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Kawasaki 650 Versys Tyres

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The following tyres have been reviewed on the Kawasaki 650 Versys
Michelin Pilot Road 2 (4) 85% 73% 85% 80% 93% 78% 75% 81% 15,000

Kawasaki 650 Versys Tyre Review Highlights

Writing about the Michelin Pilot Road 2 given 57% (160-60-17-W)
Driving on a combination of roads for 3000 spirited miles
I bought a pair of these tyres in 2008 to replace my Bridgestone 020's as these were aparently the best sport touring tyres at the time. I did a couple of hundred miles to scrub them during July in the dry before I moved to Spain. They seemed to feel better than the 020's but wasn't sure about out right grip from the rear.
When I tried the bike on Spains scorching hot roads they were next to useless, I was losing the front at every roundabout and could barely use the throttle before the losing rear traction. After a few hundred miles I got a puncture in the front, so I swapped to my spare wheels which had some well used Dunlop 207rr's.
The Dunlops made the bike ride able again although the tarmac was noticeably less grippy than in England still, but at least the bike was safe again.
In 2010 back in England I got the bike out for a track day at Mallory during July on a hot summers day. Half way through the rear 207rr was shot and losing grip everywhere so I switched to the rear Pilot Road 2ct.
It was surprisingly good allowing me to scrape the peg around gerards at 110mph, so these tyres do work well at the right temperature.
I carried on using this rear tyre (allied to a pilot power front) this summer. It was fine for commuting to work at a sensible pace in all weathers but never felt good when cold.
On faster rides the rear would move around on colder days which was disconcerting at higher speeds. In the wet even on a warmer day it was a joke, the throttle needed careful control through every bend as it threatened to cause a highside on the 60hp versys.
I've owned many sportsbikes, raced a ZX10R and race a supermoto, I dread to think what this tyre would be like on anything with any power. Michelin Maccadams were always crap and the Pilot Roads are a progression of those rather than a decent tyre.
After 3000 miles the tyre showed little wear despite a few wheelies and a few quick rides, but it all ended when I was riding home in the wet one night. I went through a corner I'd been through hundreds of times much faster at about 70mph in 4th gear, I wound the throttle about a third of the way and it went sideways. I thought I was coming off as the bars crossed up, but thank fully as the throttle was shut (no choice when the bars are not under your control, I have highsided a couple of times)it calmed down. I know it wasn't oil or diesel because the front would have let go first (have crashed on diesel, nearly on oil too).
Needless to say it is going in the bin where it belongs, and I'll buy a proper tyre.
Posted at 2011-08-23 22:02:36
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