OEM... Both factory and tire jobber did their homework together.

Hub under any other circumstances your the man, but the standard 014 I find are crap, can't get to grips(excuse the pun)with the rear, just can't put my finger on it but not a happy chappy with it, the front runs well enough and mixed well with a rear storm, I am very pleased with the storms
B-A

the power race really bites good ..but dayum only 800 miles each and they were toast ..

M-3's for the win

I agree with battleaxe...stock Bridgestones are junk on this bike. I just put the Pilot Powers on, it's like night and day difference. The bike feels like it's on rails now....I can throw it into corners without worry of the rear tire slipping or waiting for the front to warm up.

I'm running Bridgestone BT-021's.... They work well in the rain (kind of an essential for riding in Oregon!!) I've been pretty impressed with them in the puddles - but after reading some of the info on the Michelin Pilot Roads, I will probably try them next. The BT-021's held out for another couple thousand miles over the stock BT-016's - so that was nice.

It would be interesting to see the tire recommendations, as in this poll, along with the 'why' purchased, eg, general street use, better/longer tire life, cornering... or?

I purchased the Pirelli Diablo Rossas for better cornering, and they feel much more 'confident' then the OEM tires in that regard. It was a clear feel difference, which I never thought I would really be able to sense before I purchased them.

* Last updated by: JDC on 5/31/2009 @ 4:31 PM *

Interesting Poll. I am surprised about the variety of individual preferences, however, most of us have probably tried only two or three of the listed options. The poll results would probably quite different if we had an opportunity to test them all.

* Last updated by: Steven14 on 5/31/2009 @ 8:21 PM *

Interesting Poll. I am surprised about the variety of individual preferences, however, most of us have probably tried only two or three of the listed options. The poll results would probably quite different if we had an opportunity to test them all.

+1

I agree with KaBoom the BT021's are good in the rain. They're a triple compound tire for touring or sport and seem to get good mileage. I'm running them on my ZX6R right now. I still have OEM on the 14
I used to run Mezzlers on my BMW 1250 but I got a lot of flat tires, so I switched to the BT021. Until I have a performance problem or something I see no reason to change. Moto GP in Europe is using Bridgestone as the spec. tire for the circuit. That should give them resources for good R&D to continue producing a good product.

Bridgestone and Dunlops are completely worthless for traction in rain or snow. My feet were pushing my ZX14 across the driveway in two inches of snow. In my 10 years of riding, I have nothing but hate for those two brands. They fail to stop my bike. Very dangerous in the rain too. Great for burnouts, but those don't get me to work and back. My other two bikes were mounted with Michelin Powers and took the unshoveled driveway like they were mud/snow tires. And one of the Michelin rears was BALD to the cord! No joke. I really couldn't tell much of a difference between Michelins and Perellis. Next winter, I'm going to get a video of the difference.

It boggles my mind why there are fans of Bridgestones and Dunlops. Everytime I get a set of those, I wonder what kind of drugs or sponsorship those nuts have to get.

Hi dattaway,
The European MotoGP circuit uses only Bridgestone, and American Superbike circuit uses exclusively Dublops. They've both had races in the rain this year. Both races saw riders doing 175+ mph laps. I can live with that "worthless traction." Your driveway must be a tough one.
And the drugs I get from my sponsors are very good!
Sharkey

What works on the track sure doesn't work on the street. Those tires sure slide in traffic. That's dangerous for me. My riding style to work and back doesn't involve drifting around the corners.

You're right about riding style. It makes a big difference. I've been riding a long time and have a lot of experience. I'm aggressive but smooth. Just cause my tires work for me doesn't mean they will work for everyone. I tend to stick with what works for me. But based on this poll I may try something else. Another thing, I replace tires long before they are too well worn. Long before the wear bars. And I always replace them in pairs. Good rubber makes a big difference!
Sharkey

Bridgestone and Dunlops are completely worthless for traction in rain or snow. My feet were pushing my ZX14 across the driveway in two inches of snow. In my 10 years of riding, I have nothing but hate for those two brands. They fail to stop my bike. Very dangerous in the rain too. Great for burnouts, but those don't get me to work and back. My other two bikes were mounted with Michelin Powers and took the unshoveled driveway like they were mud/snow tires. And one of the Michelin rears was BALD to the cord! No joke. I really couldn't tell much of a difference between Michelins and Perellis. Next winter, I'm going to get a video of the difference.

