Pirelli Sport Demon

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Hi to all, Iam looking at fitting Pirelli Sport Demons to my 82' 1100 Katana however, Pirelli state these are for mid capacity machines! I know the Kat is no warpdrive hyper bike but I would not consider her a mid capacity machine. I like the fact that they are available in stoneage size 100/90/19 front and 130/80/18 rear so would like to try them. Has anyone used these on the older 1100/1000 machines? What did you think of them? Cost and high mileage is not a factor in this case. First priority is great performance in the wet and second in the dry, cheers.

[steve murdoch]

I had the same sizes on my '79 CBX and was very happy with the tires. I am not as fast as i pretend to be but i do ride aggressively and the tires provided excellent grip in DRY conditions. I cannot vouch for the grip in the wet.
I used them for aprox. 5000 miles and replaced them with Bridgestone BT45s.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Thanks Steve, if they can handle a CBX I can't see it being to much of an ask for the KAT. I read bwringers post of 04/26/2007 and he seems pleased with them "Pirelli is tops in grip and feel, pure magic", now if that is how they perform on the Kat in the wet I'll be a very happy camper as well, cheers.

[hampshirehog]

Running these on my CB1100F - I'm very pleased with them and will be replacing with the same next time.

[80GS1000]

I had a set of the Pirelli Sport Demons on my 1000 before switching to radials and the wet grip IMO was outstanding. The tread pattern evacuates water away from the contact patch very well.

[Planecrazy]

Several of the more spirited Chicagoland riders (Joe Nardy - 1100E, Myself - Full Dress (read "heavy") 1100G, etc.) run the Sport Demons and they're AWESOME! This weekend, Joe is putting on his third or fourth set and I'm putting on my second set (even though the first set probably has several thousand miles left on them - cheap insurance!). They literally transformed the performance of my bike and they provide a great deal of confidence when carving up the twisties!

Regards,

[bwringer]

The Sport Demons are absolutely top of the line in handling for vintage bikes.

Try a set. You'll be amazed.


I'm currently on the second set of Avon AM26 RoadRiders on my GS850. They're cheaper by about $60 a set and last about 50% longer than the Pirellis. Excellent wet and dry grip, incredible handling, and all the rest. Both are very modern V-rated designs, far beyond anything available in the '80s and '90s.

Truthfully, the Pirellis do handle just a tiny bit better than the Avons (they're a little tiny bit more communicative at the ragged edge). But the difference is tiny -- like 99.9% vs. 100%. The profiles are a little different as well -- the Avons are a bit pointier and noticeably quicker-handling than the Pirellis. This doesn't mean they're better or worse, just different, and one or the other might be more to your taste.

The extra life and lower cost of the Avons are well worth that last .01% for me, but if you want the absolute best, no holds barred and hang the cost, treat yourself to a set of Pirelli Sport Demons.

[gshub]

Sport Demons

Fitted one to my Gs1000s last summmer the differance to handling was amazing got a 130/90/17 in the back its done 4500miles of 2up and hard one up riding and hardley marked
the only prob cant get a front to matchit all I get is unavailable out of stock so fitted a Metzeller to the front.

[Joe Nardy]

Fitted one to my Gs1000s last summmer the differance to handling was amazing got a 130/90/17 in the back its done 4500miles of 2up and hard one up riding and hardley marked
the only prob cant get a front to matchit all I get is unavailable out of stock so fitted a Metzeller to the front.

Gshub,

I don't know if you're in Norwich Connecticut or Norwich UK. If you're in the states try American Motorcycle Tire. I just ordered two sets of Sport Demons and had them in three days. The front sizes I ordered were 100/90-19. Your S might have an 18 inch front wheel so maybe the 18 inch tires are harder to come by.

Thanks,
Joe

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Thank you to all for your comments, having feedback on products from riders that know the drill is great. Certainly helps with sorting out the claims made by parties with a vested interest in the product. When the Metzlers have done their last run it'll be Sport Demons next. Will let you know how it turns out, by then the paint job should be finished and there will be photos to post, cheers.

[hp1000s]

Spooned a set of Pirellis onto my rims, but I still have to put the engine back-in to become part of the discussion...dang. If they go as well as they look, I'll be very happy.

[gshub]

Gshub,

I don't know if you're in Norwich Connecticut or Norwich UK. If you're in the states try American Motorcycle Tire. I just ordered two sets of Sport Demons and had them in three days. The front sizes I ordered were 100/90-19. Your S might have an 18 inch front wheel so maybe the 18 inch tires are harder to come by.

Thanks,
Joe

Thanks Joe but I live in Norwich Norfolk England but every tyre dealer tell me same thing.
so annoying when you cant get something that good.
Ps fitted a 130/90v17, instead a18inch still got it in garage.

[hampshirehog]

Steve,
MandP have them in stock - I bought mine for my 1100 from them. Quick delivery too.

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=526340

[tone]

Just my personal opinion but i would not fit a tyre with a lower speed rating than the bike is capable of

Theres no mention of the speed rating in any of the above posts which worries me a little :shock:

hope that gives you something to think about gents

[hampshirehog]

Tone - they're V rated (149mph). At my age I ain't goin' any faster!