This is a basic guide for someone who is unsure which tyres to fit to their sportsbike, but is looking to improve handling performance in certain conditions or is meerly looking to save money on the purchase cost of new tyres but need information on the compromise they may have to deal with.
This guide is compiled from 7 years of sportsbike riding on the road and 3years of trackdays. My ability has improved so I can only rate tyres as I remember them at the time. Some tyres are only rated on the front or rear if I havn't tried both. Just because a front or rear tyre performed well or badly does not mean that the pairing will necessarily perform the same although it should be safe to assume it will be in the same ballpark. I havn't included much track information because I am usually testing for races and use race tyres.
Tyres are listed in order of preference, first to last. Tyres listed in the avoid catagories are listed from best to very worst.
Wet Front Tyres for road use.
Dunlop D207RR, Metzeler MEZ3 Race, Avon AM22, Metzeler MEZ1 Race, Michelin Pilot Sport, Bridgestone BT020.
Front Tyres to avoid useing in the wet.
Dunlop D207, Bridgestone BT010, Bridgestone BT012, Bridgestone BT50, Dunlop D221.
Wet Rear Tyres for road use.
Dunlop D207RR, Michelin Pilot Sport, Metzeler Sportec M1, Michelin Hi-Sport, Metzeler MEZ3 Race, Bridgestone BT020, Bridgestone BT56, Avon ST23.
Rear Tyres to avoid useing in the wet.
Dunlop D207, Bridgestone BT57, Bridgestone BT012, Bridgestone BT50, Dunlop D221, Dunlop D208, Michelin Pilot Race (hard compound).
Wet Front Tyres for track use
Dunlop D207RR, Metzeler MEZ3 Race, Avon AM22, Bridgestone BT020.
Avoid Bridgestone BT012.
Wet Rear Tyres for track use
Dunlop D207RR,Dunlop D207GP, Metzeler Sportec M1, Metzeler MEZ3 Race
Avoid Bridgestone BT012.
Dry Front tyres for road use.
Dunlop D208RR, Dunlop D207RR, Avon AM22, Metzeler MEZ1 Race, Metzeler MEZ3 Race, Michelin Pilot Sport, Bridgestone BT020, Metzeler MEZ4,Dunlop D207, Dunlop D221, Bridgestone BT50.
Fronts to avoid even in the dry.
Bridgestone BT010, Bridgestone BT014, Bridgestone BT012
Dry Rear tyres for road use.
Dunlop D208RR, Metzeler Sportec M1, Dunlop D208, Dunlop D207RR, Metzeler MEZ3 Race, Michelin Pilot Sport, Michelin Hi-Sport, Bridgestone BT020, Metzeler MEZ4, Bridgestone BT56, Dunlop D221, Bridgestone BT57, Avon ST23.
Rears to avoid even in the dry.
Dunlop D207, Bridgestone BT014, Bridgestone BT012, Bridgestone BT50, Michelin Pilot Race (hard compound).
Dry Fronts ideal for track use.
Dunlop D207RR, Avon AM22, Metzeler MEZ3 Race, Bridgestone BT020.
Avoid Dunlop D207 and Bridgestone BT012.
Dry Rears ideal for track use.
Michelin Pilot Race (hard compound), Dunlop D207RR, Dunlop D207GP, Metzeler Sportec M1, Metzeler MEZ3 Race.
Avoid Dunlop D207 and Bridgestone BT012.
Hope this guide helps, listed are only tyres that I have personaly used hence why tyres like D208RR's are not listed for track use because I havn't tried them on a track.
The Michelin Pilot Sport and Metzeler MEZ3 Race are the best all round pairs that I have used that will last on the road. The Dunlop D207RR's are ace tyres but will wear quicker. Bridgestone BT020's are great on lower powered machinery and are the choice for mileage, although rear grip is found wanting for fast scratching or track use. It is so far the best type of tyre for confidence and feel I have used and the one most people are least likley to crash on, ideal for novice or born agains.
