Stock front 120/70/17 and 160/60/17 rear were used in both brands.
I bought my 06 600 on March 31, 2007 with 3001 miles on it. The stock Michelins were worn so I replaced them soon after with a set of Metzeler M3's I later replaced the rear with another M3 and got around 13,000 miles out of the front. So roughly 6500 miles each for the rear tires. I generally get my moneys worth from a set of tires and don't replace them until the steel belts show a little. I know that's not ideal (stupid) but I ride all of the time and can't stand to be without my bike for even a short time. I also need the bike for transportation in general.
I replaced the front and rear with Shinko Ravens Tuesday. I like how sticky the M3's are but they wear faster than I'd like. After getting the wheels on and chain adjusted I went for a short ride (10 miles roundtrip) to buy a drink and see how the tires ride. The bike was more responsive like always with new tires. The front had been showing steel on both sides of the centerline 360* around. I went through the first couple gears pretty easy and opened it up in 3rd...the rear tire spun, then caught and chirped a little. This was a surprise to me. I thought "wow" I didn't think the Kat could do that. I know that tires have to be broken in before you ride aggressively, but never understood that when using the M3's because from Day 1 they were sticky. I stop at the store and talk to my neighbor who happens to stop there also and head back home. The tires never really warmed up and it was in the 50's outside when I head back home. I turn off of the main road onto the road I live off of at about 15mph and the rear "steps out again". I stop on a side road near my house and do a quick 10 second burnout to rough up the rear tire(easy with these tires) and ride home.
I rode to work today about 15 miles and can tell that the Raven uses a much harder compound and doesn't absorb bumps from uneven pavement as well. I also tried several quick stops from 20mph or so and the rear brake would lock a good bit sooner than with M3's. I will update as the Ravens are broken in.
Initial thoughts - the M3's are great and ride good but wear a little quicker. The Ravens are definely harder and designed for more mileage but don't have the initial bite. Caution should be used during break in period. The front and rear was replaced as a set when changing brands/compounds. The M3 that was removed was kept as 1/2 of the tread remained. Note: M3 pricing $116, then $134.99, and currently $150.99.
Purchased 8/25/07 from Ridenow.com
Sportec M-3 120/70ZR-17 Front 1 $98.00
Sportec M-3 160/60ZR-17 Rear 1 $116.00
SubTotal: $214.00
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $19.90
-------------------
Total: $233.90
Purchased 7/7/08 from Motorcyclesuperstore
Sportec M-3 160/60ZR-17 Rear 1 $134.99
SubTotal: $134.99
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $0.00
-------------------
Total: $134.99
Purchased 3/25/09 from Motorcyclesuperstore
Shinko Raven 120/70ZR-17 Front 1 $68.99
Shinko Raven 160/60ZR-17 Rear 1 $91.99
SubTotal: $160.98
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $0.00
-------------------
Total: $160.98
Pricing
--Current through Ridenow.com
Metzeler $392.90 (outrageous price)
Shinko $233.90
------------------
Difference $159.00 (Enough for another set of Shinkos)
--Current through Motorcyclesuperstore (free shipping on orders over $100)
Metzeler $275.98
Shinko $160.98
-------------------
Difference $115.00 (Almost enough for another set of Shinkos.)
--Current through Dennis Kirk
Metzeler $276.98
Shinko unavailable
Conclusion...buy your tires at Motorcyclesuperstore.
Stay tuned.
I bought my 06 600 on March 31, 2007 with 3001 miles on it. The stock Michelins were worn so I replaced them soon after with a set of Metzeler M3's I later replaced the rear with another M3 and got around 13,000 miles out of the front. So roughly 6500 miles each for the rear tires. I generally get my moneys worth from a set of tires and don't replace them until the steel belts show a little. I know that's not ideal (stupid) but I ride all of the time and can't stand to be without my bike for even a short time. I also need the bike for transportation in general.
I replaced the front and rear with Shinko Ravens Tuesday. I like how sticky the M3's are but they wear faster than I'd like. After getting the wheels on and chain adjusted I went for a short ride (10 miles roundtrip) to buy a drink and see how the tires ride. The bike was more responsive like always with new tires. The front had been showing steel on both sides of the centerline 360* around. I went through the first couple gears pretty easy and opened it up in 3rd...the rear tire spun, then caught and chirped a little. This was a surprise to me. I thought "wow" I didn't think the Kat could do that. I know that tires have to be broken in before you ride aggressively, but never understood that when using the M3's because from Day 1 they were sticky. I stop at the store and talk to my neighbor who happens to stop there also and head back home. The tires never really warmed up and it was in the 50's outside when I head back home. I turn off of the main road onto the road I live off of at about 15mph and the rear "steps out again". I stop on a side road near my house and do a quick 10 second burnout to rough up the rear tire(easy with these tires) and ride home.
I rode to work today about 15 miles and can tell that the Raven uses a much harder compound and doesn't absorb bumps from uneven pavement as well. I also tried several quick stops from 20mph or so and the rear brake would lock a good bit sooner than with M3's. I will update as the Ravens are broken in.
Initial thoughts - the M3's are great and ride good but wear a little quicker. The Ravens are definely harder and designed for more mileage but don't have the initial bite. Caution should be used during break in period. The front and rear was replaced as a set when changing brands/compounds. The M3 that was removed was kept as 1/2 of the tread remained. Note: M3 pricing $116, then $134.99, and currently $150.99.
Purchased 8/25/07 from Ridenow.com
Sportec M-3 120/70ZR-17 Front 1 $98.00
Sportec M-3 160/60ZR-17 Rear 1 $116.00
SubTotal: $214.00
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $19.90
-------------------
Total: $233.90
Purchased 7/7/08 from Motorcyclesuperstore
Sportec M-3 160/60ZR-17 Rear 1 $134.99
SubTotal: $134.99
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $0.00
-------------------
Total: $134.99
Purchased 3/25/09 from Motorcyclesuperstore
Shinko Raven 120/70ZR-17 Front 1 $68.99
Shinko Raven 160/60ZR-17 Rear 1 $91.99
SubTotal: $160.98
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $0.00
-------------------
Total: $160.98
Pricing
--Current through Ridenow.com
Metzeler $392.90 (outrageous price)
Shinko $233.90
------------------
Difference $159.00 (Enough for another set of Shinkos)
--Current through Motorcyclesuperstore (free shipping on orders over $100)
Metzeler $275.98
Shinko $160.98
-------------------
Difference $115.00 (Almost enough for another set of Shinkos.)
--Current through Dennis Kirk
Metzeler $276.98
Shinko unavailable
Conclusion...buy your tires at Motorcyclesuperstore.
Stay tuned.
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