ziggie
New Member
Naked duck at least you have decided on a tire.I want to do the same thing for next summer.I have been looking at 80/20 choices,and 90/10.still looking.keep us posted how you like them after some miles.good luck.
Tire Recommendation for Commuting and Light Off-road
- Thread starter Naked_Duc
- Start date
Naked_Duc
Member
I totally agree on that. I think we are all very practical and likes to research for the biggest bang for the buck. Otherwise, we wouldn't have chosen the NCX.
It's true that the tire technology has advanced quite a bit recently. I think most 90/10 or 95/5 tires will do just fine on fire trails while not losing too much performance on pavement. Neverthesless, doing all my homework on choosing tires would only make me that much happier with my decision.
Naked_Duc
Member
I will come back with some riding reports, once I get some commuting miles and a few trips to the loggin roads in the Cascade mountains.
Naked_Duc
Member
Pirelli Scorpion Trail Review
So after 2 weeks and 500 miles of riding on the Scorpion Trail, I figure I'd update you guys with a ride report. In those 10 commuting days, I've had 7 rainy days (with 2 very very wet days). So I've got a pretty good feel for it's wet performance.
Initial impression:
My first thought on the Scorpion Trail - the bike got taller?!?! It's not much but I had to tip-toe just that little bit more. I took a quick 10 mile ride around town, down the freeway, and up to get some gas. The initial turn in is very good and quick, in comparison to the OEM tires. Some of it is due to how the front center is worn, part of it is due to profile of the Pirelli front. It makes slow speed maneuvering that much easier. Well, it was a bit unnerving actually. I realized just how much effort I was putting in with the old tires. The new tires responded much quicker and required much less effort.
Highway Riding:
At higher speed, the tires felt very stable. The turn-in and lean is consistent. But side to side movement felt a bit slower.
Wet Performance:
I think this is one area that the Pirelli outshines the OEM. I felt very comfortable in the wet on the Scorpion Trail. There are three 270 degree Gloverleaf exchanges on my daily commute - 2 with incline slope and one decline. When wet, the OEM tires give me a very unsecure feeling. It feels like the front would occasionally slip when leaned over while going over water or tar snake, even at slower speed. It would give me a momentary feeling of falling. There were also instances of rear fish tailing a bit under braking in wet (even when OEM tires were new).
The Pirelli did very well in the wet this past 2 weeks with record rain. I felt a lot more secure on those gloverleaf exchanges. The tires are grippy with no feeling of slipping.
Negatives:
Although the Pirelli offer good traction, they do feel to have a bit more rolling resistant than the OEM. Tread life (from what I've read online) may also be a concern. Some have claimed to have significant wear on a GS after 2000 miles and replacement is needed after 6000. I doubt the much lighter and milder NCX would wear it out as quickly. I guess only time would tell.
After 2 weeks of riding, I do notice some odd wear pattern on the rear tire. Very strange. it appears that there is a weak spot developing just off the center line. I am afraid that might significantly affect the tread life of the tire....
freakin' freakin' freak. Caught a freakin' nail (edit: screw) on Friday on the way home. I don't know where I caught it, probably on the last few bends before I got home. The tire held pressure all the way home. It wasn't until I dismounted the bike when I heard "pfffffffffffffffhhh" started from under the bike....
So after 2 weeks and 500 miles of riding on the Scorpion Trail, I figure I'd update you guys with a ride report. In those 10 commuting days, I've had 7 rainy days (with 2 very very wet days). So I've got a pretty good feel for it's wet performance.
Initial impression:
My first thought on the Scorpion Trail - the bike got taller?!?! It's not much but I had to tip-toe just that little bit more. I took a quick 10 mile ride around town, down the freeway, and up to get some gas. The initial turn in is very good and quick, in comparison to the OEM tires. Some of it is due to how the front center is worn, part of it is due to profile of the Pirelli front. It makes slow speed maneuvering that much easier. Well, it was a bit unnerving actually. I realized just how much effort I was putting in with the old tires. The new tires responded much quicker and required much less effort.
Highway Riding:
At higher speed, the tires felt very stable. The turn-in and lean is consistent. But side to side movement felt a bit slower.
Wet Performance:
I think this is one area that the Pirelli outshines the OEM. I felt very comfortable in the wet on the Scorpion Trail. There are three 270 degree Gloverleaf exchanges on my daily commute - 2 with incline slope and one decline. When wet, the OEM tires give me a very unsecure feeling. It feels like the front would occasionally slip when leaned over while going over water or tar snake, even at slower speed. It would give me a momentary feeling of falling. There were also instances of rear fish tailing a bit under braking in wet (even when OEM tires were new).
The Pirelli did very well in the wet this past 2 weeks with record rain. I felt a lot more secure on those gloverleaf exchanges. The tires are grippy with no feeling of slipping.
Negatives:
Although the Pirelli offer good traction, they do feel to have a bit more rolling resistant than the OEM. Tread life (from what I've read online) may also be a concern. Some have claimed to have significant wear on a GS after 2000 miles and replacement is needed after 6000. I doubt the much lighter and milder NCX would wear it out as quickly. I guess only time would tell.
After 2 weeks of riding, I do notice some odd wear pattern on the rear tire. Very strange. it appears that there is a weak spot developing just off the center line. I am afraid that might significantly affect the tread life of the tire....
freakin' freakin' freak. Caught a freakin' nail (edit: screw) on Friday on the way home. I don't know where I caught it, probably on the last few bends before I got home. The tire held pressure all the way home. It wasn't until I dismounted the bike when I heard "pfffffffffffffffhhh" started from under the bike....
Last edited:
Brillot2000
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It looks look more of a screw than a nail to me. Also looks like you'll be getting a new tire too soon. Most manufacturers of motorcycle tires do not recommend repairing punctures, its also in all owners manuals of must motorcycles these days too.
Most people. including myself have used tubeless tire repairs on our tires over the years. I think that both tire and motorcycle manufactures are under the impression that these repairs compromises the structural integrity of the tire, it might to some extent. Either way, you should proceed with caution, if you plan on doing a repair yourself.
Naked_Duc
Member
yah, it's a screw... Typed too fast.
I keep on going back and forth on repair with a mushroom plug. Some people are dead set against it while some are fine with it, as long as it's ridden mildly (like commuting). I might start a new thread on tire repair.
I keep on going back and forth on repair with a mushroom plug. Some people are dead set against it while some are fine with it, as long as it's ridden mildly (like commuting). I might start a new thread on tire repair.
