New Tires for 2014 GSA

[850GSASteve]

I am in the process of purchasing a 2014 GSA (6K miles) that has virtually new Continental TKC 70 tires on it and am thinking of replacing them with Michelin Pilot Road Trails. I do 90-95% road. I have heard that the Trails wear out quickly. In the past I have had both Tourance and Anakee III's on my GS bikes. Any feedback on the Trail's longevity would be appreciated or any other recommendations.
Steve

 

[t6pilot]

I would go with the michelins, any tire designed for off-road is going to wear faster on pavement do to tread design

 

[desmoderek]

I am in the process of purchasing a 2014 GSA (6K miles) that has virtually new Continental TKC 70 tires on it and am thinking of replacing them with Michelin Pilot Road Trails. I do 90-95% road. I have heard that the Trails wear out quickly. In the past I have had both Tourance and Anakee III's on my GS bikes. Any feedback on the Trail's longevity would be appreciated or any other recommendations.
Steve

I've used Pirelli Scorpion Trail and Trail II's on a Tiger Explorer for onroad only use and they have lasted 6000 miles front and back.
I've used PR4's on both a Ducati Hypermotard and a 2014 Multistrada and they are the best tyres I've had to date, very grippy, lots of feel in wet and dry and last 5000-7500 miles depending how hard you ride on them.
So far the Anakee III's are performing well, but the PR4's are better in my opinion, and if you're 100% dedicated to road riding they are tough to beat.

 

[850GSASteve]

Thanks for the input. It seems everyone likes the Michelin PR4's, I just want to make sure I don't burn up a set in 3-4K miles. It seems that the reviews are all over the board, some getting 10K miles and others 4K miles. I guess it is just a matter of your riding style. When I had the Anakee III's on my '07 GS I got 10K miles and there was plenty of tread left.

Steve

 

[lkraus]

I attended a seminar at the Hamburg rally on the Michelin Anakee Wild. The presenter said the PR4 Trail has the same tread and rubber as any other PR 4. The only difference is that the Trail is made in sizes to fit wheels common on adventure bikes.

 

[desmoderek]

I attended a seminar at the Hamburg rally on the Michelin Anakee Wild. The presenter said the PR4 Trail has the same tread and rubber as any other PR 4. The only difference is that the Trail is made in sizes to fit wheels common on adventure bikes.

That's true, and the GT has stiffer sidewalls to cope with heavily laden touring bikes.

 

[REDC650GT]

PR4's

3 sets have worn 6-8K and I knocked them off as a set, one or the other may have lasted longer but like to match for feel. I have used the trails on front and back but many like the GT on the rear and trail on the front of the GS/GSA. As others have stated these are great tires, best of luck with whatever you choose.

Chris

 

[Travman]

I attended a seminar at the Hamburg rally on the Michelin Anakee Wild. The presenter said the PR4 Trail has the same tread and rubber as any other PR 4. The only difference is that the Trail is made in sizes to fit wheels common on adventure bikes.

Perhaps the Michelin presenter should have read the Michelin marketing material on the tires. Apparently the tires differ in compound and percentage mix of hard to soft.