Dual compound or no?

[steviegx33]

Ive got a 07 1krr, and at the moment have a set of regular pirelli diablos I got for 200 for the set. Im looking to replace soon and do a good bit of highway riding to get too and from the mountains, and also do a bit of commuting on the bike as well.
If any, are there any dual compound tires I should look at investing in? (Hard compound in the center, sticky on the side) I guess what Im asking is, what tires are available for this type of application, and will they handle the same, if not better than regular single compound tires?
Thanks!

[RogueElement]

I've run Roadsmarts, Road2s, and Q2s and I've loved them all. My Road 2s have maybe a hair less aptitude than my Powers did, but the longevity you get out of them makes them a huge plus.

[Grandboy2]

±one on the
Road2s

[Over TWO Customs]

The Diablos are great tires, if you want to replace with another I would throw the Angels or the Diablo Rosso II on there.

[steviegx33]

Thanks!
last time I got a set, the Road 2s were what the guy recommended I go with next. I'm almost due for another set, so I'll do some price searching and see what I can find.

What kind of mileage are you guys seeing with these tires?
I dont head to the mountains every weekend or anything. When Im home I ride mostly around Gwinnett county, but when i take the bike to school, it's down near Savannah, so it's all flat. However, I do get to the mountains during the summer a few times

[Sanchez]

The Bridgestone BT-021 is also an excellent tire with great grip and longevity. A guy over on BSB who rides like a bat out of hell and has trouble getting more than 2k out of any rear tire got about 5k out of the 021. Another guy over there got 16k(!) out of a BT-021 rear. I have a set on my Ulysses now, but I haven't put on enough miles to see how they're wearing yet.

Here's a thread about the 021's:

http://www.blokessportbike.com/showthread.php?t=44373

And the thread where he tries out a bunch of different tires:

http://www.blokessportbike.com/showthread.php?t=36876

[steviegx33]

Thanks! This helps a lot actually, pretty much sold me on the BT lol.

[Lazarus]

I was on Michelins site and saw they have the Road 3s coming out, or are out. Look em up.

[SpeedyR]

just an FYI but almost all of the "dual compound" tires that i am aware of for sport riding (ie. diablo corsas, 2cts) are just softer on the sides. the middles are not harder than the original tires (i.e. the Corsa III vs the Corsa or 2ct vs PP). you won't get more mileage out of the dual compound just more grip leaned over..

that being said, if you try one of the more sport touring oriented tires, you should get a lot more miles. I ran Diablo Strada tires on my FJR a lot. super sticky (did track days two up on it at barber and talladega) but the front lasted about 12k miles, the rear just over 10k miles. I didn't ride the bike very easily either. :)keep the pressure higher and you'll get much better mileage...

[steviegx33]

Yeah after doing a little more looking around that's what Ive come to find.
Right now Ive got the Pirelli Diablos on, and have been getting between 3 and 5k out of a set, or a rear I should say. But just to keep everything even I usually replace the front with the rear regardless of front wear.
Im looking for a tire that will get reasonably more miles, perhaps between 6-10k miles. I dont ride too hard around where I live, but when I get to 129 I don't exactly go easy anymore.
Currently running at the manual recommended 36 front and 42 rear, mainly because I use the bike to get around, or just cruise around where I live. mountain psi is around 37-37.
Would the Roadsmarts or the BT-021 be something i should look in to?

[RogueElement]

Roadsmarts are a bit more sport-touring than the Diablos/Q2s/PPs. You gain a bit of longevity at the cost of a (very) little traction while cornering. I think I got nearly 8k out of my rear on my old SV before it started to succumb to cupping.

[steviegx33]

So would I just be better off buying another set of what I have and increasing the psi for commuting?
I'd like a tire that gets more miles, but definitely do not want to loose corner grip.
Are there any that offer both without giving up corner grip?

[Lazarus]

So would I just be better off buying another set of what I have and increasing the psi for commuting?
I'd like a tire that gets more miles, but definitely do not want to loose corner grip.
Are there any that offer both without giving up corner grip?

Depending on how hard you're riding those Road2s and RoadSmart tires are going to give you plenty of grip. There was a thread before the board got wiped that talked about the level of grip those tires provide. I believe it was said that you could do a novice trackday on them. They should be perfect for commuting and some canyon carving.

