Tyres, Brakes and Suspension » Z8....opinions?

Hi all

the new bike came with a brand new set of z8´s. I´ve never used them before but I did have a set of roadtec 01´s before and I loved them....great grip for what is really a winter tyre, not something you would need that much here in Southern Spain but I didn´t have any complaints even with spirited riding.

Should I keep the z8´s or think of something else¿?

thanks!

When the Z8s even vaguely need replacing, get rid of them.

The popular tyres seem to be Roadtech 01s (had a set, and found them superb) and PR4 or Road 5s, (highly regarded by all who've had them).

I'm currently on Avon Storm 3D XMs and really cannot fault them.

Everything depends on how and where you ride. I imagine in Southern Spain, wet road handling isn't such a major priority for you...

Cheers

Paul B.

Zitat von spainy im Beitrag #1

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Hi all

the new bike came with a brand new set of z8´s. I´ve never used them before but I did have a set of roadtec 01´s before and I loved them....great grip for what is really a winter tyre, not something you would need that much here in Southern Spain but I didn´t have any complaints even with spirited riding.

Should I keep the z8´s or think of something else¿?

thanks!

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Just for clarity Andy, are you saying the Z8s are fantastic?

Well, you've already paid for the Z8's. Might as well use them up. When I purchased my '16 the Z8's were about 2k miles from being changed out anyway. So I negotiated the replacement tire cost in with the deal.

Zitat von Ray im Beitrag #4

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Just for clarity Andy, are you saying the Z8s are fantastic?

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Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #6

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My 2016 bike had Z8 when purchased new. They were fine and I swapped them at 7600 miles I think.

As you will see in various threads, I am an evangelist for Avon Storm 3D and one of my disciples has already posted. I have used these in British winter when commuting at sub zero temperatures and in Spain and Portugal when the ambient temperature was over 40C. I have also used them in torrential rain. Great tyre, lasts around 8000 miles.

The simple answer to your question is ride with them. If you don't like them, change them. A set of Avons is under £200 in the UK.

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Thanks for the replies. I will use them for now as it would be stupid to be swapping them out already.

Never tried the avon strom 3d , always been a bit of a metzeler fan after the roadtec´s but could be worth a go.

I see you´re doing track days on your rs too, what did you have on for that? My mate is going Jerez next weekend and I am sorely tempted to go, even after coming off the last time that I went there.

My 2015-build RS came with Z8's and I thought they were OK and provided good mileage. I replaced them with Bridgestone BT-023's, which were another OK tire, but didn't last nearly as long as the Z8's. I replaced those with Dunlop Road Smart 3's, which I feel make the bike steer and corner better. Hopefully, they will last as long as the Z8's.

Well you asked.... I’m not a fan. (Well documented on here) wooden and uncommunicative IMO. But like my guitars, I like there to be a bit of ‘fight’ in the action so I have something to ‘lean’ against. The R5s do this rather well.

To use the guitar analogy the Z8s are like a set of light strings (funnily enough often called ‘8s’) light and floppy but allow you play fast (shred even!) but can lack ‘control’ in the hands of mere mortals. (Billy Gibbons (now using 7s I believe!) and Jimmy Page being two of the more notable exceptions)
By contrast ‘11s’ (or even 12-15s) allow you to ‘dig in’ a bit more, extract more tone but can be hard work. (Joe Bonamassa, Slash, Keith Richards tend to go this route)
So to sum up. The Z8s are probably a good tyre if you are a really good rider, but then the tyre becomes almost secondary. Like a good guitarist. It’s in the feel.

Sadly I’m neither a particularly good rider or particularly good guitarist. ☹️

Zitat von spainy im Beitrag #9

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Thanks for the replies. I will use them for now as it would be stupid to be swapping them out already.

Never tried the avon strom 3d , always been a bit of a metzeler fan after the roadtec´s but could be worth a go.

I see you´re doing track days on your rs too, what did you have on for that? My mate is going Jerez next weekend and I am sorely tempted to go, even after coming off the last time that I went there.

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Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #11

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Well you asked.... I’m not a fan. (Well documented on here) wooden and uncommunicative IMO. But like my guitars, I like there to be a bit of ‘fight’ in the action so I have something to ‘lean’ against. The R5s do this rather well.

To use the guitar analogy the Z8s are like a set of light strings (funnily enough often called ‘8s’) light and floppy but allow you play fast (shred even!) but can lack ‘control’ in the hands of mere mortals. (Billy Gibbons (now using 7s I believe!) and Jimmy Page being two of the more notable exceptions)
By contrast ‘11s’ (or even 12-15s) allow you to ‘dig in’ a bit more, extract more tone but can be hard work. (Joe Bonamassa, Slash, Keith Richards tend to go this route)
So to sum up. The Z8s are probably a good tyre if you are a really good rider, but then the tyre becomes almost secondary. Like a good guitarist. It’s in the feel.

Sadly I’m neither a particularly good rider or particularly good guitarist. ☹️

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I ran Z8's for the whole time I owned my RS. Z8 is a good tire. Lots of tire snobs on forums. My tire buying philosophy: Round, Rubber, Rebate

They are going to be on my bike for a relatively short time.

Zitat von MrVvrroomm im Beitrag #14

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I ran Z8's for the whole time I owned my RS. Z8 is a good tire. Lots of tire snobs on forums. My tire buying philosophy: Round, Rubber, Rebate

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