For what it's worth, this is what I've run in the past:
40,500 - Pirelli Angel GT (180/55 rear). This is what was on the bike at purchase time.
42,500 (+2,000 miles) - Shinko Verge 011. Terrible. One tire was out of round, causing significant handlebar wobble. Replaced with new Pirelli Angel GTs. Used for a long Road Trip.
50,175 (+7,675 miles) - Continental RoadAttack 3
55,500 (+4,825 miles) - Dunlop RoadSmart III. Installing these was OK.
60,150 (+4,650 miles) - Bridgestone T32 GT. Installing these tires was painful.
64,900 (+4,750 miles) - Dunlop RoadSmart IV. Installing these was easy.
~72K (+7,100 miles) - Metzeler MEZ8. I don't remember what these were like to install.
As you can see, the average mileage I got out of these tires has been variable. Sometimes I do change them out a bit early, but not
that early.
Impressions: The only one I wouldn't run again is the Continental. The Continentals started to seemingly disintegrate near the end of their life, and the Angel GTs cupped really badly. In all fairness to the Angel GT's, I have subsequently replaced the suspension (at ~60K) with Race Tech bits (front and rear) and the suspension performance is beyond expectations.
Most of my riding is a mixture of around here in Southern Wisconsin and (typically) one road trip of 1,500 - 2,000 miles. Sometimes more. The Metzelers had ~1,500 on them when I took a 5,300+ mile road trip of mostly interstate, but I did hit some backroads.
I haven't worn out the Metzelers yet, but I wouldn't go with the Z8 rear again because of the harmonic vibration, but performance-wise I was quite happy. They felt a bit "sticky" or even low pressure when brand new, but a few hundred miles they wore in and felt great.
I think the Dunlops have better road feel than the Bridgestones. I really liked how the Dunlops felt.
I think the Metzeler Z8's edge out the Pirelli Angel GT's in terms of mileage. In terms of feel, I'm not sure I can tell the difference.
I am not sure, but the Metzelers
may have better grip and mileage than the Dunlop RS3's (but not the RS4's).
I am very seriously thinking about going Double Darkside when these Metzelers are done. Current mileage on them is roughly 6,800 miles and the rear is squared off a bit (but not nearly as bad as the Angel GT's were when I took a similar ride 5 years ago).
Pricing is a conern as well: Given the price difference between the Dunlop RoadSmart IV's (probably the "nicest" tire, but
$485 right now) and the Metzeler Z8's (
$365), well, oof da.
Z8 front $150 + Roadtec 01 rear (180/55) $243 = $393
Z8 front $150 + Roadtec 01 SE rear $232 = $382
Dunlop RS3 combo = $382
My preferred retailer doesn't have the 02 Roadtecs yet. Given all of this, if I did things today I'd probably consider the following:
1. Z8 front, Roadtec 01 SE rear
2. Double Darkside (probably the Vredestein Hypertrac ;
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/vredestein-hypertrac-all-season-tire.184458/) + BT46 Rear-on-the-front combo
3. Maybe Dunlop RS3 or RS4.
But ya never know. Tomorrow I might feel different.
