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: Backdraft on April 05, 2010, 22:47:18
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Subjective I know, but just done 2000 miles in 3 days on a new set of Battle Wings without a single "moment". This included heavy rain, very cold icy roads and lots of motorways! Seemed to have worn well and felt very secure especially in the rain whilst we 'made progress'. Recommended for my style/bike but as always personal choice is everything .....
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Thanks for the feedback- confirms my choice for my next set of tyres
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Subjective I know, but just done 2000 miles in 3 days on a new set of Battle Wings without a single "moment". This included heavy rain, very cold icy roads and lots of motorways! Seemed to have worn well and felt very secure especially in the rain whilst we 'made progress'. Recommended for my style/bike but as always personal choice is everything .....
2,000 miles in three days is good going :thumb:
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I've got battlewings on mine and very happy with them, great grip in dry and wet conditions, can ride as fast in the wet on a quick A road near me as I used to in the dry on my vfr with bt21's on ;)
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just been down to the garage this morning , my front tyre was just on limit but the back had a slow puncture , the bloke at the garage found 2 dirty great bloody nails in it going across the tyre ,
2 new tyres he said , f**ck ,tw*t ,sh*t , boll***s ### ### ### , I said ,
if it was on the car I might have left it (loads of life in it ) but you can't risk it on the bike can you ,
any way after a lot of haggling I got the price down to £198.00 fitted wot do you blokes think ??
I had trailwings on but replacing them with battlewings , got them on order for saturday hope I've not been ripped off :shrug: :shrug:
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I think that's a decent price if its fitted to the bike (Ride in / Ride out) - I have had a slightly cheaper quote but it would cost you more in petrol to come up here. I have also had quotes of £205 and £225 so your not getting ripped off
Lee
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Thanks dogpuf , appreciate that :thumb: :thumb:
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I had a set of Battle Wings fitted last month just under £200 ride in and fitted and that was my local Yamaha dealer so far can't fault them :thumb:
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I was told that the Trailwings are being stopped. SO I got battlewings fitted and they are great still getting use to them leaning the bike over and expecting some slipage. All in all I paid £188 for them got a good deal as I had other work done at the time. :thumb:
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yeah they have stopped making trailwings , had the new battlewings fitted yesterday , first 100 miles got to take it steady , they look a lot different to the trailwings , be able to tell you what there like after a good run :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
£198.00 ride in ride out
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My back tyre is worn out and needs replaced. No more Trailwings so I'm putting a Battle wing on it. This means that for some time I will have a Trailwing on the front and a Battlewing on the back. Does anyone think this will be a problem?
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The different capabilities of the two tyres could be the thing that catches you out and then it will end up much more expensive than changing both now. If you think that the Trialwings and Battlewings have the same or very near capabilities then there is probably no harm, though from what I have heard the Trailwings are crap. In the end it is your choice, but out of a safety point of view I'd say to have tyres with the same capabilities on both wheels (note: I'm not saying that you have to have the same type of tyres on both wheels, just ones with the same capabilities.) I don't know if 'capabilities' is the right word to use, some tyres can have the same 'capabilities', but they feel different so the 'feel' is something to consider too. I hope you understand what I'm trying to explain :-)
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I do understand. Tyres are such an objective choice, what one rider likes the others hate. In fact, far from being crap, the Trailwings have been very good and I'm disappointed that I can't get a replacement.
I'm hoping that if Bridgestone says that Battlewings are a replacement, then they will not have such characteristics that they are incompatible. I'm fairly confident they should be OK but I thought I'd ask if anyone knew any different.
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I asked the same question when changing mine, I had trailwings on , the battlewings look and feel so different , I was advised to change both , don't know if the bloke in the shop was spookin me but he did say some insurance companies don't like you ' mixing' tyres :shrug: :shrug:
I think as well to be safe than sorry , its the only thing in contact with the road
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I can't understand why everyone seems to slate Trailwings. I've been chucking my Wee around like nobodys business and the TW's are rock solid and inspire confidence to push the handling as far as a big trailie like the Wee will allow.
