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hjp1968

hjp1968

2012-11-21 20:22:00 UTC

Hi
I'm the proud new owner of a 2008 Superduke
The bike is fitted with Michelin Power One front and rear at the moment but the rear is very nearly knackered but the front is OK
Now I think the tyres are a little too focused for my taste and I was thinking of weaning the bike off them by putting a Pilot Power 2CT on the rear which should last me until the front gives up the ghost and then I can pick a nice pair of matched tyres. Has anyone on here had any experience of this combo? Hopefully on a Super Duke but any info on any bike would at least tell me is the profiles work together etc.
Thanks
Heath

Hotbrakes

Hotbrakes

2012-11-21 23:01:00 UTC

The combo should be fine, at least they're of the same manufacturer.

By focused do you mean too aggressive? If you're not consistently using the whole tyre save some money and get the regular Pilot Power. 2CT's have softer rubber around the edges, roughly the size of most street riders' chicken strips unless they're going to the track or playing in the mountains.

hjp1968

hjp1968

2012-11-22 14:58:00 UTC

Hi
Thanks for that. By too focused I mean too soft so they wear too quick and that they need to be hot to grip well, heat that I will have difficulty keeping in them on the road. I haven't had chance to ride the Superduke yet but my other bikes have no or very small chicken strips (eighth of an inch max)
I fell off on Michelin's in 1989 (yes I hold a grudge) and haven't used them since, my track bike is on Maxxis and my Hayabusa is on Bridgestone.
I thought the 2CT were a little harder in the centre and grippy at the edge, so I was hoping that they would not end up squaring off so quick.
Thanks

drswade

drswade

2012-11-22 15:39:00 UTC

"Thanks for that." This is the thing that the Indians say over and over again whenever I have to call some computer related help line.

It is a good idea to put your location in your profile. This is a global site and tyres vary a great deal in different markets.

If you ride Maxxis, you should have plenty of confidence in any other tyre since Maxxis is the rebranded Cheng Shin. The only tyre worse would be Shinko, I would reckon.

Check the internet for opinions on specific Michelin models. My only experience is with their race tyres, both slick and DOTs and they were top notch tyres.
There is a model (2CT may be the one) that all the track day providers in Northern California hate to see coming through tech inspection. That was a couple of years ago, anyway.

Like I said, depending on where you are will help determine the best tyre for you. You are correct that a soft compound wouldn't work for the street. It would be nearly impossible to keep heat in a soft compound on the street. I had a hard time doing so on the track. Rarely ran a soft compound.

Welcome to the world of SD!

Colonel_Klinck

Colonel_Klinck

2012-11-22 18:31:00 UTC

Pilot Power 2CT are a great tyre for the road. Offer loads of grip very quickly, nice profile and are good in the wet if you get caught out in the rain. Also good for trackdays. Pretty amazing all round tyre.

Colonel_Klinck

Colonel_Klinck

2012-11-23 16:38:00 UTC

2CT's seems to be ok for moderate and not extreme aggresive rider but if you push the tyre on the road to the limits you will see this tyre cant keep this
During 2012 I damaged rear SportSmart on my SM690 and replaced with new pair of 2CT's since the offer was very good.
I replaced them again for SportSmarts after 500km trying to convince myself 2CT is in range with SportSmart but it is not.
So if you hard braking, going fast into the corners 2CT is not best choice on the road.
If you are moderate you can put whatever and if you are replacing just one tyre at least try to choose the same shape of existing tyre

Colonel_Klinck

Colonel_Klinck

2012-11-23 16:53:00 UTC

2CT covers a few tyres dude, or at least it used to. The Pilot Power 2CT is pretty good and I've never found the limits of its grip on the roads with some hard riding.

jambox

jambox

2012-11-23 17:09:00 UTC

Interesting...
But I have said what I have really experienced not on SD but SM690
Also tyre temp on these Michelins and Dunlops is not comparable at all
Returning back to SportSmarts I have returned my confidence I used to have before since the bike is far more stable
On Michelins I felt I have a lot of work to do in order to keep high pace and was always close to the limits, with SportSmarts on the same SM690 have the same speed riding more relaxed and having more space for improvements

hjp1968

hjp1968

2012-11-24 00:17:00 UTC

Yeah sorry missed the SM bit, stoner

KTM666

KTM666

2012-11-24 03:29:00 UTC

Yes CS was my favourite and fastest ever rider
And you are correct grip on 2CT is there but when you push it bike starts moving and thats may be enjoyable but with Dunlops SS that happens a bit later which give you more space for pushing
I am not telling 2CT is bad tyre but just sharing my perspective in comparison these 2 tyres on SM690
I am completely sure what my choice will be next time both for SM and SDR, Conti Attack SM for 690 and Smarts for SDR.

drswade

drswade

2012-11-24 13:38:00 UTC

Post missing.

JohnJJr

JohnJJr

2012-11-24 20:33:00 UTC

Ahhh, I was thinking we are talking about Michelins

TLS_Russ

TLS_Russ

2012-11-25 07:01:00 UTC

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like giving the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT will be a good idea.
As Col Klink says there used to be a more Sports Touring 2CT tyre but the Pilot Power 2CT I'm looking at is more of a Sports tyre.
With regard to Maxxis, I'm in the Uk, maybe the ones you have tried in the States are not like ours, I have had no real problems with them and I have pushed them on my ZX6 at Cadwell Park (1:55 min so far, so mid pack-ish in the Intermediates) Only ever had one slide on them, coming out of Charlie's 2, and it was much less scary than it could be and felt very safe and predictable.

MrZ32

MrZ32

2012-11-25 07:22:00 UTC

Post missing.

drswade

drswade

2012-11-25 18:16:00 UTC

Post missing.