I have returned to riding after a break (mortgage, kids etc) and bought a new Z900RS. Picked it up on 1st March and did 185 miles at 6'C into mid Wales (Not the best of roads) on the first day with no scary moments on 'new' tyres and since covered 2500 miles in variety of cold, wet, warm, damp and hot conditions without any real issue with Dunlops as fitted as standard. Wear is acceptable on the rear (I am no slouch when riding) and again on the front. I will explore the tyre options when due to change but have not experienced any of the problems experienced by BlueMarbleRider. I am an older generation biker and ride old school style (KRC traction control always off and no issues with well documented snatchy throttle unless I get caught in the wrong gear) so perhaps this helps because back in the Eighties we rode and made the most of what we had.
Good to hear rcb. I wonder if they improved the OEM compound. Given your experience, you would have picked up on the tyres if they were dodgy. I also rode in the 80s (RD350LC, KH440 triple - and had my share of dodgy rubber and elastic frames (KH4440 not the RD - loved it). Cheers.
Wow I continue to find negative comments on these tires but that hasn’t been my experience at all. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent most my life on knobbies and therefore don’t know any better, but I routinely drag the peg in corners on the stock Dunlop’s and trust them fully in super aggressive turns. I don’t notice weird tracking or skittishness on uneven roads or anything like that. I’m actually quite impressed with them! I’m riding a 22 model so maybe Dunlop changed the compound. Overall my experience has been positive. That said, I haven’t ridden them in overly wet conditions so can’t comment on their performance in hard rain.
Thanks for the feedback, Wyo. I am usually someone who sticks with OEM tires as long as possible, but I have to say, the pair of Dunlops that came with my 2018 were very skittish and unpredictable in cold or wet weather. I had many a squirm or two and a very vague front end: they just didn't inspire confidence. I have never changed OEMs before. Many others have complained of the exactly the same, but like you say, it's perhaps that the compound has been changed somewhat.
Sydney based commuter (so it’s never freezing) but we do get cold and wet. I came off the bike about a month ago on the same factory tyres. It was a cold, wet winters day and heading back home at 3pm. Temperature dropped from 10 to 4 degrees Celsius and the rain started. Was going around a very simple, slow curve doing about 12kmh. (It’s a curve you would normally take at 50kmh in the dry). Midway through the corner the front tyre slid out with no warning. I had never loved them but had always assumed any weirdness was “me” … Swapped to the road 5 a few days later as I had lost confidence and the change is amazing. Comfort and confidence increased significantly. Can’t say enough good things about those tyres and I expect them to get better in our summer, but when. It’s wet I want to know that I can trust them. Big tick!
Amazing how many people like yourself, redberglingo, are coming out of the woodwork and saying the same thing about the OEM Dunlops. Didn't know that Sydney could get down to 4C (never been myself, but it's definitely a future trip). I know that whenever it dropped that low here, it was like riding a sled and I would climb on the other bike with the Road 5s and the difference was night and day. Cheers, and hope the spring starts to warm for you guys. Cheers.
@@BlueMarbleRider You should definitely come pay a visit some time. Normally temperatures are around 10-40celcius but with the weird weather we got some super hot summer days and a few days in winter with cold snaps (rapid drop from 10-2 degrees) which made life with those other tyres kind of interesting... Thats also with a bike with significant tweaks to suspension to best fit me as a rider (front upgrades and rear shock replacement.) The scariest part was that I had been super slow and it completely "flipped" with zero prior feedback or warning. Might have been "black ice" but how much of that we get here is debatable. Got to do that corner again 2 weeks later in same conditions but with new tyres without incident though......
@@redberlingo A visit is definitely on the horizon. You know the world climate is changing when we are having warmer winters and hotter summers (seldom below 4C on Van Isle and a high this year in July of 42C). I ride in the winter and the road 5s are super secure at lower temps. Cheers.
Thanks BMR - I am 100% in agreement with your assessment of the Dunlops. You're spot on! I have had the same experience. That's where it ends for me. Having ridden Michelins many years ago and found them wanting I now only use the Metzlers. On a side note thanks for the addition of the drone...always beautiful scenery in you corner of the world.
I was with Lyle - a local R9T rider - yesterday, and he is Metzler man too - swears by them. Worth a try - certainly if they're cheaper than the Michelins next time. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers.
Just bought a new 2022 900RS and yes, they re still being equipped with the Dunlops :( I dropped the pressure on them from 31 lbs. to 17 lbs., it helps some.
