I did a somewhat scientific poll a few months ago to find out more about what tires performed the best on the ST based on 11 questions that affect to tire performance. Unfortunately I only had a total of 22 responses including myself so it doesn't give near as good of a sample as I would have like to have seen. Regardless, below are the questions asked and their results:
1. Age = 52 average
2. Preferred Tires and why
Bridgestones = 56% - Good performance and price, no reason to switch, tire wear, works well for skill level and price
Avon Storms = 38% - Excellent grip and mileage, tire sticks, tire feels good, handles great and wears symmectrically
Dunlop Roadsmart = 13% - Feels good and handling in wet and dry
Michelin Pilot Road = 12% - No reasons given
Metzeler M3 = 6% - No reason given
3. Mileage on front tire before replacing - Averaged
Avon Storms = 12,750 mi
Bridgestones = 11,750 mi
Dunlop Roadsmart = 10,000 mi
Michelin Pilot Road = 4,900 mi
Metzeler M3 = 2,500 mi
4. Mileage on rear tire before replacing - Averaged
Bridgestone = 8,833 mi
Avon Storms = 8,250 mi
Dunlop Roadsmart = 10,000 mi
Michelin Pilot Road = 4,900 mi
Metzeler M3 = 2,500 mi
5. Tire least preferred and why
Bridgestone (4 resp) - tips, oversteers, twitchy on grooved pavement, terrible in wet, funky wear, poor mileage
Dunlop (3 resp) - poor handling
Metzeler ME880 (1 resp)
Michelin Pilot Road (1 resp) - too hard center tread
6. Are you a sport or touring rider (pick only one)
Touring 50%
Sport 45%
No response 5%
7. Heavy gas and brake (yes or no)
Yes - 50%
No - 50%
8. Percentage of stop and go riding = 23% avg
9. Rider/pillion/cargo weight = 268 lbs (some were two-up)
10. Front tire pressure = 40.7 lbs avg
11. Rear tire pressure = 41.7 lbs avg
It would be great to continue this survey on this thread. If anyone starts posting their experiences based on the above questions I'll continue to tally the responses.
Dewaine