Great glorious tire choices

[thepathlesstaken]

I am due for a new set of tires. My current pair are old albeit in great looking condition. I just don't want to risk any possible problems with running old 8+ year old rubber.

This current part is a front ME-Z1 (old school one) ME-55 rear (known as Lazertec now) and I have never had any problems with them even with spirited riding in the twisties.

After crusing the net for various reviews I have pretty much narrowed my choices down to the Meztler Z6 or the Continental Road Attack tires (leaning [pun intended] more towards these).

Sadly the Hawk GT forum does not have many personal reviews on tires which would greatly service the Hawk community IMO. After all everything that a motorcycle does involves the tires, it is a very critical part of this sport.

Anyone out there have any experience running either of these tires (Meztler Z6 or Conti Road Attack) on their Hawk? If so what profile did you use for the front and rear tire?

Regardless of which tire set I get I will post a review on them.

In a week or two I should have a Gaerne GR-S boot review as will hopefully be testing them out today (shipment supposed to arrive today).

[SkinnE]

I'm fairly certain at least one or two people have written on here that they liked Conti's, not sure if they were road attacks or sport attacks, but Jeff (speedyr) can tell you about the Z6's. I imagine if you searched for Metzeler and again for Conti/continental it should turn up.

E

[jaysun0ne]

im a Dunlop guy myself

there have been discussions about tires recently but no detailed reviews

[ghandi1616]

I had a set of Conti Road Attacks levered on this past winter. Mind you I did not use them until the snow melted but have loved them so far. They grip incredibly well around corners and have a great deal of straight line stability and wet traction. I previously had a set of Metzler 1's and find the Conti's a big step up in performance. So far this year I have put on about 3000Km and they still look good.

[DefTrap]

Avon Storms.

[motorpsycho]

Conti Road Atack

http://canyonchasers.net/blog/archives/82-Conti-Road-Attack-Update!.html

[jregezeino]

Well...im just about to buy my first new set of tires and i plan on ordering the road attacks...but i have a question. On a stock suspension/wheels hawk, what size meats does anyone recommend running? Is it best to stay with stock size or is a sligtly larger tire good on the hawk? I just want to get the best feel and proven performance out of what i buy.

[thepathlesstaken]

Yeah I am interested in what profile of tire (60 or 70? - front and rear) that you guys are using?

[Guth]

Is it best to stay with stock size or is a sligtly larger tire good on the hawk? I just want to get the best feel and proven performance out of what i buy.

Based on my experiences, it's getting pretty tough to find radial designs in the stock sizes (110/80 17 front, 150/70 17 rear). I found current offerings pretty much limited to the Dunlop D205 series tires, unless you're willing to do some digging in which case you can turn up a few alternatives.

Guth

[Kilter]

Second that emoti-con.... Avons in 110 front and 160 rear. best tyres I've had on so far, and over 9000kms of use so far and should last the rest of the season....

Avon Storms.

[Guth]

Storms

For those of you with the Storms, I'm assuming you went with the 110/70, 160/60 combo?

[DefTrap]

Re: Storms

For those of you with the Storms, I'm assuming you went with the 110/70, 160/60 combo?

Well not really, running different wheels (Bros mk2 front, vfr8 rear) so running 120/70 and 170/60. Plus still using up the last of the Macadam front so only a Storm on the back. So far really impressed. And cheap!

[Abquid]

Tire choices

I just put on a pair of Conti Road Attacks--before that I had Metzeler MEZ4s. I was happy with the Z4s and have no complaints about them. The RAs are definitely different and are taking me a little while to get used to, but I think I like them. My impressions:

The RAs feel completely solid and planted, even when the pegs are scraping. Around corners once I've set my turn it literally feels like I'm on rails. Compared to the Metzelers, they feel like they have a more gradual round as opposed to a "triangular" profile. I feel like the Metzelers were quicker to turn in, or flick into a turn, but were also a little more squirrely if I was really leaned over and pushing it. The RAs feel like they take a little more initial effort, though I'm finding that my lines are tighter with them than they were with the Metzelers.

I think I'd be able to give a better verdict in a week or two, but I'm starting to like the RAs more and more. FWIW, I'm running a 110/70-17 up front, 160/60-17 in the back.

[thepathlesstaken]

Glad everyone could chime in and it helped with my decision.

Both Conti hoops (120/70 160/60) shipped (free shipping if you buy two tires) came to $227.90 via Southwest Moto Tires. Ordered today and they will supposedly be here on Thursday or Friday.

Had I bought the tires from a local shop here in San Diego I would paid about $310.00 with tax.

Southwest Moto Tires got positive response from quite a few riders in my searches for an online tire vendor. Hopefully they live up to their net reputation.

[theclaxton]

I'm on my second set of Bridgestone BT-014s, 110 front, 160 rear...I love them, great all around tire, good for about 2 or 3 track days plus some street time.

Here are some pics after a track day