Thanks Blue Marble. I've read every comment below and because of your video and this thread, I'll be replacing the Dunlops before I ride my new Z900RS even once. Great info here and much appreciated!
I use michelin tyres on my bikes, pilot road 4 and 5's over the last 14 years on my 07 FZ1S, I have now fitted them to my other bikes, they last, and give you confidence in corners, because corners is where the fun is.
By your standards, I'm a relatively new convert (2years or so), but I agree. Excellent and confidence inspiring tyres. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers.
I ride year round in Scotland, Michelin road 5's good down to - 3/4 °C up to 25 + best tyres out there at the moment in my humble opinion. Not cheap however you can't put a price on safety and of course fun. Good post BlueMarblerider
Thanks, Digger. Yes, they are expensive, but you are bang on with "you can't put a price on safety and of course fun" . That's my mantra too - a life insurance policy may be reassuring for others, but the road 5s are my life insurance. Cheers.
I have a 2018 Z900RS and never had a problem with the stock tires. I use a max tire pressure of 32 psi which allows some flex in the tire and it heats up pretty good. At 4000 miles I did replace them with a set of Michelin Pilot Power 5's which are a lot better. From reading the forum it seems many people are using tire pressures in the 42 to 46 psi range. WHY? I think if people would lower the tire pressure they would have better luck with the stock tires.I live in the USA and like you say in your video its possible that we have a different compound tire than people in Europe and Australia.
@@-thirteen depends on your riding style. Sport touring on my Concours I could get easily 15,000 to 18,000 Kms. If you ride hard acceleration and hot in the twisties then less. My cousin put them on his R1200RT and got 18,000 Kms but he rides long distance and casual throttle hand. Other brands I’ve used I’d be lucky to get 7,000 before major squaring off of the rear tire. And worn out in 12,000.
@@davelinstead4052 that's better than I thought. I suppose Avons would exceed that but not give the same feel. That might last 3 years and they're pretty cheap compared
@@-thirteen if it helps I can say the PR3/5 gave me tons more confidence and my riding improved dramatically. Stick like glue in the corners. Excellent in rain. I’m sceptical at best but the day I put PR on I immediately noticed an enormous difference in quality of handling. And not just me. My cousin experienced the exact same feeling. He was beaming and speechless after his swap out. I highly recommend them. Good luck.
Interesting to hear your take on the Dunlop Sportmax tyres. They are still fitted to new z900rs. I took delivery of a candytone Green beauty, July 2021 and it does indeed have said boots on. I wonder if they may have changed the compound, or are different in differing regions? I question that because my z900rs suffers none of the issues you mention. In fact my bike sticks to the road like s**t to a blanket. It corners with superlative confidence. I'm in good old blighty, and we've been having clement weather so as yet, I've not ridden on wet surfaces, maybe I've spoken too soon.....? Hmmmm
Careful you're tempting providence with that UK weather! :-) There is certainly a puzzle regarding the compounds - an Aussie commenter is saying the same, which leads me to think that perhaps there is a different compound/supplier for North American OEM Sportmax tires/tyres than in Europe/UK/Aus? Certainly, your OEM tire experience sounds much different to ours over here. Cheers, and thanks for the feedback.
I agree the Dunlaps Sport Max 3s aren’t as sh1tty for me as for many on the forums, in fact the are quite decent in the canyon A roads and city streets I’ve been riding but I can only imagine how great my next set of tires (Michelin Power 5) are going to feel
Glad I saw your video. I have had a z900rs for over a year and have struggled with confidence going into corners. Bought a BMW r1250rs on Metzelers last year and the difference in handling was massive - felt so much confident on the BMW. The z900rs is such a lovely bike but was now thinking of selling it due to the grip issue -will now go and change the tires . Thanks
I had done my 600 mile break in and took my Cafe wring out the performance and handling. Down my curviest roads I was having a very good time. I agree the carcass is very stiff and you feel everything the road surface offers. But I was doing well and whittling my chicken strip down to nothing and the performance went away slowly. I parked it and checked the back tire and found a rock chip had given me a puncture right in the center of the tread. Being about ten miles from home I set off. Made one stop at a locals house to pump the tire back up and made some more fast miles while I could. Now you were complaining about the carcass stiffness(and I agree), but that is the one GOOD thing ultimately. I rode the bike home with zero PSI in it for at least 5 miles. Never damaged the rim and the bead held well. Of course with zero air I rode about 20MPH with the flashers on. But I got home and had a new Road 6 rear on it same day. Now I need to do the front! Michelins all the way for me.
