I've been a defender of the stock tires, they stick well enough for me both dry and wet. Yesterday I was down on the ground doing the vacuum hose mod and noticed that the tires already beginning to crack, or show signs of dry rotting. :( I've only got 2300 miles or so and the bike is a couple months old. The tire pressure was just a tad low, less than a few psi. Bummer. I'll keep on using them until they start to suck.

Luke

I think I felt the front slip out from under me today in the rain. Very unnerving. I was going slowly too.

Storm-ST are going on as soon as the arrive!

Pilot Power C2s baby!

Power Pilot C2s baby!

You mean Michelin's Pilot® Power 2CT (http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotpower2ct)? Nice tires. Were they expensive?
Check out senseigarfi's 9000 Kms (5589 miles) report with pics: http://www.versys.co.uk/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=45&topic=817.300

My OEM front washes out easily on dirty roads... I might be trying a set of Maxxis Presa Supermotard (http://www.maxxis.com/MotorcycleATV/Racing.aspx) M6118 medium front with either a M6119 hard or a Presa Detour (http://www.maxxis.com/MotorcycleATV/Street.aspx) rear.

Those look very nice. I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the Avon Dystancia (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/?page=tyres&method=showtyre&id=20)? They are a silica blend tire with a crazy deep tread.


You mean Michelin's Pilot® Power 2CT (http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotpower2ct)? Nice tires. Were they expensive?
My OEM front washes out easily on dirty roads... I might be trying a set of Maxxis Presa Supermotard (http://www.maxxis.com/MotorcycleATV/Racing.aspx) M6118 medium front with either a M6119 hard , or a Presa Detour (http://www.maxxis.com/MotorcycleATV/Street.aspx) rear.

hunting1 has a set of Avon Distanzia (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/content/en/pdf/distanzia.pdf ) 120/70-17 SM front - 150/70-17 rear on his and likes 'em better than Pirelli MT60's: http://forums.kawasakiversys.com/showthread.php?t=162&page=2

The 160/60-17 SM rear and 120/70-17 SM front have a softer supermoto (SM) compound. According to Peter J McNally, Avon M/C Technical Product Manager: "The Distanzia tyres that fit your bike are 120/70R17 and 160/60R17. We only make one type in each size, they were developed for Supermoto. They are similar to other tyres in the Distanzia range except that they have a softer compound, basically a hard race compound."

You mean Michelin's Pilot Power 2CT? Nice tires. Were they expensive?

HAHAHAHA...I never can remember if it's Pilot Power or Power Pilot! I say (and type) it wrong most of the time. I have not put them on the V yet, but I went through 3 sets of the non C2 version on my Speed Triple. They are the best tires I have ever used. (IMHO) I plan to replace the stock tires (when they wear out) with the C2s. You can get a set shipped for $250 when some one has them on special.

Pirelli Scorpion Syncs on mine. I love em. 100X better than the stockers.

Stock tires usually suck bigtime unless you buy a European scoot.

Kind of like most stock tires on new cars. I hated the Continentals that came on my Acura.

Pirelli Scorpion Syncs on mine. I love em. 100X better than the stockers.

I just bought a set of these and waiting for them to come in. My OEM tires have 10k kilometers on them and they have the cracks in all of the treads. I'm also seeing the wear bars now. I just got back from Rochester, NY (500 kilometer round trip and with my local driving as well) - I could feel these tires were worn out. The Dunlops on the front severely cupped and the back as I said has the wear bars showing and is squared off. I keep my pressure at 38 rear and 34 front.

Can't wait to try out the Pirellis - I'm going to be riding around Lake Erie on labor day weekend - starting on the 30th and coming home on the 31st. I hope they come in this week and something doesn't get screwed up.

I was thinking of going with my the Metzler RoadTec Z6 - had them on my BMW and loved them. They were a solid and grippy tire all the way to the end - put a total of 13,000 kilometers on them. Based on what I've read and Baddones recommendations - I thought I'd try the Pirelli Scorpions.

OEM Dunlops now have right at 5,000. good hard miles :D upon them. I am very happy with their performance and lifespan as OEM tires go.

Have just ordered Avon Storm ST's --- first new shoes . . . have heard good things re: both their handling in the curves and their longevity.

Anyone already running Avon Storm St's on the Versys?

