Pirelli Rosso II vs BT090
Just fitted a pair of Rosso II tyres on my RVF.
Couldnt get the 090s this time..out of stock.
Why Pirelli?
I use the Rosso IIIs on my MV and I have fond memories from the 90s of the Pirelli Dragon and also they made them in the right size/rating and weight for my RVF.
Why the Rosso II? Only tyres from Pirelli that they do in R rating and the correct weight.
How do they compare?
Well, a lot cheaper than the 090s from April. Got the pair for £140.
Ive only put 60miles on them...but...I had heard that they took a while to warm up (although this referred to the ZR ones..and my Rosso IIIs warm up quickly)...so to test this, straight out of my drive, freshly fitted, I gave her a handful in 1st (once rolling): no wheel spin...just lunged forwards.
They are a lot taller than the 090s and they turn in a fair bit quicker...but still feel stable. Will take some getting used to as they turn faster for the same input.
After 60miles of spirited riding they are fine. I’m happy with them.
Hopefully Ill get more than the average 2000miles to a rear that the 090s gave me.

Please keep us informed of how you are finding them as I have been using the 090's and am loving them, hoping Bridgestone make them for a hell of a lot longer but it's always good to know there is something else out there just in case.

Will do. I love and trust the 090, and was quite shocked that I couldn’t find a pair to buy this time.

TBH though, I think all modern tyres are grippier than we can demand. Did a “knee down “ course where we did figure 8s in the rain with our knees down....on dunlop long life touring tyres....

But yes I’ll keep you updated.

I know a lot of it is in our heads, I feel a bit more confident on the 400 shod with the 090's than any of the other bikes i own. Can feel what the tyres are doing a little more and one of the bikes is fitted with sportsmarts which are way better than i could ever want but nope i trust the Bridgestone more.

Yeah. I get that. With the 090s you *know* it grips like snot to a blanket. Everything else is kinda unknown.

I have tomorrow off work-plan is to test cold tyre traction again and then go for a proper blast. Will update again.

Update.
Just done 180 miles on an overnight stay.

Cons:
Turn in much faster for the same amount of steering input compared to the 090. I nearly ploughed into the apex/grass verge a couple of times whilst “making progress “

Pros:
Now I’ve got used to them I actually prefer them. I’m not fast enough to tell the difference in grip, but (on a closed road, obv) got knee down twice on way here.

Very stable tyres.

They are now scrubbed *right to the edge* of the rear tyre.
I likes em.

What profiles did you go for on the R II's

150/60 R17 and 120/60 R17 - same as stock.
The rear, especially though, looks taller and narrower.