My favorite bike shop can not supply 090's or alphas any more since (they tell me) these models are discontinued. They offer me, in stock sizes and installed:

- Sportmax Qualifier, 261€
- Pilot Power, 262€
- Diablo Rosso 2, 296€
- BT 016, 303€
- Metzeler M5, 311€

All these are W rated, radial tyres. They tell me there are other options, H rated notably cheaper.

The question is, Are any of the above tyres comparable to the most preferred 090/alpha 10? Neal pointed to Pirelli super corsa's but I am not sure those are the same as the Diablo Rosso II.
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I've just bought a pair of Rosso II's for 223 Euros (not fitted) they seem to be well recommended but I haven't ridden on them yet
http://www.motorcycle.com/products/pirelli-diablo-rosso-ii-review-91263.html

Not to rub it in but those numbers even in USD make me cringe, Just got a set of BT016 under $200, not my favorite tire but they had 110 front and 18" rear for MC18...

Got Pilot Power coming in tomorrow for the big bike, replacing Power PURE 2CT which has been discontinued, those would be my fist choice since I got over 6000 miles out of the rear on my litre twin, I think it was $180 for 190/55-17
Always ran Michelins on my race bike so I'm a little bias, Andy mentioned just another day that tire opinions vary, I got friends who swear by B'stones and wouldn't pi$s on Michelins, I prefer Michelin but also have Avon Distanzia on my KTM (SuMo), Conti on RG because of narrow wheels... usually buy whatever I can get at reasonable cost and correct size

Have had Alpha 10s/12s and the BT003s. The Supercorsas (not the same as the Diablos you have there) were better than both by far in my opinion. They are more expensive though.

It really depends on your riding though. If its all or mainly road then Supercorsas may not be ideal, in which case my opinion would be the Rossos. I've always liked Diablos.

Just my opinion..

Any bike that gets lot's of road use I suggest dual compound tire (Michelin calls it 2CT) as I mentioned got 6000 miles out of super soft Power Pure 2CT on the Tuono 1000, still has enough thread to pass inspection
Much less powerful Ducati 748 chewed up the Pirelli in under 5,000 miles, same type of riding, same roads, same habits.

this is what it looked like

Well, after consulting here and there (basically, google) it's going to be pirelli's rosso II, W rated. If I can feel any difference with bridgestones/dunlops, I'll post.

Supercorsas are extremely expensive!

H-rated Dunlop Quailfiers,211GP construction.very good tyres.

For just about every 250 street application, an H rated tyre [if available] will be perfect.

"H" tyres have a [sustained] speed rating of 130mph, more than any road-going 250 will ever realistically achieve (H rated tyres are actually tested to 210mph!). Their design and construction means they heat up to, and maintain an operating temperature best suited to a 55hp~70hp/120~160kg motorcycle. «Power and weight figures are my approximate best guesstimate!

Basically, H rated tyres are specifically designed for small capacity supersports bikes.

Also waaaaaaaaay easier on the wallet than V or Z rated tyres.
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

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It seems once someone makes up their mind it's useless to tell them otherwise...

It's just a question of availability. Pirelli does not sell H rated rear 150 in Spain. So I chose not to mix tyre this time.

Are Qualifiers good? yep, no question. But they are a few years old. Why not try actual tyres, built following the corsas experience?

The funny thing is that I will probably not feel the difference between them.
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javes wrote:It's just a question of availability. Pirelli does not sell H rated rear 150 in Spain. So I chose not to mix tyre this time.

Are Qualifiers good? yep, no question. But they are a few years old. Why not try actual tyres, built following the corsas experience?

The funny thing is that I will probably not feel the difference between them.

The H-rated Qualifier was released last year to replace the Alpha10.As stated it is not the same construction as other rated Qualifiers.,tread pattern excepted.Dunlop should know how to make a tyre for a 2T 250 tho',what with the GP experience of all on the 250 grid using their hoops for years and years

bushman wrote:Dunlop should know how to make a tyre for a 2T 250 tho',what with the GP experience of all on the 250 grid using their hoops for years and years

I'm sure they know, but, Do they want to? How many will they sell?

Anyway, thanks for the advice. Had I read it before I had gone for them this time.
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As expected, experience is a grade (or lack of) and these W rated tyres are no good for my NSR. I slipped like I had never before. Confidence evaporated...

But, I had a great weekend at Motorland. Beautiful track.

And beautiful companion. The first one is a '87 and the last one a '09 Movistar with upgraded front. Very fast bike.

We run on Friday but had to cancel Saturday due to excess wind. It was so strong that it tipped the bikes as in a domino game, with some damage to fairings and supports.
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Nice line-up!
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

Please keep all responses to Forum posts on the Forum so that others may benefit.

Please DO NOT PM me for technical advice. My time is precious, and you will probably receive a faster response on the Forum anyway.

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