Having hardly ridden a motorcycle in 25 years tyre technology has moved on a pace (last proper road bike did have early radials [ZX-10]).
My son (19) has recently taken up riding a bike and I travelled from Romford to Glossop to collect said KTM 125 Duke a 2012 example back at the end of November. Mid-December he started riding it from Romford to Erith over the bridge and back through the tunnel every day and has really been getting into it.
This morning however the third roundabout on the Bob Dunn Way, Dartford in the wet was rather oily and off he came in front of a 40 tonne Polish artic! Fortunately the lorry driver saw him and parked the lorry on the roundabout and lifted him and bike clear
He was in full protective gear and suffered no lasting injury but a bruised knee and a dented pride. The bike suffered a smashed wing mirror, broken rear brake lever and scratches to the engine bars, bar end and front brake lever. After a call to me and a five minute sit down he went on to do his day's work and rode home.
I'm taking the bike into Hyside for new mirror and brake pedal and they are fitting a new throttle cable at the same time and I'll sort out the road rash on the other parts at the weekend.
It presently has OEM Indian made (tropical climate) rubber front and rear and by all accounts and my experience as well as his now, they are bloody awful, fine in the dry but cold and wet are hopeless.
Help please as to the best for British roads for a machine with a top speed of 70?
Front: 110/70 R 17 M/C 54S TL
Rear: 150/60 R 17 M/C 66S TL
Also please suppliers, fitting, etc. best places and guide prices?
I have been recommended Michelin Road Pilots around £40 each but fitting I have been quoted at £55/wheel!!! Why on earth does it cost so much to fit them?
Cheers all.