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Michelin Pilot Road 2s make this bike
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texanrt
New member
There's a Interact Z6 tire review in the Spring issue of the IBA mag -- the writer gave them an thumbs down for LD riding because there aren't any rain channels along the center of the (rear) tire unlike the PR2 (which he prefers). His concern is that as the tire wears and the tire's center flattens, the lack of rain channels could increase the chance for hydroplaning.
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1analguy
Guest
I just replaced my OE Z6s at 12k (they would probably have done 15k) with PR2s. I guess I ride like an old man compared to most of you, though a lot of my riding is two-up and neither of us is a "hummingbird". The only big difference that I've noticed is that the PR2s are always blissfully quiet, whereas that front Z6 would just howl and buzz whenever the bike was turning. Also, though to a much lesser degree, the PR2s seem to ride a bit smoother...
Pilot Road 2
I have used Pilot Road 1 & now 2's on my R1100R, and R1200R for over 300,000 miles. They're the best. Texas has rougher road survaces than most states. I change the rear tire at 10k and the front every 15k, my new 2010 R1200R came with Metzeler Roadtec Z-6, I can't wait to wear them out. Probably at 8K. I don't feel near as confident in the corners with them, and they're not near as stable in the rain.
I have used Pilot Road 1 & now 2's on my R1100R, and R1200R for over 300,000 miles. They're the best. Texas has rougher road survaces than most states. I change the rear tire at 10k and the front every 15k, my new 2010 R1200R came with Metzeler Roadtec Z-6, I can't wait to wear them out. Probably at 8K. I don't feel near as confident in the corners with them, and they're not near as stable in the rain.
T
Toadmanor
Guest
Well with 9550 miles on my 2009 R1200RT today I installed Pilot Road 2's. Only have 22 miles on them so how the heck do I know what they will be like. I don't know what was on my bike but it was the original equipment tire.
I was disappointed that at 9000 miles I could see the cords of the rear tire. My cruisers always got about 12,000 per tire.
We will see what happens above these PR2's. I can't imagine feeling slip like some say here.
You are kidding right?
I was disappointed that at 9000 miles I could see the cords of the rear tire. My cruisers always got about 12,000 per tire.
We will see what happens above these PR2's. I can't imagine feeling slip like some say here.
You are kidding right?
H
Harrington
Guest
It probably depends how hard you ride it. The RT will corner a lot harder than a cruiser. You'll probably never slip at all if you just take it easy. If you wick it up expect to have a few pucker moments.
deilenberger
A bozo on the bus
I was a big fan of the PR2 when I first got them. Even considering the maxim that new tires always feel better then worn out tires - they seemed to have outstanding grip both dry and wet, and a very neutral handling (turn-in, cornering, etc..)
I'm on my 2nd set and am much less enamored of them then I was. They DO seem to be a long mileage tire. I ran the first set about 11k miles, and the current set is at about 7k now. Problem is - and it's not just me - other people have had the same experience: starting around 3,000 miles on them - ridges seem to build up where the transition point is from hard center rubber to the softer edge rubber. On the front tire - that's about 1" out from center (perhaps a bit less) on the rear tire - about 1.25"-1.50" The ridge also seems to wear unevenly, more like cupping in reverse (higher parts are on the forward part of the rubber blocks between sipes) - making for a lumpy ridge.
The ridge becomes quite noticeable in cornering, and does away with the confidence inspiring feel the tires initially have. I've taken to grinding down the ridges every 2,000 miles or so using a belt-sander (used at an angle so it slowly spins the wheel while sanding off the rubber.)
Does everyone experience this? I don't think so - people who live in the land of curves may not - their regular cornering may be enough to keep the ridges under control... but enough other riders have commented to me, or complained in a forum - that it is apparently not uncommon. I thought it might be tire pressure (I run BMW's recommended pressure) - but other people running considerably higher pressure experienced the same thing.
By about 10,000 miles on my first set - the front ridge had gotten bad enough that the tire literally howled when riding at speed.. it was scary loud even with earplugs on.
I'm looking forward to trying the new Conti Road-Attack-2 tire when it finally reaches the US. It supposedly has a continuously variable density tread rubber, so there may not be a problem with uneven wear due to differences in hardness.
Love the PR2's new - if I wanted a dedicated set of tires for track days I can't think of much better.. but if you live in a land where roads are straight (I have about 4 actual "curves" in the road on the way to work, and about 10 right/left corners.. other then that - straight - the great feeling really doesn't last all that long.
