Best tires for a SuperHawk?
02-18-2006 | 10:41 AM
#31
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 30
From: Gville NC
02-18-2006 | 07:04 PM
#34
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 406
From: Trussville, Alabama
I manage OK. Faster than some. Slower than others.
Most all of The Dragon I run in second gear. My gearing is not stock (one tooth down on the front and it does make a difference)
RPM range: 4500-redline.
There are some sections just south of the overlook that will see 3rd on occasion.
I see you're from the area and have ridden Deal's Gap. Stop me if you ever see me. We can ride together. I don't see a lot of Superhawks there.
Back to the subject of tires:
I was just trying to give an idea as to what the tires will do when ridden hard in lower gears. I don't imagine most bikes/tires are likely to see much harsher conditions outside The Gap and similar roads, unless you are on the track.
The Pilot Powers do a fine job.
here's a pic: (second gear turn)
04-06-2006 | 09:05 AM
#36
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 200
From: Ottawa
04-06-2006 | 10:30 AM
#37
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 176
From: Chandler, AZ
I don't know if anybody has tried them, but I've got a buddy that swears by the Avon Azaro AV45/AV46 combo. He's not a track day junkie and uses his F4i for daily commuting. His last set went 15k on the front and 20k on the rear. He is pretty conservative as far as I know and hasn't been doing a lot of running in the twisties lately, but used to on the same tires. By the mileage and grip he claims I'm considering them. Still haven't totally made up my mind though.
08-28-2011 | 12:30 PM
#39
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
I am not at all sure what to buy..most of my riding is wearing the center down and hardly using the sides (according to the rear tires wear) I do some aggresive cornering, however it seems the thing gets unstable when pushed. This is on dunlops, I don't think I will buy another set of them as they also tend to follow those tiny squiggly line patches in the road. I do want something a little better on the middle wear thus. so any suggestions? right now the front tire is still new so will be replacing only the rear.
08-28-2011 | 01:02 PM
#40
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 916
From: San Diego
Old thread. Sure there is lots of good info in there just dated.
For the money I really like the Q2 from dunlop. Great tire. Sidewall is supposed to be on the stiffer side. I do lots of commuting on them keep them pumped up and you should get at least 7,000 miles out of them (commuting only) BT-016 way softer sidewall. I can get all the way to the edge of the rear just commuting. And the wear is not as good as the Q2's. Michelin pilot powers 2ct's are also pretty descent the front wears real funny (gets cupped aggressively) with the way the tread pattern lays. Makes the front end almost twitchy.
So recap Q2's are my favorite. However a good tire for the hawk is preference and one that has tread.
For the money I really like the Q2 from dunlop. Great tire. Sidewall is supposed to be on the stiffer side. I do lots of commuting on them keep them pumped up and you should get at least 7,000 miles out of them (commuting only) BT-016 way softer sidewall. I can get all the way to the edge of the rear just commuting. And the wear is not as good as the Q2's. Michelin pilot powers 2ct's are also pretty descent the front wears real funny (gets cupped aggressively) with the way the tread pattern lays. Makes the front end almost twitchy.
So recap Q2's are my favorite. However a good tire for the hawk is preference and one that has tread.
08-28-2011 | 01:54 PM
#41
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 521
From: Tampa Florida
I am about 6k into my El Cheapo Conti motion tires. They seem to have allot of life left in them. I am a 60 mile a day commuter so they match my needs fairly well. Rated for only 136 MPH tho.
08-28-2011 | 05:36 PM
#43
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
I'll have to look into those geek....As for the 135 rating (what the heck , I have only had mine at 157 1 time and dont feel the need, its meat grinding scarry lol even though it did get there smoothly). I think longer lasting would be good for me as I cannot in this economy afford to buy tires every 2000 miles.
sometimes guys on here get options and find great deals on tires so was looking to see if anyone has
sometimes guys on here get options and find great deals on tires so was looking to see if anyone has
08-29-2011 | 09:05 AM
#45
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
yeah, esp when you can get front and rear for the same price includ shipp/tax from Sportbike Track Gear. Find a friend with a tire changer(less than a hundred at Harbor Freight), and buy him a case of beer to change yours. If you like to lean, I would replace the front with the rear unless it's new.
08-29-2011 | 09:12 AM
#46
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,090
From: Big Lick
Ouch! quite high, but not unusual for a local shop. they tend to price "retail" instead of discount. Consider buying online, removing the wheel yourself, and just have them do a mount/balance. Even if they charge you 50 bucks, you'd be ahead of the game.
08-29-2011 | 08:02 PM
#47
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
yeah, esp when you can get front and rear for the same price includ shipp/tax from Sportbike Track Gear. Find a friend with a tire changer(less than a hundred at Harbor Freight), and buy him a case of beer to change yours. If you like to lean, I would replace the front with the rear unless it's new.
yeah the front is new (about 3 weeks old) and its a dunlop q2, that was the reason I decided to get the q2 rear.
as for changing the rear tire myself (inexperienced) wasn't wanting to fug up the alignment or anything else. ( I know I should but....considering cornering at speeds etc, I am leary of the oops facter that might happen lol). And I have no riding buddy's around or much of anything else here. Ride solo always
08-29-2011 | 08:49 PM
#48
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
yeah the front is new (about 3 weeks old) and its a dunlop q2, that was the reason I decided to get the q2 rear.
as for changing the rear tire myself (inexperienced) wasn't wanting to fug up the alignment or anything else. ( I know I should but....considering cornering at speeds etc, I am leary of the oops facter that might happen lol). And I have no riding buddy's around or much of anything else here. Ride solo always
as for changing the rear tire myself (inexperienced) wasn't wanting to fug up the alignment or anything else. ( I know I should but....considering cornering at speeds etc, I am leary of the oops facter that might happen lol). And I have no riding buddy's around or much of anything else here. Ride solo always
08-29-2011 | 10:36 PM
#49
Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 49
From: South Carolina
I commute daily about 100 miles round trip as well as do some very spirited weekend riding. Diablos are my first choice. Just put another rear tire on last week after 7800 miles. Front still looks good. Proly will have to replace in about 2 months. That's just my $.02 tho. Everyone has their own opinion on whats best for their bike.
