Brand new to riding in the heat of Arizona since I recently moved from Chicago. Looking for recommendations on the best tires for the AZ heat since I need tires asap. I am going to be a 12 month rider here for sure. 

Thanks in advance.

rover17 wrote:..Looking for recommendations on the best tires for the heat since...

We 'suffer' that need here in OZ as well and many members use all sorts of brands. The big names with the best result are Pirelli Sport Demons, Bridgestone Battlax BT45, Michelin Macadam/Pilot Activ, Metzeler Lasertec (ME33/ME55 - are the old names), and a variety of Conti and Avon mixes, radial and bias. You see, it's not going to make much of a difference what brand as they are all up to the task, rain, cold, heat, etc. Check the search engine for tyres/tires and see what pops up. There are heaps of posts about it.

I've used the Metzelers and also the Pirelli Sport Demons when I had bias ply tyres on the bike (in New Mexico and in later in Australia) and now I use Conti Road Attack 2 radials.

Cheers.

One thing to do that can help is don't run the tyres at as high a pressure as you do normally, let 2-3 psi out because they get very high pressures at high temperatures and this can wear the centre out very quickly and to add to that hot rubber or whatever it is now days wears a lot faster.  It is a bit of a compromise but I tried it many years ago on the Z1300 Kawasaki on a round Australia trip and it did seem to increase tyre life.
Personally I don't think there is a good answer but travel a bit slower in the really hot part of the day, even 5mph would make a difference to the life and likelihood of a failure.
I have always avoided riding in bad heat mainly because we ride all year and can pick and choose a bit when we do long hot trips.

Thanks for the great responses.  I would have never thought of running less air pressure.   I will give that a try for sure.   Yes I am going to go with the Pirelli Sport Demons. 


Thanks again and Ride Safe.

G'day rover17 , always inflate your tyres at the recommended pressure set by the manufacturer , if you run them at lower pressure there will be higher friction with the road plus increased tyre carcass distortion both of which will cause the tyre to overheat shortening it's life , other things to consider are increased rolling resistance which will increase your fuel consumption and lastly effects on handling , check out the www it's all there

JR

rover17 wrote:Thanks for the great responses. I would have never thought of running less air pressure. I will give that a try for sure. Yes I am going to go with the Pirelli Sport Demons. 
Thanks again and Ride Safe.

On my K-RS with five-spoke wheels I ran the Pirelli Sport Demons at 38-40 front which reduces cupping, and out back 40-44 rear, dependent upon speed, load, road surface conditions and air/road temperature. The original sticker under the seat will recommend pressures far lower than what is advisable today - OK for the day but not any more. The tyre manufacturer will only list the 'maximum' recommended pressure on the sidewall. Modern rubber/silica tyres take air pressures much higher, not to mention the more 'sporting' feel over the road, which improves handling.

Here's what I do: Fill your tyres to your imagined desirable pressure, cold, in the shade. Go for a fast ride with a typical load over the types of roads you'll likely encounter. Stop after 10 miles/16 kilometres and immediately record the tyre pressure. Did it go up more than 10% of the orignal pressure you set them to? If so, you're too low start with; heat, load and speed have all conspired to increase the pressure due to friction. But did it stay the same or increase only slightly under 10% of the original pressure you set? She'll be right, mate.

Opinions may vary.