
I saw according to the unofficial manual, the newer MY bikes come with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II's. I see the Rosso III's are out now, but apparently not in the OEM-recommended sizes.
The other line I was looking at was Michelin's Road 5. I had Pilot Road 2 and 3's on my last bike and loved them, apparently the Road 5 is the latest and greatest (having dropped "Pilot" from the name) but again, they're not made in Zero's OEM size.
So maybe the question is a two-parter. Not only what tire have you got but also, have you stuck with the OEM size? If not then what size are you using and how has it treated you?
Im now using Metzeler Roadtec Z8, which work fine on my 2015 SR. I had Metzeler M5 Front from the beginning, since i got a bad Rosso 2 front tire with the bike (It vibrated more than enough to convince the seller to swap the tire for safety). Personally I cant feel much difference between the M5 and the Z8's, but the Z8s are supposed to last longer and they are probably slightly harder and less track friendly, but they still feel glued to the pavement. I will however try the Roadtec 01 when i change next time, because they should be better in bad weather. The Metzeler rear tire (150/...) is one size bigger than the Rosso2, but work just fine. The Metzeler tires do have pattern at the middle, so there is some vibrations that the Rossos didn't have when going straight, but then again you will be able to see when the tire is worn out- which reduces the chance of spinning the rear tire wildy on wet surfaces (I've tried that).
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My R1200RS came from the factory with Z8 tires. I thought they were pretty decent. The front tire lasted 9K miles and the rear went 10K miles. I am now using Dunlop Roadsmart III tires on the RS and really like them. They turn in better than the Z8's and are supposed to last longer, according the the manufacturer and some internet reports. Traction in both the wet and dry seems pretty good, too. :)
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On the S/SR the stock size is 140/70/17, I found a deal on-line to a tire that was recommended, but it only came in 150/70/17. At a friends recommendation, I tried it and the width looked great and the tire shape was much nicer than other tires I tried at the stock size.
I kept the front tire the same, but I never noticed that the rear tire was slightly larger in diameter.
My front tire tends to wear out a sooner, so it would make sense to try going from the stock 110/70/17 to 120/70/17. Anyone have any issues with that. You get more tire options those larger sizes.
I'd be wary of not only upsetting the geometry of such a slight bike, but destroying the range with 120 front and 150 rear. I'm pretty sure the Zero engineers are half decent and did enough testing to reason the stock sizes. I wonder what sizes they ride on their own SR's.
I'm going with the Michelin Power RS's in stock sizes next.
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Alex, curious why going with a bigger tire would negatively impact range? In my head, my logic went like this: smaller tire = more torque = higher rpm at given speed = less range, and larger tires the reverse. Would that not be so?
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Alex, curious why going with a bigger tire would negatively impact range? In my head, my logic went like this: smaller tire = more torque = higher rpm at given speed = less range, and larger tires the reverse. Would that not be so?
In general, larger tires can result in poorer handling due to the cross-sectional profile changing. They also typically are heavier than a thinner tire and that will slightly degrade the suspension compliance.
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Alex, curious why going with a bigger tire would negatively impact range? In my head, my logic went like this: smaller tire = more torque = higher rpm at given speed = less range, and larger tires the reverse. Would that not be so?
In general, larger tires can result in poorer handling due to the cross-sectional profile changing. They also typically are heavier than a thinner tire and that will slightly degrade the suspension compliance.
Another consideration: A larger tire has more surface area which means it will dissipate heat more than a narrower tire. It's the real reason high performance sport bikes have such large tires. It doesn't give the tire more grip surface; it allow the heat to dissipate more rapidly. The problem is, with the larger tire you MIGHT not be generating enough heat in order to get maximum grip.
Motorcycle engineers design bikes as an entire system. Smaller bikes with less horsepower don't need big tires because they won't be able to generate enough heat which is why their tires look "skinny" compared to the bigger, more powerful bikes. As Richard pointed out, there is a weight difference as well. The stock suspension is set up around the recommended tires. Sidestand, too. Raise the bike a little higher with a bigger tire, and the bike will have to lean over that much farther on the sidestand. I see people here already thinking their Zeros lean over too far.
My old R100RT had really skinny tires compared to the other bikes at the time, but only one or two of my riding buddies could keep up with me once I got moving. The meager 60 horsepower was only half what a typical 1000cc bike put out so it did just fine with the stock tires. Did fine at Pocono Raceway when I took Reg Pridmore's C.L.A.S.S. too. I got dusted in all the straights but made up lots of time in the turns with that bike. Still sorry I sold it to my buddy (wonder if he'll sell it back to me?).
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The bigger the tire, the farther the bike goes compared to the speedometer. So does it really get less mileage?
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DS, Avon Trailrider.
Makes more noise then Michelin Annakee, but ride good and looks great.
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On the S/SR the stock size is 140/70/17, I found a deal on-line to a tire that was recommended, but it only came in 150/70/17. At a friends recommendation, I tried it and the width looked great and the tire shape was much nicer than other tires I tried at the stock size.
I kept the front tire the same, but I never noticed that the rear tire was slightly larger in diameter.
My front tire tends to wear out a sooner, so it would make sense to try going from the stock 110/70/17 to 120/70/17. Anyone have any issues with that. You get more tire options those larger sizes.
I'd be wary of not only upsetting the geometry of such a slight bike, but destroying the range with 120 front and 150 rear. I'm pretty sure the Zero engineers are half decent and did enough testing to reason the stock sizes. I wonder what sizes they ride on their own SR's.
I'm going with the Michelin Power RS's in stock sizes next.
To clarify, I ran the "wrong size" - by 5 mm on each size -I wonder if anyone can even notice this visually without measuring. FYI, there is a nominal value and a size tolerance and tires in general are notorious for not being nominal size.
I tried the stock Diablo Rosso for the life of the tires and found a weird wear pattern basically on the same windy mountain highway that many Zero employees ride to work. My work at the time was blocks away from Zero's and I would often ride with zero employees to work by happenstance.
I don't know the motivation of selecting the Diablo Rosso and the tire size, but I bet it has to do with cost a lot more than you think. Zero is a lean organization, its trying to make a profit and sales are low. I am not sure if they have time to do real tire testing. Zero employees might be riding Diablo Rosso because that is what they have laying around.
The "right" tires for the motorcycle should be up to the rider needs. I like the idea of a little extra rubber and I have had good tire shape and wear results for the life of basically the same tires (Bridgestone T30 before, now T31). Also, originally I found a deal and since tires are one of the largest cost of motorcycles, tire cost is a big factor. Yes, tire diameter is slightly different.
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> The bigger the tire, the farther the bike goes compared to the speedometer. So does it really get less mileage?
Such a fun comment. I don't know where to start.