97 M900 Tyres

[Nasher]

Having not ridden it for @3 weeks:grump: I needed to move the M900 in the garage today so uncovered it and dropped it off it's stands.
The back tyre looked flat, and it didn't take long to find a nail sticking out of it right in the middle of the tread.:grump::grump:

I did something I should have done when I brought the bike in Aug 2014 and checked the dates on the Bridgestone Battlaxs, which are:

Front Wk3 2011
Rear Wk14 2010

Despite both having loads of life left in them, and not being 'that' old, rather than get the rear repaired I think I'm up for a new pair.

Now, I might regret asking this as everyone has different views, but what's considered the best all round tyre for the early M900?

The Battlax's have felt good to me for my mixture of riding, but I'd be interested in the views of those who have far more experience with the bikes than I do.

Points to take into account:
I'm not a really fast and hard rider, but do like the feel and confidence a good set of tyres give.

Sadly I don't do a lot of miles, so am willing to sacrifice a bit of wear for better handling.

I don't have a bottomless pit of money to throw at the bike as it is just a hobby.

Thanks

Nasher.

[Mr Gazza]

Pirelli Diablo Stradas would tick all your boxes.
They're great tyres, for Monsters.
Although they have been in production for a long time now (there must be a good reason for that), and perhaps regarded as a bit old fasioned, they are still very good and are much cheaper than the latest model...I reckon you would get a pair for well under £150.

I changed to the Pirellis from battlaxes....Much better..

[Nasher]

Thanks Mr Gazza

I've just had a quick look.

Your 'well under £150' is a bit optimistic, but looks more achievable with a 180/55 17 on the back than what's on it at the moment, a 170/60 17.
The 120/70 17 Front is what's quoted everywhere.

Will I open a can of worms if I ask what the story is with 170/60 verses 180/55?
I've tried a few sites that take your bike details and suggest a tyre and both come up in equal amounts.

Thanks

Nasher

[Darren69]

Just my personal opinion/preference but I have found that Pirelli's suit any Ducati that I've owned. I had Bridgestones on my 748 and Michelins on my 900SS went back to Pirelli's Rosso Corsas and preferred them in both cases tbh. I have Rosso Corssa II's on my S4 which are a dual compound version of the older Corsas (I believe) so you get a fair few more miles before they square off.

I do mostly dry riding and while the Corsas have been fine when I've been caught out the II's make me slightly nervous as there is so little actual tread esp on the sides, brilliant in the dry though, stick like glue.

They do Demon and Angel versions which as I understand are not quite so sticky as the Corsa versions and more an all round tyre with lots more tread (cheaper too) but I've not tried them. Not sure what the difference between Demon or Angels actually is, but the Prielli web site has lots of info.

I've always changed tyres as a pair or replaced with the same tyre to match so I don't know how they would mix with different makes, probably very little under normal road riding conditiond tbh The biggest difference I noticed was going from a 120/60 to a 120/70 on the front. I much prefer the 120/70 but some would probably like the 120/60 more, but I didn't like how it felt when tipped over, the 120/70 has a more gentler profile which i found more to my liking.

I'm sure some Avon or Dunlop fans will be along shortly to give their opinions, I've not tried either on a Ducati and maybe I should broaden my horizons but in all honesty I'm so happy with the Pirellis I might regret it.

[Darren69]

That's 2 votes for Pirelli then? I'm not sure if the Diablo Stradas are now called Demon as the Diablo range seems to only include the Corsa versions?

http://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-gb/motorcycle/all-tyres/catalog

[Flip]

I have loved Pirellis on my '97 900 !!!
When I bought it, it was on the horrible original Dunlop's which I changed almost straight away.
Early part of 2015 during my refresh I decided to go with a lot of recommendations and give Michelin Pilot Road3's a go (despite my reservations after hating old Hi-Sports) and to be honest I am still not convinced- they do offer what feels like a lot of confidence inspiring grip wet or dry but at crawling filtering through traffic speed the bike has lost its nimbleness as if the front pressure is low (it never has been but it has caused me to pull over a couple of times to check).
On the plus side- if you like them, after 5k miles they hardly look touched.
But in all honesty I think I may go back to Pirelli when these are done or I get fed up with whichever happens first.
Consider the can of worms opened!!!

[Mr Gazza]

I bought a Daiblo Strada 180/55 17 about 11 or less months ago, for about £80.

