Sorting Tire Preferences

[Boxer04]

Hi All,

I have had three sets of Pilot Road. They seem to me to be good in all weathers and give good mileage (17,000+km for a set so far; 13,000 from one rear when I picked up a nail!)

DJ - I have noticed your pics of your PR2's and your comments - look good to me. I will be keen to try to get a set when I need tyres next.

[Just-Beeming]

I'm on my third set of Pilot Roads. A fourth set due after my next trip.
Happy? I guess so. I have nothing to compare to but they perform well and come recomended by my mechanic and other riders.


JB

[Paul Mihalka]

None of the above. On my dear departed '02 R1150R I rode 70K miles on Metzeler ME880 and was very happy with them.

[MikeCam]

Particular long riders prefer ME880.

[telliott]

wncbmw....same with me on Z6 mileage. Must have something to do with southern roads.

04 Black

I'm with both of you on the Z6 mileage! Not good and I think the rear was way too slick. I could lock the rear brake way too easily and it only lasted 5k.

I switched to the Pilot Road and so far love it. Rear brake is now more usable, still locks easily but not unexpectedly and I only changed the tire.

I'll go to the PR2's next time.

[wncbmw]

I need to clarify something about mileage on tires. Some of you seem to think I was critical of the Z6 mileage. I was saying I don't get more than 7K out of any tire! I think is is more to do with the twisty time and the hard aggregate (stone) used in asphalt and 'chip and seal' roads around here.

Could have something to do with my right hand also!

[Biff's R]

No Vann, It has everything to do with the roads.

[duke]

I will have the Strada any day.

OEM were Metz Sportec M3 (sport road, not sport touring). Grippy, but wore out in 4.2 k miles. And near the end cornering was hearth-in-mouth experience when wet on most of the London greasy corners.

Set of Stradas - as grippy as they get, good feel while banked, scrubbed them even deeper than the Sportec (could be profile mind you). Shame I got 2 nails 5 inches apart in the rear when I had it for 400 miles. 2.5k miles later - and they look as good as new.

If the new Pilot Road 2 CT proves popular - I may try that too.

[DSKYZD]

Moving to the Rockster forum for a while.

[MikeCam]

Once this poll reaches significance and really wears down, we plan to move the results to the FAQ for reference.

[\\Mike_Lea//]

I'm using Stradas which have been fantastic so far...

Fitted just before a trip over to Spain/France/Andorra; all through the twistie goodness of the Pyrenees.

Performed faultlessly in all weathers, can't fault 'em

M

[GTR350cc]

"The general consensus on the various BMW boards is that the Bridgestone BT020's are one of the best all around tires for bigger, heavier bikes. They tend to square off quickly, but are still good all around tires. There is also consensus that there are better choices than the BT020's.

The Z6 seem better for grip and handling than the BT020's, but many claim they feel squirmy on some surfaces. They are poorly performing tires on tar snakes, some report. Many, however, do like the Z6's better than the BT020's. Grip seems better with the Metzler's.

A favorite is the Pilot Road. Many on the boards who tried all three tires on the same bike found the Pilot Roads to be the best for mileage, handling, and grip/confidence. These are a wonderful tire in any situation from dry, wet, hot, cold, aggressive riding to commuting around. The Pilot Road is a great tire."

Excerpted from around the boards.

[OU812]

Stradas are the only front tires I have seen that don't "cup". I like mine after 1k miles. Time will tell.

[Biff's R]

Stradas are the only front tires I have seen that don't "cup". I like mine after 1k miles. Time will tell.

I am on my 3rd set of pilot roads, and have had no front tire cupping issues on the first 2(3rd was mounted yesterday). I have been amazed at how evenly they wore. 8700 miles on the front and still as smooth as a babies bum, unfortunately they were at the wear bars.

[DSKYZD]

Moved to K1200R Forum

[MikeCam]

Current Best Prices (US) Internet prices including shipping.

F/R set 120/70ZR17 180/55ZR17

SW Moto http://swmototires.com
Bridgestone BT020 $212
Pirelli Diablo Strada 240
Metzeler M1 250
Michelin Pilot Road 255
Metzeler Z6 265
Metzeler ME 880 275 (VR rating only)
Michelin Pilot Road2 290


Tire Express http://www.tireexpress.com
Continental Road Attack $237
Avon Storm 245

[Biff's R]

I wish I had waited a week, and I would have bought a Pilot Road 2 front tire. I got the PR 1 at Iron Pony for $150 mounted, balanced, and taxed. I also got a free t shirt. I think it was $116 for the tire.

[riceburner]

Once this poll reaches significance and really wears down, we plan to move the results to the FAQ for reference.

Moved to K1200R Forum

Can I just point out that having the tyre preferences for two VERY different bikes in the same poll will effectively nullify it's usefulness?

The K is a monster-powered road-raping missile, with the Duolever fork system, and an inline 4 engine which produces a turbine-like smooth power delivery.

The R/Rockster is, despite weighing a similar amount, a very different beast, the power delivery is lumpier, and far less, and it has Telelever.


For two VERY different bikes I believe the tyre choices, and tyre experiences, and suitable tyres will be very different, and quite possibly incompatible. Tyres that suit the K will very likely not match the tastes of the same rider on the other bike.

The poll should be split in two - one for the K, and one for the R if it is to be of any use as a reference source.

[MikeCam]

Good points. Using the word 'significance' is a mistake.

In retrospect, if we wanted to really have data about best tires for each model, we'd have to set it up differently. Since self-reported polls are virtually unusable as hard data and are best suited for general information, I believe that what we have gathered is useful to show user preferences.

That is a good starting point for someone seeking to decide what tire to buy.