08-30-2011 | 08:32 PM
#51
haha yeah
Squid
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 69
From: 45min SE Orlando
I commute daily about 100 miles round trip as well as do some very spirited weekend riding. Diablos are my first choice. Just put another rear tire on last week after 7800 miles. Front still looks good. Proly will have to replace in about 2 months. That's just my $.02 tho. Everyone has their own opinion on whats best for their bike.
my rear lasted less than 3000 miles.
ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR HUNGRY THROTTLES? on hot, rubber burning florida streets?
08-31-2011 | 08:33 AM
#52
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Tires within a design group are on the same level and it's about preference, brand name you want price and availability.
Track but street legal.
Street, but track worthy.
Aggressive street.
Mild street, longer life
Touring
Tires pretty much fall in one of those groups, and within those groups, you can pick any tire and ride about the same. I ride with a tire from the first two groups so they don't last all that long, as such I get to try um all
Many people i see riding uber sport bikes,, could ride on a set from ANY group and never out ride the tire.
Some folks i see ride in a way that may not be Fast, but they break hard, lay the bike over hard and break or acceleration hard,, and could benefit from a tire in the first two groups, even though they are only riding OVERALL at a moderate pace.
So, to the OP.. there are non OEM tires that will perform as good or in most cases better then the OEM set, tell us the bike mods, and an honest assessment of how you ride, where you ride, how often and on what surfaces. You'll get some informed opinions on what group your most likely to fit in, and then pick a set and go ride.
08-31-2011 | 09:36 AM
#53
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
From: Delmar NY
In your middle three categories there is a lot of blurring of what is offered.
I ride a 80ish mile commute, all secondaries and "fun" roads - 46 minutes for the 41 mile ride in. Never been to a track day.
My current tire mix has suited me well - Pilot road in the rear, pilot sport on the front. I put these on the end of last season and have about 4500miles on them. It would seem there is another 4k on the rear and probably a bit less left on the front. I have about 1/2" chicken strips if that indicates my level of "aggression".
I'm thinking I may try Road 2 on back and Pilot Sport CT2 on the front next time around but that won't be till next August
I ride a 80ish mile commute, all secondaries and "fun" roads - 46 minutes for the 41 mile ride in. Never been to a track day.
My current tire mix has suited me well - Pilot road in the rear, pilot sport on the front. I put these on the end of last season and have about 4500miles on them. It would seem there is another 4k on the rear and probably a bit less left on the front. I have about 1/2" chicken strips if that indicates my level of "aggression".
I'm thinking I may try Road 2 on back and Pilot Sport CT2 on the front next time around but that won't be till next August
08-31-2011 | 10:27 AM
#54
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,090
From: Big Lick
you guys do know that even a shinko 005 is good enough to scrape your knees in corners, right? I know cause I've done it on a track.
Bottom line is, pick a tire you like and trust. current tire quality far outpaces rider ability. it's mostly in your mind.
Bottom line is, pick a tire you like and trust. current tire quality far outpaces rider ability. it's mostly in your mind.
08-31-2011 | 02:11 PM
#55
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
yeah I take advantage of the quickness of takeoff probably more than anything and ride aggressive in corners. however its the center of the tire that wears out while the sides look decent yet (this is of course only on the back wheel). the front wheel is almost the opposite lol.
08-31-2011 | 02:18 PM
#56
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
yeah I take advantage of the quickness of takeoff probably more than anything and ride aggressive in corners. however its the center of the tire that wears out while the sides look decent yet (this is of course only on the back wheel). the front wheel is almost the opposite lol.
09-01-2011 | 06:00 AM
#57
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,090
From: Big Lick
yeah I take advantage of the quickness of takeoff probably more than anything and ride aggressive in corners. however its the center of the tire that wears out while the sides look decent yet (this is of course only on the back wheel). the front wheel is almost the opposite lol.
09-01-2011 | 08:31 AM
#59
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
Got 4400 miles out of Power Pures on the superhawk @ 30psi. I like the feel and grip. Installed new set of PPs, but went to a 190x55 on a 5.5"rim. The sides are a little steep on the rear(as noted by tweety)which is to be expected when you squeeze a bigger tire on, however this doesn't seem to be the case with the Q2 190 which i just installed on a friend's crb600. It's profile is similar to the 180x55 Power Pure This may be the reason dunlop 190s are preferred for track on the 5.5"rim.
Relative to which tires are best for the superhawk, a better question might be which tires suit your purposes the best. For highway touring with some spirited canyon carving, the pilot road 3 would be my guess, or with more bias toward leaning hard, the new pirelli rosso II could be the right choice. Choices are very subjective, but there are tires suited to fit most preferences.
