V7 Classic tires

[harv7]

So--My 2011 V7 Classic is about a year old now, 6500 miles.  The original metzler tires, even though they are less than two years old and live in the garage, are weather checked.  My dealer took pictures of them (did a nice jot too) and sent them off to Guzzi.  Guzzi says it's just cosmetic, and is not interested in replacing them.  So, next spring I will be buying tires.  Not Metzlers.  I thought I would ask for some suggestions.  Criteria:  Most important is sticking to the road.  Not race bike tires that have to be hot to stick, but street bike tires that stick well.  I only ride about 6000 miles per year, so longevity is not really that important to me.  Price is not critical, so long as it isn't just crazy expensive.  The bike rarely leaves the pavement--maybe a couple of miles on a dirt road if I wander off somewhere and that's the only choice to keep going the right direction.  But not more that 5 miles out of the first 6500.  As I write this down, I guess that sticking to the pavement, while accelerating, turning and stopping,  is about the only important criteria, and for lack of anything else, price is a distant second.  Thanks for any suggestions or advice. 

 

[rocker59]

1)  Pirelli Sport Demon.

2)  Michelin Pilot Activ.

[Bill929]

I don't have any experience with the Michelin Pilot Activ, but I run the Sport Demons on my Lemans and my Bonneville (just sold).  The Sport Demons work great on both those bikes and they were a huge improvement over the Metzlers that came stock on the Bonneville.  The Sport Demons are reasonably priced and should last about 8k miles. 

[kirkemon]

This report said that the Sport Demons were great but didn't last long and gave them 2 stars. The Dunlop GT501, Michelin Activ, and Avons all got 5 stars.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9780

[Tazturtle]

Sport Demons are the standard tires for the latest V7 range and the previous Racers and are a significant improvement on the Michelins.

Most owners find they last pretty well. Mine are over 4000 miles and wearing well.

[LongRanger]

The stock Metzelers on my 2011 V7C only lasted 4600 miles. They're being replaced with a set of Sport Demons as we speak. Do you guys always replace the tubes too?

[wittangamo]

Yes.

[Baldini]

For what your asking Sport Demons are great. Excellent grip, handling & feedback, progressive at their limits. Wear rate will depend how you use them but they do wear faster than some other, less sticky tyres. However, unlike some, they do wear very evenly, so don't lose handling as they go.

KB

[harv7]

Thanks to all you guys for the replies.  This should put me on the right track.

[Kev m]

Bumping...loved my Sport Demons, but seriously considering the Michelin Pilot Activs to replace them...think I can get a couple thousand more  miles out of them? Mor like 6-8 rear instead of 4-5???

Any experience?

[LongRanger]

No experience yet, but the Michelins are next for me too. My Sport Demons held their profile nicely but after about 4000 miles, they're down to the wear bars.

[jas67]

1)  Pirelli Sport Demon.

 :+1

I have these on my V7C, and they completely transformed the bike as compared to the original Metzlers.
My biggest gripe with the Metzlers was they followed rain groves and other imperfections in the road terribly.

The stock Metzelers on my 2011 V7C only lasted 4600 miles. They're being replaced with a set of Sport Demons as we speak. Do you guys always replace the tubes too?

I had new tubes put in when I had mine mounted.   I figured, when I'm already paying for the tires and mounting, tubes are cheap.

[jas67]

Bumping...loved my Sport Demons, but seriously considering the Michelin Pilot Activs to replace them...think I can get a couple thousand more  miles out of them? Mor like 6-8 rear instead of 4-5???

Any experience?

I'll be watching for opinions on these too, as I'm at about 3,500 miles on my Sport Demons, and would say they are definitely more than half used up.   I'm going to guess I'll be replacing the at around 5,000 miles.

[Kev m]

I'll be shocked if the rear Demon lasts to 5k.

[DaSwami]

I find the rear Sport Demon on the 2013 Stone breaks traction easier than any tire I've ever used in my life.  Even hard braking at 10mph will lock the tire in a slide.  I'm guessing the sidewall is overly stiff and doesn't flex well, being a bias ply, and thus tends to slide easier.  I'll be looking hard for a radial tire to replace it.

