Trying to find a fine balance between tyre wear and life span is a real pain, I have two Ducs 848 Evo and 848 Streetfighter. The Evo runs Bridgestones S20 a tripple compound tyre which I expected to last longer than the standard Pirelli's that are fitted at time of purchase, I was wrong they managed 500 miles more over the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa, On the streetfighter when the pair came up for change I swapped to Michelin Pilot Road 3, so far they have done 2,500miles and no visible wear down the middle and the when banked over there is no loss of grip. Used on road only. On the Evo 848 Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa - 3,000 miles had 2 rears both were about the same mileage Bridgestone Battlax S20 - 3,500 miles and really thread bear, only one rear used, also have had the bike slide on roundabouts and powering out of corners. On the 848 Streetfighter Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa - 3,300 miles original rear tyre shipped with bike rear tyre change only Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa - 3,000 miles Current tyre Michelin Pilot Road 3, 2,500 miles so far no visible wear down the middle, no chicken strips and grips well. I saw an 1199 panigale with these fitted bloke said he had done 1500 miles on em and they looked like they just come out the box apart from the lack of chicken strips, so it appears you can whack some power through them and they still last.
I wouldn't discount Dunlop RoadSmarts or Sportsmarts. I put Sportsmarts on my KTM 950 and was so impressed by them I tried RoadSmarts on my S4Rs 998 Monster. The Sportsmarts stick very well. In torrential conditions I pulled a stoppie when the arse in front stomped on his brakes. They need a little warming up tho. Roadsmarts are really 'round' across the width of the tyre and cope with shitty road surfaces really well. They roll into corners rather than drop into them, but it makes for a very stable ride, particularly where two bits of tarmac join. Performance in the wet is a revelation and they last pretty well too. My current favourites!
Hi Jerry, Thanks for the info, I'll bear them in mind when the the ones on my SF need changing. Its a right royal pain in the arse hunting tyres its the only bit about owning my bike that I cant cope with lol
