I guess we Brits are uncivilised then as we drink "warm" beer.
But then it's often wet and cold here so who would want cold tasteless lager when yer already cold and wet.
The best beer makers in the world (the Belgians) serve some of their beer chilled and some at room temperature.
It depends on the beer and the individual drinking the beer.
As for the tyres, the OEM BT-021 front tyre on my C14 was sh!te, crap, trash, and inferior.
After just 2000 miles the abnormal wear was seriously affecting the feel, and thus my confidence when cornering.
I ended up having to "reprofile" the tyre with a rasp.
I actually managed to do nearly 7,000 miles on that front tyre but wish I hadn't bothered as even when new it was only adequate.
The PR2 I replaced it with (the rear BT-021which was probably still good for another 2000 miles but replaced it anyways) was confidence inspiring right through it's life, wore pretty evenly, only started to feel mildly squirrely when it was approaching the wear bars and was replaced after 12,000 miles. The next PR2 front lasted 11k miles. Rears lasted about 7k miles.
My first PR3 was quite an eye opener. In the dry it feels like a PR2 but in the wet it is remarkable.
Decent mileage, predictable feel and grip, awesome wet grip. It's a no brainer for me.
As for those who stick with the OEM tyre, personally I think you are missing out, but it's your bike and your money.
I've never understood why someone would spend $$$$ on a powerful bike with awesome handling and then fit anything less than the best tyres available.