961 commando tyre recommendation?

One tyre that, imo, has been a great all rounder since Kenny Dreer was a lad....the Michelin Pilot Power, in "2ct" duel compound. Considering their age, they're still an excellent tyre that many wont find the limits of in road use.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
To be honest, I get absolutely zero pleasure in riding in anything but perfect conditions...by perfect I mean I'm cooking in my leathers. Ive got one bike running Dunlop D212's, you can wheel spin though when cold haha.
The bike Ive just fitted the Rosso's to, has done 1600 miles from new.....its a 2015 bike.
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I don't care for riding in inclement weather either but it's well worth it for the roads we find and all of the nifty little towns along those old mountain highways.
We used to do an annual trip on the Vins to Grass Valley CA. Four or five of us would ride the Pacific Coast highway down then quiet old 2 lane highways home, about 3000 miles return.
Always had 1 or 2 days of heavy rain out of nine or ten travel days. The roads and the scenery are breathtaking. If limited to riding in only perfect weather, you would never get to do a trip like that.
This is a typical trip, Vancouver to Yellowstone to ride the 11,000 ft high Beartooth and all the great roads in between. About 2,000 kms ea way. You will hit rain!
Screenshot_20220627-153507.png


Glen
 
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I've gone up there three times, twice on the Vin, once on the Triumph. Got hit with a rain squall near the top on the Vin on one trip . It had decent Avon Roadriders fitted, they handled it no problem, just slow down a bit.
I should add that the Diablo Rosso Corsas that slid in the wet for me were version 1 from 2017. We are now at version 3. Pirelli claims to have improved the tire's grip in the wet with each version, plus added silica compound to the centre for wear.
That sounds very similar to the Angel ST or GT.

Glen
 
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As you guys have said, it’s all about how you intend to use the bike and the likelihood of inclement weather. My CR is a Sunday thrash toy mainly used on the twisties of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, (almost) always in good weather, unless I get caught out.

I’m not a super quick rider by any means but I carry quite a lot of lean angle through the corners, with the occasional hard part contact. Don’t care about longevity, cost or wet weather performance but when I’m at max lean angle I really do want maximum grip - whether in actuality I’m using it or not. It’s always gonna feel like money well spent to me if it may (or I think it may) stop my P&J from sliding down the road.

Gives me more headspace to think about what else could land me in a ditch, like my poor riding technique. I know I need to get further off the bike so that I can keep it more upright, but ‘old dogs new tricks’!:rolleyes:
 
worntorn said:
I'm almost entirely in agreement except to say that wet weather use is important to those of us who do long tours.
I got caught in heavy rain with the Triumph when it had its original Pirelli Diablo Rosso racey tires. I guess they were extra sticky in the dry, that was the rave, but as Stu points out , are you really going to break loose with any modern tire in the dry? I don't think so.
Wet is another matter. I hit a large painted patch on a very slight curve and the bike drifted sideways at 75 mph. Just luck that it didn't go down.
The Diablos are almost a slick.
Give me a tire with a few more grooves to shed the water. And a dual compound so that the centre doesn't wear flat after 2000 miles of highway riding (1trip!)
Since none of the available tires are going to slide out in the dry, might as well have one that will at least last for a single riding season.
Pirelli Angel GTs fit the bill.
I'm sure that Avon has a suitable tire as well. I will try Avon next time around.
Michelin PR 5s are reported to be a step back from PR4s for wear rate, don't know if this is so, but have read a couple of comments making that claim.
Glen
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I agree with 99% of your post Glen,
But I've had the back step out in the dry with the Dunlop Qualifiers,
Cold day and cold tyres (Aprilia)
But they do warm up quick,

Now moving to the Michelin PR4s,
Got a good price from M&P for a pair as the new PR5s just came on the scene,
Hope it's true what you're saying about the wear rate,
Then it looks like I got a bargain,
Just goes to show newest not always the best!

Thanks for your post.
 
worntorn said:
I don't care for riding in inclement weather either but it's well worth it for the roads we find and all of the nifty little towns along those old mountain highways.
We used to do an annual trip on the Vins to Grass Valley CA. Four or five of us would ride the Pacific Coast highway down then quiet old 2 lane highways home, about 3000 miles return.
Always had 1 or 2 days of heavy rain out of nine or ten travel days. The roads and the scenery are breathtaking. If limited to riding in only perfect weather, you would never get to do a trip like that.
This is a typical trip, Vancouver to Yellowstone to ride the 11,000 ft high Beartooth and all the great roads in between. About 2,000 kms ea way. You will hit rain! View attachment 96326

Glen
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There's posers, and there's riders! Glen.
 
