Well, I'm back to Conti's. After the OEM, i went for the recommended Metzler Z6/880 combo. Boy did the Z6 want to turn. Mileage was about 10,000 on the Z6 and 12,000 on the 880. I went to Continental Road Attacks because I'd had great tire mileage on this brand on another bike. They were nice and went 12,000 rear/14,000 front. Then i went for two sets of Michelin PR2s. Great mileage...I have no idea why some people get 8,000 or less...I have no cupping on the front and I just ordered Road Attack 2s from Two brothers. i had used SW Moto, but their prices were higher. Why Contis...brand loyalty. I talked to people in Germany to get them to produce the 18" ST size. Heck, I don't drag my pegs and one tire is as good as the next...China excepted.
PR2s have served me well. Is a Conti road Attack 2 better than a 1?. I will report...but you could grow old and die waiting. My next tires are probably in 2013. I joke that the wear indicators are patches of webbed steel or Kevlar fiber.
Southern California people. Poway motorcycles does a tire change for $ 25 if you bring them the tire.
Road Attack 2s vs. PR3s My mind goes with PR3s, but my heart is with Contis...we'll see. My wife wants to know why motorcycle tires are good for 12,000 and car tires are good for 40,000. i know, i know, size, speed, etc.
John