Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050

Oily Rag - Dedicated to Pat, Greywolf. 26/06/45 - 04/06/18 => Tyres => Topic started by: Fossie on August 10, 2019, 00:57:57

Title: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Fossie on August 10, 2019, 00:57:57
OK so I have read loads of this section and it is good to know that we are not the only ones who find the original fitment tyres akin to The old Dunlop slide masters in the 70's in the wet.   In fact if someone sneezes in the next town it's enough moisture to make them "interesting" when they are due for replacement Michelin road pilots will adorn the rims.
  We have confidence in these and as we ride in all weathers all year that is the main ingredient  :icon_wink:  ( Even made the **nda Dulvilles we had for a year or so rideable ......though they didn't help in the aesthetics or uselessness dept :shrug:)
  My question is how long do these original last ....the damn things last
 The bike with 10.000 on shows little sign that they intend to leave the party. :shock:
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Stonec0ld on August 10, 2019, 08:48:34
I changed mine at 9000 as the rear was squared off.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: mr_diver on August 10, 2019, 10:25:48
The whole problem with the stock bridgestones (trail/battle wings) is that they are crap and rock hard- meaning they last fecking ages and are crap from day one.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Brockett on August 10, 2019, 12:00:00
As mr_diver says " ...  ". So I changed mine at 1500. Otherwise I'd have ridden unhappy just to save a few bob and at my age I don't have time for all that malarkey  :old:
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: wurzel on August 10, 2019, 18:15:39
They will last longer than your patience with them,best change asap,the difference is sublime.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: bsaboy on August 11, 2019, 17:04:37
Do you blokes really find the stock bridgesones that bad? I had them on when first got the bike and wore them out.

I then had ankee 3 ? fitted and also wore them out ,so just had New bridgestones fitted :shrug:

I did 180 miles in the pouring rain all day around the lakes yesterday and no diff in grip against the Ankees  in my opinion.

Interesting
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Wolfgang on August 11, 2019, 19:55:27
I agree with BSABoy.
No problems with my OEM Bridgestones in 8000 miles.
Bike handles great wet or dry.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Rusty Nuts on August 11, 2019, 20:40:13
I found the front worse than the rear. A few times, whilst banked over on roundabouts,  it simply skipped sideways a few inches towards the outside of the bend. Not fun, not confidence inspiring.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: bsaboy on August 11, 2019, 23:32:56
mmm roundabouts where a million wagons tip diesel out of overfilled tanks?

tyres or shite on the road that any tyre would slip on? just a thought.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: earlystock on August 12, 2019, 11:09:51
I had trial wings on my 2016 XT - they were awful in the wet - fine in the dry. Changed them after I toured Scotland, because there were so many slides (and they felt "vague" in the wet all the time!). Should have done it day 1 to be honest - it makes a world of difference. Scary that in this day and age OEM tyres could be so poor in the wet.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: KatanaAl on August 12, 2019, 11:36:37
Wow Fossie fancy bumping into you on this forum, how are you doing ?
I'm running a V-Strom 1000 these days for long haul stuff with a Kawasaki Z900RS as a great day out bike. I know it will be taboo with you but I fancy one of the new Katana 1000's to eventually replace the Kawasaki although the heavyish clutch and the tiny 12 litre petrol tank are a bit off putting. My days of clip-ons and rear-sets are over.
Cheers
Alan, former North East rep KOC.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: bako on August 13, 2019, 01:12:13
Didn't have a problem with my Bridgestones, lasted about 8000 miles, replaced with Anakee 3's which lasted about 7000 till the front went a funny shape, currently on Mitas E07 50/50 tyres which are surprising good on wet tarmac, but crap in mud. The Mitas have done 3000 miles, but are close to the limit after a summer of abuse on the green lanes, next will be either Mitas E09 or Kenda big block. Yes I know you can't take big V-Stroms off road, especially ones with cast wheels  :smirk:
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: BigFoot on August 13, 2019, 15:17:16
I know the wife despised them on her new 650, so after 3500 miles, I got tired of the moaning and replaced them with continentals - She's happy now :)

I personally have the standard fitment on my 1000, the front is shite in the wet, but I'll wear them out then replace for something else
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: sharealike on August 14, 2019, 23:00:18
OK so I have read loads of this section and it is good to know that we are not the only ones
 

Known now as Michelin Road 5. Seems they have dropped the Pilot name but at least available in 19 inch for the front. Was there a 19 inch in its predecessor the Pilot Road 4. Think there was a trail pilot rd 4 but 120/70 rather than 110/80. And there is now a Micheli Road 5 in 150/70 x 17 for the rear.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: TLPower on August 15, 2019, 05:22:05
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifARMmcqhD8
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: STORMY on August 17, 2019, 10:02:07
A few times, whilst banked over on roundabouts,  it simply skipped sideways a few inches towards the outside of the bend.
Identical set of circumstances exactly the same result - lost all confidence in them
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Fossie on August 18, 2019, 22:36:12
Wow Fossie fancy bumping into you on this forum, how are you doing ?
I'm running a V-Strom 1000 these days for long haul stuff with a Kawasaki Z900RS as a great day out bike. I know it will be taboo with you but I fancy one of the new Katana 1000's to eventually replace the Kawasaki although the heavyish clutch and the tiny 12 litre petrol tank are a bit off putting. My days of clip-ons and rear-sets are over.
Cheers
Alan, former North East rep KOC.

