Jashue Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 So I woke up this morning to find that my rear tire is flat. This-- the most perfect day of the riding season thus far, The frustration that I feel is palpable. I found a screw embedded pretty deeply into the tire and after taking it out (I wonder if I should have left it in?). It will hold no air. Triple A is on it's way with a bike trailer and I'll be dropping it off at garage to which I usually go. Question: Does anyone have any recommendations for tires? I haven't had any issues with the stock rubber, but I seem to recall seeing quite a few threads suggesting that I can do a whole lot better. My bike has less than 2K on it, so I will only need to replace the rear tire. On a side note: before I realized just how bad off the tire was, I had it in my mind that I could fire up the compressor, give it some air, and drive to the closest bike place in my area (4 miles away)-- which happens to be a Harley Davidson dealer. The service manager told me that they only work on Harleys. It's not like I wanted a valve adjustment! I wanted to order and install a new tire! So that's how it is.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auron Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 You really can't go wrong if you are getting a premium brand. Anything will transform the bike into an even better handling bike than it already is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duccmann Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Welcome, it would of cost less if ya just brought the wheel to the shop, I've used Michelin Tires now goin on 6 years, first PR3, great tires and two sets of PR4's...great for rain, not so good for extreme heat as I found out on my last set, summers are brutal here in LA and riding 250 miles a week really squared them off commuting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 No complaints before I got a huge screw in my stock rear tire, but switching to PR-4's made riding appreciatiably more enjoyable , and much more confident in the rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jashue Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Since making my initial post I actually used the search function here! I probably should have done that to begin with! It seems the PR4s are pretty popular amongst the denizens of VFRDiscussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted April 17, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 17, 2016 First of all, a salute to the Harley service manager for not working on brands he's not up to speed on. You wouldn't want scratched wheels, etc. Regarding tires, regardless of brand, most are now offering dual compound tires that have a harder compound down the center and softer compound on the sidewalls for long wear and good cornering grip. Many are familiar with Michelins that have that - 2's, 3's and 4's, but there are others. Tires have come a very long way and most recognizable names produce very good products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jashue Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 I've read in other threads here that I might consider replacing the front OEM Dunlop too due to the fact that it is as old as it is (as mentioned previously, it's a 2010 model). On one hand— I hate to do it because the I've put only around 2,000 miles on it, but on the other— I want the bike to handle as it should. What do you folks think? Is the five or six years sitting in a showroom a real cause for concern? How about not matching? Is that an issue? I know with my car I'm pretty particular about regular rotations so that they all wear the same, and I'd never consider for an instant having an oddball tire amongst the other three. I wonder if the same logic should be applied with regard to the bike? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dgordon Posted April 17, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 17, 2016 This year went with PR4's. First time moving from stock dunlops then to Roadsmart and Roadsmart 2's. Love the Dunlops. But my impression of the PR4's is ace. Just need to see how they wear. Aguess I'm joining the chorus. :-) Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted April 17, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 17, 2016 I've read in other threads here that I might consider replacing the front OEM Dunlop too due to the fact that it is as old as it is (as mentioned previously, it's a 2010 model). On one hand— I hate to do it because the I've put only around 2,000 miles on it, but on the other— I want the bike to handle as it should. What do you folks think? Is the five or six years sitting in a showroom a real cause for concern? How about not matching? Is that an issue? I know with my car I'm pretty particular about regular rotations so that they all wear the same, and I'd never consider for an instant having an oddball tire amongst the other three. I wonder if the same logic should be applied with regard to the bike? Granted a dealer will charge more - a new PR4 front from Jake Wilson is $139 to the door. Unless one is a DIY'er, there's also mounting - $30? So call it $170 on the bike. I always change tires in pairs - I like the stickiest rubber I can get. If that slight extra bit is what keeps me from losing it going around a corner, IMO it's worth every penny. Broken plastic, bent bike, rashed gear, doctor bills - tires are cheap compared to all that. OTOH, I've seen riders take tires down to the cords to 'get their money's worth'. It's all personal preference. Riding is inherently riskier than driving a car, so IMHO it's worth the extra cash to give myself every possible advantage. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx9vfr800 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 I ran pirelli diablo's on my first 5th gen and loved them, at least 4,000 miles on the rear every time and did amazing in the rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer The mailman Posted April 17, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 17, 2016 VFRs have just about the easiest rear tires of any motorcycle to remove. Just loosen the lug nuts prior to putting it up on the center stand. Remove/Replace and be on your way. I've actually R/R'ed both wheels after riding to work, taken them in a company vehicle to the local shop for new rubber and picked them up at the end of the day, remounted and ridden home. EASY AS PIE! No AAA or trailer required. I just have a simple 2X4 pyramid placed under the headers when both wheels come off. You'll save quite a bit by just bringing in the wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jashue Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 VFRs have just about the easiest rear tires of any motorcycle to remove. Just loosen the lug nuts prior to putting it up on the center stand. Remove/Replace and be on your way. I've actually R/R'ed both wheels after riding to work, taken them in a company vehicle to the local shop for new rubber and picked them up at the end of the day, remounted and ridden home. EASY AS PIE! No AAA or trailer required. I just have a simple 2X4 pyramid placed under the headers when both wheels come off. You'll save quite a bit by just bringing in the wheels! No center stand! Chalk that up to yet another thing that should have been standard with this model! Oh well... AAA for the bike is included in my membership, so it wasn't too be a deal. And the kid that towed me was a complete bike-nut, so we had a lot to talk about. He never saw a big Viffer before and seemed to love it. For a bike that sold so poorly, it sure does turn a lot of heads and generate a lot of conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted April 18, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 18, 2016 Bridgestone T30 Evo GTs for the VFR1200. You will love them. B'stone learned A LOT as the spec tire for MotoGP the past several years. It shows in their new stuff and the price usually kills the comparable Michelins that I used to love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer zedXmick Posted April 18, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 18, 2016 I've had the PR3's and liked them over the stock tires. Switched to Pilot Power 3's and just love the PP3's. Up close picture of the Pilot Power 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volfy Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 I would say you couldn't go wrong with any of the of major brand ST tires. But... there have been some recent reports of Michelin tire failures, which kinda gives me pause. Not too sure what to make of these reports, as I cannot fathom something like this happening with proper tire pressure and with normal street riding. In any case, here's one with PR4. