I agree with much that has been written here. I've ridden bikes for 40 years and the Street Twin Pirelli Phantoms are the worse tyres I can remember on any bike I've owned. The ST isn't a sports bike and I don't ride it like one but the rear tyre has let go twice on damp roads, which was a bit buttock-clenching to say the least . The front tram-lines on rough and broken road surfaces and makes me nervous crossing white lines when cranked over. These tyres do not inspire confidence. I was convinced Triumph would have given them the elbow when they upgraded the ST this year (they must have been aware of the issues owners were having..my local dealer certainly is) but the buggers are still there! Madness.
So it seems reading the responses that anything other the Phantoms will do, but given limited choice I thought I'd make a list of those mentioned; Pirelli Scorpion Trail 11 Continental Road Attack 3 Avon Storm Michelin mentioned, but not the specific one. Brigstone BT23 mentioned but apparently don't do 17". I really don't push hard, or ride in the wet if I can help it. I can only recal a little skip out once as I accelerated out of a bend, but the tramlining mentioned happens regularly on the roads near me and was surprised and pleased to read it could be solved by the tyre. The first time I noticed it I checked the rear wheel wasn't loose!
Welcome Indiana & Ijgbytes, My experience with Street Twin tyres mirrors exactly beerkat’s in post #26. Plus, we have real tram lines near home and I’m (To quote Margaret Thatcher) frit to death every time I cross them. I think it would be off to the tram depot if they got hold of my front wheel. Ken.
Same problem with my Bonneville T120 so its going in tomorrow for a set of Avon Spirit STs (the new 3D storm).
AvonStorm 3D XM fitted to my T120 and no problems. Noticable difference in handling and stability. Just good.
Many years ago in a Galaxy not to far away (QLD Australia) I had a Laverda RGS 1000 Fitted with Pirelli tyres , they were especially sensitive to Heat and the lack there of !!!! Once the tyre's were HOT ! They would stick to anything ! And would even lift rocks on a loose surface as you slowed to a stop !! I'd say the original posting at the top of the first page had Cold tyre's !! My Pirelli tyre's never let me down , but then again Laverda's weighed in excess of 240 KGS and were very tall bike's , lots of weight and leverage working on the tyre's to ' ' Heat ' ' them up when doing the "Tonne" metric for *million* mph lol
Resurrecting this thread. Still not changed the shite original Pirelli Phantoms on my Street Twin. I think I've just adapted my riding to suit and try to avoid wet bits. In June I'm on a 6 day, 1500 mile rally from Lands End to J.O'Groats and rain is obligatory in Wales and Scotland, so if I want to stay upright the deadly Phantoms will need to be dumped. There are several suggestions of better tyres on here but no mention of Metzler Tourance. Has anyone who owns a Street Twin, T100 or T120 (ie. Triumphs originally lumbered with the universally condemned Phantoms) tried them? By the way, several people on here have commented on the lack of choice for the 18" front wheel (another stupid decision from Triumph..oh look, the Speed Twin has 17" both ends, what a surprise). Don't forget you can run a tubeless tyre with a tube. I know people will say that's less safe but I swopped my cast wheels for spoked on day 1, and 3000 miles later have never had a problem. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Indiana & Ijgbytes, Welcome to the family. Yes I agree to some extent about tyres. But I still have the oem tyres on my Bonnie. I have had no problem with them. Got about four thousand miles on the bike now. I keep it to the correct pressures and ride according to the weather. I do think the tyres handle quite well. Saying that I will eventually convert to Avon's as I have done so for the last forty years or so no other reason. Regards & Ride Safe. Joe.
Obviously some people are quite happy with the oem Pirellis. If everyone was skidding and slipping then Triumph would have a recall on their hands. But clearly a significant number of owners have had problems, among them are riders with many years experience (40 continuous in my case), who know the importance of correct pressure and have dozens of tyres to compare with the oems. My brother purchased a T120 last year, only the second bike he's owned after a 35 year gap. Naturally I raised the tyre problem and he said he hadn't noticed a problem. I rode his bike and found the same issues, for example tram-lining and poor grip over white lines when leaned over (and no, I'm not aiming to get my knee down, just a few degrees from upright). He said he thought 'that's what they all did'. Errr, no they don't. My main dealer (in Manchester) knew straight away what I was talking about, having heard about the problem from several customers. So I guess it comes down to experience (as in my brother's case) and riding style but these tyres are simply not as good as they should be or we wouldn't be hearing so many complaints. When you pay upwards of £8000 for a new bike the tyres need to be fit for purpose. Now, going back to my previous question, has anyone tried Metzler Tourance?