So it was still in production then....180 fits okay...You will pay a lot extra for a 170 which is now a non-prefered size.

They're still called Stradas as far as I know.

[Nasher]

Thanks guys, the Pirelli site was one I had a look through.

They show 3 different types of Diablo:
Supercorsa SP
Rosso Corsa
Rosso II

Only the Rosso II is available in both rear sizes.

Beginning to wish I'd not started this, but am really pleased I asked.

Nasher.

[Mr Gazza]

So maybe the Strada has finally come to the end of the road.

I am sure you could get a really good price on one if you asked.

[Darren69]

I've just checked my bikes and I think there may have been some re-branding and spec changes at Pirelli.

My 748 appears to have the tread pattern of the Rosso II (the actual tyres are Diablo Corsa) and the S4 has the Diablo Rosso Corsa, both should good tbh. I think both are now bi compound but it doesn't say the Rosso Corsas are on the site. The old Diablo Corsas are not I don't think but the Rosso II are.

Lets start an oil thread now? :)

[Flip]

Oh and I rode a bike with 180 rear as opposed to the 170 section on my bike and hated it- I learnt some time ago that fitting oversize tyres, even factory approved options alá FZR600 going from a 130 to a 150 tends to mess up the feel somewhat. But then again others will say no problem so again personal choice

[Dirty]

Might be worth getting in touch with Stinger101 http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showpost.php?p=514312&postcount=6

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=52508&

[utopia]

A major criterion for me is that the rear tyre should have a harder central compound.
In my experience, this preserves the profile for much longer and hence preserves the "feel".
I would probably fit Michelin PR3s (saving on the expense of the PR4s but still getting most of the benefits).
My last PR2 rear lasted ages ... I used it for 7 or 8k miles (though in fairness it was beginning to square off in the latter stages).

Also, on a different tack, I have repaired said rear tyre twice, using the professional type of mushroom patch inserted from the inside.
It only cost me a couple of quid each time and I had total confidence in the repairs.

ps. I do ride in the wet though, and so part of my reason for favouring the Michelins is due to the little "Sipes" (I think that's what they're called) which contribute to fast warm up and improved wet grip.

[SteveM900]

Michelin Pilot Powers work well with 170 or 180 rear, they grip well and wear well. Older design of tyre so you can get a pair for £142 delivered via Ebay. Sometimes come up cheaper as pair deals from the likes of M&P.
Also Michelin are one of the very few manufacturers who allow puncture repairs !

[Scott1]

I expect I'm in a minority of one but I have Battlaxs on my M900 which is used every day in all weather and they work great for me, much prefer them to the Pirelli's it had originally especially in the wet. I had PR2's on the GT1000 and they were ace, can only imagine 3/4's would be better.

I suppose riding style has a lot to do with it, I ride like a paranoid coward at the best of times!

[Albie]

I bought a Daiblo Strada 180/55 17 about 11 or less months ago, for about £80.

So it was still in production then....180 fits okay...You will pay a lot extra for a 170 which is now a non-prefered size.

They're still called Stradas as far as I know.

I paid £140 for a pair of stock sized 170 rear Pilots but was looking for narrow width purely for non chaffing. They are harder to get yes.
If I wasn't going for that preference of course 180 is the way to go with more choice options in brand and grip and more choice of price of course.

[Nasher]

Guys

Apologies for going quiet on this for a couple of days, I really do appreciate your help.

There is good news, and bad.

The Good News is that once again I now have far more information than I would have done without this forum and I'll be able to make a far more informed decision regarding what tyres to choose.

The Bad News is that the decision will have to wait 2 maybe 3 months.
My daily driver Discovery, that I can't do without, has decided after 175K miles that the engine and autobox can no longer work together via the Torque Converter and have requested a replacement for the position:cry:

So £200 on tyres for the bike will have to wait whilst I stump up a considerable amount more for a Torque converter.
Annoyingly I can't even do it myself, as although I've rebuilt the suspension etc on the Disco I can't get it high enough in my garage to get the transfer box, gearbox etc out under the car without the car lifting the garage roof up.

I therefore face the possibility of SORNing the M900 until @ April, or risk having the existing Battlax puncture repaired.
I've had a few car and 4x4 tyres repaired in the past but have always replaced bike tyres.

