Are the stock V tires really that bad?

[rlj]

Been reading up on the Dunlop 221 tires and are they as bad as most of the user reviews say they are? The 221's are the only experience I have with street tires and so far they seem adequate to the way I ride. I plan on upgrading to the Michelin Pilot 3's when needed however I may do it sooner than later if the 221's are a less superior tire than others.....

[Gustavo]

There are better tires (Many? Most? ), but they are not as bad as some reviews describe them.

Gustavo

[Dejavu]

It depends, what are you going to be using the tires for? If you're going to use them for dirt, no they aren't good. If you are going to be usin them for trackdays or very spirited canyon runs (20+ posted corner speed) then probably not the greatest tire on the market. If it's anything in between, it should be fine.

How you feel about your tires is reflected in you as a rider. People will go faster or slower depending on how much confidence they have in their tires. If you, personally, don't feel confident in the tire, than change it. But don't change it because someone else doesn't like it. I say, make your own opinion.

[hawkbox]

I can attest to them being no good for dirt. They are nerve wracking on gravel as well.

[rlj]

Wet conditions are my main concerns. Being a fairly new street rider, I'm not overly aggressive when corning or up in the mountains on twisties.....at least not yet.

I just don't want to be out on a wet road and be sliding all over the place. Some of the reviews are less than favorable with wet conditions when it comes to braking and cornering.

[jmlmjmjm]

They are terrible....

Kawasaki wants you to have a miserable experience with an inferior tire so that you have no trust in them and never purchase another thing from them!!!!

Aren't all marketing teams and manufacturing giants doing the same thing?

[Dejavu]

Originally Posted by rlj

Wet conditions are my main concerns.

I just don't want to be out on a wet road and be sliding all over the place. Some of the reviews are less than favorable with wet conditions when it comes to braking and cornering.

If you haven't tried them in wet conditions, I wouldn't judge them yet. Most rain riding is about rider technique, not tires. Use more engine braking than front/back brakes. Be smooth with the throttle on/off and be smooth with the brakes. Give yourself a little distance around cars. Use the brake and throttle before and after corners, not in them. And the biggest thing, relax. If you are a new rider, you're probably not going to push your tires to their limit in the rain.

[versysxxx]

I have managed to put 50km on my new '09 V and I'm happy to report that the tires show no wear.

[Capn Kirk]

I have over 2000 miles on mine and for my style of riding, they are fine. I am not as aggressive as some of the younger riders most likely but I still have a blast.

[HAWKSHOT99]

Originally Posted by hawkbox

I can attest to them being no good for dirt. They are nerve wracking on gravel as well.

Is this a serious complaint? they are a STREET TIRE!

[Pete_]

Originally Posted by versysxxx

I have managed to put 50km on my new '09 V and I'm happy to report that the tires show no wear.

That's amazing! Keep it up and you may be able to get 500 out of them.

[fasteddiecopeman]

Originally Posted by rlj

Been reading up on the Dunlop 221 tires and are they as bad as most of the user reviews say they are?...

NO! I was willing to buy sets off guys who changed them out at no miles, but now I have a set of Tourance tires waiting in the wings!

[Spackler]

I got 7000 miles from my stock tires. I rode once in some extremely wet conditions near the end of their life and they were fine. No doubt there are better choices but I didn't have an issue with them until they were pretty well worn.

[invader]

Originally Posted by HAWKSHOT99

Is this a serious complaint? they are a STREET TIRE!

Yes it is in fact true... Some roads are paved, others are gravel... Some paved roads have sand on them.

[tinner]

I removed the stockers with about 2500 miles on them. I am sure that they are fine tires but I lost all confidence in them on my first real ride on the scoot. It was a cold March day on a lot of sandy/salty back roads. As soon as the sun dipped down and it cooled off a little more the tires lost all grip. They now sit in my garage awaiting some warm summer days when I have time to burn them up on a long weekend or two.

[Rik]

I bought my V new in june 2008. I have 7750 miles on her and am still on the original tires. They are just about worn out. No real complaints I guess. I ride fairly hard and drag a peg now and then. All in all these Dunlops have served me well. Would I buy them again? YES!... but...I'm feeling the need to wade through all the tire threads here and perhaps give another brand a try next go 'round

[rlj]

Thanks for the input. I was assuming they are more than adequate for typical riding. I only have about 1500 miles on them so far and will probably keep them for a while longer until I decide to upgrade.....

[RockyMoto]

I never had complete confidence in mine, but I wore them out because I didn't think they were so horrible as to need to be replaced before then. I got about 7K miles out of the front and 8.5K out of the rear.

I replaced them with "cheapo" Shinko 006 Podiums and there was a marked improvement in grip. I felt way more confident in them right away. The only problem was that I only got about 4.5K miles out of the Shinko's, which for me is not acceptable because I ride/commute a lot. Probably should have went with their 009 Raven's because they are supposed to be their longest wearing sport radial tire. I just put on a set of Bridgestone BT-023's today but can't report on them because I've only gone about 20 miles.

Anyway, I say stick with your Dunlop stockers until you wear them out, especially considering you won't be doing any real aggressive riding right away--they are a perfectly adequate tire IMO if they are not pushed hard. And when you replace them, I am thinking your V will get even better to ya'.

[cmoreride]

An opinion

In traffic, riding at or close to the legal limit.

People who ride on the edge of tire adhesion are doing just that.

It's like seeing how near you can place a lite match to a firecracker fuse.

The only way to find out is to blow it up.

You Tube

You Tube

Go Speed Racer Go

[Boricua]

Change mine @ 7500. Riding on roadsmarts now. Could have riden a couple of hundred miles more but no need be skimpy with tires or breaks.

Sand or gravel on the road will cause you to loose grip.no matter what tires you use.