MCN Fleet: New rubber for V-Strom 650

I’ve just reluctantly parted ways with my trusty Metzeler Roadtec 01s after almost 4000 miles on the V-Strom.

I can see why they’ve been named tyre of the year in the MCN awards for the last couple of years, they are bloody brilliant. Even towards the end, when I’d well and truly squared them off with excessive motorway miles over the last few months (no lie, the rear looked like it belonged on a car), they were still providing a fantastic level of grip that blew the OE Bridgestones out of the water.

Not only did the Meztelers provide great grip in the dry, but they were brilliant in the wet too, so when deciding what tyres to switch to for the winter months I was tempted to get another set for the greasy conditions.

I asked around some of the more experienced riders in the office for a good winter tyre, and road tester Chad recommended Pirelli’s Angel GT, claiming he thought they were better in the wet than the Roadtecs.

TOP STORIES

• Improved Slim completes new Harley Softail family
• Opinion: Let’s get behind Jonathan Rea and make it count
• Subscribe to MCN before #Christmas & get a pair of riding jeans
• Should London ban pillions to sort out bike theft issues?
• 8 things you need to know about the new Indian Scout Bobber

I’ve done just under 1000 miles on the GTs now, and they’re proving to be decent. It’s hard to compare them to the Metzeler as by the time winter arrived the Metzelers were quite heavily worn, while the Pirelli is brand new and my best feeling with the Metzelers was in the height if summer.

I’ve not had chance to try them properly in the dry, but in, wet, greasy and even icy conditions I’ve been impressed. I mentioned earlier in the year that the OE Bridgestone tyres would spin up quite easily in low-grip conditions, this was eradicated altogether with the Metzelers and hasn’t returned with the Pirellis, so so far so good! 

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes For Sale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.