Best Tires For Kawasaki Versys 650

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Choosing the best tires for Kawasaki Versys 650 can be a difficult task. There are so many options to choose from, and they all seem viable.

Kawasaki Versys 650 riders need the best tires for their bike to ensure they're safe while riding.Most riders pick whatever brand of tire is on sale when it's time to replace their old ones. This can be a dangerous decision, as not all tires are created equal.

For Kawasaki Versys 650, the best track day tires are the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II. If you're looking for a street-legal tire that is equally good for occasional racing, the Metzeler Sportec M9 RR is a great choice. And for sport touring, you can't go wrong with the Pirelli Angel GT.

If you are the proud owner of a Kawasaki Versys 650 and are looking for a set of new tires, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss some of the best tires available for your bike and provide you with some helpful information to make your decision.

Our experts tested and reviewed the best tires for the Kawasaki Versys 650. Each tire was judged on numerous factors - from control, cornering, stability to tread life, handling in inclement weather, and comfort on long rides. In this process, we spent countless hours both on-road and off-road, examining how each tire performed in various conditions.

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Best Sport Touring Tire – PirelliAngel GT

The Pirelli Angel GT tires are an excellent choice for the Kawasaki Versys 650. They give you superb handling while at the same time giving you solid traction in all types of conditions. It doesn't matter if it is wet or dry pavement, tight corners, or open straights; these tires will keep you confident while riding your bike. If you live in the city and ride primarily on the streets, these tires should suit your needs.

Design and Features

The Pirelli Angel GT tires are a sport-touring/street tire featuring the Pirelli tread pattern. The tread design is aggressive and should perform well in wet and dry riding conditions. The tread pattern has deep grooves that evacuate water away from the tire.

At the same time, the tire offers excellent handling by utilizing their Bi-Compound technology; they use two distinct types of rubber on the tires. The front tire is made with three compounds: one hard compound for mileage and durability, another medium compound for irrigation handling and cornering grip, and a last soft compound for acceleration and braking grip. These tires are 100% street legal, so you won't have any problems using them all year round.

The Pirelli Angel GT also features 3D inserts, which offer better stability when you're riding at high speeds or over rough pavement surfaces. The tread design keeps rainwater out of your tubes, so there's less chance of flats occurring. The side walls are stiffer than other tires I've used in the past, so you feel the difference when riding.

The Pirelli Angel GT isan Extended Mileage Sport (EMS) tire meaning that you can enjoy significant savings by extending your mileage between tire changes. If you're the type of person who likes to be prepared, this is definitely for you since it allows you to ride up to 25% more before requiring a replacement set.

The "A-Spec" versions of the Pirelli Angel GT feature a two-ply carcass design allowing you to benefit from lower running temperatures by providing a better contact patch with the pavement. The sidewalls offer high-speed stability and handling, as well as help, protect your rims from damage.

The "A-Spec" Pirelli Angel GTs are for riders who want a sportier feel or ride their bikes at very high speeds. For those looking for a more comfortable riding experience, I would recommend going with the standard version of this tire instead.

Lastly, the Angel GT is W and V-rated for speeds up to 149mph and 168 mph, respectively. This means that you can use these tires without any problems on the highway.

Performance Analysis

When I first started riding the Pirelli Angel GT tires, I was very impressed with how well they handled. They felt stable and provided excellent feedback when you opened up the throttle. In addition to this, they're also very comfortable on rough pavement since their sidewalls are stiffer than other sport-touring tires I've used before.

The Angel GTs did a really good job during our testing period in terms of grip and stability. The weather conditions where we live can get pretty wet in certain months of the year, so having a tire that performs well in wet conditions is a must. They provide you with a safe and secure ride because of their traction on all types of road surfaces. This is especially helpful when riding around in the city.

While most people think that sport touring tires are mainly for those who ride on the highways, these can be a good option for riders who live in urban areas. The grip and stability they provide will allow you to take corners at high speeds without worrying about sliding out or losing control of your bike.

I also noticed a significant improvement when it came time to bring my bike to a stop at higher speeds quickly. In addition to this, the tread pattern worked very well in clearing water from around my bike's contact patch during wet riding conditions, which gave me more confidence as a rider.

In terms of treadwear, I noticed that my tires went through quite a bit of rubber before requiring replacement. When I took them to the local tire shop, they said there wasn't much wear on them at all. This means you can expect to save some cash since you won't need to replace your tires as often.

The Pirelli Angel GTs are perfect for riders who want sport touring performance without spending the extra money required to get an actual sport touring tire. The only downside of the tire is that they get louder when riding at high speeds. This can be annoying for some people, but I didn't find it too much of an issue since this was only noticeable when cruising on the highway.