Great story, James - and glad you figured out the problem before the bike bucked you off. And like you say, lucky the dunlop has a super stiff carcas or you would be going to physio. Yes, get that road 6 on the front and enjoy a new level of handling. Cheers.
@@BlueMarbleRiderFront is on and things are as they should be. This is my third set of road 6's. First on an ST1300 then a Ducati ST and now the Z. Great tires.
I've just hit 16.000 km with the Bridgestone Battleax tires on my V-Strom and you're right about them. I ride slow, so they still look great, but I already lost the front in a curve (thankfully on an empty road). I'm looking now on Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires, as I've read only good things about them.
My stock tires seem fine, but I'm 70. I do ride hard at times by anyone measure, except racers. But I dont ride like a racer on the road. Recommendations for replacements are appreciated. Always had continentals on the Harley, I know o need softer on the jaffa.
I'm putting Road 5 Trails on the GS tomorrow.... next rising season I'll put Road 5's on my Z900RS. Looking forward to them, hearing lots of good feedback online, and from riders where I live.
I'm on my second rear on the Vstrom (17.5K km) and the original r5 trail front is still going strong. Very comfortable and confidence inspiring. You won't regret it. Cheers.
I have over 2k miles on my Pilot 5's and love them. You can run a silly pace and they last... I would, and may actually do a track day on this bike, and I will not hesitate to use these Pilot Road 5's...
@@BlueMarbleRider Thanks. haha Yeah, I try to push the bike and see what it can do and so far these tires corner like a cat on carpet. Haven't have any weird moments other than when the stock shock bottomed out in a turn and ground my toe and peg into the pavement while I was trying to catch a GSX-R1000 that crashed in the very next turn... But the tires never slipped!
another great vid blue marble! getting my ECU back from ivan on wendsday, i went with a moderate modification, full black widow de cat. dremmeld out the airbox partition and K&N ir filter, i kept my two long velocity stacks for low end torque (ivan says i have to re-reflash if i change my mind and go with 4 short stacks) *will definitely look at tires next!*
Hi, JPF, let me know what you think of the reflash with your set up - gains losses whatever. I have so many people asking, more info is always good. Cheers.
@@BlueMarbleRider hey blue marble, i got the ecu back from Ivan and everything bolted back on. rode for about 2 hours and i have zero complaints, its smooth like devils food cake! its noticeably more powerful, no more pops and sputters on decel and i purposely did a bunch of 10-15mph corners to test the throttle and that snatch is gone completely, i can go from all the way off to quarter half or whatever with no jarring motions, the exhaust is making music now instead of noise i think im using around 2000 less rpm in the same places in the same gears, it even makes the transmission feel smoother, definitely the best upgrade so far
I didn’t even wait for them to wear down. Replaced them immediately when I got my bike home (1400 mile road trip from the like-new purchase). Night and day difference with the Michelins.
I can only confirm the problem you mentioned. In November last year, I was riding my Kawasaki Z900 RS motorbike in a 30 km/h zone with an outside temperature of 7 degrees. The front tyre lost grip in a slight lean in a right-hand bend and I crashed. I was shocked at the fact that I lost grip at such a low speed. Even the people around me who immediately ran to help me were wondering that my bike had lost grip and that I had crashed as a result. I wondered for a long time if I had made a mistake, but now I know that it wasn't my fault, because I did everything right, but the poor quality of the Dunlop tyre that was fitted. I think this Dunlop tyre does not warm up at lower temperatures and is just dangerous. My mechanic has already received the order for the Michelin tyres.
I'm sorry, but not surprised to hear that. I hope both you and the bike are ok. I believe the Dunlops are the biggest reason people can't get on with the bike. They're downright dangerous under 15-20C and barely adequate above that. Poor R and D by Kawasaki. Cheers.
@@BlueMarbleRider Thank you! Over $8000 for the repair (thank God I have good insurance) and four months later, my injured hand is almost completely healed. I have ridden until today over 70'000 km motorcycle, sometimes even more risk and never happened anything and then something like this happens to me ... Here in Switzerland we use to say that the tire is our life insurance on the motorcycle! I can only agree! Greetings from Zurich!
@@Anesco84 That's a shocker! That must have been terrible for you, Francesco. I'm certainly glad you are on the mend and that your RS is repaired. You will certainly enjoy the bike a lot more now with better rubber. You must have some GREAT roads in Switzerland, although I hear the police are very firm on speeding there... Cheers.
