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Color me confused!
What is the big gripe? That a manufacturer recommends a certain tire, but no others? I have been riding for 50 years and buy tires that fit, not what is recommended. I have neve looked at manufacturer's recommendations, just size, speed and weight spec's. Have we all gone crazy since the arrival of the internet?
Well if you have all those things that need your attention, you should not be replying to my post and paying attention to those things.
That is the problem with the world, complicity.
Just stand by and watch things happen and say oh "it does not raise a casual interest in me" well that is until it affects you Dude.
I have no "HAVE TO FIGHT" mentality but by no means will I be bent over when I am spending my money. It came too hard to me. Maybe you trust fund baby's can just say hey support corporate America no matter what.
If you think it is fair business practice and you like the company and it's product buy it for sure.
My POINT is the tire is rated to use on our bike. It is stamped on the sidewall and says it meets the criteria of speed, weight, and size. BUT NO. you need a more expensive version with the SAME stamps on them.
And there must be an echo here, as I said "I vote with your wallet", that does not imply I am in a "I'm outraged! We HAVE TO FIGHT!!! mental state." That means I do not support a business that I feel is ripping people off.
Maybe at my age I should not be surprised by corporate greed and consumers willingness to follow like sheep to the slaughter.
Here is some load rating data...
Where did you get those numbers?Here is some load rating data for the Michelin Pilot Road 4 and Road 5 tires, size 180/55ZR17
Pilot Road 4: load rating 55, 481 lbs. max weight
Pilot Road 4 GT: load rating 75, 853 lbs. max weight
Road 5: load rating 73, 805 lbs. max weight
Cheers, Cap
Increased stability for GT bikes
On your own or with a passenger, the new MICHELIN 2AT Technology will ensure you feel totally safe on the straights and when cornering on your GT bike, even when heavily loaded. With their revolutionary structure, MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 GT tyres provide solidity and comfort so they're perfect for long journeys.
Where did you get those numbers?
On their web site, Michelin rates the Pilot Road 4, 4 GT and Road 5 for the rear tire at a load rating of 73 or 805 pounds. (180/55 ZR17 73W)
The front tire, Pilot Road 4, 4 GT and Road 5, have also the same load rating of 58 or 520 pounds. (120/70 ZR17 58W)
Those are the sizes that fit the R1200RT LC.
The only tire with a 75 load rating is the 190/55 ZR17 75W which fits the K1600GT and GTL.
The question nobody has answered, here or elsewhere, is why does Michelin recommend a GT spec tire for the RT-LC if the non GT and the GT Spec have the same weight rating?
The only cue on their site is this:
The question nobody has answered, here or elsewhere, is why does Michelin recommend a GT spec tire for the RT-LC if the non GT and the GT Spec have the same weight rating?
The only cue on their site is this:
Increased stability for GT bikes
On your own or with a passenger, the new MICHELIN 2AT Technology will ensure you feel totally safe on the straights and when cornering on your GT bike, even when heavily loaded. With their revolutionary structure, MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 GT tyres provide solidity and comfort so they're perfect for long journeys.
How would any one here know the real reason why it says that? Maybe Michelin in some highly secret meeting decided to put it there to screw with customer's heads. Perhaps Michelin feels it is a better tire for the reasons mentioned above. You could call Michelin for us and find out! That still doesn't say you can not run motocross knobbies if you like. Pretty much all manufacturers will make some claim why some tire is the best. It certainly doesn't mean other tires will not work too.
Personally, I could care less which tire they recommend. I would put more faith in what is said on internet groups as to what rider's have experienced with various tires.
I actually asked Michelin about a year ago and got this vague non-answer... (and I did ask about the PR5 vs PR4GT, not the PR4 vs the PR4GT)
View attachment 73247
I later heard (and I'm sorry that I can't cite the source) that the actual reason is "handling at the limit". I'm not sure what this is the limit of, however. The limit of adhesion? The limit of how loaded the motorcycle is? The limit of the rider's skills? At least its more of an answer than "GT motorcycles require GT Tires".
As I read that, the max tire capacity is 739 lbs. The whole weight of the bike is not all on one tire. Right?
I ride solo and don't carry much weight usually.
I went with the ContiRoadAttack 3 since last summer and been very happy with them.