Obligatory Pre-Rally Tire Replacement

[Nemo_imp]

My 2014 has 8k miles on its original tires. They look used and the rear is a bit flat-topped (thank you, Florida) but I thought I could squeeze the upcoming Berea rally out of them. Well... Mr. Dry Wall Screw On The Road had different plans for my rear tire. So, off to my local dealer this morning.

Me: Hey guys. I'm looking for Michellin PR3 120/70 and 160/60 18.

Parts Counter Kid (PCK): Those are getting harder to get and I can get them for you here on Tuesday because they'll be coming from a warehouse in Cali and intall them on Wednesday.

Me: No can do. Gotta be on my way to KY early Wed morning. Be right back. Let me make a phone call. (call Revzilla. Same story. No timely delivery guarantee. So I go back to PCK). How about Pirelli Angel GTs?

PCK: Let me check... On those I can get you the front here by Friday. The rear would be coming from the west coast so it will also be Tuesday.

Me. Ok, let me make a phone call. (Call Revzilla).

Zilla: Yes we can get those out to you today form Pennsylvania so you should have them by the end of the week.

Me: Cool. Thank you. I'll place the order on the web. Then I think about weather coming and how bad FedEx ground has sucked for me lately. Go back to the PCK and ask, what else do you have in that size, same purpose, that we can get here in time?

PCK: I have the new Bridgestone Battlax T31 in a warehouse in Florida and can get them tomorrow.

End of story: I'm getting the new Battlax T31s, front and rear. Fingers crossed.

Any of you have had experience with them?

Peace,

[chync_imp]

My 2014 has 8k miles on its original tires. They look used and the rear is a bit flat-topped (thank you, Florida) but I thought I could squeeze the upcoming Berea rally out of them. Well... Mr. Dry Wall Screw On The Road had different plans for my rear tire. So, off to my local dealer this morning.

Me: Hey guys. I'm looking for Michellin PR3 120/70 and 160/60 18.

Parts Counter Kid (PCK): Those are getting harder to get and I can get them for you here on Tuesday because they'll be coming from a warehouse in Cali and intall them on Wednesday.

Me: No can do. Gotta be on my way to KY early Wed morning. Be right back. Let me make a phone call. (call Revzilla. Same story. No timely delivery guarantee. So I go back to PCK). How about Pirelli Angel GTs?

PCK: Let me check... On those I can get you the front here by Friday. The rear would be coming from the west coast so it will also be Tuesday.

Me. Ok, let me make a phone call. (Call Revzilla).

Zilla: Yes we can get those out to you today form Pennsylvania so you should have them by the end of the week.

Me: Cool. Thank you. I'll place the order on the web. Then I think about weather coming and how bad FedEx ground has sucked for me lately. Go back to the PCK and ask, what else do you have in that size, same purpose, that we can get here in time?

PCK: I have the new Bridgestone Battlax T31 in a warehouse in Florida and can get them tomorrow.

End of story: I'm getting the new Battlax T31s, front and rear. Fingers crossed.

Any of you have had experience with them?

Peace,

Haven’t used those tires but next time I would try Denniskirk.com or ridersdomain.com. Both have better prices than most and at least one of them can ship from the east coast but I can’t remember which. I have always had tires quickly from them.


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[LongRanger_imp]

Awesome! The T31 is available in the OE sizes. I'll use these on my CB next time. Interesting how they don't have a Z speed rating (149 mph), but I guess they don't need to lol.

I've been using the T30 EVO on my K1200RS (which weighs about the same as my DLX) and have been very pleased thus far.

[jedd_imp]

The Burgman 650 I use to have rode on battlax tires as OEM.
They gripped really well, and the rear lasted me 9k miles, and front at 13.5k miles.The front did start to feather at the sides right about 1/2 way, or 8k miles.

I too did the obligatory pre rally tire replacement but I went w/ Metzeller Roadtec z1 in stock size.
bought at dennis kirk, and come to find out, there's a factory rebate going on until end of may. $50 x 2, or $20 x 1

[Cormanus]

That looks like an OK option, Nemo. I like the idea of OEM size on the rear. Be interested to hear how you go with them.

[peterbaron]

Have these, Michelin PR3 120/70/18 and 160/60 18 for 3 seasons and about 40 K = perfect, excellent wet and racy corners handling. Very sensitive to tire pressure. Would put 2-3 psi more than factory.

pb