Which tires?

[SteveO.]

I searched and couldn't find a current answer, so here goes.....

I've never kept a bike long enough to need to replace the tires, but now it's time. What would be a good tire for a 2011 796 used mostly for commuting, but I do get out for a highway run every week or so.  I don't race it, wheelie it or stunt at all, just street legal riding. I try to avoid the rain, but it happens. Suggestions?  Thanks. ....Steve

[Dirty Duc]

Round ones.

For your stated preferences, I would stick with Conti-motions... cheap and decent.  Shinko 009s are nice also, but I've found they wear out faster than the contis.  I have found the contis to be marginally better in the wet.  I haven't tried the high end sport touring tires, but I hear good things about the Pilot Roads... all these things depend on your budget, your riding style, your annual mileage, and your own biases. 

[SteveO.]

Round ones.

For your stated preferences, I would stick with Conti-motions... cheap and decent.  Shinko 009s are nice also, but I've found they wear out faster than the contis.  I have found the contis to be marginally better in the wet.  I haven't tried the high end sport touring tires, but I hear good things about the Pilot Roads... all these things depend on your budget, your riding style, your annual mileage, and your own biases. 

Thanks for the info.

Budget isn't my main factor but I don't want to spend a pile of cash for a marginally better tire. Cheap is good, as long as it's not at the expense of a safe amount of traction.

Am I best to stick with stock width on a newer Monster or is there a reason to change it up?  Like I said, I don't know much about tires on street bikes as I've never replaced them before, so thanks for your patience. ....Steve

[Dirty Duc]

IMO, tires are tires.

I wouldn't change the width or sidewall height unless I was sure what I was after (you seem to be undecided in the bike category).  Wider rear will make it turn in marginally slower (although you probably won't notice after a few hundred miles).

I've heard (operative word) that the ST tires will last significantly longer (maybe 2x) than my tire choices.  Of course, those tires also cost twice as much. 

I commute on some strange rough pavement at highway speeds, and I'm a hooligan.  I'm happy to get 4k out of a rear tire.  I got 4k or so on the shinkos, and 5k on the contis.  2 rears to a front.

[Triple J]

Any sport touring tire should work fine.

[Speeddog]

Pirelli Angel in OEM size.

[SteveO.]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Any feedback on the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's?  I can find them for $250 for a pair from the same place I'll be getting all my dirt tires this season.  http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/49/-/181/750/-/20817/Michelin-Pilot-Power-2-CT-Rear-Motorcycle-Tire

[Dirty Duc]

nothing wrong with them that I can tell.

That is more than I normally pay for a set of tires, but I normally don't venture out of cheap.  I normally discount mileage claims on tires... and figure I'll have to replace a front every year whether it is worn out or not (due to cracks).

[brad black]

the power 2ct is a sports tyre.  you could run a sport touring rear and sport front.  i have always not liked sport touring tyres on the front of my monster as i only ever had one real corner on the commute and the sports touring tyres felt bad on the corner, sports tyre better.  depends on you.  plus i haven't ridden my own bike on any of the latest ranges.  pilot road 3, angel st, z8, 023, road attack, whatever the avon one is, they're all much of a muchness in as much as personal opinions will vary much more.  i know my friend who rides a bmw r1200rt cop bike says the pr3 are better than the z8 (maybe z6) on them, esp in the wet.

and remember that a current sport touring tyre probably has better sports performance than the sports tyre available 10 years ago.

[skurvy]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Any feedback on the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's?  I can find them for $250 for a pair from the same place I'll be getting all my dirt tires this season.  http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/49/-/181/750/-/20817/Michelin-Pilot-Power-2-CT-Rear-Motorcycle-Tire

I got my bike back in '06 and it came with the Pilot Powers. I'm not an aggressive rider but I had alot of confidence with those tires in the twisties, enough to get rid of the chicken strips . I did quite a bit of commuting and the Pilot Powers were fine in the rain (when I got caught in it).

First 2 sets of tires were Pilot Powers. I was averaging about 12k miles on a set of tires so for the 3rd set I wanted to try the Pilot Power 2CT's. I ordered a set online but the company mistakenly sent out a set of regular Pilot Powers. I knew they would be fine so I kept them, never got to try out a set of PP2CT's, but I'm sure they would've been an improvement over the regular Pilot Powers.

I've since relocated to Miami and recently hit 36k. Now on my 4th set of tires, I decided to try out the Pilot Road 3's simply because I know I'm gonna get caught in the rain more and the moto is my only transportation. I've put about 2000+ miles on them and so far, so good. Florida roads are boring, no twisties, and everything is flat.   for Pilot Powers and Pilot Road 3's

[muskrat]

Pirelli Angel in OEM size.

+1

[BastrdHK]

Pilot Road 2/3's will give you the best combination of performance + longevity.

[SteveO.]

All great feedback so far, thanks.

Is there a reason to look at sport touring tires instead of sport tires?  Am I right to say better grip with sport, more life with sport touring?  Thanks again.

[Dirty Duc]

All great feedback so far, thanks.

Is there a reason to look at sport touring tires instead of sport tires?  Am I right to say better grip with sport, more life with sport touring?  Thanks again.

Sport tires will have better grip in perfect conditions.  Sport touring tires will generally last longer, and provide more grip than most people need in most conditions.

[BastrdHK]

^^^+1

With your description of your style....I would recommend the Sport Touring....if you find you need more performance you can switch in 8-10K miles, that is the beauty of this particular maintenance item