It boggles my mind why there are fans of Bridgestones and Dunlops. Everytime I get a set of those, I wonder what kind of drugs or sponsorship those nuts have to get.

No offence datta but, WTF?? who cares how they handle in the snow???? My bike stays cozy in the garage all winter..... rain wud be my only concern as I would not want to be riding any bike in any type of snow!!! I have never had any problems with the the stock tires in the rain yet, every bike I have owned I have ran Bridgestones.... I think I will try the Pilot Powers next after these tires burn off!!! I have heard good things about them....

No offence datta but, WTF?? who cares how they handle in the snow???? My bike stays cozy in the garage all winter.....

I'm with you about the snow part, mine spends the winter hooked up to a battery tender under a cover.

I rode in the snow a lifetime ago when I was at West Point and had that Kawa H1 triple (the first bike I ever held title to - smile) but what the heck, young peole do crazy things, and say even crazier stuff.

BG, it's definitely better that we can now see also POLL options with 0 votes

BG, it's definitely better that we can now see also POLL options with 0 votes

Yes, I agree. We're working a bit more on this. Stay tuned... -bg

I blew through 2 sets of the stock 'Stones (014's) in 9000 miles, 3 rears, 2 fronts, and decided to try the Continental Road Attacks in the stock sizes (120-70 F, 190-50 R) - right at 19000 miles and the front looks realy good, rear will go another 1 or 2 K (if I drive sane - - - hard to do on these things) great traction, great feel, no wobbles or weird stuff, plus they look cool! I will definatly replace them with another set! the only thing I was worried about was traction in the rain with the minimal tread pattern ( but deep ), but that has proved to be a false worry, they seem good in the wet.

Traction in the snow? verry verry important if you get caught out on cross country road trip through the rockys and find yourself in 200 miles of 18" wet blizzard to the nearest motel ( dont ask, but a trip I will always remember.)
A 4 wheel drive with chains and a heater is MUCH better, nothing on 2 wheels works good in deep snow.

Only tried BT-016 other than the stock tires. Not the only tire with multi-laminar surface (gets stickier as it gets closer to the edge) but it is one and what a great idea. The center seems to be holding up as good compared to stock tire. The sides are sticky, like stiff glue after riding on a hot day. The edges are getting worn a lot closer to the edge than stocks for sure.

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/28/2009 @ 8:51 PM *

I'm now on a set of Shinko 03's. Not bad for traction and turning, especially on wet and oily surfaces.

I am surprised to see the Bridgestone BT-016 so highly favored. I have the BT-015s on my CBR and they stick great but are wearing very fast, 2000 miles and the rear is at the wear bars. How do the 016's compare to the 015's for stick, stability and wear?

Kruz

With very little miles showing, I am on a set of 021's and the first impression was how heavy they were when I rolled the bike. Second impression feels like the tires do not skirt over rocks, skid then hook up again like the 016's did [with both sets of 16's installed being the experience]. I kind of miss that front or rear drift... [Which ever comes first]. Third impression would be a quick flat spot [forming on the rear tire]; kind of setting in on the high speed runs on a daily basis, which is not showing so far.

* Last updated by: Hub on 8/31/2009 @ 9:28 AM *

Michelin Road 2's here!Over 8,000 miles on the rear and no issues with corning.There even damn good in the wet!!!!!

I am surprised to see the Bridgestone BT-016 so highly favored. I have the BT-015s on my CBR and they stick great but are wearing very fast, 2000 miles and the rear is at the wear bars. How do the 016's compare to the 015's for stick, stability and wear?

kruz, i've tried the bto15's on the 636 and hated them compared to the bto16's on the zx14. i didn't get the same since of traction from the bto15's, but the bto16's do wear just as quickly so i'll be lookin' for a higher mileage tire this tire change.