A lot of positive comments on the Metzler's, Richard. I have no recent experience with them, but it sounds like they are certainly worth a good look. The drawback of the michelins is they are very expensive. Cheers.
OEM Dunlops are on the brink of dangerous tyres and should be swapped out asap. Dunlop D214, Sportmax, Roadsport 2. You litterly have rear wheel slide in every turn with wet road. Best all around tyre currently is Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact. It will transform your bike completely. Z8 has a very soft and plush ride compared to Michelin, Dunlop, Pirelli. Its like magic carpet ride.
It's certainly higher than they used to recommend on bikes. All my bikes have exactly the same stock OEM tire pressure recommendations 36 front, 42 rear regardless of passenger/weight. It may be something to do with contact patch and radial designs rather than bias ply. But to tell you the truth, I don't know. Cheers.
Excellent tire tutorial 👌. My 2021 Honda cb500x came stock with Done-]slops aka Dunlops 😒. I agree with you and am not impressed. I only have around 1,500 miles and am getting ready to get Michelin 5's. Had no idea there were 5 versions until I saw your video so thanks for sharing that with us. Your on my next dream bike. Want one of those bad. Seem the new 2022 SE Yellow Ball version? Awesome is an understatement 👌.
Major improvement with handling noticed after replacing the front with Michelin Road 5's, after original wore out @ 8k miles. Not as drastic with the rear at 5k miles.
Thanks, Byron. For me the rear was especially squirrely, particularly with traction control on 1 or off, and even on downshifts. Glad to hear the front will work out for me. Cheers.
My BMW RNineT came with Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact. They seem pretty well glued to the road, at least for the style of riding in which I engage. Also we now will be expecting many more shots from your apparently well behaved drone.
Thanks, Lyle! I have the feeeling BMW do a better job of choosing stock tires for their bikes. The drone will definitely appear more often than not, although a calming beer or two may be needed afterwards. Great meeting you. Cheers.
Hi blue marble rider , thanks for the tyre tip I have been looking to change my tyres on my triumph street tripel rs for all year round tyres in steed of super courses Roso tyer which are good for track and dry weather but not so much in the wet thanks
Dunlop problems with my 2021 NC750x. OE comes with 609's which are crap. Done 2,500 miles on them so far and can't wait to get some road 5's on. Weirdly some NC's come with Metzeller as OE. wonder if that's a result of complaints to Honda. By the way if you get an irreparable puncture in the Dunlops they are not available in the UK so you have to change both tyres anyway!
Shame really, Dunlop used to make some great tires (still do for enduro or off road). Yes, that is bizarre that you can't find a replacement for the OE tires, although probably for the best given what you say about them. Crap indeed!
From Australia. I have a '21 Z900rs and have not experienced the problems people talk about with the Dunlop tyres. I not exactly a knee scraper but I do ride briskly and have wear marks to the extreme edges of the tyres.. So I'm puzzled about the comments.🤔
I wonder if the the OEM Dunlops we get in North America are from a different Dunlop factory/supplier and we have a harder compound? Perhaps you get the honest to goodness GP300 tires, and we get a compromise (cheaper) set made the showroom bikes. Typically many tires that new bikes are sold with over here are not the full retail version of the tire, but a paired down (less tread/slightly different compound) tire. But like you say, it is puzzling. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers.
Thanks for the great reviews on the z900 RS! I am looking for a 2nd bike (currently own a 2016 BMW 1200 GS). I like the styling and the engine of the z900, would you still recommend and buy given your experience with the bike over since you first purchased?
Yes, unequivically. I haven't yet bought a bike that has been perfect, whether it be seat, suspension, tires, airflow/screen, or fuelling. I always expect that I will tweak a bike over the first few years of ownership, and this has been no different. On the ZRS a reflash and new tires I believe will likely be a universal want. Everything else I have done is either cosmetic or personal choice. The bike is exciting, smooth, rewarding to ride and looks lovely too - I would buy it again without a doubt. Cheers.
…I brought my ZRS on their initial release in 2018, I ditched the OEM tyres before the bike left the showroom for Michelin RS. Subsequently I replaced the RS, with Power 5’s which IMO are the ducks nuts. What I don’t get, is why you and others on different forums, would spend good money on the bike and then scrimp on the most important component. The two little contact patches that hold you upright. Before you say Kawasaki should have better tyres on the bike, they just don’t. I factored in the cost of the best tyres on the market, fit for my purpose and conditions, like an extra insurance policy. For me it’s all about getting the bike to it’s true potential, after all isn’t that why we do the mods.
