Pilot Power's over stock tires on '05 ZX-6R - Huge Difference!

ghost_dog · 07-28-2005

I just replaced my stock Bridgestone Battleax BT014's on my 636 with Michelin Pilot Power's...and man...huge difference!

I haven't gone to the track and mostly ride the highway's, so I'm no expert. I originally didn't think the BT014's were too bad, although I did feel a slip once when turning onto a 360 degree highway onramp (which I attributed to them still being new). So I was going to just keep the stock tires and worry about getting something a little more sticky later.

The only reason I got the Pilot Power's now were because a Cycle Gear in San Diego was having a sale (Grand opening, I think) and had the Pilot Powers for a ridiculous price (of $79 front/ $99 rear). Normally, they're closer to $115 & $140 respectively. So a buddy of mine picked up two sets.

My buddy, who races, put his on first then went on and on about the huge difference it made. Still, I didn't think it could be that different for me, since I don't ride nearly as hard as he does.

I just got mine put on yesterday. Man...! What a different ride altogether! When your corner and turn...the bike just wants to go. Cornering is smoother yet at the same time like your on rails. It just grips the road, sticks and guides you right into your turn! Great tires!

I'm still riding modestly (even moreso than I usually do) because they're still new, therefore still slick. But even still, I have already cornered and leaned into turns lower then with my stock tires.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Even if your stock tires are still new, I think it's worth the price. Much more exciting ride!

-JAllende

NYcruiser · 07-28-2005

Glad your happy with them!!

I have heard nothing but good reviews on them as well..

luvda6R · 07-28-2005

Might have to give those a try for my next set. Thanks for the review.

southjersey636 · 07-31-2005

Been hearing nothing but good about those tires so my next set of tires im going with them. Im gonna run these bridgestones until the end of summer then during the winter get a set of them thrown on.

Hows the straightline ride with them? no pulling etc..? do they track straight?

1Adam12 · 07-31-2005

Been running the Pilot Powers 120/70/17 and 180/55/17 rear on my Duc and they are great tires. In the So Cal heat I've run with less tire pressure 32 F and 30 R (95 or less) and on hotter days 30F and 28R (95+), cooler days 34F 33R. You have to experiement a little for what you like, but they grip like crazy and its really easy to get from side to side on them. On the first day out I got ALL of the tire scrubbed in and actually got to use the whole tire.

Great sale at Cycle Gear at that price.....

ghost_dog · 08-01-2005

The straight ride is perfect. In fact, most of my riding is my commute to work. They are dual compound tires, so that the center of the tire is harder and the sides are soft. It works out so that you can get some mileage on them and still stick corners tight and securely. There's nothing like having strong confidence in the tires you're riding. I can't stress enough about how different of a ride the 636 is now with these. Man, can it handle!!

Green Knight · 08-01-2005

I will agree that those are some nice tires but what we need to remember is that when you change brands of tires your bikes geometry will change. This may be why your bike feels like it handles better. It may not have been set up right to begin with and now that you have different tires on it handles the way it should. On the track, every time we change brands of tires we have to go through and adjust the height of the forks and shock to compensate for the difference.

As far as my experiance with the pilot powers... I put a set on my 900 before I took the trip to red lodge. I ended up with about 4,500 miles on them. The rear is starting to square off a little from all the interstate miles but they have held up nicely and were great shreding up the mountian roads.

Just remember that the way your bike "feels" can be caused by MANY different things.

ZX6Roy · 08-03-2005

"Green Night" Looking for opinion on running 120/60/17 in front as opposed to 120/65/17 or 120/70/17? from what I understand the /60/ is the height of the tire from the rim. Does the /60/ mean more area contacting the road on a straight away? Does it enhance performance in a turn or detract from it? Or does it make so little difference that I won't notice? I don't ride track or anything but I do like to hang it pretty low in the turns mostly highway ramps at about 85MPH or better. Thanks ....Oh... the reason I ask is I'm getting the 120/60/17 on the front. The specs for the bike (ZX6R 2001) stock is 120/65/17. I've been riding 120/70/17.

michaelvZX6RR · 08-03-2005

I had an all day track day last Saturday, and let me just say this: I love my Pilot Powers.

michaelvZX6RR · 08-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX6Roy

"Green Night" Looking for opinion on running 120/60/17 in front as opposed to 120/65/17 or 120/70/17? from what I understand the /60/ is the height of the tire from the rim. Does the /60/ mean more area contacting the road on a straight away? Does it enhance performance in a turn or detract from it? Or does it make so little difference that I won't notice? I don't ride track or anything but I do like to hang it pretty low in the turns mostly highway ramps at about 85MPH or better. Thanks ....Oh... the reason I ask is I'm getting the 120/60/17 on the front. The specs for the bike (ZX6R 2001) stock is 120/65/17. I've been riding 120/70/17.

