Comparison Summary
For a motorcycle specified for a 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear, the Pirelli Angel ST pair is the most complete all-around choice here: both positions are listed together, and Pirelli positions the model for sport-touring roads. The Continental ContiMotion covers the same listed sizes with a balanced sport-touring brief. If you need only a front tire for touring and commuting, consider the Michelin Road 6 instead. The Pirelli pair is not a cruiser fitment: the Michelin Commander II and Shinko 777 address different cruiser sizes, while the Dunlop D402 serves a specific Harley-Davidson touring front fitment. Sport riders should distinguish the front-only Michelin Pilot Power 2CT from the rear-only Shinko 009 Raven. Match position and motorcycle requirements before treating any of these as alternatives.
Buying Guide
Sizing and Capacity
Read each position separately in the motorcycle owner’s manual or fitment guidance. The Angel ST and ContiMotion listings pair a 120/70ZR17 front with a 180/55ZR17 rear; neither pair fits a bike simply because it has 17-inch wheels. The Pilot Power 2CT front is 120/60ZR-17, and the Raven rear is 160/60ZR-17—different dimensions serving different positions. For cruisers, a 100/90-19 front, MT90B16 front and 180/65B-16 rear answer different fitment needs. Match the required size, construction, load index and speed rating, including any specified heavy-duty variant. Those markings establish suitability more reliably than a model-family description. (continental-tires.com)
Feature Tradeoffs
A sport-touring tire aims to accommodate regular road miles and varied paved conditions without being a dedicated aggressive-sport choice. Pirelli emphasizes the Angel ST’s silica-rich compound; Continental presents ContiMotion as a balanced radial; Michelin emphasizes Road 6 wet grip and wear. These are distinct design briefs, not proof that one will last longer on your bike. For sport riding, Pilot Power 2CT is the front-only, sport-oriented option, while the Raven offers a wear-oriented 160/60ZR-17 rear. Cruiser-focused Commander II and Shinko 777 tires address different wheel sizes and riding priorities. Michelin’s Road 6 comparisons use specified tires and test conditions, so their percentages should not be treated as an individual mileage forecast. (pirelli.com)
Best For, Avoid If
| Profile |
Recommended Product |
Why It Fits |
Avoid If |
| Sport-touring rider replacing both tires |
Pirelli Angel ST 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17 Set |
Listed 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear in one Angel ST pair. |
Either required size, rating or tire position differs. |
| Mixed-weather commuter needing a touring front |
Michelin Road 6 Front 120/70ZR-17 |
Road 6 is a front-only 120/70ZR-17 (58W) with a touring-oriented design. |
You need a rear tire or a different front size. |
| Cruiser rider replacing a 180/65B-16 rear |
Michelin Commander II Rear 180/65B-16 |
Commander II is a cruiser-focused single tire with a mileage-oriented brief. |
Your bike requires a different construction, size or load rating. |
| Harley-Davidson touring rider seeking the specified D402 front |
Dunlop D402 Front MT90B-16 |
Dunlop identifies the listed part number as an MT90B16 72H front. |
You cannot resolve the listing’s conflicting size field before ordering. |
| Sport rider replacing a 120/60ZR-17 front |
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT Front 120/60ZR-17 |
Pilot Power 2CT is intended for sporty road riding in that listed front size. |
Your motorcycle calls for a 120/70 front or you need a rear. |
| Cruiser rider requiring a reinforced 100/90-19 front |
Shinko 777 Front H.D. 100/90-19 |
The listing expressly identifies the Shinko 777 Front H.D. and its 61H marking. |
Your required fitment or construction does not call for this variant. |
Key Specs to Compare
Compare five things on the exact tire, not just its product-family name: front or rear designation; full size; load and speed rating; construction; and tube or tubeless requirement. Package quantity comes next. The Angel ST and ContiMotion are listed as pairs, whereas the Road 6, Pilot Power 2CT, Raven, Commander II, D402 and Kruz selections are singles. The D402 illustrates why a part number matters: Dunlop identifies 45006403 as an MT90B16 72H front, while this listing’s separate size field says 130/82R16. Have the seller confirm the tire’s sidewall and part number before purchase rather than choosing between conflicting fields yourself. (dmt.exults.com)
Setup and Handling Considerations
Arrange mounting around the motorcycle’s specified tire positions and wheel requirements. For a two-tire change, a listed pair simplifies ordering only after both sizes and ratings check out. For a one-position change, confirm the proposed tire is suitable alongside the tire remaining on the bike; matching a front and rear from different models should not be assumed acceptable from dimensions alone. Have a qualified motorcycle tire installer confirm wheel and tube compatibility, mounting direction where marked, and the required inflation guidance. A reinforced tire is not automatically preferable: the Shinko 777 Front H.D. makes sense when that construction suits the motorcycle’s specification.