I'm on my 2nd set and am much less enamored of them then I was. They DO seem to be a long mileage tire. I ran the first set about 11k miles, and the current set is at about 7k now. Problem is - and it's not just me - other people have had the same experience: starting around 3,000 miles on them - ridges seem to build up where the transition point is from hard center rubber to the softer edge rubber. On the front tire - that's about 1" out from center (perhaps a bit less) on the rear tire - about 1.25"-1.50" The ridge also seems to wear unevenly, more like cupping in reverse (higher parts are on the forward part of the rubber blocks between sipes) - making for a lumpy ridge.
The ridge becomes quite noticeable in cornering, and does away with the confidence inspiring feel the tires initially have. I've taken to grinding down the ridges every 2,000 miles or so using a belt-sander (used at an angle so it slowly spins the wheel while sanding off the rubber.)
Does everyone experience this? I don't think so - people who live in the land of curves may not - their regular cornering may be enough to keep the ridges under control... but enough other riders have commented to me, or complained in a forum - that it is apparently not uncommon. I thought it might be tire pressure (I run BMW's recommended pressure) - but other people running considerably higher pressure experienced the same thing.
By about 10,000 miles on my first set - the front ridge had gotten bad enough that the tire literally howled when riding at speed.. it was scary loud even with earplugs on.
I'm looking forward to trying the new Conti Road-Attack-2 tire when it finally reaches the US. It supposedly has a continuously variable density tread rubber, so there may not be a problem with uneven wear due to differences in hardness.
Love the PR2's new - if I wanted a dedicated set of tires for track days I can't think of much better.. but if you live in a land where roads are straight (I have about 4 actual "curves" in the road on the way to work, and about 10 right/left corners.. other then that - straight - the great feeling really doesn't last all that long.
hjsbmw
New member
Anything wrong with getting an original Pilot Road for my R1200R's rear, just because they are inexpensive, $125 for a 180/55-17? They are one-compound tires, I believe. So they shouldn't have the problem with creating ridges, but I am sure they have other problems, just like any other tire.
rad
Retired from riding
Could be.
My daily commute is two lane narrow mountain twisties and I also do my share of slab type tours and I have not had a problem with this.
I ran two or three sets on my VFR and I'm about 4K into a set on my RT.
PR2's
Mounted up a set of PR2's about 1800 miles ago. Tire wear good so far and much quieter than the Z6's that came on my '09 RT,but I must say I love the way the Z6's felt in the twisty's ! Got 7000 miles on the Metzlers, including a BRP trip. Not bad for a big bike. The PR2's definitly have a different feel to them. Running 36/38 psi and have no complaints so far. Time will tell.
Mounted up a set of PR2's about 1800 miles ago. Tire wear good so far and much quieter than the Z6's that came on my '09 RT,but I must say I love the way the Z6's felt in the twisty's ! Got 7000 miles on the Metzlers, including a BRP trip. Not bad for a big bike. The PR2's definitly have a different feel to them. Running 36/38 psi and have no complaints so far. Time will tell.
deilenberger
A bozo on the bus
Just to throw the proverbail clinker in the fire.. I'm waiting on the Conti RA-2's, but also considering as an interim tire Pirelli Angel ST's. Thing I found - there are two different 180/55-70's - one that is rated "2 ply" one with "no rating", and I've seen reference to an "E" for the rear also (I believe it's the same as the 2-ply which costs more..)
Anyone have an idea what the E/2-ply is for? I'm guessing it's a heavy duty rear tire for heavier bikes, but wonder if my R12R falls into the heavy classification..? I went to the US website which doesn't even list the Angel (it is for sale in the US - SWMOTOTIRE has it.. as does Amazon..) and the Italian site gives no details, and has no fitiment guide. Michelin does do a MUCH better website.. as does Conti.
Anyone have an idea what the E/2-ply is for? I'm guessing it's a heavy duty rear tire for heavier bikes, but wonder if my R12R falls into the heavy classification..? I went to the US website which doesn't even list the Angel (it is for sale in the US - SWMOTOTIRE has it.. as does Amazon..) and the Italian site gives no details, and has no fitiment guide. Michelin does do a MUCH better website.. as does Conti.
cookie
Jeff
Oh say it aint so Don. You have always been a proponent of the PR2s'.
Speaking of which, I have about 1500 miles on this set and still love them and boy are they quiet and smooth. I used a cheap digital pressure guage and adjusted the pressure down to the correct specs. On the way to work I asked myself what the heck is wrong with the bike? Do I have a flat tire? I pulled over and checked them OK. Got to work and checked again with a stick guage, I was about 7-8 lbs light. I threw away the digital. Now I know what to look for when the bike gets squirly.
Speaking of which, I have about 1500 miles on this set and still love them and boy are they quiet and smooth. I used a cheap digital pressure guage and adjusted the pressure down to the correct specs. On the way to work I asked myself what the heck is wrong with the bike? Do I have a flat tire? I pulled over and checked them OK. Got to work and checked again with a stick guage, I was about 7-8 lbs light. I threw away the digital. Now I know what to look for when the bike gets squirly.