[drw916]

My Sport Demons are shot at 4300 miles, almost all commuting.  I'm looking for longer lasting as handling isn't a top concern.

[clubman]

1)  Pirelli Sport Demon.

2)  Michelin Pilot Activ.

:+1  :+1

[Moto Fugazzi]

My Sport Demons are shot at 4300 miles, almost all commuting.  I'm looking for longer lasting as handling isn't a top concern.

Metzler ME880 are the best for long lasting if handling is not a concern. Looks like they have an ME888, but I don't know anything about those.
Ken

[Stormtruck2]

I have had the ME 88, , and now the 880.  They are on my 96 Cali 1100, and my 98 EV.  They handle great on a cruiser, wet traction is good also.  On any mule I think the Metzler is a great tire, the 88 or 880's anyway.  For sportier use, there are better tires.

[Pfaff!]

1)  Pirelli Sport Demon.

2)  Michelin Pilot Activ.

The Michelins are VERY near to the Pirellis concerning grip, but will last 2-3 times longer.

[Kev m]

The Michelins are VERY near to the Pirellis concerning grip, but will last 2-3 times longer.

Encouraging report!!! Will likely try one soon.  ;-T

[Guzzimundi]

Encouraging report!!! Will likely try one soon.  ;-T

I got about 8 Ks out of my last two Demons. I like the tire too much to part ways with it, though Anders' report is most interesting!

http://littlebreva.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/new-rear-brake-pads/

[Kev m]

I got about 8 Ks out of my last two Demons. I like the tire too much to part ways with it, though Anders' report is most interesting!

Well, I do understand cause I definitely like the Demons.

But If I can't get a year out of a tire, when it's on one of the 3 bikes that I ride, then I might not be able to live with that.

I can at least try the Michelin and I can always go back to the Demon if that doesn't give me enough grip. But considering I like Metzeler 880s, I can't imagine the Pilot Activ would be a problem for me.

[Guzzimundi]

Well, I do understand cause I definitely like the Demons.

But If I can't get a year out of a tire, when it's on one of the 3 bikes that I ride, then I might not be able to live with that.

I can at least try the Michelin and I can always go back to the Demon if that doesn't give me enough grip. But considering I like Metzeler 880s, I can't imagine the Pilot Activ would be a problem for me.

Well, Anders' reports tend to be quite accurate so it might definately be worth giving the Michelins a try, though Anders does ride that slow Red Breva. Those were the slowest, weren't they?  ~;

[Pfaff!]

Well, Anders' reports tend to be quite accurate so it might definately be worth giving the Michelins a try, though Anders does ride that slow Red Breva. Those were the slowest, weren't they?  ~;

Don't think so. A Demon will last for only 3000 kms on a RED Breva. :P

[LaGrasta]

Running Demons on my V7 with about 5k on them thus far and they are bald. And as mentioned, they slip, not a fan. I'm going to a set of BATTLAX and am looking forward to it. Not to mention, I don't like demonic nomenclature.  ~;

[SmithSwede]

Can't comment on Michelin Pilot Activ mounted on a Guzzi, but I run them on a Ninja 250 and think they are terrific, wet or dry.  Got about 11,500 on the rear--still had some life on it.  Presumably a heavier/more powerful Guzzi would not last quite that long.

[drw916]

I'll give them a try.  Just ordered Pilot Active's for the Stone from Bike Bandit.  $227.00 delivered.

[DaSwami]

I'll give them a try.  Just ordered Pilot Active's for the Stone from Bike Bandit.  $227.00 delivered.

Sizes?  I'd be very interested in your experience.  I'll PM you if you don't post.

[drw916]

I ordered the stock 130/80 x17 for the rear, but for the front, I went with a smaller 90/90 x 18.  I remember how the larger size messed up the handling of old airheads, and thought I'd give the 90/90 a shot.