R1200R Tires - Pirelli Scorpion Sync DIY

[eisen]

I have no doubt I would.

Ok. So Scorpions for my next set of tyres then!

Thanks Joe...

[Lost Rider]

Joe - I'd be interested in knowing what kind of mileage you get out of the Scorpions.

I was able to get 4700 miles out of the rear, and I expect to change the front after I use up the second rear tire, around 9000 miles.

[Handsome Jim]

I guess I was spoiled by the Tourance's on my old GS. I routinely got 11,000 + on the rear and they cost $225 delivered to my door. I have 9,000 on the original Conti's on my R12 but they have a little life left in them yet. What has been you guys experience with Pilot Roads ?

[taosports]

There are so many factors that determine tire wear that it's really impossible to compare mileage with other riders. Besides, it's a very subjective call. Three people can look at the same tire and have 3 different opinions on the life of that tire.

Just my 2 cents...take it or leave it!

[Lost Rider]

There are so many factors that determine tire wear that it's really impossible to compare mileage with other riders. Besides, it's a very subjective call. Three people can look at the same tire and have 3 different opinions on the life of that tire.

That's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.








Sorry, I've been home with the flu watching Law and Order marathons on dayquil/nyquil regiments...

[Caol]

I guess I was spoiled by the Tourance's on my old GS. I routinely got 11,000 + on the rear and they cost $225 delivered to my door. I have 9,000 on the original Conti's on my R12 but they have a little life left in them yet. What has been you guys experience with Pilot Roads ?

My R12R came with Pilot Roads, and I got 12500kms (7700mi) on them last season. From the looks of them, I'll probably have enough left to let me get another 2-3000kms while the new one is on order in the spring.

[Klink]

Guys, what are these factors that affect tyre life? I run 36F 40R tyre pressures, weigh 100kg (220lb) and ride quite hard, although not as hard as Chitown (Footpegs but not valve covers!). I got 4216km out of a rear Conti Attack - that's less than 2,600 miles. I've got about the same on the replacement Metzeler M3s and I reckon I'll be lucky to make 6,000km.

What is your secret(s)?

[NeilS]

I'm considering Bridgestone BT021s for my next tires. I'm intrigued by the idea of the dual-compound rear tire, with a harder compound in the center for long life and a softer one on the sides for good grip. Anyone have any experience with them?

[Biff's R]

Guys, what are these factors that affect tyre life? I run 36F 40R tyre pressures, weigh 100kg (220lb) and ride quite hard, although not as hard as Chitown (Footpegs but not valve covers!). I got 4216km out of a rear Conti Attack - that's less than 2,600 miles. I've got about the same on the replacement Metzeler M3s and I reckon I'll be lucky to make 6,000km.

What is your secret(s)?

I think that the pavement type in your area, temps, and style of riding make a difference. I have always gone about 7-9k miles with every set of tires that I have used on the R.

[OU812]

Are the Conti Attacks soft compound? If so that explains that. The last tires i had put on my R were the Pirelli Diablo Strada. Very good tire with great handling. No front tire cupping noticed after 5k miles.

[Lost Rider]

Are the Conti Attacks soft compound? If so that explains that.

They are soft, like the Scorpion's, especially compared to Z6's. Both are much lighter also...

There are so many factors in milage like people have said. The biggest one is the driver IMO.
For me I know I get the mileage I do because I have this uncontrollable thing in my wrist that keeps the RPM needle bouncing close to redline when the road allows. I love the way the 1200R pulls you out of a corner, and my tires show it.

[Klink]

Are the Conti Attacks soft compound? If so that explains that.

They are soft, like the Scorpion's, especially compared to Z6's. Both are much lighter also...

There are so many factors in milage like people have said. The biggest one is the driver IMO.
For me I know I get the mileage I do because I have this uncontrollable thing in my wrist that keeps the RPM needle bouncing close to redline when the road allows. I love the way the 1200R pulls you out of a corner, and my tires show it.

Yeah, but I'm doing Km to your Miles! And you appear to ride harder than I.

Rural Australian roads are almost invariably surfaced with the "chippings dropped in a layer of tar" method. This must be pretty abrasive, the chips can stand 5mm out of the tar. What kinda roads do you have in the US?

[Caroanbill]

Guys, what are these factors that affect tyre life? I run 36F 40R tyre pressures, weigh 100kg (220lb) and ride quite hard, although not as hard as Chitown (Footpegs but not valve covers!). I got 4216km out of a rear Conti Attack - that's less than 2,600 miles. I've got about the same on the replacement Metzeler M3s and I reckon I'll be lucky to make 6,000km.

Rural Australian roads are almost invariably surfaced with the "chippings dropped in a layer of tar" method. This must be pretty abrasive, the chips can stand 5mm out of the tar.