I've found similar issues. I put a new set of P2's on before the 3 Flags Classic Ride in Sept/2010 and have put about 7000 miles on them since. Lots of twisties on this years ride but also a lot of interstate ( 2000 miles or so on return trip. ) Still lots of tread in the middle, but it is wearing flat on both front & back. Front has developed ridges on the left side of the tire similar to what's described above. Rear is similar but less. I don't notice any real difference at speed, but doing a low speed left turn will introduce a vibration into the bike. It's coming from both the front & rear tire. The previous tires where a mixed set, with a Metzler on the front & dunlop on the rear. The Metzler had many more miles with no abnormal wear. I'll be trying a different set of tires next year.
steveaikens
Proud Veteran
This is an interesting thread. I'm running the first set of PR2's on my R12RT. They have just short of 7,000 miles on them. At this point, there's only a very minor flattening of the rear center. The squaring off at the edges is difficult to notice but can be felt by hand. It's really minor.
I did notice a while back that the front seemed to be exhibiting some cupping but ditched the factory pressures and went to 42/42 about 3,000 miles ago.
The indications of cupping are now no longer evident and front wear seems to be now following the same wear characteristic as the rear, though not flattening the same. The wear is even on both sides and the separation of the hard to soft compunds is clearly evident.
At this point, I'm not experiencing any ill handling effects and am still quite pleased with the wear of this set of tires. They're both handling and wearing like day a night of the Z6's that were on the bike when I got it.
I did notice a while back that the front seemed to be exhibiting some cupping but ditched the factory pressures and went to 42/42 about 3,000 miles ago.
The indications of cupping are now no longer evident and front wear seems to be now following the same wear characteristic as the rear, though not flattening the same. The wear is even on both sides and the separation of the hard to soft compunds is clearly evident.
At this point, I'm not experiencing any ill handling effects and am still quite pleased with the wear of this set of tires. They're both handling and wearing like day a night of the Z6's that were on the bike when I got it.
G
GREGFUESS
Guest
Put it to a vote
I would love to see a vote by motorcycle category (airhead, oil head, brick, wedge) regarding the most tires. Motorcycle Consumer News has a preference for Avons, but they haven't tested the most recent Storm 2 Ultra's, and haven't tried them on lots of different types of motorcycles.
We did a vote on the names of the new 6 cylinder BMW motorcycle, which was fun. A vote on tires by motorcycle type would be fun, but also very informative for folks who do not have the opportunity to test lots of tires.
Food for thought. I do not know how to set a vote up, or what level of authority is required on the forum to allow such a thing.
I would love to see a vote by motorcycle category (airhead, oil head, brick, wedge) regarding the most tires. Motorcycle Consumer News has a preference for Avons, but they haven't tested the most recent Storm 2 Ultra's, and haven't tried them on lots of different types of motorcycles.
We did a vote on the names of the new 6 cylinder BMW motorcycle, which was fun. A vote on tires by motorcycle type would be fun, but also very informative for folks who do not have the opportunity to test lots of tires.
Food for thought. I do not know how to set a vote up, or what level of authority is required on the forum to allow such a thing.
X
xrstrider
Guest
The one aspect that no one has mentioned is that suspension setup plays a significant role in tire performance, wear characteristics and grip. After all the #1 purpose of suspension is to keep the tires on the road. Keeping your arse's comfortable is actually secondary.
For the guy who mentioned, adding a couple lbs of PSI prevented the tire from slipping... That symptom is a result of rear rebound being too fast (or hard or tight... terminology with suspension tuning can be tricky). Now, of course, if you don't have the ability to make that adjustment then you're left with no other choice.
If you've got high mileage on stock suspension and experience funky wear characteristics, loss of traction, radical changes in handling from one tire to another, you really should consider a suspension upgrade. Most of those symptoms will subside.
For the guy who mentioned, adding a couple lbs of PSI prevented the tire from slipping... That symptom is a result of rear rebound being too fast (or hard or tight... terminology with suspension tuning can be tricky). Now, of course, if you don't have the ability to make that adjustment then you're left with no other choice.
If you've got high mileage on stock suspension and experience funky wear characteristics, loss of traction, radical changes in handling from one tire to another, you really should consider a suspension upgrade. Most of those symptoms will subside.
08 RT here......Z6's from new. They lasted about 6500 miles. I ride a lot of straight roads, not many twisties down here. Cupping began @ 2K and got very aggravating near the end. Ran 36/40 psi.