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122074207807846/permalink/1327023260646262/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer BCmcrider Posted April 28, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 28, 2016 https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/4g1pxg/heres_why_that_pilot_road_4_came_apart/ Refers to running the tire over its rated speed however, only by possibly 20mph. Seems like there would be a bit more safety margin built in so it seems like an unlikely cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer digitallyhip Posted April 28, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 28, 2016 On 4/25/2016 at 7:26 AM, Volfy said: I would say you couldn't go wrong with any of the of major brand ST tires. But... there have been some recent reports of Michelin tire failures, which kinda gives me pause. Not too sure what to make of these reports, as I cannot fathom something like this happening with proper tire pressure and with normal street riding. In any case, here's one with PR4. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122074207807846/permalink/1327023260646262/ I call shenanigans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 23 hours ago, BCmcrider said: https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/4g1pxg/heres_why_that_pilot_road_4_came_apart/ Refers to running the tire over its rated speed however, only by possibly 20mph. Seems like there would be a bit more safety margin built in so it seems like an unlikely cause. For clarity, the rating is "sustained speed" vs. an absolute speed where the tire would self-destruct at 1 mph over its rating. I always thought the rated use time was one hour, but after searching the manufacturer web sites, I suspect they are intentionally leaving that out of the widely published specifications, as it only opens them up to legal problems. Also since the effects of heat and centrifugal force are a product of time x speed, theoretically exceeding the speed for brief periods could be less destructive than a sustained speed at the rated speed. However, given the massive forces involved at the rated limits, and the fact that we are talking about the breakdown of the material, I think a sustained speed at 5 mph over the rating would be playing with fire. The rated speed is also for a brand new tire, on a perfect road surface, under ideal conditions, inflated to the correct pressure for the load and conditions. The rating drops as soon as these conditions deteriorate: Reasons to not play with fire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer VFROZ Posted April 29, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 29, 2016 I had a similar problem a few months ago with a couple of my friends. They had major falls at a recent track day at Eastern Creek, one was a low side, the other was a major fall at 165kmh due to front wheel wash out. They both had it in their heads that they should be running 30psi front, 28psi rear pressures, even after checking them over a couple of laps. I brought up the fact that it was 46*C on the day, and track temperature was 75*C, so I thought they should be running higher pressures due to the fact that temperature was already up and way beyond street tyres, but they said that they were told that that was the pressures they should be running. Common sense should have told them that the info might have been right on a normal day, but this wasn't a normal day. You can't tell people something when they are sure they have knwedege from stuff they have read. One low sided his Ducati Supersport 900, the other wrote off his BMW S1000RR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volfy Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 The "20mph over tire's max rated speed" was purely theoretical, based on mfr published numbers. IF that rear tire came apart at 186mph (that ZX10R's top speed, as mentioned), there wouldn't be much of a bike - or rider - left to take pictures of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkinReno Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 Pr4 GTs. Always in pairs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer fotodadi Posted May 15, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted May 15, 2016 PR4 GTs. Awesome feel and improved handling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer auggius Posted May 16, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted May 16, 2016 I've been using the Michelin PP front & PR2 combo for a while now. But the 170 rear is harder (not impossible) to find in the current offerings so I got a PP rear this time. It rocks! After a day's ride I am within 1/4" to the edge and I was quicker with more confidence than with the PR2. And that was mated to a PP front with 5000 km on it. I change tires as needed. The bonus is that it's a lot cheaper than the PR 3/4 as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiKenG Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 On 17 April 2016 at 0:59 AM, Jashue said: No center stand! Chalk that up to yet another thing that should have been standard with this model! I completely disagree with that. I NEVER want a main stand on any bike I'm riding and don't see why I should have to pay for something I would simply have to take off. Having said that, I did buy a main stand for my VFR1200, just for maintenance. Put it on when I need and then take it off before riding. It's a relatively cheap and very effective way of supporting the bike while working on it. But if Honda had designed a hollow rear axle, we could have used a rear paddock stand, like other SSSA bikes. Now that I think WAS dumb. But I cannot criticise Honda for supplying any bike without a centre stand. That's the way it should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lshark Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 3 hours ago, BiKenG said: I completely disagree with that. I NEVER want a main stand on any bike I'm riding and don't see why I should have to pay for something I would simply have to take off. Having said that, I did buy a main stand for my VFR1200, just for maintenance. Put it on when I need and then take it off before riding. It's a relatively cheap and very effective way of supporting the bike while working on it. But if Honda had designed a hollow rear axle, we could have used a rear paddock stand, like other SSSA bikes. Now that I think WAS dumb. But I cannot criticise Honda for supplying any bike without a centre stand. That's the way it should be. the 1200 doesn't have a rear axle to make hollow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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