V7 Classic Tires

[thepittsburghguzzi]

Metzeler Lasertec
Pirelli Sport Demon
Michelin Pilot Activ

I'm a commuter, ride every chance I get, in every kind of weather except for ice and snow. But rain or shine, I put about 250-350 miles a week on my lovely V7 Classic. The Lasertecs that came stock are doing well enough 4,000 miles in - the rear seems to have plenty of life left. My front end on the other hand has begun producing an incredibly annoying vibration / wobble between 50-60 mph, which is often a sweet spot on my commute. I've tried balancing the tire twice with a digital balancer and even replaced the tube because it was slowly losing air. Nothing seems to correct this. It seems like it has to be a harmonic wobble because I can drive out of it at speed, and it isn't exactly constant.. it gets more and less intense, many times a minute, even at constant speed on a smooth surface. It's maddening, and all I can think of is that the tire is wearing in such a way to cause it. The wheel looks true and straight as can be. Has anyone else experienced this? When I start shopping for new tires, I'll be looking at another set of Lasertecs, or the other two tires mentioned above. I do want a grippy tire that can handle twisties, but long life and wet traction are most important to me. What have your guys' experiences been with any / all of the above?

Thanks kindly for any advice!

[cwiseman]

Me vote is for Bridgestone BT45's,  if treated right will give you plenty of miles and they are reasonably priced. The grip wet or dry is excellent, have a great feel, and always balance well.

[Zoom Zoom]

I have not been fond of the Lasertech's for precisely the reason you describe. As for other Metzlers, such as the 880's, I have been quite happy with them. Since I am not sure of the choices you have for your bike, I'll leave it at that.

Usually, it takes me a couple of tire changes to find what I like on my bike. After that, I stick with it until I either get rid of the bike or they stop making the tire I want.

John Henry

[Chuck in Indiana]

I do want a grippy tire that can handle twisties, but long life and wet traction are most important to me.

As you've found, Lasertecs blow.. especially after they get some miles on them. Sport Demons are great sporty tires, but if mileage is your goal, you won't like them either. I have no experience with the Pilot Activ, but have read good things about them here.
Are these the only tires made in your size?

[Cam3512]

Lasertecs blow.

Pirelli Demons (stock on my V7S) are good, but wear fast.

I'm switching to Pilot Actives shortly.

[drlapo]

I'm a fan of Avon roadriders.
The profile seems to suit light bikes

[Chuck in Indiana]

I just did some research for your tire size, and have found a few. While I was doing this, drlapo mentioned Avon Roadriders. That was one of my choices for you.
Conti Go fits your bike.
For strictly mileage, one of your concerns.. Dunlop 404 is available, but in one size wider on the rear. That would probably work ok, too.

If it were me, and mileage was a concern, I'd probably go with either the Pilot activs or Roadriders. YMMV, of course.

[jackson]

I had Pirelli Sport Demons on a V7 Breva and they were great, sticky tires.............. .but were worn out in slightly less than 4000 miles.  I wouldn't buy them due to the quick wear factor.  I don't want to replace tires every 4k miles. 

*Bridgestones were on my V7 Classic when I purchased it (used).  I didn't like them due to the rough ride.  They appeared to me constructed of very hard rubber.

*I've used Metzeler Lasertecs on BMW airheads and got a smooth ride and long wear with no problems so I replaced the Bridgestones with new Lasertecs and I'm happy with them on the V7.

*I've also used Avon tires on BMW airheads and they provided a nice ride, good handling and long wear.

*As long as I own the V7 Classic, I'll use the Metzeler Lasertec or Avons.

[stevet]

Has anyone attributed uneven tire wear, in particular the front tire, to the non-adjustible fork suspension?  A MCN article, I believe, a few years back explained how a fork not set up for the conditions it will be supporting, namely variable vehicle and rider weights and compression/rebound dampening of the fork springs, can allow the front wheel to nearly lift off the pavement, then slam back down on the pavement, causing a micro skid on contact and eating away the rubber unevenly.  I can't speculate on that being the issue with the OP's tire, but rather food for thought.

Last week I installed new Ikon shocks on my V7II Stone, and in the first ride I felt that the front suspension should be dealt with next.

So far in their young life, the Sport Demons seem to be working well for me.

Steve.

[Chuck in Indiana]

*I've used Metzeler Lasertecs on BMW airheads and got a smooth ride and long wear with no problems so I replaced the Bridgestones with new Lasertecs and I'm happy with them on the V7.

That's why I said YMMV. I've had Lasertecs on two different bikes (one was an airhead) and they were horrible. Followed rain grooves like a hound dawg on the scent.  Just squirmy feeling in general.
That has been *my* experience. You literally couldn't give *me* a set. 

[sib]

My $0.02:  My '13 Stone came with Lasertecs and they still had a few hundred miles of tread left when I sold the bike at 12,000 mi.  My current '16 Stone came with Sport Demons.  They do handle a bit differently than the Lasertecs, but not alarmingly so.  These tires currently have nearly 8000 mi on them and I think they'll last to about 9000 mi.  Sure, they don't seem to be lasting as long as the Lasertecs, but I think it's an exaggeration to say they're only good for 3000 mi.  Maybe some folks here are into burnouts.