Admitedly I've not ridden in the wet with them yet.... that may be a different story.
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I can't understand why everyone seems to slate Trailwings. Admitedly I've not ridden in the wet with them yet.... that may be a different story.
I'd wait til you ride them in the wet before deciding if they're any good. Fine in the dry - shite in the wet!!! I've no confidence in the front end in the wet - its all over the place. I'm looking to change mine & they're only half worn.
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Just effin' brilliant. I asked Bridgestone about mixing a rear Battlewing with a Front Trailwing. I got fed up waiting for an answer and went ahead and did it.
NOW, I get an answer from them which says "you can fit a Battle Wing on the front when mixing with a Trail Wing, but not the other way around."
Bastards. When I do replace the pair, it won't be with Bridgestones.
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I wrote to Bridgestone again and growled angrily at them. I asked "am I going to die then?"
They said "It’s just not recommended, as we don’t have any information as to how the bike will handle with this combination on it."
But they tried the combination that would cost me more money and make them more profit.
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Theyre a shit tyre. My front is getting near time for a change thinking bout puttin on metzler tourance tyres, anybody have any experience with these.
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Theyre a shit tyre. My front is getting near time for a change thinking bout puttin on metzler tourance tyres, anybody have any experience with these.
See current running thread.
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rear battle wing 6 months in.. :thumb: :thumb:
One small moment with a VERY itchy right wrist out of a tight roundabout, but settled back instantly,
front trail wing just needs changing at 12000mls :crazy: ..... speaks volumes :shock: looking forward to some proper fun in the twistys :grin:
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Front trailwing on mine has been on (I hope) since new. over 13000 miles on it, eh???? what's that, is it solid rubber.
Horrible thing, and on Friday, before I head off with my flask to Arran, it gets a Tourance front.
BRING IT ON !!!!!
Can't rate the Tourance highly enough (on the rear at least) , although it's different for different folk. I wanted as offroady as possible, while getting any sort of mileage out of them , or I'd be on TKC80's , but they wouldn't last me a month.
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yeah they have stopped making trailwings ,
Thank the Lord :limp: I think Suzuki must have bought em all cheap from Bridgestone to palm of on the thousands of Stroms they sell world wide ###
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I had a rear battle wing put on my 3wk old 650 after getting a large screw through it after just 500 miles, couldn't get trailwings anymore,thank god.
scrapped the foot rest hero blob on a corner two up the other day, just need a front battle wing
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I had a rear battle wing put on my 3wk old 650 after getting a large screw through it after just 500 miles, couldn't get trailwings anymore,thank god.
scrapped the foot rest hero blob on a corner two up the other day, just need a front battle wing
Are you running with BW rear, TW front at the mo? Does that seem OK? When I bought the bike the dealer replaced the front tyre as it was on its last legs, call me tight but I don't want to replace a brand new front tyre if I can get away with it. I'll need a new rear tyre soon and was hoping to stick a Battlewing on the back.
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I had a rear battle wing put on my 3wk old 650 after getting a large screw through it after just 500 miles, couldn't get trailwings anymore,thank god.
scrapped the foot rest hero blob on a corner two up the other day, just need a front battle wing
Are you running with BW rear, TW front at the mo? Does that seem OK? When I bought the bike the dealer replaced the front tyre as it was on its last legs, call me tight but I don't want to replace a brand new front tyre if I can get away with it. I'll need a new rear tyre soon and was hoping to stick a Battlewing on the back.
I've mixed and matched tyres for years without any problems. My Bandit currently has a Maxxis Supermax on the rear and a Dunlop D218 on the front, I do have a front Maxxis waiting to go on but I hate wasting rubber.
Tyre companies will tell you not to mix & match, but we all know where their interest lies. I would expect a mix of Trailwing and Battlewing to be fine, they are both dual sport tyres.
