Do premium motorcycle tires make a noticeable difference in handling

Morgan3820

Morgan3820

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I am fond of my V-Strom 650. I have 4000 miles on the original Bridgestone Battle axe. I am thinking of going to Michelin Road 6s. Would I notice the difference or should I save my money? As this is my first motorcycle in 40 years, I have nothing to compare. While it is advertised as a sport adventure, I do not go off road. But I do like the twisties.
 
Whatever today’s Dunlop Q3 would be a much grippier tire but may not have near the life of your BAs.

It’s been a close to a decade since I sold my first gen SV650, but I think I’d put money into suspension before tires still.
 
My motorcycle days are long over, but selecting new tires was a crap shoot. Maybe the following videos might help...

Pretty good explanation here:


Also this:

... and this

Love this FortNine YouTube channel. Entertaining and informative, with a wicked sense of humor.
....
 
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My experience has been that if I push a motorcycle (particularly a sport bike) to the limits (say at a track) i can notice differences in handling due to differences in a tries cross section shape. Also, softer and harder rubber makes a difference too, especially with grip. For a standard bike or when riding less aggressive, I’m thinking the differences won’t be as noticeable. When I changed tires on a heavier sport tour bike that I cruised on, with sweeping twistiest included, I would notice more differences in the “ride” (or comfort) more than the performance differences on handling and grip.
 
I'd look for a forum... the vstrom is popular enough that I'd bet there's more than one. The premium tire is not always the best. On my triumph, the factory Metzlers are widely regarded as crap despite being the most expensive option by far, with Avon and Bridgestone being preferred. On my last bike, Shinko's were recommended, and also happened to be the cheapest.
 
I doubt tires are going to make that big a difference on a Vstrom. Can't imagine why you'd have on if you never go off road. Me, I'd rather a more capable street-oriented bike, where tires can make a big difference.
 
TrueCourse said:
My experience has been that if I push a motorcycle (particularly a sport bike) to the limits (say at a track) i can notice differs in handling due to differences in a tries cross section shape. Also, softer and harder rubber makes a difference too, especially with grip. For a standard bike or when riding less aggressive, I’m thinking the differences won’t be as noticeable. When I changed tires on a heavier sport tour bike that I cruised on, with sweeping twistiest included, I would notice more differences in the “ride” (or comfort) more than the performance differences on handling and grip.
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Where I find tire performance differences in normal, everyday riding is dry v wet. Soft v hard tends to show in longevity except on days when it’s really hot and there’s a slick surface while cornering….smooth concrete can be slick as all get out. Hard tires just take forever to get warm enough to grip but never stick.

For your reasons and more, I prefer to spend performance improvement money on the suspension.
 
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I feel like tire choice makes a much, much bigger difference on motorcycles than it does on cars - both the tire type and also the condition. Obviously tires do matter on cars, but I've noticed the difference much more on motorcycles. Yes, you will notice a difference between cheap vs. expensive. My friends who've bought cheap motorcycle tires have all been unhappy with them. The ones whose bikes I've ridden, I've also been unhappy with them. You get what you pay for.

Do you ride (or do you intend to ride) the V-Strom off-road/on dirt any, or do you just stick to pavement? That's the first question given the kind of bike. Generally the better handling tires will wear faster, but I've always considered that an acceptable trade-off for the number of miles I ride (which is not many).
 
On my Triumph Daytona and on my previous Ninja, tires made a tremendous difference in braking and cornering. But these are sport bikes that I rode fast and cornered hard. How much tires matter is inversely proportional to the width of your chicken strips. For a Vstrom ridden a bit sedately it probably won’t matter quite so much, but you really need to talk with other Vstrom owners.

In God and Pirelli do I trust....
 