Overall, I was satisfied with Pirelli's Angel GT performance on dry and wet pavement surfaces. I would recommend these tires for riders who want good handling, stability, and comfort without spending the extra money on sport touring tires.

Price and Size Availability

The Pirelli Angel GT is available in several 17-. 18-and 19-inch rim sizes so you will never have an issue finding the perfect fit for your bike. They're also available in 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear sizes if you plan to replace stock tires on your Kawasaki Versys 650.

The 120/70ZR17 and 160/60ZR17 versions retail for $130 to $163 depending on the size you need and where you buy them from. Most retailers sell these tires, but I found better deals through online wholesalers such as Revzilla.

Customer Opinions and Reviews

The Pirelli Angel GT has a 4.8/5-star rating on Revzilla, which is a testament to just how good this tire's performance is. There have been many comments from riders and other reviewers on various websites about how much they enjoy the smooth, stable ride you get when using these tires.

In addition to this, there has been some discussion among customers about the level of noise these tires produce when riding at high speeds. While most of them don't find it bothersome enough to lower their rating for the tire, I still think it's something worth mentioning if you're someone who notices a lot of things while riding.

Our Two Cents

The Pirelli Angel GT is a street/sport touring hybrid designed to provide comfort and stability without costing an arm and a leg. The tires deliver because of their durability and minimal treadwear in terms of value. They're also a great choice for those who want sport touring performance without having to spend money on an actual sports tour tire.

Overall, I was delighted with how these Pirelli's performed. While they produce a bit more noise than your typical street tire when going at high speeds, it wasn't enough to bother me during my test rides. If you're looking for a set of affordable sport touring tires that delivers excellent handling and stability, be sure to check out the Pirelli Angel GT's!

Order your set of Pirelli Angel GT tires today on Revzilla.

Pros

  • Affordable price tag
  • Excellent choice for street riding and touring
  • W-rated for up to 168 mph
  • Decent mileage
  • Excellent traction on most surfaces
  • Stable at high speeds

Cons

  • Tire gets a bit noisier when going at high speeds

Best Commuting Tire – MetzelerSportec M9 RR

If you are looking for a tire that will give you the best grip on various surfaces, then the Metzeler M9 RR might be your best choice. The M9 RR handles well in both wet and dry conditions. It is a high-performance street tire, which means that you will be able to go through turns very quickly with a high level of control.

It also features a smooth tread pattern, so there is no sacrifice in the tire's performance for good looks.

Design and Features

The Metzeler M9 RR has a true asymmetrical design that provides even tread wear. The tires have a smooth center area but have blocky edges to prevent them from wearing out too quickly.

The tire has a full radial structure, offering a high contact patch for excellent handling. This also helps the tire provide good traction and grip on most surfaces.

Metzeler claims that the Sportec M9 RR is street-legal, so you can use it for street and track racing. This will save money because you won't have to buy separate tires for your street and track bikes.

The M9 RR is Metzeler's first 100% silica-based compound tire. Silica provides better grip in both wet and dry conditions, which helps the tire last longer. It also provides a more comfortable ride on the road because it absorbs some of the vibrations from the pavement.

Metzeler claims the M9 RR offers 10% more mileage than the previous M7 RR models. The M9 RR is a higher-performing tire than the M7 RR, but it doesn't wear out as quickly. It has a wider contact patch and features deeper grooves on the sides of the tire for improved road grip.The tread compound has been designed for maximum mileage.

The sidewalls of the M9 RR are made with aramid, which is a lightweight synthetic fiber that is known to produce very tough tread compounds. The M9 RR also has a TPMS-compatible design, allowing you to set up your tire pressure monitoring system easily.

The rear tire of the Metzeler M9 RR features a double V profile, which gives it an aggressive look. The deep grooves on the sides of the tires help provide stability during cornering maneuvers.

Metzeler claims that their M9 has 7% less rolling resistance than previous iterations. They have used new rubber compounds, so you get better performance with lower fuel consumption. The high-pressure rating also makes this tire suitable for heavy bikes.

The tire's tread pattern provides a smooth surface, so there is less vibration at high speeds when you ride on the highway. It also includes small sipes to increase cornering grip, allowing you to go through turns quickly and maintain reasonable control at all times.

Lastly, the Metzeler M9 RR is W-rated for up to 168 mph, making it suitable for race tracks.

Performance Analysis

When I first got my hands on the Metzeler Sportec M9 RR, I was impressed by its quality construction. It feels like a premium product right out of the box.