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Yes the rear bw and front tw seem fine , 2up or solo , can't speak for in the rain though, tw isn't all that on wet roads.
had no vibration ,weaving , dodgy moments wth the tyres mixed
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OK cheers both of you - that's reassuring :)
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just picked up a brand new DL650 as pic, and that has trail wings on the rims, seem pretty planted to me.
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Just wait until it gets wet :-)
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No, no, no... There is a reason they have earned the nickname "Deathwings" :shock:
I wasn't at all impressed with the grip from the OEM Trailwings. Gave little confidence in the dry and none at all in the wet. However, the rear did last for around 10k miles. As mentioned above, Trailwings have been superceded by Battlewings, so gave them a go. They felt equally uninspiring for grip but I also only got 6k from a rear.
:wtf:
I have always rated Metzelers, so tried the Tourance: good grip wet and dry and at least 10k. There's much discussion on them here: http://www.v-strom.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4420. However, a current problem with the front tyre delaminating with at least 3k miles of tread left (http://www.v-strom.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4862) means I'm about to go for Anakee 2's (tomorrow).
We'll see...
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I'm surprised you didn't like Battlewings - over on the VRSI forum they are very well thought of
I've ordered a pair and hopefully getting them fitted next week
I currently have a mismatch of a Avon Distanzia of the front and a very square Metzeler Tourance XP on the back so anything new will be an improvement.
After careful consideration of the main dual purpose tyre contenders :-
Bridgestone Battlewings
Michelin Annakee 2
Continental Trail Attacks
Avon Distanzias
Metzeler Tourance
I've plumped for the Battlewings
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don't know why people don't like the battlewings, great grip both wet and dry? Only have to see my nearly non existant "chicken strips" to see how good they are ;) and why anyone would want to put sports tyres on I've no idea, same grip but quicker to wear out :crazy:
Just to put some perspective on this, used to have a vfr 800 vtec before the strom with bridgestone bt021's on, the vfr was a very capable and quick bike in the corners, and apart from the really tight hairpins because of the lack of great brakes the strom is faster through the bends
biggest problem is switching your riding style to suit the strom, smooth and progressive is the way to go and gets the best results from what I can see
by the way not looking to start any arguments around this, just my opinion, you're all welcome to buy whatever tyre you feel comfortable with ;) I just think the semi knobbly type tyres suit the bike better ;)
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As it goes I to use trailwings on a DL650xK9,just happens I've replaced the front for same as the origanal was down to the wear bar in 5000 miles.£84.00 fitted.
Differant riders are getting differant mileage figures on the front t/wings,yet my back t/wing has loads of life in it.
:rain: never had a problem using these tyres in the rain and that's including very heavy downpours where the roads are part under water.
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Still on the original TWs with 12850 miles on the clock. Because of the high mileage I would have bought them again, so its BWS to replace them.
14500 service due soon and have emailed 4 Suzuki dealers in the north west ( 2 of them 3 times ) for a quote.
Received a phone call from a Cumbrian Suzuki dealer within a hour of my email and no reply from the others.
Maybe they are so busy that they have no time or courtesy to reply.
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I've just had a pair of shiny new Battlewings fitted to my loose wheels at Ian Brown Tyres at Malton
Cost £169.10 including fitting, new valve, balancing and disposal of the old tyres - bargain and great service aswell in their new fitting centre - Even got a free coffee !
I had a shop about and this was my cheapest option for Battlewings
I just have to wait for my Little Bro to refit the wheels now
Lee
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I just have to wait for my Little Bro to refit the wheels now
Lee
You'll have em wheels back on old blue tonight as promised :thumb:
Little bro
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I just have to wait for my Little Bro to refit the wheels now
Lee
You'll have em wheels back on old blue tonight as promised :thumb:
Little bro
Helped Big bro fit his shiny new Battlewings last night :thumb: Hes up and running again, just waiting for the weather to scrub em in :haha: :rain:
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pfft waiting for the weather ;) just take it easy and scrub them in now :)
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I went out for a nice steady 50 mile spin to get the Battlewings Scrubbed in
Did a nice loop up the A19 to Thirsk, Up Sutton Bank and along the top towards Helmsley turning off at Sproxton for Hovingham, then Sheriff Hutton finally back home
The sun was shining and it was mild almost perfect riding conditions if it wasn't for the arse clenching new rubber.
