Tire recommendations for V7 II

[Phoneyflounder]

I’m not opposed to the stock Pirelli tires, but they need replacing and I’m inclined to try something new. Looking for tire recommendations for a 2016 V7 II.

Thanks

[fossil]

Continental Road Attack III radials. If you like to ride in cold and wet conditions (like I do for some unknown reasons) the Dunlop Streetsmart (a diagonal tyre) is an alternative. Uncomparably better than the Sport Demon. And durable.

[malik]

I haven't tried the Conti radials yet - waiting until both front & rear wear coincide again so I can get a matched pair. Of those that I have used - Lasertecs, Sport Demons, BT45, Pilot Activ, Avon AM26, it's the Avon's that suit the bike & my riding best. They seem to turn into corners better, handle to occasional gravel better, and they last longer than the others. Note, however, that I'm in Oz - reports out of Germany seem to indicate that that the Avon's don't work so well when it's colder than it normally gets here, and wet.

[Hymes Inc.]

Never quite understood why some people dislike the Sport Demons. Not saying you do. I've always felt confident with them, rain or shine I always feel firmly attached to the road. Have gotten very good life from them also.

[Beowulf]

I second the vote for continental road attack 3's. I like the sport demons, had two sets.
The continentals are a lot better for 2 up riding. The continentals handle way better on any kind of road construction(gotta love Texas). They also at one point were motorads top pick for motorcycle tires. Excellent handling and traction in the rain. Had them on for the last 6000+ miles and couldnt be happier.

[guzzi4me]

I like the Avon AM26 Roadriders too. Excellent grip in all weather. Have used them on all my Guzzi's.

Ride safe and often,

Jeff

[SmithSwede]

I really like the Michelin Pilot Activ tires.  I’ve gotten up to 12,000 miles on the rear.

Currently running some Avon Roadriders that I got much cheaper than the Michelins.  I like them just fine.   Don’t know about mileage yet. 

[malik]

Never quite understood why some people dislike the Sport Demons. Not saying you do. I've always felt confident with them, rain or shine I always feel firmly attached to the road. Have gotten very good life from them also.

Nothing really wrong with the Sport Demon, they are a more than decent tyre. But, for me, the Avons handle better, and get significantly better mileage as well. Admittedly the sample size is small - I've only worn out 19 rears & 7 fronts on the V7s, but the Avon's lasted 53% longer on average on the rear, and 157% longer on the front.

In real world numbers, the best mileage I had from a rear is an Avon at 13,000 miles, and the worst a Sport Demon at 5,000 miles. On the front, worst was the Lasertec at 10,500 (then Sport Demons at 11,300 & 11,400) compared to the Avon's best at 37,000 miles. When you throw in better handling as well ....

At present, I'm trialling another Pilot Activ rear. The last one got 12,000. So far, it seems a tad more reluctant into corners, and I'm less confident of its traction on rough gravel than the Avon.

There are, however, more tyres out there that I haven't yet tried out.

[fossil]

I think my (and other´s) problems with the Pirelli stem from the fact that in Middle and Northern Europe it can be very cold and wet. And in temperatures of around 7°C the pirelli simply doesn´t work. As soon as it is warm (also in the night so that the tyre is not cold in the morning) all is good with the Sport Demon.

So when I by far prefer the Dunlop which I ride for nearly three years now this should be taken into account. The Pirelli nearly everytime gave me a bad feeling. The Dunlop allows me to get the sidestand on the ground with my V7 (2013) in (for us) normal temperatures.

And do not let me start telling about the differences on wet grass...

[marcdavo]

Avon roadriders. Very good tyres. On my girls V7ii. Ive had them on other bikes too. Wear well, last and excellent on road. My two cents worth.

[jas67]

I like the Avon AM26 Roadriders too. Excellent grip in all weather. Have used them on all my Guzzi's.

Ride safe and often,

Jeff

+1

I had 'em on my V7 Racer, and they were wonderful.  Sadly, they went with my V7 Special when I swapped the Special's wire wheels back onto it (and the mags back onto the Racer).    I didn't want to take the time to mount and unmount 4 tires to keep them.    I'll buy them again next time the Racer needs tires.

I also have them on the Eldo.   I like them a lot.

[Vagrant]

Continental Road Attack III radials are the 2019 Corvette in a world of 1963 VW's and Chevys. And yes I have had all of the above on my V7's. There is still a $60 rebate I think until the end of june on the Contis. .