I Absolutely despised the stock tires!!!
A couple of things on that...
1. OEM's generally use an inexpensive general use tire, not the best thing for discerning enthusiasts. Usually some compromise of ok handling, and low price for them...
2. When I replaced my stockers, I needed to find out price for them as I had a free set coming with my prepaid maintenance, and I would have to pay the difference if the tires I chose were more expensive. The stock tires were nearly 50% more costly than my far superior replacements (Continental Road Attacks)
Far superior stability is the biggie for me. I cannot say anything bad about grip from the stockers as I never lost it on them, but I can say, surprisingly, that even on the dirt road the last mile to my house, the Conti's feel like there is more grip. I will be replacing the Conti's with Pirelli Scorpion Syncs, or perhaps CT2's. I love my Conti's, but am interested in finding the ultimate.
My biggest issue with the stock tires was the total lack of stability and confidence. I think the roundish profile lends to that.
I hate trying new tires when I've found something I like, but, I will, for the sake of finding the best option for me. I suppose it's a personal preference, but how can you not be into superior stability on a bike?
Aus,
Erik!!!

The OEMs worked fine for me. Got 15000 on the rear and 20000 on the front, and both were not at the wear marks yet, but I just don't like reaching them.

Now I have 12000 rear and 7000 front of riding with the Dunlop RoadSmart. Maybe it is just me, but they feel more stable. Not that I push it in the rain, but they have been through a lot of heavy rains and have always done great.

Oh, I always put Ride-On in my tires. Not only prevents flats (MUCH better than Slime), but also keeps your tires balanced throughout their life, not just the beginning by rim weights. You'll notice that hwy riding feels smoother.

Avon Storm ST's....hummmm....I just looked these up. I may have to give them a try.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/avon-storm/

Web bike world also recommends the Pirelli Scorpion Syncs for the V.

atgatt, 15000 miles!?!?!

Pic attached:

Avon Storm St's en route. Bike in waiting mode . . .

T-Rex Stands do an excellent job. Wanted to highlight the stands here as there was a thread some time back specifically re: stands . . .

I hope my storms will be here this week. Not that the OEM are that awful, but I think I'll get more peace of mind with the storms.

you guys make me nervous ahhaha...... i havent had any incidents with the stockers, only got 3k on em now i think ill wear em out first, but will defently get a better tire

Keep in mind, the stock tires grip enough to drag pegs fairly easily. Modern tires, even cheap ones, are still pretty good.

Don't panic. I'm not throwing away perfectly good tires until they wear out!

Oh, I always put Ride-On in my tires. Not only prevents flats (MUCH better than Slime), but also keeps your tires balanced throughout their life, not just the beginning by rim weights. You'll notice that hwy riding feels smoother.

Good to hear someone else on this board thinks like I do. I've used Ride-On tire sealant on my last 4 bikes. It's one of the first things I order. I actually had two bottles waiting for the Versys when she came home. :D

Great stuff. for those that don't know, here's a link: http://www.ride-on.com/

Ride on!
Jim

Good to hear someone else on this board thinks like I do. I've used Ride-On tire sealant on my last 4 bikes. It's one of the first things I order. I actually had two bottles waiting for the Versys when she came home. :D

Great stuff. for those that don't know, here's a link: http://www.ride-on.com/

Ride on!
Jim

Interesting product. How do you get the stuff into the tire?

I had a moment on a trip where I noticed part of a pop rivet sticking out of my tire. Thankfully, it was only lodged in the rubber and it did not create a leak.

Always be careful riding in Auto Parts Store parking lots, because some people fix their cars there.

hey Motodevil.....so your conti road attacks arent a good choice ??? i was thinking of putting a set on mine here soon .

Interesting product. How do you get the stuff into the tire?

I had a moment on a trip where I noticed part of a pop rivet sticking out of my tire. Thankfully, it was only lodged in the rubber and it did not create a leak.

Always be careful riding in Auto Parts Store parking lots, because some people fix their cars there.

Pull the schreader (sp??) valve out of the valve stem, squeeze the bottle of goo out into the provided clear plastic tube you've connected to the open valve stem. Re-inflate the tire when done, ride the bike for 5-10 miles to evenly distribute the product inside the tire. Easy!

Does it gum up the rim, or stick to the tire? I have "heard" that it's a bloody mess when changing the tire. Any truth to that?

Does it gum up the rim, or stick to the tire? I have "heard" that it's a bloody mess when changing the tire. Any truth to that?

No. Unlike Slime, this product does not gum up the wheel or tire.

No. Unlike Slime, this product does not gum up the wheel or tire.

Nice. Thanks for sharing! I'll order some pronto!

Nice. Thanks for sharing! I'll order some pronto!


No problem at all. Glad I could help!

Ride-On will come with a chart for different size tires of how much to put in. Their bottles are well marked to see how much you put in. Just follow their simple instructions.

There is a down side to Ride-On. You'll SELDOM need to add more psi to your tires because they stop the slightest leak. My new Sears air compressor is mainly used to blow out the garage since I seldom need it to fill tires.

When I get my tire changed I always tell the shop about the liquid I put in but tell them it is non-toxic as opposed to all the others so don't charge me the hazard fee.