First impressions are that they are an excellent blend of neutral but accurate steering. Didn't push it through the corners but they felt good
Lee
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Got to add my two penny worth...
I have put 26k on my main DL1000 and in those miles I have always had Trailwings on except for one set of Battlewings.
I got 10k out of my first rear Trailwing which was amazing, but I never managed to replicate it. I gave Battlewings a try about 2 sets of tyres in and to say I wasn't impressed doesn't cover it. They were rubbish in the wet, they just let go with no warning. They wore out really quick, being a softer rubber and they cost more. So it was back to Trailwings.
I recently went on a tour of John O'Groats on my newer DL1000 which had 4k on and the original trailwings. The rough roads up there sorted the tyres out and I needed a new rear tyre when I got back.
I went into National Tyres and was told they didn't do Trailwings anymore- disaster. But luckily they found one V rated rear tyre left so I had that. Don't know what I'm going to fit when Trailwings disappear, probably Avons.
My other DL1000 has road tyres on - Bridgestone 020s which I like but you can't get those anymore either.....
Don't know if I ought to say this on a Vstrom site but I have also fitted Trailwings to my Varadero XL1000 which I ride through winter, that's how confident I am in TWs!
It looks like I'll be the only one mourning the end of Trailwings. But in my opinion they were a great tyre. I've been round tight corners two up, everything scraping and out cornered sports bikes. They gave great feedback in the wet, you knew exactly when the back end was going to slide and the front never did. They gave much better mileage than Battlewings and were cheaper.
Suzuki knew what they were doing when they fitted Trailwings as original equipment to the DL1000.
cheers WB
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This should give you all a chuckle,
I am in need of a new rear tyre on my Vee it cam to me 4000 miles ago with Trailwings on, now having ridden both what the NHS and the Police have to offer in the relms of Motorbikes and more specifically tyre choice I'm a great believer in changing riding style to suit the tyre, yes the trail wings squirm under heavy breaking and when thrown onto a corner but fed in smoothly I enbarrased and advanced rider on a GSXR750 on a recent trip to the bends...
however time for new tyres, so price up a set of Battlewings (I live in the sticks and the dirty B-roads do errr themselves to "heavy tread") my local specialist bike tyre place £225 fitted....my local bike garage Sid Moroms in Slough firstly had "never heard of them mate!" and secondly rang me back with a quote of £380!!!
I laughed and said, no thanks.
So begins the hunt for cheaper quotes!!
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my local bike garage Sid Moroms in Slough firstly had "never heard of them mate!" and secondly rang me back with a quote of £380!!!
I laughed and said, no thanks.
So begins the hunt for cheaper quotes!!
I am surpised at Sid Morams, I know they are not the cheapest, but they are usually knowledgeable, and did warn my son that it would be cheaper getting his K75 clutch fixed at a specialist BMW dealers, as they didn't have the experience, so not your traditional rip-off merchants.
I have been recommended Ride-in Bike Tyres http://www.rideinbiketyres.co.uk in Reading, which isn't that far from Slough, though I haven't tried them myself yet.
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Cheers mate, I'll give them a call
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I've been highly impressed with the Battlewings fitted to my Wee Strom, so impressed that I've just had my second set fitted as well as putting some on Mrs P's F650gs prior to our trip to Spain next month. The first ones on the Wee did over 12000 miles and still had a fair bit of tread left, but not enough for our anticipated holiday mileage, and the wear was even all over with none of the cupping I used to get on the original Trail Wings.