Tyres! What next?

[The Nutter]

I know this site has had many threads on the subject but things move on and I was hoping for any new info out there. I'm currently running Conti Road Attacks which I won't be using again. Why? Well they were OK when new but went off very quickly. They instill no confidence in the wet and are now badly squared off. These are the worse set of tyres I've used on my 2004 1200GS. Here's what I've used to date:

From new: Metzeler Tourance 7200 miles
Bridgestone 020 6400 miles
Metzeler Tourance 7900 miles
Currently Conti Road Attack 6000 miles

It appears that the 'road tyres' don't last as long as the chunkier versions. This wouldn't be so bad if the trade off was better grip/handling/feel. But this isn't the case. The Tourances have been the best things I've used on this bike. Great feel all the way up until they're ready to be replaced. The Bridgestones gave a similar level of grip and feel but lasted for 1000 miles less. The Conti's have been awful after the first 2000 miles and have lasted 2000 miles less than the Metzelers. So I'm tempted to go back to the Metzelers but I've heard that the Bridgestone BattleWings are meant to be a superb tyre and I'm tempted to give 'em a go. I won't try the Metzeler tourance EXP because I've heard the horror stories about these.

So, is it the BattleWings or original Metzelers? All comments greatfully received.

Thanks

 

[Nate]

tis funny.... my road attacks are ace

One mans rubbish is another mans.....

 

[Schtum]

Dunlop D607.....

Grippier than very grippy things....

 

[Slowdown]

avon azaros...

 

[KMD]

I'm on my second set of road attacks on my 1150 and have no complaints. Wet, dry or flat out on the Ring. Wore the arrows off the edges. Decent tyres, imho.

 

[jetjock]

Road attacks? Great tyre. 4000 miles and I rekon another 4000 and still grippy in the wet or dry.

 

[The Nutter]

Blimey. Didn't give the Dunlops a thought. I'm glad some people get on with the Road Attacks but I won't be giving them another go. Local tyre outlet has priced the Tourances and the BattleWings at £179.16 fitted to loose wheels so I can't even let the price help decide. Oh well!

 

[t'other dave]

After 3 sets of exellant tourances I've opted to try the Michelin Anakee 2, 1000 mls later I'm very impresesd but can't give anymore till I've wore em out.

 

[the large one]

conti road attacks

Hey if your road attacks have squared off, May I suggest that you change you forum name from nutter to Wooosss. Cos if you ride your bike like i do then, you will find that they are a good tyre with the ability to inspire confidence and make you push the bike to the limits, But then you do have a 1200!!

 

[simonjasper]

avon storms

my 2 penneth....the avon storm st rear with azarro front.....just come out tops in wet grip as well as high up in dry grip according to the rider power survey 2008...

I'm now on my second rear....nailed hard i get 3000 from a rear, but thats 2 up mostly & leathered everywhere, so gentler riders should expect more......turn in & stability on the edge is way ahead of the tourances......magic & cheaper than the big brands!

 

[Mr K]

my 2 penneth....the avon storm st rear with azarro front.....just come out tops in wet grip as well as high up in dry grip according to the rider power survey 2008...

I'm now on my second rear....nailed hard i get 3000 from a rear, but thats 2 up mostly & leathered everywhere, so gentler riders should expect more......turn in & stability on the edge is way ahead of the tourances......magic & cheaper than the big brands!

For 3,000 miles from a rear they'd have to be half the price of any tyre I've used so far.....

 

[Peter Reilly]

I have had Tourance (Mk 1), Battle Wing, Anakee and now Avon Azaro/Storm. I ride only on the road and my preference by far is for the Avons. Handling is much lighter and ride is much smoother. I was going to fit Dunlop Roadsmarts but they were not available in the GS size at that time (May I think). They are due out about now and may be worth a look. The reviews for Roadsmarts have been very favourable in other sizes/bikes.

 

[bustupbiker]

***Dunlop D607***
had the Dunlops on my 12 from new, very good tyre but only lasted 3400 miles, fitted Tourances and never looked back. bit of a trade off though but well worth it in miles of use and they grip until the end, about 9000 rear and 11000 if i pushed it for the front.

 

[Slowdown]

For 3,000 miles from a rear they'd have to be half the price of any tyre I've used so far.....

There's people on here who only get 4000 out of a rear Tourance.

 

[D6]

may i suggest that you like the tourances more because the attacks feel twitchier around corners?attacks are sportier tyres and go into bends faster, im a fairly sporty rider, and sorry but i wouldnt touch a tourance again, not enough grip, however , they didnt drop into corners like a sports tyre, by the fact that you have a squared off tyre suggests that a road tyre is the wrong choice for your style of riding??

 

[Andy B]

Just chucking in the towel on a pair of Battle Wings supplied new on the bike in March. Worked okay to start with but back badly squared off by 3,500 and front showing a very uneven wear pattern.

What am I changing too? Trail Attacks!!

Somewhere on here I've seen mention of a comparison test done this year and reported in the July edition of the BMW Journal. German magazine survey of tyres using a fleet of 1200 GSA's. Number one tyre was Conti Trail Attack. Number two was Tourance (the new one!)

 

[Big Red]

The original Metzler Tourance's are great at everything in all weathers and last 9000+ miles but the Tourance EXP's was a slick at 4000 miles.
I am currently running Conti Trail Attack's and I'm well impressed, they're almost as good as the original Tourance's.

 

[Andy B]

New Trail Attacks fitted!

Got the new boots on yesterday. Fantastic!

Haven't had a chance to clock up many miles yet but well impressed so far. Mind you - it could just be the contrast with the knackered old BattleWings!

If anyone wants a recommended fitter in Worcestershire I've found a great guy just north of the city. Knew what he was talking about, does nothing but bike tyres and competitively priced as well!

 

[alladventure]

Is it just me or have metzeller made a cockup with the tyre compounds on the new EXP/s, had mine on for just over 1 thousand miles and the back has allready squared off, and no i dont ride on the motorway my daily commute is through the lanes in surrey.
won't be fitting them again !

 

[Big Lee]

Is it just me or have metzeller made a cockup with the tyre compounds on the new EXP/s, had mine on for just over 1 thousand miles and the back has allready squared off, and no i dont ride on the motorway my daily commute is through the lanes in surrey.
won't be fitting them again !

Tisn`t just you, loads of people have complained about the longevity of the EXP`s compared to the normal Tourances. They`ve also got 1mm less tread too.