Just because a particular tire is round and black doesn't mean it's the ideal rubber for your ride. And if your purchasing decision was based on a "blowout sale" then you'll probably be dealing with a blowout of another sort before too long.
Your tires are the most crucial part of your bike's performance as well as your safety. Rolling around on old, crusty tires is not only dangerous, it doesn't allow for much exploration of the bike's capabilities. Don't be a cheapskate ignoramus; use tires that are recommended by the manufacturer for your riding style and ability. A novice rider doesn't need a sticky race compound, nor should an experienced pilot who rides aggressively be rolling on touring tires. Select a tire tailored to your riding style; whether it's street, strip, track or cruising to a bike night there are numerous options.
Key:
S Street
S/T Street/Track
W Wide Tire
Continental
RaceAttack Street [S]
-Increased footprint at extreme lean angles
-Zero degree steel belt construction for higher stability and feedback when braking into and accelerating out of corners
-Innovative tread pattern with a progressive slick area on the shoulder for more control and grip
-Continuous Compound Technology uses a single compound
SSB Says: They've been designed at the track yet are durable enough for the street with maximum grip under either conditions.
$157.95 Front
$188.95 Rear
conti-online.com Michelin
Power One [S/T]
-Four tread compounds (two for the front and two for the rear) help improve wet grip, warm-up time and low temperature performance
-Synthetic Component Technology compounds combined with synthetic resins promote ultra-fast warm-up with outstanding grip
-Tread grooves only cover five percent of the tire's surface to maximize contact and facilitate lean angles approaching 60 degrees
-Center withstands aggressive acceleration and braking while the softer shoulder compound helps ensure outstanding grip on the road or track
SSB Says: Multiple compounds in each tire offer grip when cornering but still offer longer life down the center.
$209.95 Front
$343.95 Rear
michelinmotorcycle.com Pirelli
Diablo Rosso Corsa [S]
-High performance tire for the road
-Multi-compound composition with three zones at the rear optimize the area of contact to ensure maximum grip on the road and racetrack
-Aggressive tread pattern is in line with the Rosso style
SSB Says: The Rosso Corsas offer great grip for both the street and track without compromises.
$204.95 Front
$248.95 Rear
us.pirelli.com Continental
RaceAttack Custom [W]
-High grip level in dry and wet conditions with excellent cold grip from a modern sport compound
-Zero degree steel belt construction for advanced stability and a comfortable ride
-Available in sizes up to 240mm
SSB Says: A high performance tire for the custom wide tire bike owner that refuses to compromise traction for style.
$133.20 Front
$301.35 Rear
www.conti-online.com Michelin
Power Pure [S]
-Up to two pounds lighter per set reduces unsprung weight and rotating mass benefiting acceleration, braking and grip
-Two Compound Technology shoulders mean more grip when the bike is leaned in corners
-Grooves cover only 12 percent of the tread surface to maximize the contact patch
-Racing derived tread compounds
SSB Says: The best place to drop weight is rotating mass and these shoes are light in the loafers.
$181.95 Front
$230.95 Rear
michelinmotorcycle.com