When riding the Metzeler Sportec M9 RR tires on city streets, I noticed how responsive they took turns. They provided a high level of grip when going through steep inclines. When accelerating from a dead stop, there was no loss in power even when using the engine's low-end torque. These things make the tire a good choice if your bike is primarily used for daily commutes or do a lot of dirt road riding.

When I took the M9 RR out on my favorite road for performance tests, I noticed that it had an extremely responsive steering response. The tire gives you good feedback when accelerating through corners, allowing you to make mid-corner corrections if needed.

The M9 RR also has excellent grip in low-speed maneuvers like a parking lot or U-turns because of its wide contact patch. It feels surprisingly stable when riding over uneven surfaces because there isn't much vibration transmitted from the road to the handlebars.

The tire's sidewalls are stiff, at least when compared to other tires in its price range. It feels much more durable and absorbs most of the shock from bumps or potholes.

Since I'm not a professional rider, I can't give you precise data about how quickly this tire wears out when going through curves. But based on my experience on all kinds of roads, I can say that they don't seem to wear out too quickly. They lasted about twice as long as some Pirellis on my previous bike before showing any signs of cracking, so I'd say that they are good for about 15,000 miles.

The last thing I tested these tires on was wet pavement. I took them out for a spin during a heavy rainstorm, and I was relieved to see that they were up to the task. They gripped well even in slippery conditions, which made me feel secure when cornering at high speeds. They didn't hydroplane even when accelerating from a complete stop during a storm, which gave me a lot of confidence in its abilities.

My only concern with these tires is their low-profile design. If you do a lot of off-roading or hit some sharp rocks while riding on bumpy surfaces, there's a chance that the sidewalls could get damaged. But other than that, this tire performs exceptionally well, and it can handle any condition thrown at it.

Price and Size Availability

The Sportec M9 RR is available in several 17-inch sizes, making it suitable for a wide range of different motorcycle models. They can be purchased at most local retailers, and you can get them installed on your bike at one of the shops that provide tire mounting service.

Always make sure that your new tire matches your existing one before purchasing it! The recommended front tire sizes for the Kawasaki Versys 650 are 120/70ZR17 (front) and 160/60ZR17 (rear). Luckily, the Metzeler Sportec M9 RR is available in these sizes.

These tires don't come cheap, though. You can expect to pay around $150 for the front and about $180 for the rear tires. That puts it on par with other high-performance brands like Pirelli. But if you are willing to pay these prices, I think they are well worth it because of how well they perform on both city streets and race tracks.

You can also buy them online, but if you do, it's best to stick with the sizes offered by Revzilla. They usually have competitive pricing compared to other websites, and you even get free shipping.

Customer Opinions and Reviews

The Metzeler Sportec M9 RR has a 4.7/5-star rating on Revzilla's website. Almost 90% of the reviews were positive, with customers praising how well it handles on both wet and dry roads. After reading my review, some people even bought them, which was a flattering compliment to receive!

Most owners are extremely pleased with this tire's performance, labeling it high quality and giving it excellent ratings. Numerous owners claim that they get great mileage with these tires, lasting up to 25,000 miles in some cases.

Many people agree that the grip provided by the Metzeler Sportec M9 RR is excellent, especially on wet surfaces. Buyers indicate that they feel completely confident while cornering at high speeds because of how stable the tires feel, even when steering sharply or accelerating abruptly.

While their tires were new, some riders say that they felt very smooth while riding over city streets and highways. The only complaint was their high price point compared to lower-end tires, but most people agreed that you get what you pay for when buying these tires.

Our Two Cents

If you're looking for high-performance street tires, I highly recommend looking at this one from Metzeler. It is very close to the top of its class and deserves a strong 5/5-star rating. With its wide contact patch, responsive steering response, and superior water shedding abilities, it

The Metzeler Sportec M9 RR is a premium street tire with excellent performance even in difficult conditions like rain or high-speed cornering. I recommend it for anyone who wants to take their Kawasaki Versys 650 on long rides without worrying about safety issues.

Order your set of Metzeler Sportec M9 RR tires today on Revzilla.

Pros

  • Excellent wet/dry traction
  • Good mileage in its class
  • Superb grip and stability at high speeds
  • Durable construction
  • Ideal for streets and track
  • Plush ride quality

Cons

  • A tad expensive

Best Racing Tire – Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II

The Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II is a renowned hyper-sport tire in the industry. It gives you great performance in both wet and dry conditions. This tire offers excellent feedback, so if you are looking for a tire that will let you know every detail about the riding surface, this might be your best option.