The middle number is the percentage of the width of the tire that the sidewall is tall. In other words, a 120/60 has a sidewall 120 * 60% = 72mm. A 110/70 (for example) would have a sidewall 77mm tall. The 120 or 110, in this example, is the width of the tire in mm. The last number is the diameter of the rim the tire fits on, in inches.

ZX6Roy · 08-03-2005

Funny my old worn out tires are Michelin Pilots. They still work great in the turns even though they are so worn the rear is squared off.....Thanks Michaelv It's nice to know exactly what those numbers mean. I hate general definitions of specific spec numbers.

Green Knight · 08-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX6Roy

Funny my old worn out tires are Michelin Pilots. They still work great in the turns even though they are so worn the rear is squared off.....Thanks Michaelv It's nice to know exactly what those numbers mean. I hate general definitions of specific spec numbers.

Having a squared off rear is going to make you turn into the corner slower than normal. It shouldn't effect much at a decent lean angle cause you'll be past the edge but at certain angles and going over the edge of the square you might feel a bit unstable.

As for the hight of the front tire, like I said, its going to effect the geometry of the bike so you'll need to adjust the bike accordingly. If you're going to be doing some really spirited riding I would suggest getting the recommended track pressures for your tires. You can lose a lot of breaking power and have your front end lock up if it gets too hot with too much pressure in it.

ZX6Roy · 08-04-2005

I've never been on a track though it would be very cool. As for spirited riding I do some and then again maybe I don't. I mean I do take the 45mph ramps at 85 or sometimes 90 but I don't bring it up to like 110 and then get on the brakes to make the turn like they do on the track. So your advice may not apply to me but thanks for the info. You never know I might hit a track some day. Streets are too unpredictable. I feel like one day I'll lean into a turn on a ramp and there'll be a tarp or some other hellish object that will take me to my maker way before I'm ready. .....at least I'd go on a Kawasaki!.......just kidding.

michaelvZX6RR · 08-05-2005

Do the Sportecs take a little longer to warm up? My girlfriend has Metzlers on her Bandit and that's her only complaint, that they take a little longer to warm up than she'd prefer.

michaelvZX6RR · 08-05-2005

I don't remember which model they were. I'll have to ask.

Future · 08-05-2005

Will those tires be good for the 250r also? Or is there something else?

1Adam12 · 08-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future

Will those tires be good for the 250r also? Or is there something else?

On the Ninja 250 you want the Pirelli Sport Demons.

They'll do the job and are sticky.

07-28-2005	#1 (permalink)
ghost_dog Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 52	Pilot Power's over stock tires on '05 ZX-6R - Huge Difference! I just replaced my stock Bridgestone Battleax BT014's on my 636 with Michelin Pilot Power's...and man...huge difference! I haven't gone to the track and mostly ride the highway's, so I'm no expert. I originally didn't think the BT014's were too bad, although I did feel a slip once when turning onto a 360 degree highway onramp (which I attributed to them still being new). So I was going to just keep the stock tires and worry about getting something a little more sticky later. The only reason I got the Pilot Power's now were because a Cycle Gear in San Diego was having a sale (Grand opening, I think) and had the Pilot Powers for a ridiculous price (of $79 front/ $99 rear). Normally, they're closer to $115 & $140 respectively. So a buddy of mine picked up two sets. My buddy, who races, put his on first then went on and on about the huge difference it made. Still, I didn't think it could be that different for me, since I don't ride nearly as hard as he does. I just got mine put on yesterday. Man...! What a different ride altogether! When your corner and turn...the bike just wants to go. Cornering is smoother yet at the same time like your on rails. It just grips the road, sticks and guides you right into your turn! Great tires! I'm still riding modestly (even moreso than I usually do) because they're still new, therefore still slick. But even still, I have already cornered and leaned into turns lower then with my stock tires. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Even if your stock tires are still new, I think it's worth the price. Much more exciting ride! -JAllende

07-28-2005	#2 (permalink)
NYcruiser Red Lodge Approved BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Upstate NY - boonies Posts: 1,731	Glad your happy with them!! I have heard nothing but good reviews on them as well.. __________________ Ian 2005 Kawasaki V2K - Black I wouldnt trust a man that didnt try to steal a little...