Maintenance and Longevity
Treat tread-life language as a reason to investigate a tire, not a replacement interval. Michelin’s Commander II longevity statement refers to commissioned 2011 comparisons against named competitors in specified sizes; riding conditions and motorcycle type affect the outcome. Monitor pressure and tread condition using the motorcycle and tire makers’ guidance, and inspect for unusual wear or damage. Michelin advises replacing its motorcycle tires at the tread-wear indicator or when structural damage is found, with further age-based inspection and replacement guidance. Follow the applicable tire maker’s instructions for the tires you install. (michelinman.com)
Reliability Signals
Useful signals are traceable model information and an exact, consistent variant. Pirelli identifies the Angel ST as an on-road sport-touring tire; Continental documents ContiMotion’s listed front and rear sizes; Dunlop ties D402 part 45006403 to a specific front designation. Conversely, the Shinko 777 180/65-16 listing names both standard and H.D. in its title without clearly establishing which variant ships. Resolve that distinction against the actual part number and sidewall if your bike calls for reinforced construction. Published descriptions of grip, stability or longevity explain design intent, but they cannot certify fitment or predict an individual rider’s results. (pirelli.com)
How to Compare Reviews
Start with the exact model, size and tire position in any rider account. Feedback about a Road 6 rear does not describe the 120/70ZR-17 front sold here; an account of a standard Shinko 777 may not answer a question about the 100/90-19 Front H.D. Look for the motorcycle model, whether the rider carried a passenger or luggage, and whether the reported experience concerns rain, cornering feel or wear. Mileage anecdotes are most useful when they include riding conditions and which tire wore out. Finally, distinguish a comment about tire behavior from one about incorrect fitment, mounting or inflation.
Common Mistakes
Do not turn a front-only purchase into an assumed set: the Road 6, Pilot Power 2CT, D402, Shinko 777 Front H.D. and Kruz are front-tire listings. Do not treat a 120/60ZR-17 front as interchangeable with a 120/70ZR17 front, or choose a cruiser tire because its rim diameter matches. Likewise, the 777’s H.D. construction is a variant to verify, not a feature of every 777 listing. When a listing field conflicts with an identifiable manufacturer part—as on the D402—pause and confirm the actual sidewall specification before mounting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Angel ST and ContiMotion listings complete tire sets?
Both listings identify a 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear. Confirm that the seller will ship both exact tires, and check both positions against your motorcycle’s requirements.
Can I buy a front tire now and choose any matching-size rear later?
No. The rear must independently meet the motorcycle’s size, construction, load and speed requirements, and the proposed front/rear combination must be suitable for the bike. A matching rim diameter is not enough.
Does H.D. on a Shinko 777 mean every 777 has a reinforced carcass?
No. H.D. identifies a heavy-duty variant. The 100/90-19 listing explicitly says Front H.D.; the separate 180/65-16 listing does not clearly establish which variant ships. Confirm the exact tire if reinforced construction is required.
Should I use a manufacturer’s mileage or wet-grip claim to predict my results?
Use it to understand the tire’s design and the stated comparison conditions, not as a guarantee. Motorcycle, load, inflation, road conditions and riding style can change wear and handling.
Final Recommendation
Choose the Pirelli Angel ST 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17 Set if your motorcycle requires both listed fitments and you want a sport-touring pair. If your rear is still suitable and you need only a compatible touring front, the Michelin Road 6 Front 120/70ZR-17 is the more appropriate purchase. Cruiser riders should instead start with their motorcycle’s specific size and construction requirements.