Klink, I've got to 7,400km out of my Z6 Roadtecs on exactly the roads you describe (Lightning Ridge / Roma / Gladstone / Stanthorpe / Mudgee / Tumbarumba / Tom Groggin and plenty of Wollumbi, Spencer, Jamberoo etc) most of those were longish days and 300km stretches. I've still got 4mm depth where it counts. so I'll see 10,00km + from the rear. I like

I know the Z6 isn't as sticky, but for me it grips well enough ("feel" is more my taste than the M3) and it is clearly happier on coarse chip than the alternatives. Useless as me in dirt, but (to coin a queensland-ism).

I had our mates at Procycles chuck the Contis before delivery - one lok at 'em and I knew they weren't for me.

I am now a but interested in the Scorpion Syncs fro my F650CS - mebbe it'll boost my confidence enough to go into rally sites.

[hass]

Chi - Are you saying that you consider these tyres to be better road tyres than the Contis, even for people not riding off road?!

I was considering the new Dunlop Roadsmart tyres until I saw your post.

[Salub]

So far I have got over 8000 km on my rear conti attacks and it looks like i should get at least couple 1000 km more out of them. The "chippings dropped in a layer of tar" method down here in VIC is only abrasive on cool days, on hot days it gets quite slippery and they even put warning signs out because it gets that bad.

[Lost Rider]

Chi - Are you saying that you consider these tyres to be better road tyres than the Contis, even for people not riding off road?!

Honestly, I ran 2 different kinds of tire's between Conti's and the Scorpion's so I can't give a direct comparison really. The Conti's were better on dry pavement than the Z6's and Pilot's if I remember correctly, but I stand by thinking that the Scorpion's feel the best on road, for me. There's so much that can effect the handing; suspention setup, types of roads, rider skill, etc..
I put 20,000 miles on my bike in between the Conti's and Scorpions, so maybe the Conti's are just as good, but for me maybe I just gained more experience and confidence in my riding and therefore like the Scorpion's better now... Is it the tires or the rider? only you can answer that once you try.
The Scorpion's are a silica compound tire, maybe the confidence inspiring characteristics is because of that....
I love the way the bike just falls in, leaning into a corner with these tires, but that kind of feeling might not be good for others...
The Scorpion Sync's are the best tire for me, as is the Z screen, a Shoei helmet, Rev'it gear, etc. YRMV!
BTW, I keep my preload adjusted correctly to whatever load I have, and I keep my rebound 1/2 turn back from fully tight... I run the back at 42 psi, front at 36 psi

What kinda roads do you have in the US?

We have so many different types of roads, including the chipping's type surface you describe, but for the most part I would say I ride on smooth black top, and cement. Since most of my miles are done while traveling through many different states it is always changing, unlike someone who puts on their miles commuting the same roads daily...
Since I don't frequent those abrasive roads like you do it makes sense what you said about milage, I didn't take that into much consideration with my earlier statement... another example of just how subjective tire's are.

[OU812]

The rider makes the bike. And the tires. This is a fact.

[Lost Rider]

* Update *

31,584 miles

So i've managed to wear out my Scorpion Syncs over the winter (Brrrr), and it's time to replace them. Again.
I did get much better milage out of the rear that I changed out in January, almost 6000 miles.
I would say it's because I didn't ride too hard in the cold temps for obvious reasons, and I generally took it real easy (on the pavement) this winter.

The front lasted a little over 10,000 miles. Zero cupping.
I'm still very happy with the Syncs because they have performed very well, especially on my Arkansas off road adventure a few weeks ago riding in lots of very wet, sloppy mud and snow.
Their performance in foul weather, especially the couple of snow storm's I rode through is as impressive as their performance in the twisties on dry pavement.
I know it's more of a matter of luck than the tire, but I did not get any flats with the Syncs.















Waiting for my fresh silicon to be delivered tomorrow



*note to self, wash wheels and tires before changing



Here's the ride if you want to see where I went with these tires...

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... 42&start=0

I've always gotten excellent service and prices from SW-MotoTire.. http://www.swmototires.com/

Two tires = Free shipping, and usually I had tires (from across the US) in 2-3 days after ordering them.

Thanks for the link Don, I bought my set for $233 shipped.

[celticus]

I'm getting a Pirelli Scorpion Sync rear for my ride today.
Mark

[Lost Rider]

I'm getting a Pirelli Scorpion Sync rear for my ride today.
Mark

Cool, what are you running on the front?

That reminds me, right before my accident another member ( Jerry ) came over and we changed his tires, installing some Sync's. He had Conti Attacks and they were a PITA to get off. Being very stiff, and with a thick bead the two of us together barely got the rear off with tire irons, lots of work.
Taking off old syncs is much easier...
It will be interesting to hear some other opinions about these tires..

Here's our bikes afterwards, getting some lunch.