07-28-2005	#3 (permalink)
luvda6R Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer BTK Expert Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Lake Tahoe, CA Posts: 494	Might have to give those a try for my next set. Thanks for the review. __________________ '05 ZX-6R Two Bros CF V.A.L.E. Zero Gravity Double Bubble

07-31-2005	#4 (permalink)
southjersey636 Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Swamps of South Jersey Posts: 1,135	Been hearing nothing but good about those tires so my next set of tires im going with them. Im gonna run these bridgestones until the end of summer then during the winter get a set of them thrown on. Hows the straightline ride with them? no pulling etc..? do they track straight? __________________ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R 636 1995 Kawasaki 600R (old bike) 1991 Plymouth Laser

07-31-2005	#5 (permalink)
1Adam12 Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LA, So Cal Posts: 1,385	Been running the Pilot Powers 120/70/17 and 180/55/17 rear on my Duc and they are great tires. In the So Cal heat I've run with less tire pressure 32 F and 30 R (95 or less) and on hotter days 30F and 28R (95+), cooler days 34F 33R. You have to experiement a little for what you like, but they grip like crazy and its really easy to get from side to side on them. On the first day out I got ALL of the tire scrubbed in and actually got to use the whole tire. Great sale at Cycle Gear at that price..... __________________ www.gpz900r.org AMA member/VJMC member 1985 ZX900A2 Ninja 900 1992 EX250F6 2002 Ducati 998 Kawasaki....Let the Good times Roll!

08-01-2005	#6 (permalink)
ghost_dog Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 52	The straight ride is perfect. In fact, most of my riding is my commute to work. They are dual compound tires, so that the center of the tire is harder and the sides are soft. It works out so that you can get some mileage on them and still stick corners tight and securely. There's nothing like having strong confidence in the tires you're riding. I can't stress enough about how different of a ride the 636 is now with these. Man, can it handle!!

08-01-2005	#7 (permalink)
Green Knight Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mason City, IA Posts: 1,803	I will agree that those are some nice tires but what we need to remember is that when you change brands of tires your bikes geometry will change. This may be why your bike feels like it handles better. It may not have been set up right to begin with and now that you have different tires on it handles the way it should. On the track, every time we change brands of tires we have to go through and adjust the height of the forks and shock to compensate for the difference. As far as my experiance with the pilot powers... I put a set on my 900 before I took the trip to red lodge. I ended up with about 4,500 miles on them. The rear is starting to square off a little from all the interstate miles but they have held up nicely and were great shreding up the mountian roads. Just remember that the way your bike "feels" can be caused by MANY different things.

08-03-2005	#8 (permalink)
ZX6Roy Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 54	Getting Dunlop D208's put on as I type. "Green Night" Looking for opinion on running 120/60/17 in front as opposed to 120/65/17 or 120/70/17? from what I understand the /60/ is the height of the tire from the rim. Does the /60/ mean more area contacting the road on a straight away? Does it enhance performance in a turn or detract from it? Or does it make so little difference that I won't notice? I don't ride track or anything but I do like to hang it pretty low in the turns mostly highway ramps at about 85MPH or better. Thanks ....Oh... the reason I ask is I'm getting the 120/60/17 on the front. The specs for the bike (ZX6R 2001) stock is 120/65/17. I've been riding 120/70/17. __________________ Kawasaki ZX6R 2001 with Yoshimura RS-3 Slip-On.

08-03-2005	#9 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	I had an all day track day last Saturday, and let me just say this: I love my Pilot Powers. __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

08-03-2005	#11 (permalink)
ZX6Roy Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 54	Funny my old worn out tires are Michelin Pilots. They still work great in the turns even though they are so worn the rear is squared off.....Thanks Michaelv It's nice to know exactly what those numbers mean. I hate general definitions of specific spec numbers. __________________ Kawasaki ZX6R 2001 with Yoshimura RS-3 Slip-On. Last edited by ZX6Roy : 08-03-2005 at 03:01 PM.

08-04-2005	#13 (permalink)
ZX6Roy Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 54	Green Knight>>> I've never been on a track though it would be very cool. As for spirited riding I do some and then again maybe I don't. I mean I do take the 45mph ramps at 85 or sometimes 90 but I don't bring it up to like 110 and then get on the brakes to make the turn like they do on the track. So your advice may not apply to me but thanks for the info. You never know I might hit a track some day. Streets are too unpredictable. I feel like one day I'll lean into a turn on a ramp and there'll be a tarp or some other hellish object that will take me to my maker way before I'm ready. .....at least I'd go on a Kawasaki!.......just kidding. __________________ Kawasaki ZX6R 2001 with Yoshimura RS-3 Slip-On. Last edited by ZX6Roy : 08-04-2005 at 05:29 PM.

08-05-2005	#15 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	Do the Sportecs take a little longer to warm up? My girlfriend has Metzlers on her Bandit and that's her only complaint, that they take a little longer to warm up than she'd prefer. __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

08-05-2005	#17 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	I don't remember which model they were. I'll have to ask. __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

08-05-2005	#18 (permalink)
Future Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 17	Will those work for the Ninja 250R Will those tires be good for the 250r also? Or is there something else?

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