[jackson]

My $0.02:  My '13 Stone came with Lasertecs and they still had a few hundred miles of tread left when I sold the bike at 12,000 mi.  My current '16 Stone came with Sport Demons.  They do handle a bit differently than the Lasertecs, but not alarmingly so.  These tires currently have nearly 8000 mi on them and I think they'll last to about 9000 mi.  Sure, they don't seem to be lasting as long as the Lasertecs, but I think it's an exaggeration to say they're only good for 3000 mi.  Maybe some folks here are into burnouts.

Sib, at my age, I just use the little Guzzis to cruise the backroads.  No wild rides and no burnouts.  I had extremely quick wear with the Sport Demons and only rode on back country & mountain roads with them.  Frankly, I was shocked that they wore out with so few miles.  I've read posts in other tire threads where this is not uncommon; but there have been a FEW others like you who have gotten at least 7-8k miles out of them.  I can't explain it.  The roads that I ride are totally tar/gravel construction which is probably harder on tires but other brands that I've used on my other bikes haven't displayed the quick-wear like the Sport Demons.

[Muzz]

I have always had the Sport Demons on since new. great tire but the rear does wear reasonably quickly.

I rode a loaner Breva fitted with BT45's. hated the feel of the front (or lack of it)

Pfaff (who may have sold his now) used to do very high miles touring Europe. He ended up fitting a Pilot Activ on the rear. Reckoned he got 2-3 times the mileage of the Demon, and although the grip was not quite as good it was quite close. I was going to try one for my last rear but they were out of stock at the time so another Demon went on. Coming up for a new one shortly so will try again.

I will stick to the demon on the front. I know it and trust it.

[malik]

The V7C came with Lasertecs - the front got squirrelly on road grooves, so changed them out at 17,000 km. I've used Sport Demons, BT45's, Pilot Activs, and Avon Roadrider AM26's on both the V7C & the V7S. For me, the Roadriders give the best handling AND the longest use, although 55,000 km out of one front Avon may have been a sport. A couple of rear Sport Demons wore out at only 8,000 km, but others lasted twice that. The Pilot Activ went for 19,000 km, I think, but the Avons seem to do around 25,000 km on the rear.

The current trip will test that out, 2 V7s on the same roads, with different riders, on the Avons, for 20-30,000 km.

[thepittsburghguzzi]

Guys, thanks so much for the feedback. Moral of story truly seems to be YMMV, but I am glad to hear I am not the absolute ONLY one experiencing this madness with my front Lasertec. I will honestly say that Pittsburgh roads are horribly abusive to tires, and although I make a hell of an effort to dodge potholes, I'm sure the terrain isn't helping my tires age gracefully. I think at this point I've got nothing to lose with trying a different tire for my next set. The Demons, most of you guys seem to agree that they wear quickly (while a handful said otherwise), and I have yet to read anything truly negative about the Activs. Avons I have zero experience with but will do more research on those. As for the moment, it's kind of looking like the Activs might be my next try... please do update the post with any new observations on tires. This has been helpful and informative so far! 

On a less responsible note, I hit 100mph for the first time on my V7C this evening... what a thrill for this guy who usually prefers to throw it around the twisties at half that pace 

[SmithSwede]

You do pretty much the same kind of riding I do.  I'd highly recommend the Pilot Activ.  I'm getting 8,000 to 10,000 miles from the rear.  Very, very good tire in dry or wet conditions.  Predictable. 

About the only complaint I have is these have an amazingly stiff sidewall, and are a real challenge to fit onto a rim or remove.  If somebody else changes your tire, then that's their problem.

The Pirellis are superb tires.   But I only got a bit more than 3,000 miles on the rear--too short a life span for the mission profile of daily, high mileage commuting

[kingoffleece]

Michelin Pilot Activ.  I'll be installing these on my 15 Stone this week.  Stock are done at 4200 miles rear tire and almost done in front.
I never warmed up to the stock tires.  The front always squirmed on anything but a smooth road.  Yes, inflation is always checked.

[fossil]

There is an new Metzeler: http://www.metzeler.com/site/us/products/tyres-catalogue/Sportec-klassik.html . Either this one or the Dunlop Arrowmax Streetsmart wil replace the Sport Demons on my V7 Stone soon. The Pirellis are good when it´s warm, in cold and wet conditions I don´t trust them.

[gerryp]

Michelin Pilot Activ.  I'll be installing these on my 15 Stone this week.  Stock are done at 4200 miles rear tire and almost done in front.
I never warmed up to the stock tires.  The front always squirmed on anything but a smooth road.  Yes, inflation is always checked.

Jim,

Interesting post about the Pilot Actives. 

Although the sport demons appear to be a good choice for normal everyday errand/coffee/ice cream rides,  I noticed the front getting a bit squirmy on my last bit of a fast paced ride through my favorite twisty road (now that the remapped ecu has unleashed the beast).

I was up at Jim Hamlin's shop on sat. and Adam, Matt and I were discussing possible tire replacements on my V7 and the Pilot Actives were the consensus choice as a replacement.

I will most likely try and get through this riding season with the demons if I can.

Gerry

[kingoffleece]

Yep.  I called Jim to see what he thought-that's why the Activ will go on next.  Hey, it's only one set of tires.  We'll see how it goes.