Tried a set of Conti Road attacks. Sticky tire, had great roll out in the turns, but the straight riding started taking a toll on the tires real fast. Also had some kind of harmonic feel to the bike that I just could not get rid of. Finally removed them after not feeling comfortable with them.
Present set is PR2's. Loved them from the start. Took about 200 miles to get them broken in then they felt wonderful in the turns. Slight cupping began about 3K, but did not progress as fast as the Z6's. 6K on the tires now, humming from the cups, but really does not bother me yet. I bumped the pressure up to 38/42 from 36/40 for a trip on the BRP. Seemed to have scrubbed the "bumps" down. Tires performed well and wear as far as the center is awesome!.
Not sure what to install next. Unless I can get numerous comments on no cupping and humming from a good wearing tire I am pretty sure I am going back to PR2's.
Just thought I would add my experiences.
Tried a set of Conti Road attacks. Sticky tire, had great roll out in the turns, but the straight riding started taking a toll on the tires real fast. Also had some kind of harmonic feel to the bike that I just could not get rid of. Finally removed them after not feeling comfortable with them.
Present set is PR2's. Loved them from the start. Took about 200 miles to get them broken in then they felt wonderful in the turns. Slight cupping began about 3K, but did not progress as fast as the Z6's. 6K on the tires now, humming from the cups, but really does not bother me yet. I bumped the pressure up to 38/42 from 36/40 for a trip on the BRP. Seemed to have scrubbed the "bumps" down. Tires performed well and wear as far as the center is awesome!.
Not sure what to install next. Unless I can get numerous comments on no cupping and humming from a good wearing tire I am pretty sure I am going back to PR2's.
Just thought I would add my experiences.
baldwookie
New member
Rain tread on rear tire
Texan RT posted:There's a Interact Z6 tire review in the Spring issue of the IBA mag -- the writer gave them an thumbs down for LD riding because there aren't any rain channels along the center of the (rear) tire unlike the PR2 (which he prefers). His concern is that as the tire wears and the tire's center flattens, the lack of rain channels could increase the chance for hydroplaning.
My buddy just got Interacts on his bike and was worried about the same issue. Im surprised someone whom wrote an article didnt really research something before posting publishing.
Hydroplanning happens when the front tire rides up on water it cant cut thru. Higher tire pressures increase a vehicle speed before hydroplanning starts. (I really dont totally understand this- but learned it when I became a Accident reconstructionist-a no fun school)
The rear tire- when bike is going straight has already had the water seperated by the front tire. Thus rain grooves really dont do much when bike is straight. As soon a a bike starts a turn the rear tire is offset from the front- needing the rain grooves- but at that time you are into a lean-and have them.
Im taking an guess that the Metzler engineers sorta had that figured out when they designed the tire- knowing it would be ridden in the rain a bunch.
I really believe that grooves in the center of the tire are there more to make us feel better.
Any tire engineers out there not agree? Please let me know before I buy tires in next couple of weeks!!
Texan RT posted:There's a Interact Z6 tire review in the Spring issue of the IBA mag -- the writer gave them an thumbs down for LD riding because there aren't any rain channels along the center of the (rear) tire unlike the PR2 (which he prefers). His concern is that as the tire wears and the tire's center flattens, the lack of rain channels could increase the chance for hydroplaning.
My buddy just got Interacts on his bike and was worried about the same issue. Im surprised someone whom wrote an article didnt really research something before posting publishing.
Hydroplanning happens when the front tire rides up on water it cant cut thru. Higher tire pressures increase a vehicle speed before hydroplanning starts. (I really dont totally understand this- but learned it when I became a Accident reconstructionist-a no fun school)
The rear tire- when bike is going straight has already had the water seperated by the front tire. Thus rain grooves really dont do much when bike is straight. As soon a a bike starts a turn the rear tire is offset from the front- needing the rain grooves- but at that time you are into a lean-and have them.
Im taking an guess that the Metzler engineers sorta had that figured out when they designed the tire- knowing it would be ridden in the rain a bunch.
I really believe that grooves in the center of the tire are there more to make us feel better.
Any tire engineers out there not agree? Please let me know before I buy tires in next couple of weeks!!
I have one PR2 on the front, ME880 on the back of my 1150RT. I loved the PR2 when new...It stuck like glue from day one.
However, it's NOISY at 6K miles and isn't wearing evenly, possibly at the compound change seam. I'll have to recheck it. Would I buy it again? Still deciding. I'm wondering what set of PR2s would be like if they were spin balanced rather than the mix I'm currently running with Dyna Beads.
However, it's NOISY at 6K miles and isn't wearing evenly, possibly at the compound change seam. I'll have to recheck it. Would I buy it again? Still deciding. I'm wondering what set of PR2s would be like if they were spin balanced rather than the mix I'm currently running with Dyna Beads.
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