Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Anything you like about motorbikes
Beancounter
Posts: 1009
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:20 pm
Has thanked: 2870 times
Been thanked: 554 times

Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Beancounter »

Apologies for the banal thread but I need some help choosing appropriate tyres for my MT-09. I have been on adventure bikes or bikes with a narrow choice for almost 20 years so am out of touch with modern sports bike tyres.

Tyre sizes for the MT-09 are 120/70 and 180/55, both 17 inch wheels. Currently have Metzeler Roadtec 01, no complaints on them, they feel quite neutral.

I'm not a quick rider, nor am I heavy on the brakes or throttle so arguably it takes longer for my tyres to warm up and ride in the wet too. From a very brief conversation with Bob at FWR a couple of years ago it seem I prefer 'pointier' tyres (the conversation was about Dunlop Roadsmart 3 on my 1150GS).

I've got a track day next week too - I don't know if that makes a difference to what might be suggested.
User avatar
Mr Moofo
Posts: 4620
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:41 pm
Location: Brightonish
Has thanked: 1829 times
Been thanked: 1469 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Mr Moofo »

Maxxis DNF on the front , Magic Mary back ....
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23443
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5456 times
Been thanked: 13103 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by weeksy »

my generic answer is S21 or S22s
Beancounter
Posts: 1009
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:20 pm
Has thanked: 2870 times
Been thanked: 554 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Beancounter »

Mr Moofo wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:11 pm Maxxis DNF on the front , Magic Mary back ....
If I could get WTB Vigilantes in motorbike sizes...
weeksy wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:20 pm my generic answer is S21 or S22s
Thank you.
User avatar
Dodgy69
Posts: 5474
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Has thanked: 1751 times
Been thanked: 2089 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Dodgy69 »

Sports touring. 👍
Yamaha rocket 3
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23443
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5456 times
Been thanked: 13103 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by weeksy »

Dodgy knees wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:39 pm Sports touring. 👍
cheaper the better hey :)
User avatar
Dodgy69
Posts: 5474
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Has thanked: 1751 times
Been thanked: 2089 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Dodgy69 »

Hard enough, soft enough, last long enough. 😉
Yamaha rocket 3
User avatar
Dodgy69
Posts: 5474
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Has thanked: 1751 times
Been thanked: 2089 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Dodgy69 »

https://www.mandp.co.uk/products/120-70 ... 451-699452


Cheap and do the job. Not sure about longevity though.
Yamaha rocket 3
User avatar
KungFooBob
Posts: 14228
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:04 pm
Location: The content of this post is not AI generated.
Has thanked: 539 times
Been thanked: 7544 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by KungFooBob »

Dodgy knees wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:52 pm https://www.mandp.co.uk/products/120-70 ... 451-699452


Cheap and do the job. Not sure about longevity though.
My K1200RS came with a new pair of those on. They're nowhere near as bad as I thought they'd be. Pretty good in the wet too. No idea on life, I've not done enough miles on them yet.
asmethurst99
Posts: 1006
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:01 pm
Location: The Gate of the Forest
Has thanked: 1043 times
Been thanked: 362 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by asmethurst99 »

Don't ask me ...
Beancounter
Posts: 1009
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:20 pm
Has thanked: 2870 times
Been thanked: 554 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Beancounter »

asmethurst99 wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:59 pm Don't ask me ...
:D
asmethurst99
Posts: 1006
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:01 pm
Location: The Gate of the Forest
Has thanked: 1043 times
Been thanked: 362 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by asmethurst99 »

Beancounter wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:56 pm
asmethurst99 wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:59 pm Don't ask me ...
:D
I got s21 in the end - seem much better but I'm such a mild rider it will take a while to wear them in .
Bike feels less skittish at least and settled in low speed corners anything was better than what was on it .
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12189
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9848 times
Been thanked: 10160 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Skub »

Michelin Power 5 are a good grippy tyre in a mix of conditions. They don't last terribly long,if that's an issue. Pilot Road 5 supposedly last longer,but I haven't tried them myself.

The rear Power is very dead at 4k,the front will do roughly every other rear change.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
wull
Posts: 3068
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2021 6:09 pm
Location: Alloa
Has thanked: 881 times
Been thanked: 1552 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by wull »

S22 all day long, no ifs or buts get them fitted.
User avatar
Druid
Posts: 1015
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:45 pm
Has thanked: 276 times
Been thanked: 900 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Druid »

It sounds as though sports touring tyres are what you need, tbh there's probably not much to choose between any of the main manufacturers

I like Michelins, Pilot Road 4 or 5 are their sports touring tyres. PR 5s last longer I'm told, but cost more. I don't think they're a pointy tyre though, and I managed to knacker a half worn PR4 at Cadwell a couple of years ago but it was a very hot day, 30C plus.
Demannu
Posts: 1882
Joined: Sat May 08, 2021 5:14 pm
Location: Another day without using algebra
Has thanked: 65 times
Been thanked: 1235 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Demannu »

My experience is on an xsr9, which is pretty close to the MT.
Dunlop gpr300's. Decent amount of grip and not too pressure sensitive. I got 1800 miles out of them
Currently using Conti Road attack 3.
Horrible horrible tyres on standard pressures.
Took me a fortnight of messing about with pressures and settings I've found quite a reasonable setup which allows me to drag my boots with rearsets on and really chew the edges up on the road.
However most ST tyres these days will out perform you!
Supermofo
Posts: 5006
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4367 times
Been thanked: 2856 times

Re: Tyre suggestions for an MT09 please

Post by Supermofo »

Another PR4 or 5 vote. Currently on the 5s with almost 3k miles and lots left on em. The 4s did about 5 before feel plop but I ran them to 6k which I shouldn't have cos the handling was buggered by then.

Having said that any current crop leading sports touring tyres will be great on the road