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[Richard230]

I thought I might start a thread regarding available tire choices for the 2014 and later models.  This came about because my rear tire picked up a piece of glass the other day, which tore up the tread a bit, but apparently didn't go all the way though the casing of the stock Road Winner tire as it wasn't leaking any air.  So I filled in the hole with Shoe Goo and not only is the tire not leaking any air pressure, but now I can't even tell where the hole was.  Great stuff Shoe Goo.   

But then today I got an email from Motorcycle Superstore regarding their "semi-annual" tire sale (which they seem to have every month).  One of the tires that were on sale is the Michelin Pilot Street radial tire (which I hadn't heard of before).  When I looked it up on the Michelin tire site, I discovered that it was specifically recommended by Michelin for the 2014 and later S and SR models - although the stock tire is a bias-ply design and the Pilot Street tire is a radial.  Anyway, I ordered one for $135 (no tax and no shipping) to have around should my Shoe Goo repair decide to fail. It then seemed like a good idea to start a thread listing all of the tire brands and models that will fit the various Zero models. Here is a link to the Pilot Street tire description.  I also downloaded Michelin's full tire application chart, which is also available on their site and could come in handy should you have a garage full of motorcycles like I do.   

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-street-radial

[evtricity]

Sava MC50 Racer tyres are a very soft tyre suitable for cold to warm temperatures and come in the stock 110/70 17 and 140/70 17 sizes.

Very grippy tire, good for the track and relatively cheap. Available in Australia and Europe but not sure about the USA.

[Justin Andrews]

Pirelli Angels, I've used these for a while now, and I've found them to be pretty good.
Dual compound tyres are always good for commuting.

[roma258]

I'd want something pretty grippy to handle all that torque. This might be a pretty nice option? I've heard good things:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/73401/i/bridgestone-battlax-hypersport-s-20-evo-rear-tire

[Burton]

Since I ride year round in all weather where there isn't ice I cant dodge on the ground I use BT45's

In my garage right now I have another full set for my zero and my ninja 250 incase I need them. I always have another set ready to go. 1.81mm till tread wear bars on rear with 5mm being starting depth and 5938 miles on the tires. ... I ride pretty aggressively on my throttle when I can

That is about 1861 miles per mm in the central compound for rear tire. So I have about 4k more to go before I hit the wear indicators which means I really have 5-6k miles left if I include the 1mm after that. No clue why these tires last longer than the same ones on my ninja 250 :/

Fronts on my ninja 250 lasted 16-19k and the rears 5-8k

[morimaxx]

I have Michelin Pilot Street Radial tires on my Zero S 2013 and I'm quite satisfied with them. When I've changed from IRC Road Winner the riding went smoother and grip was way better, especially when wet or below 10 degree celsius. I have them since 15.000 km now and front has 1.8 mm, rear 2.8 mm left. Quite impressing tires for me.

[nekodan]

I also replaced the tires on my 2013 with the Michelin Pilot Street Radials (110/70-17 F, 130/70-17 R). Traction and stability improved, but I think that they're a little heavier.

I'm a total fair-weather rider in the SF Bay Area, so I'm not sure how they work in rain / snow.

[KenMac]

Replaced the rear on my '15 SR with Michelin Road 4 (150/70-17) after hitting a screw the other day.  Don't have a hundred miles on it yet but feels good to me so far.  I've used the Road 2 & Road 3 in the past on other bikes and loved the performance.

[vfkf]

Replaced the rear on my '15 SR with Michelin Road 4 (150/70-17) after hitting a screw the other day.  Don't have a hundred miles on it yet but feels good to me so far.  I've used the Road 2 & Road 3 in the past on other bikes and loved the performance.

What is the final width once mounted in the tiny 3.5 wheel? No clearance problem with the belt?

[Spenny818]

The Zero is my first motorcycle and I had a quick tire question as well... Should you always replace both tires together? I mainly use my bike for commuting, and currently the rear is worn quite a bit more than the front. I still have the stock tires on the bike, so if I were to replace the rear with the Michelin radial, would it throw off the bikes handling having a radial on the rear, and a bias ply on the front? I will likely just replace both tires, but I would hate to get rid of a front that still has 50% tread on it.

[dkw12002]

That Michelin Pilot tire Richard mentioned is the tire Yamaha is putting on the R3 coming out. Reviews have not been good for track use. One reviewer said the bike was skipping all over the track with those tires and recommended changing them. It will get you lots of miles, but isn't a good gripper was another comment.

[Richard230]

I have been riding motorcycles for 53 years and I have always changed tires when each one wore out. (Plus I have had no problems mixing brands.) I have never replaced both tires when only one wore out.  Also, BMW and other brands will use a radial tire at the rear with a bias-ply tire on the front on their smaller bikes when they come from the factory.  However, no one uses a radial tire at the front wheel and a bias-ply tire at the rear.  I tried putting a radial tire on the front of my 1997 BMW Funduro once (it came stock with a radial rear tire and a bias-ply front) and that did not work out well.  The radial front tire would severely under-steer, at least until I increased the pressure from 32 psi to 38 psi and then it worked OK.  But I don't plan on trying that experiment again.

As far as the Michelin Street radial tire goes, all I am looking for is mileage and a softer ride. I don't ride my Zero around racetracks.  I just use it for transportation. So the Street tire should work OK for me.

[Spenny818]

Thanks a lot for the info Richard! Before the Michelin radials came out, I also heard good things about the Avon AM26 Roadriders. Anyone have an input on those? I don't ever do track days, but I do like to have some fun in the twistys every now and again..

[Doug S]

+1 for the BT45's. They work well in sunny San Diego also, and they're pretty economical. I've been riding on Battleaxes for thirty years now and have always liked them.