By Molan on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 02:03 pm:

Hi there Mille owners,

I have a Falco & asked the user group for opinions but didn't get that many ersponses so I thought I'd ask you guys to see if you're any more responsive...

I live in the UK & use my bike nearly every day on a 40 mile each way commute.

As the rainy season now seems to be upon us I've noticed that my Avon tyres (I think they are Azaro Sports - must check!) seem very jittery in the wet.

Simple everyday things like cats eyes on the motorway seem to become an obstacle in the wet (yes, I know I could just concentrate on avoiding them but it's not always that easy in the rush hour on the M4!).

Anyone got any recommendations for good winter tyres? I'm more interested in the best grip I can get even if it's going to cost me - I've just bought some Oz wheels from an RSV-R owner so should realy clad them in something appropriate....  

By Webhamster on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 02:11 pm:

I'd go for Bridgestone BT010's if it were me.

Average mileage (depends how you ride)
Good in the wet
Good for those occasional dry days too!

On balance, an excellent all-round tyre.

 

By Salkhan on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 07:09 pm:

012ss are even better in the wet.  

By Djrae on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 11:55 pm:

BT 10's are good in the wet.
never tried 12s but hear good things - do not know about wear rates for them.  

By Crmc33 on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 12:03 am:

M1 Sportecs,

Good in the wet, dry, and good mileage (better than the MEZ3)

It would be these or the BT010's for everyday use for me.  

By Scotty on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 01:33 am:

As Crmc33 says Sportec M1 or 010s

I'm pleased to announce that as of this morning I'm now running Sportec M1s front and rear! How I missed the handling a nice round rear tyre gives you and I'm still scrubbing it in!  

By Salkhan on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 05:22 am:

I went from the 010 to the 012ss back to back and I won't go back to the 010. 012ss are better everywhere EXCEPT wear - and it's not even that big of a difference in wear. Highly recommend them.

Next up is the 001s - but that's because I'm done on the street. ;) 

By Jol on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 07:24 am:

I've always found Bridgestone BT010's really good in the wet (whereas Dunlop 207 have a habit of letting go without that much warning); the only thing is that they are noticably sensative to tyre pressure, in that if they drop a few PSI you'll really notice the steering getting heavy.

But this is not a bad thing as it gives early warning to check them a bit more often then we say we do.  

By Russ on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 06:29 pm:

I have Sportecs fitted to my bike, and have found them to have really good handling in the wet. In fact at a ride day at Eastern Creek racetrack, in the wet, I found that I only had to drop my speed by about 20 Km/h in the fast corners. It really depends on whether you prefer to ride in the wet or dry. As a dry ride tyre, I know people that would take the Bridgestones over the Metzlers, but I have found them far superior than the OEM fitted Pirellis. Even your riding style can impact how the tyre performs. The Metzlers have much larger grooves than tne Bridgestones...hence more water dispersal...well thats the theory. I like the Metzelers, but I will try the Bridgestones next just to see what they are like, and will decide what suits me the best.  

By Geo on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 08:17 pm:

....and I have the BT012s and will try the Sportecs next.
So it goes.......  

By Benw on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 01:22 am:

Erm... Russ,

the sipe depth and diameter is no indication of a tyres ability to flow water. The actual design of the sipe, it's shape and direction, is more relevant to how it will perform in wet conditions.

Don't judge a tyre by its tread etc...

B  

By Scotty on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 02:23 am:

The only tyres that I've had on the falco that were really bad in the wet was the OE METZ3..

Had no complaints about the wet grip of 010s or 010/020 combo (when rear tyre was actually round).

I used my complete set of sportecs (rear fitted yesterday) for the first time today in fairly heavy rain in London.. the rear has only done about 35miles yet already feels fine to a degree, no squirming over banding and white lines at all, also seems to absorb bumps/uneven road surface very well.. much smoother ride than the bridgestone rear I did have (this maybe that the tyre is round though).
Obviously taking cornering extra easy today as the tyre is still very new so I can't comment on this at the moment.  

By Mr_Venjer on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 12:35 pm:

Got my BT012SSs on at the moment. No twitches or anything yet. Feels weird turning in though, this must be due to my Supercorsas that were bald and square and didn't turn at all - eh Paul !!!

Kevin