Z6 or D208

[Yebbacco]

After most of yours posts about tires I have a doubt: Metzeler Z6 or Dunlop D208 ?
120/70 and 160/60
GSX 750 F, 2004.
I'm more touring than a race rider, but I want to be sure when sharp cornering, and the price is big issue... Here (Croatia, Europe) is Z6 set about 350$, and D208 set about 250$...
However, I presume that Z6 will last about 13 000 - 15 000 kms, and D208 about 7000 - 10 000 kms...
Yours experience? Yours suggestions?

[ZukiFred]

If it was my choice and the riding you plan on doing I would spend the extra and get the Z6's.

[BraadaJim]

I haven't ridden the Z6's so I cannot comment on them but I did run some 208's for a while and was really impressed with them. Front cupped up a little fast but I never had any grip problems with them wet or dry, single or 2up, riding hard. Not the most aggressive tire around for sure but very good for most riding conditions.

[The CyberPoet]

I'd go with the Z6, but see if you can find a cheaper source (maybe ride to Austria or Italy for the weekend and buy/mount them there?)

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[Yebbacco]

To Zuki & Cyber: just curious, why Z6?

[The CyberPoet]

My reasons for preferring the Z6:

(A) Lifespan, both theoretical and real. Dunlops tend to scallop early on me, while I can ride the Metzelers to the end of their useful life without that kind of problem. That means while the Metzelers last a bit longer from a compound point of view, they last a lot longer without affecting my handling negatively.

(B) Grip. The Z6's grip better IMHO, both in terms of braking and in terms of handling. I can press a set of Z6's to a deeper lean comfortably without any feeling of the tire wanting to wash-out than I can with the Dunlops.

(C) Wet weather/foul-weather riding. The Z6's really stand out as the superior tire in these situations.

(D) Triple-arc radius design of the Z6 means it makes the Kat (at least the 98+ kats) more maneuverable, let it change direction faster/harder.

If you can find the Pirelli Diablo Stradas cheaper, they are almost identical to the Z6 in every sense (minor differences in the tread pattern) -- might be a way to save some Euros and still end up with the better tire.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[Gripp]

How much more grip can I expect compared to the factory Dunflop Sportmax's and should I up the rear tire to a 160/60/17 . I'm having trouble deciding the what tires to purchase.

[The CyberPoet]

How much more grip can I expect compared to the factory Dunflop Sportmax's and should I up the rear tire to a 160/60/17 . I'm having trouble deciding the what tires to purchase.

I haven't tried the SportMax's, so I can't comment directly, but I found the Z4/Z6 to have better traction than any of the Dunlops I have run. No, skip the 160 size if the brand & make you want is available in a 150/70ZR17 and you're riding in the real world (not tracks). If you want to know why, read this:

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13338

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[Yebbacco]

Thanks Cyber and thank you all... Now, I just have to buy them...