[Z1R rider]

You can't just say "I'll get Pirellis because they have great grip" or " don't use Shinko cause they're cheap and no grip" as a blanket statement. The manufactures make all kinds of different compound tires for different jobs, you have to consider the tire model #s also. I've used Shinko 740 and 741 on the track and touched down the foot pegs and side stand bracket numerous times on a pregen. That being said, I'm sure their "drag tires" wouldn't feel very good doing that. Pirelli also makes touring tires that wouldn't be to much fun at the track, but great on the highway.

As for life of a tire (before it starts showing cracks) has a lot to do with storage. Soft tires don't like the cold, as in don't let them freeze, (good suppliers won't ship while it's freezing out) or the rubber cracks right away. I've got a set of Hoosier drag tires off the car and the rubber cracked to the cords (where the tread meets the sidewall) in the first winter, nobody told me to store them in a heated space. Those tires are now 25+ years old and we still use them on occasion, up to 120 mph without a problem.

I know, I know, it's not the same with a car as a bike, but I've had a "rapid deflation" not really a blowout, hit a piece of metal in the roadway at 70 mph and put a gash in the tire, it wasn't a real big deal....back end squirmed around as I came to a stop, just keep your cool and the bike will almost always save the day. Ever seen race bikes do all sorts of crazy chit until it spits the rider off, then rights itself and goes forever till it losses too much speed and just falls over? That said, this is just my experience, yours may vary!!

All this said....most tires are better than you give them credit for when it comes to traction, even sport touring tires.