Need tires.

[bioman_imp]

I have been reading this thread with quite some interest, but it seems to beg the question : aren't there any professional tire tests for motorcycles ? May be I am not riding fast enough to ever "feel the difference in the twisties", and don't burn enough tire tread to buy 5 more pairs to remember and compare in a few years. I hear that there are more choices for the standard, than for the EX, but in any case, do you really "test" your tires ?
Don't get me wrong, don't say this thread is useless, I just can't imagine there ain't a better way than "liking" a tire.
Any objection, any other opinion I will read and consider with great care.

I fully agree. I think that 95% of the average motorcycle riders does not remember objectively and accurately how the tire felt when they put it on their bike 3 years ago. And so what you get is that almost all riders are VERY happy with their new tires, not because they are X,Y or Z brand tires, but because they are NEW.

Having said that: of course some tires are better on wet surfaces, just because of their physical design & material. Others are better on soft surfaces, or for racing, etc. But WITHIN these different categories, the average joe will not find any difference, if tested several years apart, on an aging motorcycle (if it is even still the same bike), in different weather conditions, possibly on different roads, having obtained a different bodyweight, using different riding pants, etc.

In other words: pick the right category tire, and all you can do to compare the brands is checking the prices and perhaps how long (in km) they last for most riders.

My 2 cents. (and I have never heard of a really objective tire test. Would be very interesting though!)

I fully agree. I think that 95% of the average motorcycle riders does not remember objectively and accurately how the tire felt when they put it on their bike 3 years ago. And so what you get is that almost all riders are VERY happy with their new tires, not because they are X,Y or Z brand tires, but because they are NEW.

Having said that: of course some tires are better on wet surfaces, just because of their physical design & material. Others are better on soft surfaces, or for racing, etc. But WITHIN these different categories, the average joe will not find any difference, if tested several years apart, on an aging motorcycle (if it is even still the same bike), in different weather conditions, possibly on different roads, having obtained a different bodyweight, using different riding pants, etc.

In other words: pick the right category tire, and all you can do to compare the brands is checking the prices and perhaps how long (in km) they last for most riders.

My 2 cents. (and I have never heard of a really objective tire test. Would be very interesting though!) Some independent companies do objective tire reviews and tests, some more comprehensive then others. For reference I'll attach a link to a Chaparral Motorsports 2020 adventure tire shootout, where they mount different tires on the same motorcycles and take them through a number of tests and compare the performance. It's just to understand the idea how the tires are tested from a consumer point of view, rather than developer point if view. They also take into account the price and other details in other to conclude what is good value for money, and which tire would suit a specific kind of rider.

https://youtu.be/gjtgLz1LjnE

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

Very interesting video! Thanks for suggesting it!