How do you like your Pirelli Diablo Stradas?

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:42 pm

It's getting time to replace tires on my RR. I am currently running Michelin Pilot Roads and they have ~~ 9k miles on them. Curiously? the front shows significantly more wear than the rear. Not at wear bars quite yet, but real close.
I would consider the Pilot Roads as a replacement tire, but the press description of the Diablo Stradas gets my attention, namely wet performance and mileage. And they're a little cheaper.

With the recent Pirelli promotion, I know a lot of people here took part. How are they doing?

tia
John

Post by **wncbmw** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:19 pm

So far, so good. Too soon to tell about mileage but handling seems to be on par the the Z6, as is wet weather handling. Since I heard these were essentially the Pirelli version of the Z6, that makes sense. If the price is right, I can't say anything bad about them yet.

MartyWadd · Post by **MartyWadd** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:21 pm

they're good. mileage is VERY good. the rear slides a little in the corners if you get on the gas too much, but still very controllable.

MIXR · Post by **MIXR** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:57 pm

I fitted the Stradas to my R for my round Australia ride last month. 16,000 kms in three weeks, mostly upright, mostly hot weather, mostly very coarse surfaces.

Rear was shagged at 10,000, which I figured was ok. New Strada fitted that now has 6,000 kms on it, and it seems to have some good life left.

Front is still the one fitted before the trip, so it has the full 16,000 kms on it and still has reasonable life left.

Needless to say, front and rear have very little wear on the sides!

Wet riding seems good, very controllable. They are good for loaded rides. Don't know about light, fast rides in the hills. The few bits of tight stuff were ok, even with our heavy loads.

A few things though - The lack of a centre wear indicator makes it hard to judge when they are worn out if you do a lot of slab riding.

Both tyres showed funny wear patterns. I ran 36/42, but the heat and weight was a problem the tyres couldn't handle. The Avon is much better for that.

Front developed a pronounced 'square' shape to the centre tread. Wish I had taken a photo. Looked like the centre contact patch was heating to the point where the tyre was swelling as the rubber got hot. Seemed to wear off and the tyre is almost round again, with no detriment to tread wear patterns. Very strange.

Rear one suffered from the load, heat and speed. It developed some severe balling and shredding and we had to back our speed off. The balling eventually smoothed back out after several hundred kilometers.

They did the job ok, but are not my preferred tyre. I think the Avon is still the better choice. That's for grip and wear.

Post by **queenpdog** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:03 pm

I have had mine on for a couple of weeks. I noticed a difference right away, but that's not saying much since I was riding on a squared off Dunlop.
Last weekend I participated in a cornering clinic at "the track". It's really a training course for law enforcement, etc. but it's got about 18 turns in less than a mile, including a full on carousel. The tires were confidence inspiring. I did some pretty aggressive riding and wore some tread right out to the edge. I never experienced any slipping or sliding.
I would say that if you can get a nice deal on them you should go for it. I just hope they last for a reasonable amount of time.

Julia

Kazushi · Post by **Kazushi** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:56 am

I'm using the Pirelli's on my R, they came with the bike and I havent yet needed to change them...

They handle well on our not so great roads, in general I'm happy with them...

Dr. Strangelove wrote:It's getting time to replace tires on my RR. I am currently running Michelin Pilot Roads and they have ~~ 9k miles on them. Curiously? the front shows significantly more wear than the rear. Not at wear bars quite yet, but real close.
I would consider the Pilot Roads as a replacement tire, but the press description of the Diablo Stradas gets my attention, namely wet performance and mileage. And they're a little cheaper.

With the recent Pirelli promotion, I know a lot of people here took part. How are they doing?

tia
John

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:04 am

Had about 4 pairs now - I love em, and recommend them.

Post by **rock712** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:04 am

I have 7,000 miles on the rear and 3,000 on my front.....Looks like i'll get a lot more out of the rear tire.

As far as cornering, I have dragged my pegs and toes with the best of the best of them and I have no reason to doubt.

I'd definately stick with Strada's

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:50 am

I also took advantage of the Pirelli free front tire program and bought a set of Diablo Strada. I only have a few thousand miles on the tires, but so far so good. I haven't been able to tell whether or not the Strada sticks better or less than the Z6 that I ran on my Rockster just before swapping out for the Strada.

At this point, I'd dare say that the Strada is as good as the Z6 when it comes to wear and handling.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:18 am

thanks to all for all the feedback

sounds like a pair is in my future.

John

DK · Post by DK » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:22 am

John,

I am also at the point of buying new tires and have been considering either the Z6s or the Pilot Roads. Looks like you've gotten good mileage from them. One question, have you noticed them to have noise when cornering? My dad has these on an 05 RT and that's a complaint he has.
Just curious.

Thansk,

Dwayne

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:36 pm

Hi, Dwayne,
not that I notice, but I am going on a ride Sunday am, I think, so I'll listen more closely. For sure if they do make noise in the turns, it is subtle at best. On some surfaces they do seem to "sing", but this is an uncommon occurence. Because of my riding--mostly city and less country the centers are wearing much more than the sides.

I've ridden them for nearly 4k miles and on the whole, I've been pleased.
I've shied away from the Z6's because of poorer longevity. That and I probably don't ride aggressively enough to justify them.

John

vinman · Post by **vinman** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:41 pm

I had a pair. They handled better than the Z6's but won't last as long. They're a good set of tires.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:45 am

I liked my first ones so much I didn't hesitate putting another pair on.

I got about 20,000 klms..(about 12,000m).

I ride mostly around town and the roads seem smoother from the traffic and don't wear the tires as much as the open country roads..that's my theory.

DJ

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 2:51 pm

Hi, Vinman,

am I reading you correctly that the diablo stradas did not last as long as the Z6's?

John

vinman · Post by **vinman** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:01 pm

That was my experience. I got about 6000 miles out of my Diablos before wear was significant and I guessed I could get about 1000 more. I got about 10K out of the rear of my Z6 before it needed replacement and I'm going on 12K with the front and it still looks good.

But I also thought the Diablos handled better and warmed up faster. I only switched to the Z6's because I was about 1500 miles from home and the rear tire ended up getting cut. The Z6's were the only tire available in the right size at a local dealer at the time. I like the Z6 but may go back to the Diablos.

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