Yamaha 2002 R6 Tyres

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Tyre Reviewed Dry Grip Wet Grip Feedback Handling Wear Comfort
Dunlop Sportsmart (11) 94% 76% 90% 91% 77% 85%
Pirelli Diablo Rosso II (19) 90% 73% 86% 84% 75% 86%
Michelin PilotSport (2) 75% 75% 85% 75% 65% 85%
Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 (10) 68% 46% 45% 41% 57% 62%

Yamaha 2002 R6 Tyre Review Highlights

Writing about the Pirelli Diablo Rosso II given 0% (180-55-17-)
Driving on mostly country roads for 4000 spirited miles
perfect for super sports of any size. great dry grip, but I never hooned in the rain, so I don't know. but they wear fast in the center. 4,000 miles on the rear before the center showed bands.
tyre reviewed on 2021-06-09 20:56:14
Writing about the Michelin PilotSport given 85% (225-45-17-)
Driving on mostly country roads for 12500 spirited miles
These were stock on my 02 R6 and 05 Ducati 749 which I had from new. They performed well on both bikes although I had to throw them at less than 3000m miles on the Ducati as it didn't handle at all well once tires have done much over 2000 miles on both front and rear.
They were on the R6 for 5000 miles, they worked well in all conditions even when the rear was illegal. The front went onto an old CBR600 and worked well on that too, it also got a rear to match.
The Ducati was always run on the Michelin rears as they were a great all rounder but a Dunlop D207RR was better on the front and lasted as long.
The Pilot Power is essentially the same but with more feel and a bit more grip and is the tire I now use most of the time on my bikes.
tyre reviewed on 2016-06-15 18:28:29
Writing about the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 given 51% (180-55-17-W)
Driving on mostly country roads for 4000 spirited miles
I had a pair of these in 2003 on my 2002 Yamaha R6, I developed my riding a lot on these tires to the point they were the first tires I ever ditched while they were still legal. I was annoyed at the time with the performance drop off but to be honest since I had those I've had to bin most tires before they hit the legal limit.
From new they were pretty awesome although they didn't quite have the comfort and feel of the Michelin Pilots Sports they replaced. They required the suspension to be adjusted but once dialled in they had superior grip, the soft edges would ripple even on the road which looked cool (I was young).
At around 3000 miles the shoulder on the front tire was wearing more than the centre due to the dual compound and the grip was starting to go off a little on the rear. I nearly highsided in the wet on a track day at this mileage, and at 4000 miles the bike was a handful in wet or cold conditions. My mate managed to throw it down the road on them despite my warnings. I had new tires on mail order which came shortly afterwards.
The Michelins had done 5000 miles and only the rear was worn out, they still gripped as good more or less as when new so I hated Bridgestones and have barely used them since.
tyre reviewed on 2016-06-15 17:36:44
Writing about the Dunlop Sportsmart given 90% (225-45-17-)
Driving on mostly country roads for 4000 spirited miles
Had these on for 500 miles
Cracking tyre. Warms up fast etc. looked at the D211 but choose these for lnoger life.
Pressures running 34f 32R and so so much grip for road riding.
Gave confidence to bank the bike over and slam the knee down, Even when it starts to slide, its very easy to control and hold.
Cant wait to get on track with them.
Will buy again
tyre reviewed on 2012-06-01 18:37:10
Writing about the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 given 56% (180-55-17-W)
Driving on a combination of roads for 4000 spirited miles
When these tyres were new they provided excellent grip levels for the road in both wet and dry conditions. I did have to re - adjust my suspension to make the bike feel right as the tyres felt vastly different from the Michelin Pilot Sports they replaced.
They were plenty good enough for road use but the rear was especially nervous on a track day giving very little warning before highside ( I saved it that time).
I found the wear rate on these tyres to be heavier than most, they were both well past their best within 3000 miles.
The rear would break free very easily unless really well warmed up, and the front had become mis-shaped like a 20 pence piece (as most dual compound fronts seem to do with me). Both tyres seemed to lack feel at this point even though they were not on the tread wear limit, causing the handling to suffer.
I let my mate have a ride one day after he got fet up of my whining when I couldn't keep up. A few minutes later he threw the bike down the road as the rear came round on him on a roundabout (just as I told him).
By 4000 mile both tyres were on the wear bars, the front was more in the sides than the middle, and the handling had become a joke.
I wouldn't buy these again, I wouldn't have got them in the first place as I have crashed on Bridgestones (BT50's) before. They were free though because my girlfriend at the time worked for a bike magazine and wanted someone to test them. Expensive test as my mate never paid for all the damage he did to my then 2 year old bike.
tyre reviewed on 2011-07-08 19:51:06
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