Another tire thread, yes. Looking at what mileage-minded tires you guys prefer.
I was looking at a cheap Bridgestone Battlax T30, since my 9R see's about 100mi/day.
It's currently got Dunlop Sportmax Q3 front and rear, but that rear lasted only a couple/few thousand miles. I want like 5k+
ContiMotions are inexpensive and should get you some decent mileage. They're really grippy for touring tires, too. My wife has them on her bike. They were a budget based decision at the time, but have exceeded our expectations by a huge margin. Somebody (motorcycle superstore, maybe?) has a package deal of right around $160 a set in XBR sizing.
ContiMotion
http://www.amazon.com/CONTINENTAL-MO.../dp/B007N6RPSY
Bridgestone Battlax T30-GT
https://www.denniskirk.com/rear-t30-...prd/544441.sku
I ran the Conti's and just ordered another rear for my bike. Overall they're 'meh'. They are plenty grippy, have decent feel and should work well for anything you should EVER be doing on the street; there's PLENTY of capability there. My big complaint is mileage. My rear is dead at about 4500mi. I tend to be a moderately conservative rider for the most part but here in Indiana I spend a lot of time straight up and down and I ride a lot of chip-seal roads (VERY coarse surface). The Conti's just didn't hold up exceptionally well under my riding conditions. Still, they were good enough for me to buy another rear so as to finish off the front. At their price point their still a very good value.
Easily my favorite though were the Michelin Road 2's I had on my last Buell. I had like 6000mi on them when I sold the bike and they were still looking to be good for a couple thousand more. They had grip EVERYWEHERE (wet, dry, cold or hot) and they wore like iron. Fantastic tire but unfortunately, pricey.
I've got a good stretch of chip-seal. I'm thinking that's what really did in my Q3, since it didn't appear to wear very much at all until they resurfaced that road. Unfortunately, CHP monitors all side-roads like hawks.
I can do 75 in a 65 on that main road and the CHP don't care. I do 60 in a 55 on the side roads and the CHP nail my ass to the wall.
So, something that will do well on that chip-seal would be a big plus.
I have run all of the T30's predecessors (BT020, BT021 & BT023) on a variety of bikes, including a ZX6r, 919, & XB12Ss. I have not yet tried the T30, but based on my previous Battlax experience, & knowing that Bridgestone adopts an 'evolutionary' approach to its sport touring tires, I wouldn't hesitate for one second to go for a set of the T30s if I were in the market.Bridgestone Battlax T30-GT
I've found the Battlax sport-touring tires to offer the optimum combination of traction, handling, mileage & price. I can reliably get ~8000km (5000mi) out of a rear & double that from a front. I ride reasonable hard, but not insanely, on the street, using the full width of the rear tread, & all but the outer-most 1/4" of the front tread. I've yet to discover the traction limit of these tires. The dual compound drastically improves touring mileage too.
I'd caution you however that I don't think you'll need the "GT" version; they're meant for larger bikes like Goldwings & may be too stiff for a smaller sportier bike like your XB9. If it were me, I'd also be inclined to check if any of your local shops have a set of last year's 023's they'd be willing to fire-sale for you.
You can consider this post as an endorsement for the Bridgestones!
Awesome, thank you. I didn't understand what the "GT" label was for, since the standard and GT were the same price.I'd caution you however that I don't think you'll need the "GT" version; they're meant for larger bikes like Goldwings & may be too stiff for a smaller sportier bike like your XB9. If it were me, I'd also be inclined to check if any of your local shops have a set of last year's 023's they'd be willing to fire-sale for you.
I'll also call up CycleGear and ask about the 023's.
I've not yet made up my mind, just getting reviews and prices, so all input is still very welcomed.
Ok of all the tires mentioned above it appears the Conti Motions are the cheapest, are they still the best bang for the buck?
I called around a few shops in town, none had any 180/55 on any kind of clearance or blow-out. I asked opinions on the ContiMotions and Battlax T30's, they all had the same response; Haven't tried the ContiMotion's but have heard a lot of mixed reviews to the point their not sure they would spend the money on it, however the Battlax T30's are pretty popular and have had no complaints.
I bought a Battlax T30 rear for slightly more than online price (support local business), since my Q3 front looks perfectly fine still. Will get it mounted on Saturday. The Kawasaki dealer parts guy that does my tire mountings rides an 1125, he may be on here somewhere.
You just can't beat the michelin road series. I'm blown away how well they're holding up!
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