Help -- Tire Advice - Ducati.ms

dglass10 · Jan 29th, 2012, 7:28 pm

After 4400 miles my OEM rear tire (Pirelli Phantom) was done, while the front still had some life left. I went with the Pirelli Rosso Corsa for the new rear and kept the Phantom on the front for the time being as the guy at the tire store says just come back when it's time to replace the front and we'll put on a Rosso Corsa on the front too, no prob.

I have never mixed tires before and always thought the front should be stickier than the rear. The mixed front/rear is just until the front wears out but...I feel hesitant to push it when doing a bit of sport riding...or is it all in my head? Any advice guys?

Kookz · Jan 29th, 2012, 9:15 pm

The OEM tires are, simply, garbage, especially at their current age. Replace them as a pair, it is a completely different bike.

janthonyrod · Jan 30th, 2012, 1:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kookz

The OEM tires are, simply, garbage, especially at their current age. Replace them as a pair, it is a completely different bike.

+1

I went with Pilot Pures last month and it's a completely different ride. Confidence level up tremendously with new sticky rubber. And it handles great. Go ahead and just splurge on the matching front,you'll thank yourself on first ride.

LondonDutch · Jan 30th, 2012, 3:33 am

+2

Dude, that Phantom is the worst tyre I have ever had on any bike, with no grip and no feedback either. I suggest you do not ever push it at all.

...I'd rather have a grippy front and a crap rear than the other way around. Rear slides are fun, front slides are not.

Also - if you wait - by the time you change the front tyre your rear tyre will have lost some it's profile. Don't waste your lovely new rear tyre's grip and turn-in by pairing it with an old dog on the front. Enjoy the benefit now. ...it's not just grip, your turn-in will feel amazing with decent rubber like the Rosso Corsa.

(Your tyre fitter is clearly insane)

Cesare57 · Jan 30th, 2012, 9:49 am

+3. Replace the front now. Otherwise, it may even outlast your new rear tire, providing you with thousands of miles of overly cautious, anxiety-tinged riding, and who needs that?

instantsquid · Jan 30th, 2012, 11:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonDutch

(Your tyre fitter is clearly insane)

Hear, hear!

**JCPakBikes** · Jan 30th, 2012, 2:07 pm

here is a cool chart to get some ideas what Michelin has to offer
You can apply the basic ideas shown here for other tire brands as well
My personal favorites recently is the Pures

dglass10 · Jan 30th, 2012, 3:55 pm

Thanks guys, bringing bike in tomorrrow for the new front. And going to a Ducati/Italian bike specific shop (Desmoto Sport here in San Fran).

Crazy thing with the old tire fitter, who ever heard of a salesman trying to not make a sale???

cDiddy · Jan 31st, 2012, 12:02 pm

Just wanted to add my vote for the Power Pures. It's like riding a completely different bike, especially in the mountain twisties here in CO.

f0xxee · Feb 9th, 2012, 3:14 am

I was living in Singapore in one of the wettest cities in the world when I bought my Paul Smart LE 1000. Like yours it was fitted with the Phantoms. They are complete rubbish, only fitted (IMHO) to maintain the 70's retro look.
When it rains in Singapore it buckets. inches in an hour. They were the worst tyre ever. Even dry they had no feedback.

I fitted Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's and viva le difference! My god. Chalk and Cheese! All of a sudden I found out just how well the Sports Classic could handle.

During one break I rode from Singapore up through Malaysia to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand... some 5000+ kilometres for the round trip. And I never had a moments trouble even riding through some of the heaviest monsoon rain storms ever. (ok I had issues with cramp, hypothermia and foggy visors, and black hands from wet gloves...) The tyres gave complete confidence at all times. I sold the bike 6 months later to move to Vietnam and they still had good life in them. Highly recommended!