Half Fast said:
On my Triumph Daytona and on my previous Ninja, tires made a tremendous difference in braking and cornering. But these are sport bikes that I rode fast and cornered hard. How much tires matter is inversely proportional to the width of your chicken strips. For a Vstrom ridden a bit sedately it probably won’t matter quite so much, but you really need to talk with other Vstrom owners.
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I completely get that view and you're not wrong. That said, when I bought tires for our Harleys (right before selling them, to the benefit of the new owners) I bought Pirelli Night Dragon tires, which are essentially high performance tires for big cruisers. Now, nobody would say that Harley Touring bikes are good handling machines, and they aren't. But the difference was enormous vs. the factory rubber and it really made them more enjoyable to ride.
 
Ted said:
I completely get that view and you're not wrong. That said, when I bought tires for our Harleys (right before selling them, to the benefit of the new owners) I bought Pirelli Night Dragon tires, which are essentially high performance tires for big cruisers. Now, nobody would say that Harley Touring bikes are good handling machines, and they aren't. But the difference was enormous vs. the factory rubber and it really made them more enjoyable to ride.
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Well, anything would be an improvement to the handling of a Hardly Ableson! :D This might be a case of those bikes needing every advantage they can get.....

:devil:
 
Half Fast said:
Well, anything would be an improvement to the handling of a Hardly Ableson! :D This might be a case of those bikes needing every advantage they can get.....

:devil:
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No disagreements on that, but my point is that even on a lumbering highway lounge chair, the tires make a very noticeable difference, and to me it was worth it. :)
 
Road 6s are indeed great tires, but Michelin is mighty proud of then price wise. Another good premuimish tire to consider is the Continental Trail Attack 3. They lasted for my entire 20 state 30 day big west tour with tread to spare. Even at 9000mi the handling was excellent.

That said, I tend to be a tire slut and buy on price. Any of the top brands (Michelin, Metezeler, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Continental) are going to be fine, I can scratch the GS pegs with any of them. For reference, I've ridden and can recommend the following for an adventure bike:

  • Dunlop Trailsmart, I went through 6 sets of these when one of the online places was blowing out excess stock at $120 per SET!!! Great handling wet and dry, not super long lasting
  • Bridgestone A41 - Great wet/dry, longer lasting than most, good pricing. Cast iron b!tch to mount, though. If these were easier to mount, they'd be my go-to
  • Metzeler Tourance Next - good all around, on the expensive side
  • Michelin Anakee III - Great wet/dry, not one of the longer lasting tires, but buy them when I can find sets for well under $300
  • Michelin PR6 - Everyone knows how good these are, probably the most expensive, and they don't outlast the A41 or TA3
  • Continental TA3 - Probably the best overall tire I've run on the GS, fantastic handling and feel, and good tread life. On the pricey side, but will be my go-to when I can't find the others at a screaming deal price.
 
Bill said:
Road 6s are indeed great tires, but Michelin is mighty proud of then price wise. Another good premuimish tire to consider is the Continental Trail Attack 3. They lasted for my entire 20 state 30 day big west tour with tread to spare. Even at 9000mi the handling was excellent.

That said, I tend to be a tire slut and buy on price. Any of the top brands (Michelin, Metezeler, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Continental) are going to be fine, I can scratch the GS pegs with any of them. For reference, I've ridden and can recommend the following for an adventure bike:

  • Dunlop Trailsmart, I went through 6 sets of these when one of the online places was blowing out excess stock at $120 per SET!!! Great handling wet and dry, not super long lasting
  • Bridgestone A41 - Great wet/dry, longer lasting than most, good pricing. Cast iron b!tch to mount, though. If these were easier to mount, they'd be my go-to
  • Metzeler Tourance Next - good all around, on the expensive side
  • Michelin Anakee III - Great wet/dry, not one of the longer lasting tires, but buy them when I can find sets for well under $300
  • Michelin PR6 - Everyone knows how good these are, probably the most expensive, and they don't outlast the A41 or TA3
  • Continental TA3 - Probably the best overall tire I've run on the GS, fantastic handling and feel, and good tread life. On the pricey side, but will be my go-to when I can't find the others at a screaming deal price.
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They’re the same way with their car tires. $900 for my rears, with my discount, but they’re worth it.
 
