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19-07-2014, 09:36pm
I have had a set of Pilot Road 4 GT fitted. Pretty much everyone in the dealership reminded me to be careful on the new rubber. By the time it came to ride away, I had convinced myself that it was all going to end in tears and probably a reasonable fireball somewhere along the road home. I'm sure that this was not the intention, and maybe they assumed more skill/experience/confidence given I was riding a Hayabusa in the first place, but next time I get tyres it won't be with so much dread.
Is it really so bad? How much caution do you really need?
Anyway, the only thing I can say about the new rubber is the improvement in handling. Improvement is probably an understatement. Both the old tyres had significant 'flat spots' and I was not aware of what result this had. The bike had this when I bought it and so has been always part of how the bike handled. I'd thought that the initial reluctance to lean in was because it was a big heavy bike. Remember my only other experience was on a CBR250R.
You can imagine my reaction to the new 'round' tyres. Cornering requires so much less effort and the bike suddenly feels like it is only half as big and heavy as it did before. I am amazed at the difference.
I don't push the bike hard - and tyres will be no different. I feel I made a reasonable choice in the Michellins, but honestly - any new tyre would have given me the handling improvement I got.......
I had developed some real confidence on the bike even with the old tyres. Acceleration and speed are still a bit intimidating, but I was in control at the level I rode at. For the first time I feel that I am perhaps a better rider than I gave myself credit for, given the response from the bike is so quick and easy it almost seems instinctive.
I'll never put up with crap tyres again. Looking back, without even knowing it, I'd really reduced my chances of being able to react as quickly as I should have been able to.
To all other newbies out there - check your rubber. I thought that I was ok since I wasn't down to the markers. I assumed that what went for car tyres went for bikes as well.
Is it really so bad? How much caution do you really need?
Anyway, the only thing I can say about the new rubber is the improvement in handling. Improvement is probably an understatement. Both the old tyres had significant 'flat spots' and I was not aware of what result this had. The bike had this when I bought it and so has been always part of how the bike handled. I'd thought that the initial reluctance to lean in was because it was a big heavy bike. Remember my only other experience was on a CBR250R.
You can imagine my reaction to the new 'round' tyres. Cornering requires so much less effort and the bike suddenly feels like it is only half as big and heavy as it did before. I am amazed at the difference.
I don't push the bike hard - and tyres will be no different. I feel I made a reasonable choice in the Michellins, but honestly - any new tyre would have given me the handling improvement I got.......
I had developed some real confidence on the bike even with the old tyres. Acceleration and speed are still a bit intimidating, but I was in control at the level I rode at. For the first time I feel that I am perhaps a better rider than I gave myself credit for, given the response from the bike is so quick and easy it almost seems instinctive.
I'll never put up with crap tyres again. Looking back, without even knowing it, I'd really reduced my chances of being able to react as quickly as I should have been able to.
To all other newbies out there - check your rubber. I thought that I was ok since I wasn't down to the markers. I assumed that what went for car tyres went for bikes as well.