Street Twin Tyres

Welcome Paul

Replacing the factory fitted Pirelli Phantom tyres is a recurring conversation on Triumph forums.

I personally replaced mine at about 2000 miles because I lost confidence in them and found the handling a bit unpredictable at times. I went for Avon Roadrider MkII tyres front and back, which transformed the handling.

 

I have not long got rid of my ST. I found the Phantoms bloody awful to be quite honest. They may look "period" or whatever other adjective you want to use but they white line terrible, my back one (radial)wouldn't wear out but the front (cross-ply) wore out in no time at all. I fitted Conti Road attack 3. Fabulous tyre for me. Pity the bike didn't match the tyres, but that's another story.
I'm sure you'll be pleased with anything other than the Pirellis. Let us know how you get on

 

I ditched the crap OEM tires on T120 early on. Went to Avon Storm initially now have Conti Road Attack 3. So far the RA3 are my favorite.
My wife still has OEM on here Street Twin. I am trying to talk her into RA3 but she seems content with originals so far. I hope she wears the out soon!

 

I have a question. If Pirellis are not very good tires, why doesn't the factory make them better? Is this a marketing ploy for other tire manufacturers?

 

Good question and I suspect that only Triumph know the answer!

To be fair to Pirelli, it seems that the Phantom tyres aren't all bad but it depends on where they are made (according to my local tyre fitter).

 

If not in China, is it possible to try?

 

I got the impression from my tyre fitter that the ones you buy in the UK are not the same as the ones fitted in the factory. I don't have mine anymore but I think the country of manufacture is stamped on the side walls and the front and back tyres come from different countries.

 

Looks for one. They supposedly look like retro tires. That may be, but the problem is they feel retro. I suspect cost is involved as well.
I suppose they aren't the worst tire, but given a choice, I certainly would never buy them.

 

They probably didn't put enough rubber in the tires, so they're not as good. Thanks, I will choose.

 

OEM tyres are matched to the bike for a variety of reasons. The Street Twin is at the budget end of the Triumph range so I reckon cost will come into it. Obviously much depends on the rider and how he/she rides as to wether they like a particular tyre. I remember the OEM tyres, possibly Bridgestones, fitted to the 1000RX back in the '80's were great, until they got to about 3/4 worn, then the bike developed a horrible head shake at 130+ (autobahns only) which was very unnerving. I replaced them with some Metzelers, ME99A's IIRC and you could wear those almost bald with no falloff in performance.
I fitted some Dunlops Sportmax's to my FZR1000 in '91 and I thought they were great they so a mate of mine fitted them to his early GRXR750 fully expecting the same result but he said they were garbage, bordering on dangerous. We went to the RR&SB show at Ally Pally that year and he asked a guy on the Dunlop stand for a tyre recommendation for his GSXR. He recommended Kxxx's, can't remember the number, upon which my mate said, "not Sportmax's then?", to which the guy replied, no no no, don't fit those, they'll destroy the handling, he was going on about suspension geometry and frame rigidity. My mate bought a pair, right there, and they were perfect, as you might expect!

 

Just fitted Conti RA3's to my Street Cup. Has become a different bike! Wish I had dumped the Pirellis years ago.

 

Me too. It’s completely transformed cornering. Just completed 141 mile ride on RA3s and they cope brilliantly with rubbish roads surfaces hard braking and corners with ease. Wish I had bought these sooner, I’m in love with my cup all over again.

 

Triumph are now shipping the retros with Michelin Road Classics. Well, thats what came on my T100.

 

That's interesting, I wonder if they've finally started listening to their customers or they've simply got a better deal from Michelin. Whichever it is they have got to be better than the shite originals.

 

Mine was the first bike in the dealers with them. It's a MY23 bike. So far they seem fine, scrape the pegs no problem but they do still tram line. I think the front is still a cross ply.

 

Hmmm. That would be a welcome change. I just saw a new 23 T120, unfortunately it still had the crappy Pirellis.

 

Anything will be better that OEM stock tyres.