[RogueElement]

Depending on how hard you're riding those Road2s and RoadSmart tires are going to give you plenty of grip. There was a thread before the board got wiped that talked about the level of grip those tires provide. I believe it was said that you could do a novice trackday on them. They should be perfect for commuting and some canyon carving.

+1

Unless you're looking to make the highlight reel in the mountains, Roadsmarts/Road2s will definitely treat you right.

[Lazarus]

Exactly. I can understand not wanting to sacrifice grip for longevitity but with these tires you don't have to make that sacrifice so save your money and get some real sport-touring tires. They aren't cheap tho.

[RogueElement]

The Roadsmarts dropped a bit after the Q2 was released. You can get a set all day long for less than $250 now.

[etjohnson81]

I rode a Roadsmart all summer on the rear last year, 11k miles with 25% tread left at time of wreck. I love it, good stick and great longevity.

Or (don't kill me for saying this) but if you don't ride in the rain alot, use a Roadsmart in the back and Q2 in the front. Get a little extra stick in the front and still have around a 8k mile tire pointing you in the right direction.

[steviegx33]

Thanks guys! Im looking at getting a set within the next month or so, Ive got about 4k on the Diablos, but theyre just about gone.

So it sounds like the better choices are the Roadsmarts and the Road2s. I've heard a lot of good things about the Pilot Powers, but have never tried them out.
I know they're far from a sport/touring tire, but what kind of miles are you all getting out of a set of those? My plan is to mount a set now that are good all-around if I'm commuting or taking the girlfriend for a mountain ride, but I want another set that will get plenty of grip that gets moderate mileage. More or less mountain/trackday tires.
Thanks for all input!

[Lazarus]

Ugh. I can't remember when I put my PPs on but I'd willing to bet I got a good 5k on them and a trackday and I'm still riding on them. I'm not easy on the bike either but most of these miles are commuting. They still have tread but are flat in the middle.

[etjohnson81]

I didn't have that problem with the roadsmarts. I rode the hell out of them in the mountain, and to / from work everyday last summer. I know a couple people who ride them at the track too. Personally, now that my riding has stepped up I still ride the Roadsmarts in the mountain for more casual days (as in 55mph blood mountain cornering) and throw on the Q2's if I want to go to the track or knee dragging.

The dual compound is perfect in that sense, you get a near Q2 on the edge but ton's of longevity in the middle.

[steviegx33]

From what I hear I like the PPs, and want to give them a go for a set.

So if I were to go with a sport touring dual compound set, would they have decent turn in, or be comfortable while knee-dragging?
I can't go to the mountains without dragging, and need a tire that will allow me to do that comfortably. I'll take grip over longevity anyday, just trying to see if there's a set out there that can accomplish both

[RogueElement]

Obligatory "Take it to the track" post.

[steviegx33]

Thanks!

[Lazarus]

Obligatory "Take it to the track" post.

LOL! I was thinking it but didn't feel like wasting my time to type it out.

[steviegx33]

One more question from you guys. Since it's short I don't want to start a whole new thread.
I bought my 1krr 2 years ago with 700 miles on it and it now has 13500, all on the stock air filter. Looking to replace asap. Should I just get the stock filters or go with a K&N. Before the forum got wiped out I remember reading about this but never paid much attention, but what I do remember is some people said the stock filters flowed better, and that K&N was a waste.
Thanks again, you guys have been a big help

[Georgiacbr]

One more question from you guys. Since it's short I don't want to start a whole new thread.
I bought my 1krr 2 years ago with 700 miles on it and it now has 13500, all on the stock air filter. Looking to replace asap. Should I just get the stock filters or go with a K&N. Before the forum got wiped out I remember reading about this but never paid much attention, but what I do remember is some people said the stock filters flowed better, and that K&N was a waste.
Thanks again, you guys have been a big help

I honestly don't think K and N is a waste but I have noticed certain part's have gotten a little oil on them as a result of the K and N oil. Personally
the reserach on air flow on all is just marketing 101 your going to have to read within the lines there. Everybody can claim there good but look at what there picking up.

Came on here to review tires went to RR and my tire had some issues.Going to replace asap.

[etjohnson81]

Bottom line is they are all rediculously expensive, but I have had the conversation with a few people and they have said that K&N oil is "heavy" for a sportbike and you might get some lag.

That said, several people have recommended either stock or BMC (I could be wrong) but I just used a stock replacement. You'll also want to think about changing your spark plugs.... go order them at O'Riely, about $2 - $3 cheaper than dealer or cyclegear for same plugs.