Hi John,
Anything is better than the stock tires. My first replacement was with Metzlers, which a lot of folks here seem to like. I was impressed with them and Avons in the past. Pirelli makes a great tire but they always seemed to wear fast. My last rear tire Avon took a nail and had to be replaced. I got a Dunlop Elite2, one size smaller that original. I love that tire, big difference in the wet surface traction especially in the curves. Three months later, my front tire went out, and I went to order another Dunlop Elite2 from the dealer but instead of parking my bike for a week, I took a Bridgestone Battlax110/80-18 mounted and balanced for $100. Couldn't pass that up. The Battlax is a great tire compared to other Bridgestones, and I've seen a lot of sportbikes wearing them. Great traction also. I always disliked Bridgestones, but some of these sportbike riders swear by them.
Now, there are some here of slightly diminished mental capacity that "only change tires in pairs". That ain't so bright. Why would you change out a near new tire because the other tire took a nail and was ruined? I'd love to have that kind of timing, to change 'em both together everytime. I've been riding regularly since 1967.
My recommendation would be Metzler, Dunlop Elite, Avon.
Ride Safe,
Dennis
