Death Wings

[fred]

I had exactly the same case as JK. I got my Vardero in England from 1st owner with just 700 miles (genuine tyres). The bike is 2011 with 2012 first registration. The tyres were terrible especially on wet and only now when changing them for Metzeler I took a close look and realise that the front one was manufactured end of 2007. The rear one was 2010.

Someone at Honda did a great saving project   

[JosepM]

A new set of BW501/502 after the French meeting (this week-end ) is ordered for riding to the VIM 

I won't order a new set of these. Front tire is OK for me, but rear one is no better than Anakee 2 under any traffic circumstance IMO.
I remember specially a ride, on a road quite wet from morning dew; I had never felt my Vara as slippery on asphalt as that time.

Regards,

Josep

[zebulon]

I had exactly the same case as JK. I got my Vardero in England from 1st owner with just 700 miles (genuine tyres). The bike is 2011 with 2012 first registration. The tyres were terrible especially on wet and only now when changing them for Metzeler I took a close look and realise that the front one was manufactured end of 2007. The rear one was 2010.

Someone at Honda did a great saving project   

I'm surprise to know you have Battle wing as origin tires ;  my varadero's come with Trail wing which are not the same at all tires ... 

[zebulon]

I won't order a new set of these. Front tire is OK for me, but rear one is no better than Anakee 2 under any traffic circumstance IMO.
I remember specially a ride, on a road quite wet from morning dew; I had never felt my Vara as slippery on asphalt as that time.

Regards,

Josep

Sorry for that Josep; I use my bike every days (when working  ) and made 20 000km each year in every conditions wet, dry, and down to -15°C and have no problem with them  but as you've seen, I'm not riding so quickly 

[JosepM]

I'm surprise to know you have Battle wing as origin tires ;  my varadero's come with Trail wing which are not the same at all tires ... 

Gilles, I believe they refer to TrailWings as the bad ones.
I had TrailWings as OEM both in may '04 Varadero and my previous '97 TransAlp (different shape though). Either rear tyre was rubbish.

BattleWing is a fair tyre IMO; just I feel safer and get more fun when I have Anakees. I believe someone in Malta agrees that BW are just great.
As you say, "chacun son gout"  (literally, everyone his taste)

Regards,

Josep