What tires are better for riding on the streets? My bike has the Pilot Power, but these are track tires. I want a tire for the real world that will grip to different surfaces and will not slide out or get easily upset. Any Tire recommendations for an S4R that doesn't want to race, but play safe around town?  [moto] [moto]

I have pilot powers and do 75% city riding. Theres only 2 types of surfaces you will encounter mainly. Concrete and asphat. And this tire works great on both.

With the powers I have had the rear tire slide a bit when turning.. maybe there has been a bit of debris or something else.
A tire designed for the street will have more grooves and different shape/materials better suited for the street (including better grip when raining)
I found these Metzeler  http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6138/ITEM/Metzeler-Roadtec-Z6-Sport-Touring-Rear-Tire.aspx

Which Pilot Powers do you have?  Regular Power or race?  I used to run the Metzeler Z6 tires since I ride winter, rain, etc and wanted the cold/wet traction.  When the Pilot Powers came out the raves about quick warm up and wet traction persuaded me to give them a try.  The raves were on the money.  Cold damp mornings are not a problem.

I am not sure which powers. These are the stock tires that come with the S4R 2005. Would you recommend the Metzeler Z6 then? how about Dunlop D616 : here: http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Dunlop_D616_High_Performance_Radial_Rear_Tires--509024d.html

Seems that the best choice for the street could be the Michelin Pilot ROAD 2 !!  http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotroad2 
Any suggestions?

So far I like my Pilot Road 2's.

Other tire threads you should check out:
http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=2444.0
http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=703.0
http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=3690.0

Any sport touring tire will work fine - pick whatever is on sale. Dunlop & Conti make nice ones. Sport tires are a waste of money for street ridden Monsters.

Quote from: julianista on June 08, 2008, 09:01:43 PM
With the powers I have had the rear tire slide a bit when turning.. maybe there has been a bit of debris or something else.

There's a bunch of reasons for that, I wouldn't be super quick to ditch the tires you have - unless they are already in need of replacement.

What was the temp like? Wet?  Dry?  Air pressure in the tire?  See any dark sports on the road (oil/diesel)?  Were you a little heavier on the throttle that day?  There's a ton of reasons why the tire might have slipped.  Sure the one it was, could have been the tire.  But plenty of people really like those tires and have reported great grip.

It's pretty amazing how much you tire being 'off' will affect things.  I went for a ride on a loaner S4R one day and she just didn't want to turn in.  Check the tires pressure, front was fine, but rear was lower than I usually ride.  Added a few PSI and she went from lolling into the bends to be light and lively - a marked difference. 

I guess I'm jsut trying to say, eliminate possible other cheap or free culprits before you drop your hard earned dough on different tires that might not make a difference if something else is at fault.

Quote from: msincredible on June 08, 2008, 11:10:28 PM
So far I like my Pilot Road 2's.

Other tire threads you should check out:
http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=2444.0
http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=703.0
http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=3690.0

+1.

I've been happy with wear and grip with Diablo Stradas.

I swtiched from PPs to Corse IIIs. 

I also received 2 speeding tickets in 5 days thereafter.   


Coincidence???

I Don't THINK So.  [moto]

I'm liking my Metzeler M3's so far.  Only about 600 miles on them though, so I can't comment on tread life.

I need to replace my tires REAL soon, and I'm likely going to go for some Continentals.

Specifically the Sport Attack up front and the Road attack out back.  Same geometric and rolling profile, but the rears should last for 5,000 miles or more.  The OEM Diablos are just about flat in the center and were REALLY squirrely the other day.

Nice real-world review here:  http://www.canyonchasers.net/reviews/accessories/road-attack.php

They also look really cool and a MUCH cheaper than the PP's or the Road 2's.

Quote from: larakat on June 10, 2008, 10:33:43 AM
I swtiched from PPs to Corse IIIs. 

I also received 2 speeding tickets in 5 days thereafter.   


Coincidence???

I Don't THINK So.  [moto]

WTH? Where have you been? Glad to see you made it over!

I have the standard PPs on my #1 S4Rs and I've played around w/ the tire pressures and found that Ducati says about 321/2 psi. frt. and 33 psi. Rear and I've run as high as 42 psi in the Rear and 40 psi in the Frt. I'd do some experimenting but don't go crazy w/ the throttle until you find the psi that you feel works best for your type of riding.