Thoughts anyone?

Nasher

[Darkness]

My daily driver Discovery, that I can't do without, has decided after 175K miles that the engine and autobox can no longer work together via the Torque Converter and have requested a replacement for the position:cry:

So £200 on tyres for the bike will have to wait whilst I stump up a considerable amount more for a Torque converter.
Annoyingly I can't even do it myself, as although I've rebuilt the suspension etc on the Disco I can't get it high enough in my garage to get the transfer box, gearbox etc out under the car without the car lifting the garage roof.......

Thoughts anyone?

Nasher

Do you have to drop the gearbox? Would it be easier to pull the engine out from the top and expose the flex plate and torque converter that way?

It would also be worth a post on the other Ducati forum to see if any of the desmodue racers have some part worn tyres that could keep you on the road?

[Nottsbiker]

I've plugged and had plugged bike tyres several times over the years without any problems and always carry a kit with me on the bike.

If you do it yourself leave the bike tyre pumped up over night / for a few days to check it's maintaining pressure ok and take it steady on your initial rides.

[Nasher]

Getting the TDV6 engine out of a D3 through the engine bay is possible, just - but only with a very tall crane - Land Rover themselves will only do it by taking the body off the chassis.

Taking the engine out compared to unbolting the transfer and gearboxes is also a much bigger job.

It's being done by an autobox specialist from underneath, and I keep telling myself the labour charge element isn't worth me spending weekend doing it.

Any thoughts on puncture repairing the Bridgestone?

Nasher.

[Stinger101]

Hi Nasher, Call Darren Mondey at Micheldever Tyres on 01962 388258 and tell him Mark Hornett sent you. He's a colleague of mine. I've been in the tyre business for 30 years and Darren seriously knows his stuff and is fairly local to you.
Let me know how you get on if you do.

[SteveM900]

If you can find someone who would repair it then its worth doing. Maybe a different case if it was a Panigale ! Doesn't bother me riding with a plugged tyre.
I carry a puncture kit that lets you insert a mushroom from the outside. As good as a proper tyre shop repair without having the hassle of taking the wheel off. They only cost about £25 and then you've got it for future trips. Even if its only temporary till funds allow new tyres.
With the current weather you're hardly likely to be maxing it out !

[Nasher]

Thanks guys. I'm going to give Hordean tyres a call in the morning as they've recently taken on a guy who had a good local reputation with his own mobile service. They are two minutes from me so worth trying first.

I've used micheldever tyres quite a bit in the past and will probably end up there for the new ones.

As you say, the mileage I'll put on a repair will be minimal this time of year anyway.

I am however commited to a new set, partly as it looks like the current tyres have been through at least 3 owners of the bike and I don't know how they were treated with respect to stuff like running at the right pressures.

Nasher

[Darkness]

Getting the TDV6 engine out of a D3 through the engine bay is possible, just - but only with a very tall crane - Land Rover themselves will only do it by taking the body off the chassis.

Taking the engine out compared to unbolting the transfer and gearboxes is also a much bigger job.

It's being done by an autobox specialist from underneath, and I keep telling myself the labour charge element isn't worth me spending weekend doing it.
Nosher.

It used to be a little more straightforward with a 3.9efi in a Disco 1.

Any thoughts on puncture repairing the Bridgestone.

It's preferable to having the bike immobile, but I wouldn't trust a plug, so wouldn't go over about 30mph with one. It would be the same for me as using a space saver spare wheel on the car: something to be done with extreme care when you have to, but only till the permanent repair can be done.

[utopia]

I wouldn't trust one of the regular diy repair plugs either, whether they be strings, mushrooms or whatever.
On the other hand the professional type of repair mushroom (with a much larger head, maybe 30mm dia, and inserted from the inside of the tyre) are very reliable indeed if the puncture is a small, neat hole in a central area of the tread.
I ran my last PR2 rear with two of these mushroom repairs for over a thousand miles with complete confidence and no problems whatsoever.
I did longish, high speed runs on it too, and had the bike very nearly up to max speed on one occasion.
The cost of getting it done professionally can sometimes outweigh the value of the remaining life of the tyre though.
I did mine myself ... its easy ... its the tyre removal/refitting that's the hardest part.
The mushroom plugs are available dead cheap on ebay.

See this thread ....
http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=47735&highlight=tyre+repair