So about this off topic a touch but just reconnecting with a chap who accompanied us on John o groats to lands end some years back!
 Hello Al ....that new Katana is a decent ride to be fair , the riding position  will suit us old uns ...as for the 12 litre tank,  over 50.? You'll need the petrol station before it does !
 Take one for a test ride ...more Kryten than Katana though!

As for v strom tyres .....it's why traction control added!
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Leon on August 19, 2019, 09:35:37
My 07 Wee came with squared off Battlewings. Hated them, very little feel in the dry and none in the wet. As they were still legal I put up with them for a little under a 1000 miles then swapped to T31 Evo's. Changed the way the bike rode dramatically.

I was surprised as I had heard nothing but good reports about the Battlewings and even though the rear was squared off I didn't expect them to feel as bad as they did.

Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: KatanaAl on August 19, 2019, 12:51:30
The rear Battlewing on my V-Strom 1000 is looking very second hand at 3,800 miles. Bought the bike new in mid May and I must admit I was expecting at least 6,000 from the rear.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: STORMY on August 22, 2019, 18:59:10
Goodbye to my lethal battle wings
Hello Michelin Road 5’s
Thought it was just me that had problems
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: sillyboy on August 22, 2019, 19:35:32
also goodbye to the deathwings. new road attack3s fitted yesterday.be next week before I get out on them. £251-70 fitted to loose wheels.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: wurzel on August 23, 2019, 08:18:44
You will undoubtedly find the bike much more confidence inspiring, well done in binning the ditchfinders. :text-bravo:
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: infidel on August 29, 2019, 18:13:08
Pics of my 051 battleflaps after 11.3K mi. Not sure they deserve the widowmaker reputation they are generating here. They NOT great, especially Post 4/5K wet. But even squared in the dry could be pushed wihtin limits. A41's on now. New Bike.

Most annoying for me was the front road noise post 8K. Sounded like a wheel bearing going Grrrrr.. 
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: porter on August 30, 2019, 09:52:34
I'd say there's another few k's left in them yet Infidel! You done great at 11k, mine where toast at 7k. Yes there not the best tyres but I'd not throw them away, there's  enough grip in the dry to get both footrests, mainstand and exhaust can on the deck.
Not all tyre changes are improvements either. I just fitted Mich Ankee 3's to mine and I'd say the grip wet or dry is no better than the old Bridgestones and as for the noise! I'm hoping the mileage is good but the grip is poor compaired to the PR4's they replaced.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Dark-Strom on August 30, 2019, 17:18:32
Don't know what all the fuss is about, I found mine very grippy- though I did only have 14.5psi in each wheel  lol
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Dark-Strom on August 30, 2019, 17:53:37
In all seriousness, the blokes at the Wales meet (Josh, Graham and Paul) sorted me out.
Didn't notice much of a change handling wise.
Have noticed early signs of perishing so will change them next year as they will be 8 yr old.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: infidel on August 30, 2019, 18:18:38
Yeah spot on porter. I've pinged the footpegs on these in the dry. They is what they is - cheap, hardwearing and perfectly good dry. I do like PR4's on my SVthou though. So much grip in wet you can pop a knee down on some surfaces. But the rear lasts 4.5K tops. Horses for corses.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: porter on August 31, 2019, 09:27:00
I got 5k out of the PR4 rear and 4.5k out of the replacement PR5. Both where the standard non trail fitment. Front lasted two rears,  just. 
The Ankee 3,s I'm sure will last well but I was happier on the pilot roads, better grip wet or dry and less harsh on bumps too.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Ianmc on August 31, 2019, 10:45:30
Just changed a pair of Metzler Tourance Next tyres after 11K miles.I have gone back to BT023’s again.The Metzler are really good tyres with great wet grip and are long lasting, but really noisy.They weren’t totally worn out and had about 1 mm to the wear bars, but were really “squared off”.The new tyres felt really strange to start with, but are a much better ride on the front and are so quiet.Time will tell.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: earlystock on September 03, 2019, 14:48:15
well my XT came with Trial Wings new. In the dry they are pretty good though you can feel the tread moving a bit when riding in a "spirited" fashion, but in the wet they are truly horrible, they feel skittish and unstable (tried different pressures, no real change), and while they have not let go (the odd sideways skip), I have no feeling of trust in them at all. Changing them soon I think. (I tend to ride mainly in the dry so has not been an issue too often)
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: mrp192 on September 03, 2019, 18:19:18
I used the original tyres on my 2015 650 for 8000 until they were worn out. It wasn’t until I then changed them to Pilot Road 4’s that I realised how poor the original tyres had been.
Now on my second set of PR4’s having had to source the 19” trail front from Andorra as Michelin only make the 17” tyres now (presumably to sell more of there faster wearing PR5’s).
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Banditbilbo on September 04, 2019, 20:29:57
God will pain Bridgestone & the BW's 501/502
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Mep on September 19, 2019, 22:05:46
Don't know about the OEM tyres but just done a tour of Scotland on mostly wet roads with Michelin Pilots and they were very inspiring and I had total confidence in them at all times. Will stick with them thanks.
Title: Re: OEM tyres! Omg!
Post by: Fossie on September 30, 2019, 23:02:37
Both our bikes now have pilot road 5 on , Fitted while having a service at 14000 miles . :lala:
What a difference , espiecally as it coincided with the torrential torrents that were once the highways of Mancunia.

Gone are the swirming straight line tendencies that were a fact of motorway driving.!
 The old battle wings were still legal....fudging immoral , but legal.
Should be done under trades description....."tyres " they are just big black washers!! :icon_wink: