Hi all - my rear Bridgestone 090 is looking a tad squared-off & balding for its oncoming MOT... loving the grip & stickiness, not liking their short lifespan... (I have a Cafe 400/4 and a VFR Vtec, the CBR does tend to be abused quite a lot in a Hooligan fashion, a Sunday bike if you will... )

Been looking at the Michelin 2CT range, their dual compound is exactly what Im after, sticky with a harder strip down the middle - but nothing for an 18" rear...

Any other suggestions for dual compound?

The 2ct's are awesome, you could always put a 17" wheel on the back..

I asked the same and Graeme recommended BT-016s so I'm gonna give them a try. There is an 18" rear in 160 width which should go on, or do what I'm doing - stick a '29 rear wheel on and get the 17".

I'm not sure what compound they are, but I've been recommended some Conti RoadAttack's, the sizing is standard on the front and a 160/60 18 on the rear. But I'm only relaying what I've been told

Right.

I am going with the BT-016 in the 160/60 18 flavour, i cant be dealing with changing wheels at the mo, MOT is next Thursday... :) (I have a spare NC23 rear wheel if anyone needs one?)

Cost of tyre - £119! I know the owner of the tyre bay, so he isnt charging for fitting,valve or balencing...

Will let you know how it rides... nowt wrong with the front BT-090, its as sticky as a sticky stick & wearing well, so will be staying....

may try to blag Nitrogen inflation as well

Nice one, let us know how it compares to the 090.

Got it!

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/ ... C03903.jpg
Wheel & tyre

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/ ... C03904.jpg
Comparision between a '090 and the '016 - hardly anything in it? The '016 is 10mm wider, but that only equates to 5mm either side of the wheel - and more rubber on the road can only be a Good Thing... The harder compound in the middle of the '016 should give me less rolling resistance as well!

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/ ... C03905.jpg
Rather splendid new Renthal alloy sprocket - I have a nearnew 40T NC23 sprocket for sale on ebay if anyones interested?

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/ ... C03829.jpg
My NC23 - function over form....

**If anyone can stick the pics on here I'd be most grateful, cheers! Hav'nt had time to test the new tyre yet as have been busy (got GIVEN a 2003 GS500E after requesting old bikes on the excellent Freecycle website, am stripping it for eBay.... )

Once you've tested it, it'll be good to hear how grippy it feels compared to the 090, and how quickly it warms up.

Very good tyre!

Did my very best to run it in gently for 100 miles minimum (new tyres have a coating of mould release agent - which can be gripless to say the least if first used in wet conditions, brand new tyres need lots of warming & progressive leaning to scrub them in...) - this lasted quite well, but riding a CBR sensibly is not the easiest thing in the world...

Scoots along amazingly well, you can feel the benefits of the harder centre compounds (think skateboard wheel) - but still feels very grippy whilst upright? Side grip is like the 090's - Legendary... nor a tweak or a slide...

Very cleverly done! Gets my vote.

Interesting...

I need a new rear tyre soon, was probably going for another 090 as I get on well with them. Second thoughts now though... Wear isn't a major issue though as it's only a weekend bike now.

I'm tempted to get the wheel coated white too but I don't think I can be arsed cleaning them every few days.