[FangShui]

I've been looking up tire ratings and is this not backwards?

54 would be the load rating at 212kg/467lbs

H speed rating would be 130mph

W speed rating would be 168mph

So with that, a 54H and 54W would have the same load rating, but the W would have a higher speed rating. Wouldn't I want the W over the H?

You are correct. My error. I corrected it in my post to read as follows:

You can get the front in a 54W for $82.68 but the higher 'W' speed rating would mean a less comfortable ride due to increased tire stiffness. A tire capable of running at high speeds requires a more stiff construction in order to provide the necessary high speed stability and durability.
Also, using front and rear tires with different speed ratings (and stiffness) is definitely NOT recommended as it could affect handling and stability.

 

[Kojiiro]

i wont say that i am riding it that hard cause im still a beginner rider.. it just tends to slip every now and then when i try to make a more aggressive lean..

Don't take this the wrong way and this is nothing against you. I don't know what your skill level is on a bike but just because you have slipped the rear end of your R3 doesn't mean it's necessarily the tire. I have done that a few times on my first bike and it was because of me, not the tires.

 

[gevR3]

Don't take this the wrong way and this is nothing against you. I don't know what your skill level is on a bike but just because you have slipped the rear end of your R3 doesn't mean it's necessarily the tire. I have done that a few times on my first bike and it was because of me, not the tires.

thats fine none taken.. i know it could be me or any other factors, i just wanted to hear opinions from more experienced riders like yourself its just i also saw some reviews and threads about the tires being not that great or it could use a better tire for the bike? thanks for the info

 

[blue]

As a complete rookie, I've stayed away from leaning over too far because of what I keep hearing about the tires; looking to get some use out of 'em before I can get some that are more confidence-inspiring. I'm at 850 miles and they haven't let me down (with conservative riding + commuting each day).

 

[sedanman]

Bridgestone S20's are far superior to the stock bias ply junk that comes on these bikes and are cheaper than fizing the scratches and damge from a crash. The boost in confidence is worth the cost.

 

[Mase]

Have you guys ridden the S20 EVO in heavy rain? Where I'm from you never know when you're going to be caught in it.

 

[Aufitt]

Like the DR2, the s20 is targeted as an all weather tyre.


Ive raced on DR2's in blinding rain, and also ran within 2 secs in the wet,
cant imagine their only main competitor is going to be worse.

 

[foothills]

I don't doubt the S20s would be a lot better; had them on my DRZ, and will change over to them when these wear out.

What I don't understand is people keep referring to the stock tires as bias ply, but the Michelin web site says the Pilot Street is a radial tire?

 

[FangShui]

I don't doubt the S20s would be a lot better; had them on my DRZ, and will change over to them when these wear out.

What I don't understand is people keep referring to the stock tires as bias ply, but the Michelin web site says the Pilot Street is a radial tire?

Michelin makes two versions of the Pilot Street: Pilot Street AND Pilot Street Radial.

The R3 has the Pilot Street, which is a bias ply tire.

Note on the website for the Pilot street, lower right where it says SEE ALSO, Pilot Street Radial

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-street

The radial version actually says Pilot Street Radial on the sidewall and has an R in the size there, too. Bias Ply just says Pilot Street and no R.

View attachment 19034

View attachment 19018

 

[sendler]

Have you guys ridden the S20 EVO in heavy rain? Where I'm from you never know when you're going to be caught in it.

I haven't been out on my R3 in a cold rain yet since it is my play bike. I guess I could take it out to check the rain performance of the S20 but I just detailed the bike. It is 45F and raining right now in NY.
.
(but I am still riding my CBR250R to work every day with my electric liners plugged in. The IRC's stick like glue in a cold rain.)
.
The S20 has more deep tread grooves than any of the other Bridgestone sport tires but it is a slick shoulder design. The tread grooves don't go all the way to the edge. So you get maximum grip on the track at maximum lean angles but still get some all weather performance in the rain where you should be riding more carefully and won't be cornering all the way to the edge of the tire.
.
The reason the 140 and 110 are so cheap is because they are single compound so they aren't going to last as long. The larger sizes are 3LC front and 5LC rear.
.
Bridgestone's chart shows this tire as having better wet grip than the BT-003. See the link and scroll down.
.
http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/battlax/s20evo.html
.
The best sporting rain tire is the Michelin Road 3 or 4 but they don't make them in our size.
.
http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-road-4
.

 

[mikiee]

From that website above, (MICHELIN Pilot Street) "Offering everyday riding pleasure thanks in part to its excellent handling in traffic jams." LOL! Next time I'm in stop and go traffic, I'll be sure to see how far over I can lean.

 

[expseeker]

@hambodian which tires brand + dimension have these radialtires been?

 

[foothills]

Well that sux!

Michelin makes two versions of the Pilot Street: Pilot Street AND Pilot Street Radial.

The R3 has the Pilot Street, which is a bias ply tire.

Note on the website for the Pilot street, lower right where it says SEE ALSO, Pilot Street Radial

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-street

The radial version actually says Pilot Street Radial on the sidewall and has an R in the size there, too. Bias Ply just says Pilot Street and no R.

View attachment 19034

View attachment 19018

 

[sendler]

The radial version was reviewed to perform the same as our bias type. Front is ok while the rear is set up for long life with less traction than other tires. Some high mileage riders on the Ninjette forum are getting almost 20k miles on a rear Pilot Street radial.

 

[Aufitt]

Both Michelins are ****,
their 'Radial' fares no better than the Bias OEM that comes with the R3.


Check Ari's vid


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHnmukUJ7aQ


My OEM Wheelbarrow tyres tripped out my 5000 gram scales


even 150's came in 200 grams lighter, 140 DR2's were 300 grams ligher,
This is huge unsprung rotating mass.
Worth the difference between an quality aftermarket shock and OEM.




I'll report back what my S20's weigh when I fit them.

 

[Mase]

Knee down on stock tires...

Have you done it?

 

[RobertNL]

The ones who did it are in graveyard, mate

 

[Tal]

The ones who did it are in graveyard, mate

 

[Kojiiro]

I did. 30 mph parking lot figure 8s. First time ever after owning the bike 1 week. Did it like 50 times that day. Then I did it on the last Palomar ride up he mountain.

 

[Stirz]

At the track during initial break-in - at appropriately adjusted air pressures.