Certainly a strong argument there, Anders. It just boggles my mind that a manufacturere would sell a bike based on a sport bike (Z900) designed to perform with rubber that feels like it is from the 1960s. Some UK and Aussie riders are saying they have no problems with the tires. Other reviews I looked at from Fort nine suggest they are great. While most riders don't get the luxury of a test ride, I did. When I test I rode mine in November (cold) and new tires, I suspected they would get better as they were run in. They never did. But yes, you are right: given my first few months over winter, I should have replaced them. Glad I did now though! Cheers.
@@KB-yj5xp The power 5's have been great for me. I believe I have over 2K on them now. Still look like they have at least twice the life left if not more. Will more than likely try out some other brands when this set wears out just b/c I'd like to try different tires so I can see the differences between them. Good seeing you Otown!
Starting to think more about the tire question, I like the numbers you gave for the road five, how much mileage do you lose by going power five? Also I noticed there is a 6 series now Any thought on metzler roadtech? Also by the way I finally got the test the top end and I definitely have a big chunk of extra horses even with the two long velocity stacks I was wondering about that, I can rarely use six gear now
Think the power 5 is a great option, although it will wear slightly quicker. Haven't accessed the 6s yet: not sure which may Michelin are going - more grip or more wear or just a change in tread pattern...
@@BlueMarbleRider on their site they say road 6 is 10% more wear plus a little bit more rain grip and traction, but really every tire site on the planet says that exact same thing, but like you I don't want to gamble so I think I'll either the road/power5, only Mark is using the Metzler and he only got 6,000 MI
@@BlueMarbleRider i know its dumb to wait, with everyone warning about the sportmax, but what conditions do they actually fail in? or is it in the colder climates ? or is it just something i wont notice till i spoon on the michelins?
@@BlueMarbleRider hey bluemarble, i put the power 5s on last night and today my abs light is on and the ktr is going off in both modes (its fine when i turned it off) is it just the computer not liking the tires or did i mess up something? i did balance them so im wondering if theres a procedure i forgot to do
@@jean-pierrefernandez2460 As you removed the wheels, could it be the abs sensor wire was kinked, bumped out of alighnment, damaged or not plugged in properly? This sensor is also part of the KTRIC system.
Thanks, Topshelf. Still a rank amateur and nervous pilot right now! Having said that, the drone makes me look far more competent than I am. Skydio 2. So far, amazing obsticle avoidance (power lines included). I've inadvertently done some stupid things with it, and if it had been a DJI, then I would have destroyed it. Can't say enough how good the AI is on this drone. Cheers.
Yes, had a conti TKC 80 on a DR650 years ago - loved them. Also the Bridgestone Battlewing was a good tire for the first 12K km on my Suzuki 1000 - great in the wet. Cheers.
I had Dunlop's on my '06 SV650, and never quite got the excellent handling the bike was know for. I put on a set of Michelin Road 2's (it was a long time ago), and the bike was transformed. I was mostly happy with Road 2's & Road 3's over the years, but had enough issues that I never tried the 4's or 5's. I've been quite happy with Continental Road Attack 3's, and with Bridgestone Battlax S22's. My next tire installs will be Bridgestone Battlax T32's.
@@tomzxr79 I'm not a super-aggressive rider, with more urban and highway miles than twisties. Actually, because my bike has an unusual front tire (120/60-17), I have an S21 on the front, and and S22 (160/60-17) on the rear. From everything I read, the S22 is both grippier and longer-wearing than the S21. I've put about 5500 miles on the set so far. The front has about 3mm tread depth left. The rear is starting to square off, but I still have about 3mm left in the center, with about 5mm left on the sides. I'm expecting to get 7k+ out of them, but some tires wear out quickly at the end of their tread life. IMHO, you'll like the S22. It's relatively inexpensive, and it's worth trying a set to see if they will give you the desired mileage with your riding style and conditions. One of the reasons that I went with the S22's was that I was aging out my tires rather than wearing them out. I'm happy with the S21/S22 combo. Since I've been riding more, the plan is to switch to T32's for my next set, to pick up a bit more tire life. My goal is to get 1-2 years out of a set of tires. At my current mileage levels, the S22's give me about a year, and the T32's should give me about 2 years.
