NEW TYRES?

Hi! My 'Swing has just passed the 10,000 km mark and the tyres (particularly the back one) are looking well worn.

I am trying to make up my mind whether to go for:

• Michelin Pilot Sport SC; or
  
• Pirelli Diablo Scooter.
  

A scooter shop in Canberra recommend that I get another set of Bridgestone Hoops; he says they work very well on smaller scooters with the engine on the swing arm but was not sure about maxi scooters. I have not been impressed by the OEM Hoops - they are not lasting as long as I thought they should and as they wear the grip and feel have really deteriorated.

Has anybody had recent experience with these brands?

Regards,
Peter

Peter,
Peter,

My SWing came stock with the Hoops and they aren't bad but not as good as the Diablo's or Metzlers. I have had 2 set of Diablo's and got about 10,000 miles on each set. I have the Metzlers one now and really like them. If I get close to 10,000 miles on the Metzlers I would probably rate them a bit better, but not much. I don't think we get the Michelins over here but could be wrong. I just have never had the shops say they could offer them.

The Diablo's/Metzlers seem smoother and corner much better. They also feel stickier on the pavement and work on wet roads better too. Maybe the dealer doesn't know that the SWing's engine is frame mounted and is not mounted to the swingarm. Tell us what you do and if you get tires, or tyres, other than the Hoops please give us a review.

Peter:
I put on a set of Metzlers about the same time Jeff R did. I have never tried the Diablos, but I can tell you the Metzlers are great!

I have had 2 sets of Hoops, but this last change I went with the Pirellis and all I can say is that I'll NEVER go back to Hoops. Can't really speak for milage because I just added it this year.

I had IRC when new. I went to Diablos and like them much better. Even if the price were half again as high as IRC, I would still use them. Perhaps even twice the price.

pja wrote:

... I am trying to make up my mind whether to go for:

• Michelin Pilot Sport SC; or
  
• Pirelli Diablo Scooter.
  

After chasing up various bike shops locally and in Canberra it seems I can't get Pirelli Diablo's in the required sizes despite what Pirelli's website says. Michelin's may be difficult to get (one dealer says they are not available while another "thinks" they are. What is available are:

• Pirelli GTS 23/24; and
  
• Metzeller Feelfree.
  

Does anyone have any experience of these tyres and can make a recommendation please.

Regards,
Peter

Peter,

I have the Metzlers, after the OEM Hoops, and 2 sets of Diablo's and I really like them. I have close to 3,000 miles on them and I think they are a bit better than the Diablo's. I just have to see if they last 10,000 miles like the others have. The Diablo's are better than the Hoops, IMO, and the Metzlers are a bit better than the Diablo's so far. If the Metzlers last 10,000 I would rate them to be just a bit better than the Diablo's.

I think the same way as Som2002 in that I will never go back to the Hoops, unless they quit making the Diablo's or Metzlers.

I agree with the mob. I put on the Metzelers about the same time as Jeff. I have about 3500 miles on them and I think they perform better than the Hoops in all conditions. As indicated the Diablo is probably the favorite tire choice for the SW until one of us wears out a "FeelFree" to see how many miles we can get out of them. I have no experience with the Pirelli GTS.

The Mob Rules! I also put on a set of Metzler Feel Free tires about 3,000 miles ago. They give a very nice smooth ride. Cornering is very stable and grippy - rain or shine. They seem to be wearing quite well so far.

Have you other guys noticed that they "sing" when you roll from side to side? The faster I am going the higher the note. Such sweet music...

pja wrote:

... I am trying to make up my mind whether to go for:

• Michelin Pilot Sport SC; or
  
• Pirelli Diablo Scooter.
  

...

I have just ordered a set of Metzeler "Feelfree" tyres (strange name )

I was not able to get a set of Michelin Pilot Sports or Pirelli Diablo
tyres in my size in Australia! I could have got Pirelli GTS tyres but
the seem cheap and I don't know much about them.

I'll report back after I put some kilometres on them.

Regards,
Peter

Peter:
I think you will like the Metzlers. Let us know once you have a chance to test them out.
DCC