ktup-flyer said:
They’re the same way with their car tires. $900 for my rears, with my discount, but they’re worth it.
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For my cages, I agree, I only run Michelins as they seem to be far and away better than the others. With bike tires, however, it's not so clear cut. You can't go wrong buying any Michelin bike tire, but there are other equal or better tires available for less money. Right now, I'm super impressed with the Continental TA3, and for reference I go through 5-6 sets of bike tires per year.
 
The only thing I notice with new tires on my bike is how nice it rolls into a turn because the new tire’s profile is round again! Other than sticking your neck way out on the street by draggin’ the old knee, any quality tire will be good on your VS. On a sportbike ridden on the track, it a whole different story as you’re testing the limits of adhesion. Doing that on the street is vying for the Darwin Award.
 
Morgan3820 said:
I am fond of my V-Strom 650. I have 4000 miles on the original Bridgestone Battle axe. I am thinking of going to Michelin Road 6s. Would I notice the difference or should I save my money? As this is my first motorcycle in 40 years, I have nothing to compare. While it is advertised as a sport adventure, I do not go off road. But I do like the twisties.
Click to expand...
I don’t know what a Vstrom is but I’ve had enough bikes and different tires on them to know that tires can make a big difference in handling when you like to go play in the twisties. The Dunlops that came with the Virago I bought were like riding on bowls of jello compared to the Metzelers I replaced them with. I don’t think I had much more than a thousand miles on it when I did that.
 
Ted said:
I completely get that view and you're not wrong. That said, when I bought tires for our Harleys (right before selling them, to the benefit of the new owners) I bought Pirelli Night Dragon tires, which are essentially high performance tires for big cruisers. Now, nobody would say that Harley Touring bikes are good handling machines, and they aren't. But the difference was enormous vs. the factory rubber and it really made them more enjoyable to ride.
Click to expand...
Yeah on the Pirelli. It was time for new tires on my Road King and went shopping and found out about the Pirelli’s. I didn’t even know they made scooter tires. I agree that the difference was enormous.
 
I ran Pilot Powers exclusively on my sport bikes. I ran Pilot Roads exclusively on my sport tourers. Michelin has been the best performers, in terms of grip and longevity. The Continental tires that were OEM on my 1200RT were pretty close. They handled great, just didn't last long.
 
I run Michelin now, tried a bunch of different ones over the years. What I found is that the grippier they are, the faster they wear out. Generally speaking, grippier tires are made from a softer compound.
 
I've been a solid Bridgestone person for all my sport/sport-touring bikes. Dunlops on the Goldwings.

The Bridgestone Battlax tires vary so much. RS10/11, BT-016, 22, 32, etc. go from soft, high-gripping race tires to harder, longer-life road tires.

Battlax is a family name - not an individual tire. The number matters and front/rear should match.
 
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I'm running Shinko 701's on my Vstrom 650, they're way better on and off of the pavement than the Bridgestones that it came with. Although, they do make more noise.
 
Morgan3820 said:
..... While it is advertised as a sport adventure, I do not go off road. But I do like the twisties.
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How about:

https://www.americanmototire.com/st...battlax-s22-190-55zr-17-75w-rear-9848-mc.html

Don't know what size you take.

The S22 is less-soft than the RS-10, so it won't disintegrate after 1,000 miles as a track tire would.
Yet, softer than the higher-numbered siblings, so it gives grip on the twisties.

If you're looking for a swiss-army-knife tire for a like-minded mount, this could keep you pretty happy, IMO.
 
Vstroms can do twisties, but there are bikes that can do them way more better. I like mine a lot. It is street oriented and fast, but far more comfortable that the Super Sports. And it's Italian.
 
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