Ive tracked a pair of Qualifiers, did ok....albeit only on a TRX850 (a Japanese 961 if you like).
Riding only in nice weather has zero to do with posing, its just how many enjoy their motorcycles. Although, aint we all just posing on these sort of bikes to an extent....otherwise we'd all just be riding Blandits and CBR600s? :DIve got cars for shite weather.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Ive tracked a pair of Qualifiers, did ok....albeit only on a TRX850 (a Japanese 961 if you like).
Riding only in nice weather has zero to do with posing, its just how many enjoy their motorcycles. Although, aint we all just posing on these sort of bikes to an extent....otherwise we'd all just be riding Blandits and CBR600s? :DIve got cars for shite weather.
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Yup, who wants to go careering through the twisties if it’s pissing it down or even wet for that matter. Can’t ride my Cafe Racer like it was ‘almost a sports bike’ unless it’s dry!! I’ll take the 990 or the car thanks - does that mean I’m not a proper biker!? :oops:

We’d have been really impressed if you’d got the 961 to step out in the dry JJ!:D
 
What I meant was some people do serious miles on their bikes,
I love going touring on my bikes 3/4 thousand miles jonts,
For me it's the most enjoyment I get from biking,
I derive great pleasure also from planning my routes, trying to pick the smallest, twistest roads I can find going in my general direction ,
Then sus out accommodation for my over night stops,
I really feel like I'm living life when I'm on a big tour on my NORTON
My Aprilia is a good mistress,
BUT MY NORTON IS MY SOLE MATE!!
And I will be taking her to my grave!

Actually it will be the other way about,
She will be leading the cortege!!
Plans place.

If it wasn't my funeral, I'm sure I'd shed a tear

You can't pick the weather, or your luck,
So it's good wet weather tyres for me all day long.

I hope I'm not coming across as being arrogant?
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Yup, who wants to go careering through the twisties if it’s pissing it down or even wet for that matter. Can’t ride my Cafe Racer like it was ‘almost a sports bike’ unless it’s dry!! I’ll take the 990 or the car thanks - does that mean I’m not a proper biker!? :oops:

We’d have been really impressed if you’d got the 961 to step out in the dry JJ!:D
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You sound like a good egg in my calculations Stephen,
Ride on.

JJ
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Ive tracked a pair of Qualifiers, did ok....albeit only on a TRX850 (a Japanese 961 if you like).
Riding only in nice weather has zero to do with posing, its just how many enjoy their motorcycles. Although, aint we all just posing on these sort of bikes to an extent....otherwise we'd all just be riding Blandits and CBR600s? :DIve got cars for shite weather.
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Don't like Coca-Cola or Jap bikes,

I hope I'm painting a favorable picture for you Stu?
Ride on,
Chow
 
I never plan a ride, I just get on a bike and go where ever it takes me. Long distance riding is of no interest to me. I'm not against any brand, there's some that Ive never owned or brands that have nothing that really appeals....but I enjoy most bikes on the road or track.
The TRX is what the 961 aspires to be, mechanically.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
I never plan a ride, I just get on a bike and go where ever it takes me. Long distance riding is of no interest to me. I'm not against any brand, there's some that Ive never owned or brands that have nothing that really appeals....but I enjoy most bikes on the road or track.
The TRX is what the 961 aspires to be, mechanically.
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The TRX is one bike I would happily make an exception for Stu,
Let me elaborate further,
I'm not a fan of inline 4s,
And they encompass most Jap bikes,
And they just don't have the class or style of an Italian bike,
In my opinion of course
 
My comparison of the TRX to the 961 is it's a large-ish capacity, parallel twin with a 270° crank, dry sump and 5 speed transmission. Except with 5 valves per cylinder and correctly jetted carbs, its more powerful, smoother and quieter than the 961. It was a bid to steal sales from Ducati's 900ss....unfortunately it was about as expensive as the Italian, so was a bit of a sales flop.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
My comparison of the TRX to the 961 is it's a large-ish capacity, parallel twin with a 270° crank, dry sump and 5 speed transmission. Except with 5 valves per cylinder and correctly jetted carbs, its more powerful, smoother and quieter than the 961. It was a bid to steal sales from Ducati's 900ss....unfortunately it was about as expensive as the Italian, so was a bit of a sales flop.
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I was wondering why they had such a short production run,
To me they looked excellent, not sure which one I preferred, the blue, or the green?
I remember one blew me into the weeds when we met at a junction when I was on my Guzzi.
Definitely put me in my place!

I'm glad we're having this chit chat, and not ending up down a dark alleyway slagging each other,

With age comes maturity,
But not always
 
Stu Bodycote said:
I've just fitted a pair of Diablo Rosso Corsa's to a customer's Domi SS (along with a ThreeD chain).....most of the bikes I see never see rain, let alone long distance touring. A blast out to a local pub meet is the usual. I suppose really thats pretty much the heart of a cafe racer...seeing as the original tonne-up boys of the 60s would just blast down to the local cafe to hang out, along with the occasional thrash down the local bypass.
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I have them fitted to two of my bikes including the Norton and really get on with them. They are my preferred choice of tyre. But I never go out in the wet or do long trips!!!!!!!!!
 

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