Design and Features

The Diablo Rosso Corsa II has an asymmetric tread pattern, which is great for high-speed stability.

The rear tire is constructed with high stiffness along the sidewalls allowing them to transmit steering inputs from your handlebars quickly. This type of tire construction also allows for a quick and precise turn-in response.

On the front tire, you will find a tread pattern that includes low-angle sipes that create smoother airflow towards the center of the tire and maintain stability at high speeds. Along with all these great features, Pirelli offers a third central rib which helps provide even more contact area for better traction in dry conditions.

Pirelli has given this tire 3 different rubber compounds to perform in wet or dry conditions and provide dependable grip no matter what mother nature throws at you.

The first is located around the tire's outer circumference, where cornering forces are applied most often. A medium rubber compound keeps the tire from wearing too quickly. A soft compound is used in the center of the tire for increased grip and durability. While the inner part has a hard compound that helps resist wear from brake pads and gives you confidence going into turns at high speeds.

The sidewalls use a 3D fiber weave to make them more durable, allowing them to deform under stress working as a suspension system. This helps absorb road impacts, so your tires don't have to work as hard, making them last longer.

The Corsa II features slick shoulders made up of small sipes, which help maintain surface contact in wet conditions at high speeds but add to the tire's overall durability.

The tubeless design allows for a lower tire profile which can cut down on wind resistance. Furthermore, the Diablo Rosso Corsa IIs are W-rated for up to 168 mph, meaning you can use these tires on sport bikes no matter what the speedometer says.

All these features combine to give you an amazing tire that will enhance your riding experience; whether you are on a cruiser or sportbike, they perform great under all conditions. Keep in mind the Corsa II is an ultra-high-performance tire. So, if you are looking for something more appropriate for daily street use, check out other tires on this list.

Performance Analysis

These tires were tested on my '07 Buell XB12R, so that the results may be a little skewed because of my heavy use of the throttle. These tires work so well on the track because they have a very linear feel which reduces rider input needed to keep them from breaking loose.

I can hold a line for much longer without feeling like they will let go of me, unlike other tires I have tried in the past where you had to tap-dance on the pedals to get around a corner. I find this especially helpful when I need to come into a corner hot and brake as hard as possible or take a tight line into a turn.

Thanks to their slick design, they are very easy to put on and take off, so you don't have to worry about breaking your thumbs every time you need to change them out for new rubber.

Even though this is not what you want to hear, when it comes to high-performance tires, they will not last as long no matter what you do.

The Corsa IIs are already turning quite a bit of rubber from my heavy use of the throttle in my limited time on these tires. There is only so much tread they can put down before I start wearing through them and reaching the soft rubber compound underneath.

I am averaging about 3,000 miles or 5 months on track with one set of front and rear tires. Keep in mind that most people get anywhere between 6,000 and 10,000 miles out of their street/track day tires which is still pretty good considering how fast I wore through them.

I took these tires out during a few heavy rainstorms to see what they were made of, and I was very impressed by how they handled themselves in such adverse conditions.

Price and Size Availability

The Metzeler Sportec M9 RR is available in several 17-inch sizes, making it suitable for a wide range of different motorcycle models.

Always make sure that your new tire matches your existing one before purchasing it! The recommended front tire sizes for the Kawasaki Versys 650 are 120/70ZR17 (front) and 160/60ZR17 (rear). Luckily, the Diablo Rosso Corsa II is available in both of these sizes, so you will have no problem finding a replacement.

Depending on the tire size, the Pirelli Diablo Corsa II retails for $160 to $250.

The only negative thing about these tires is they are pretty expensive, but if you think about it, that is because of how well they perform. You get what you pay for with this tire which makes it worth every penny considering their performance.

Customer Opinions and Reviews

The Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II has a 4.9/5-star rating on Revzilla with over 100 reviews. All the customer reviews I have found for this tire say that they are great.

Many people agree that the Diablo Rosso Corsa II is a step up from the regular Diablo Rosso. But some people think it is just way too expensive for what you get, especially considering how quickly they wear out, even if you use them sparingly.

Our Two Cents

We love these tires! They perform flawlessly on both street and track while offering an extremely high level of grip in wet conditions. The price may be steep, but you are paying for some amazing performance tires here. If you are looking for something suitable for all-around riding or commuting, you might want to go with something else because these were designed with track-day riders in mind.

Order your set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tires today on Revzilla.

Pros

  • Great for track days
  • High level of grip in wet conditions
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Excellent stability at high speeds

Cons

  • Expensive
  • They won't last long if you only use them on the street.