Tyre choice.

Smiffypr · Sep 6, 2025

I have not has my 2024 961SP very long, but was quite unhappy with the way it handled. I messed about with suspension settings, and made a small improvement but it would still over-react to pot-holes and white lines, and would not go round bumpy hairpin bends easily. Then I remembered having the same issue on a Buell twenty years ago, and the answer was to swap the Dunlop tyres it came from the factory with for Pirelli Diablos.
(The Norton had Dunlop tyres, and my Ducati which handles well has Pirellis.)
I asked around and pirellis and bridgestones were mentioned but no serious recommendations.
With no further feedback, base on my past experience, I bought the Pirellis (Pirelli Diablo Rosso III). I have just been out for my first ride on them. They are brilliant, they have transformed the bike.
Massive grooves in the road make it twitch but no more than that. Roads where it felt unstable at XX now feel safe at 20-30 mph faster. Gravel on road, a twitch rather than slide onto the wrong side. Bumpy hairpin corners on Zig-Zag Hill are no longer scary. Absolutely brilliant.
So I would heartily recommend these tyres to anyone who likes to "press on"

Beetleything · Sep 6, 2025

Thanks for the info - i am needing some soon and like you not keen on the Dunlops ! Was thinking Michelin road 5 or 6s or metzler roadtech 02s.........

City Garage · Sep 6, 2025

Tires are like the discussions about oil; everyone has a "brand" or theory. If you aren't riding to the last inch or two of the tire edge, then wasting money on the ultra sticky, expensive tires is a waste of money. I don't knock anyone for spending money on great tires, but don't come back and complain when you get 3-5k on them. There are so many great mid-range brands with long life and great reliability(mileage). Tires like the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV, which fall into the sport tourer range are great tires, along with many others, for both wet and dry. Many of the Connie tires are fantastic as well.

Just remember, if you lay your 961 down trying to test that edge...where are the spare parts coming from to fix it?

Smiffypr · Sep 9, 2025

City Garage said:
Tires are like the discussions about oil; everyone has a "brand" or theory. If you aren't riding to the last inch or two of the tire edge, then wasting money on the ultra sticky, expensive tires is a waste of money. I don't knock anyone for spending money on great tires, but don't come back and complain when you get 3-5k on them. There are so many great mid-range brands with long life and great reliability(mileage). Tires like the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV, which fall into the sport tourer range are great tires, along with many others, for both wet and dry. Many of the Connie tires are fantastic as well.

Just remember, if you lay your 961 down trying to test that edge...where are the spare parts coming from to fix it?

In this case it is not about ultimate grip nor mileage. My bike felt awful on the Dunlops, a bit of dirt on the road and I ended up on the wrong side of the road, it would squirm over white lines, and would not stay on line around a bumpy hairpin. It felt unstable at speed. It was like riding on tyres that had been worn out without ever being leant over, but the tyres were hardly worn. I spent 2% of what I paid for the bike on the tyres and it has made it tons better, so money well spent, and I would recommend these to anyone who feels their 961 lacks stability. Other tyres may be just as good, but the Dunlops are awful.

NorTriDuc · Sep 9, 2025

Smiffypr said:
In this case it is not about ultimate grip nor mileage. My bike felt awful on the Dunlops, a bit of dirt on the road and I ended up on the wrong side of the road, it would squirm over white lines, and would not stay on line around a bumpy hairpin. It felt unstable at speed. It was like riding on tyres that had been worn out without ever being leant over, but the tyres were hardly worn. I spent 2% of what I paid for the bike on the tyres and it has made it tons better, so money well spent, and I would recommend these to anyone who feels their 961 lacks stability. Other tyres may be just as good, but the Dunlops are awful.

What were / are your tire pressures?

peebee · Sep 9, 2025

I call mine 'Dunlogs' , don't know why they are standard fittings.

City Garage · Sep 9, 2025

Smiffypr said:
In this case it is not about ultimate grip nor mileage. My bike felt awful on the Dunlops, a bit of dirt on the road and I ended up on the wrong side of the road, it would squirm over white lines, and would not stay on line around a bumpy hairpin. It felt unstable at speed. It was like riding on tyres that had been worn out without ever being leant over, but the tyres were hardly worn. I spent 2% of what I paid for the bike on the tyres and it has made it tons better, so money well spent, and I would recommend these to anyone who feels their 961 lacks stability. Other tyres may be just as good, but the Dunlops are awful.

I've been doing this a long time and installed more tires than I can count on available fingers, and 95% of riders can't really tell the difference between a Shinko or Dunlop. They say they can, but they don't. As long as the tires are fresh, properly inflated, and suited to the bike’s weight and purpose, most people mainly notice comfort, noise, or how long they last rather than subtle handling differences. Most tire complaints are from under/overinflated tires.

Experienced riders tend to notice distinct differences between brands and even between tire models from the same brand. I've known riders who can tell when their tires are 2 psi lower. So it all depends on the rider

I tell people not to buy into the hype of what's popular or what someone says works better, because that might not be the best tire for you or your bike.

Now dirt tires are another thing...its the wild west with how they work for some and not others mud, desert, soft dirt etc.

Remember, some things are bad for tires and make tires seem like they are the issue when they are owner-induced.

Maintain Correct Tire Pressure- Best way to flat spot on a tire on a bike that doesn't get ridden much
Avoid Long-Term Static Loads- Don’t let the bike sit for months with weight pressing on one spot of the tire. Use some stands!
Heat/Cold/UV and Ozone, and not cleaning them

peebee · Sep 9, 2025

City Garage said:
I've been doing this a long time and installed more tires than I can count on available fingers, and 95% of riders can't really tell the difference between a Shinko or Dunlop. They say they can, but they don't. As long as the tires are fresh, properly inflated, and suited to the bike’s weight and purpose, most people mainly notice comfort, noise, or how long they last rather than subtle handling differences. Most tire complaints are from under/overinflated tires.

Experienced riders tend to notice distinct differences between brands and even between tire models from the same brand. I've known riders who can tell when their tires are 2 psi lower. So it all depends on the rider

I tell people not to buy into the hype of what's popular or what someone says works better, because that might not be the best tire for you or your bike.

Now dirt tires are another thing...its the wild west with how they work for some and not others mud, desert, soft dirt etc.

Remember, some things are bad for tires and make tires seem like they are the issue when they are owner-induced.

Maintain Correct Tire Pressure- Best way to flat spot on a tire on a bike that doesn't get ridden much
Avoid Long-Term Static Loads- Don’t let the bike sit for months with weight pressing on one spot of the tire. Use some stands!
Heat/Cold/UV and Ozone, and not cleaning them

peebee · Sep 9, 2025

Thats good advice but when you get conflicting information from factory settings and tyre manufacturers figures that makes it a bit of a calculated guessing game.

Beetleything · Oct 7, 2025

Got the Metzeler Roadtec 02s - loving them - much more confidence inspiring and lean in really easy - no tramlining ! Big improvement !

Tyre choice.

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