Finding the "best" tire...?

It seems to me that tires are probably the most important purchase for your motorcycle. It really sucks that a search for tire reviews nets 180 degree opposite opinions on any given tire. Where one person emerges from a coma and swears off one brand of tire forever, another one says he'll never buy any other tire.


With every bike, rider, situation and condition being different, it's hard to make the right choice. So what are you using, how do you ride, and what do you recommend?

Well so far 18 guys have viewed the topic and no one has posted their input yet. Is everyone riding on the rims or are we using rope for tires?

rope? no lol... ive used many different brands of tires on my bike. right now its got dunlops on both ends. i kinda like them but who really knows what works best on any bike until you put em on and try them. just dont push em too hard till they wear in some...steve

The only brand of tire I have been completely unsatisfied with has been Kenda. Presently my 550 has Dunlop D404's on it and so far I am very satisfied. I've also had a set of Cheng Shin on the 550 and for a very low priced tire I thought they performed very well. My style of riding is mostly commuting to and from work and pleasure riding. No peg dragging, knee sliding here. I think tires should inspire some confidence in dry, wet and loose (gravel) conditions. Dunlop and Cheng Shin have met those expectations for me. The Kenda's were horrible in gravel and on wet roads.

Dunlop GT501's, 'cos I go a long way at any one time.
Cost a f*****' fortune, in your dollars about [1 pound = 2 dollars]$350:angry:
Supposed to be hard wearing...
****** better be:woohoo:

Just getting my first new tire mounted up while the 750 is up on the lift. 250 is on the originals (only 5000miles) and the Z1 is in no condition to be needing tires yet :laugh: .
Getting the same tire put on the rear of the 750 as was already on it, Bridgestone Spitfire. I'll let you know how it goes, it has to be better than the 20 year old square one that I was riding on

It sucks that about the worst rated tire I've read about is the Kenda (anything) and thats was the prior owner put on the bike before I bought it. I've only logged a few miles and I already noticed that it's gonna be getting stuck in lines on the road.

Some people swear by running a matching pair of tires, while others will religiously run certain brands on the back and others up front (by choice, not for cash savings).

I bought a Duro last year. Cheaper, but seems to handle decently and wears pretty good, but it didn't take long for it to find a nail in the road.

Tires are like anything, a $50 tire is not a $125 tire. Lower line tires are generally going to either wear quicker or get slippery quicker and will never match a better quality tire. For years I always ran Dunlop K591 which I think is now the GT501. They are a great tire. Dunlop 404 is basically the same idea as Cheng Shin, Kenda and that kind of tire. Good enough, but not as good by a long shot. Other tires I've tried are the Metzler touring elite, too hard of rubber and "never" wears out. Metzler Lazers were a real good tire, but I still liked the Dunlops. Last tires I've got were the Continental TKH24 whatever they are called and they were real good. Now I bought the new Avon roadriders and they are a great tire too. None of this is a lot of help specifically, but most tires are plenty good for most riders, just the better tires are that much better and well worth the difference. Tires are still relatively a bargain for now. Once the government sticks their noses in and trys to put expiration dates on tires we can look to pay $300 a tire probably.