2007 Kawai ZX10R Rain Tires

[Sidi]

Well all it seems like we will actually have a rainy season this year *gasp*.

With that said, it's time to swap out the old ties that came with the bike (2nd owner). I used to go with the BT-23s and they worked great in the rain, however the tire size on the Kawi is different from on my R1 and my SV.

The tire sizes for this bike are:
Front: 120/70ZR-17
Rear: 190/55ZR-17

Unfortunately, the BT-23's don't come in my rear size, so I’m coming to you all for recommendations. I ride all year round so it needs to handle very well in the rain.

Any thoughts?

 

[DTM74]

PR4s

 

[crick]

hands down michelin PR3s

oh wait, pr4's are out now?

PR4's!

 

[Sidi]

geesh the PR4s are 200$ a pop

 

[mototireguy]

+1 on the Michelin PR4's for wet/cold conditions.

geesh the PR4s are 200$ a pop

You can optionally use a 180/55/17 on the rear instead of a 190, saves you about $25.

 

[elskipador]

this is hands down 1 of, if not the best, rain tire currently on the market. its tread pattern is the same as the non-dot "wet" slicks for ama road racing, circa 07~08.

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire-catalog/sport-trackday-race/sport/d616/

 

[fast4d]

PR4

I like them even when pavement is dry.

 

[RightCoastBias]

geesh the PR4s are 200$ a pop

How much is your copay for insurance and what's your ER visit copay?

I bet it's more than the cost of good tires.

I rock Pirelli Angel GTs all year round and they're a great rain tire. around $400 installed.

 

[Sidi]

ER free, deductible on bike less than the tires =)

I'm just used to the BT-23's price of 200$ installed, and they were awesome in the rain

as for the Dunlop, they don't come in my rear size.

 

[elskipador]

as for the Dunlop, they don't come in my rear size.

this isn't actually correct. your zx-10 came from the factory with a 190/55-17, but your stock 6.0" rim will fit several tire sizes. almost all 180/55 are designed to fit 5.5~6.0" rims & the d616 is no difference. acceptable tire sizes for your 6.0" rim are 180/55, 190/50, 190/55, 195/65, 200/50 & 200/55. it doesn't matter what your bike came with, it only matters what size rim the tire is designed to fit on.

 

[RightCoastBias]

ER free, deductible on bike less than the tires =)

I'm just used to the BT-23's price of 200$ installed, and they were awesome in the rain

as for the Dunlop, they don't come in my rear size.

In that case, run slicks!

 

[fast4d]

this isn't actually correct. your zx-10 came from the factory with a 190/55-17, but your stock 6.0" rim will fit several tire sizes. almost all 180/55 are designed to fit 5.5~6.0" rims & the d616 is no difference. acceptable tire sizes for your 6.0" rim are 180/55, 190/50, 190/55, 195/65, 200/50 & 200/55. it doesn't matter what your bike came with, it only matters what size rim the tire is designed to fit on.

I ran 180/55 on the 6in rear on my aprilia for years.

 

[louemc]

Well all it seems like we will actually have a rainy season this year *gasp*.

With that said, it's time to swap out the old ties that came with the bike (2nd owner). I used to go with the BT-23s and they worked great in the rain, however the tire size on the Kawi is different from on my R1 and my SV.

The tire sizes for this bike are:
Front: 120/70ZR-17
Rear: 190/55ZR-17

Unfortunately, the BT-23's don't come in my rear size, so I’m coming to you all for recommendations. I ride all year round so it needs to handle very well in the rain.

Any thoughts?

The most outstanding/OMG unbelievable rain tire ever, is (if they still make it) is Metzeler Roadtec Interact, Z6.
(I use 180-55, but ...55 is the important # ..180 0r 190...not so mutch, depend on your use).

I gave those tires a test under a storm cell dump, in the Sierra, I seriously doubt anyone else has,
(and lived through it)
And...the tires made that test feel like dry pavement.

 

[Toe]

for the past 2 months ive been running Conti motion tires on my 2005 zx10R, I commute from Walnut Creek to San Carlos 5 days a week. Rode though the "worst storm in years" with ZERO issues

Impossible to beat for the price, I got mine at Catalyst Reaction

 

[Breaking Daniel]

Pirelli Angel GT's on my R1 have served me well in the rain and dry.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail's on my KLR are fuckin' great in the dry, but lack the performance I was hyped up for in the wet.

 

[mototireguy]

as for the Dunlop, they don't come in my rear size.

Just in case you missed it, you can use 180/55/17's on your 6x17 rear wheel.

And some folks actually prefer the feel/performance of the 180's vs 190's.

 

[RickM]

I have been using BT-023 and Pilot roads and no complaints with either.

Also have Contimotion on hawk gt. But that's a much lower power bike, so don't have a good comparison.

 

[Sidi]

ok so on the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT, what does the GT stand for?

 

[Stormdragon]

I rock Pirelli Angel GTs all year round and they're a great rain tire. around $400 installed.

Pirelli Angel GT's on my R1 have served me well in the rain and dry.

I'll go with a +3 on that.

ok so on the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT, what does the GT stand for?

Gran Touring.

 

[Wicked4Racin]

Just put the road 4 on my busa in the same sizes you listed. They work amazing and after 200 miles look and feel like I made the correct decision. East bay Motorsports had the cheepest price on them by atleast $5 per tire better than motorcycle superstore. Iv put a few sets of angel GTS on for people aswell and haven't heard anything bad so it's up to you. If you go through tires a lot, try them out and make a decision from there.