Triumphrat

tuk · 07-29-2007, 07:22 AM

OK, so a qualification before I rave. Everyone who fits new tyres will extol their virtues, rave about how good they are compared to what they had before and claim that THIS is the tyre for this bike.

I have just replaced the standard Bridgestone tyres on my '07, which I must admit I didn't like much and have fitted the new Michelin Pilot Roads 2. I have had Pilot Powers before on my previous bike (BMW) and I've read how much DaveM likes them but I've got to tell you, these tyres make a HUGE....HUGE difference.

I never felt completely confident with the Bridgestones - particularly with the front which didn't seem to grip as well as I'd like, but these things are awesome. Also, I don't know if this was just my riding style or not but at greater lean angles on slow speed corners, on the Bridgestones, the bike would suddenly dip like there was a mismatch between front and rear. Not so the Pilot Roads. It steers beautifully and I've instantly found myself getting over much further because I just trust them.

On open road, high speed twisties, they are just fantastic. I did a very quick 300km loop with some friends today and had more fun and felt more secure than I've felt before on this bike. In fact, a friend has the '06 Sprint and I was all over him today - so much so that he's thinking of fitting them too.

So the bottom line? I cannot recommend the new Michelin Pilot Roads 2 highly enough. Based on the last 3 years experience, I'd be hard pressed to recommend anything else.

I hope this helps anybody else thinking about tyres.

Cheers,

gavinb · 07-29-2007, 07:52 AM

Hi Tuk.
I have been running with Pilot Powers for the last 2 years and have been really happy with the grip but a bit heavy on wear. I intend changing to the new roads and am very interested in your comments. Please let us know how they handle in the wet and dry as well as how well they wear.
Cheers GavinB

bobw3592 · 07-29-2007, 09:46 AM

Great review. I don't care for the turn in on the Brickstones either. I have modified my riding with exagerated body position to compensate etc. I force myself to accept it's traits vs learn to enjoy it. The 020's have been ok in the rain and I have been so cautious on them in the mountains that they have lasted to approximately 5500 miles. I still have just shy of 1/2 inch chicken strip on the rear still and the front is showing some mild cupping so I don't feel like they allowed me to enjoy anything close to the bikes potential. Road2's are not available here yet so I will likely go with the Powers or "old" Roads.

Let us know how she wears them after a few miles.

Thanks
Bob

:

smegin · 07-29-2007, 09:52 AM

Tuk

I am running Pilot Roads at the moment, was thinking of going to the Pilot Road 2 at the next change (not to far of now 10,000klm on the Pilot Roads). I would be interested in hearing your opinion of the new tires after a few weeks of use.

jxs2151 · 07-29-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuk

OK, so a qualification before I rave. Everyone who fits new tyres will extol their virtues, rave about how good they are compared to what they had before and claim that THIS is the tyre for this bike.

I have just replaced the standard Bridgestone tyres on my '07, which I must admit I didn't like much and have fitted the new Michelin Pilot Roads 2. I have had Pilot Powers before on my previous bike (BMW) and I've read how much DaveM likes them but I've got to tell you, these tyres make a HUGE....HUGE difference.

I never felt completely confident with the Bridgestones - particularly with the front which didn't seem to grip as well as I'd like, but these things are awesome. Also, I don't know if this was just my riding style or not but at greater lean angles on slow speed corners, on the Bridgestones, the bike would suddenly dip like there was a mismatch between front and rear. Not so the Pilot Roads. It steers beautifully and I've instantly found myself getting over much further because I just trust them.

On open road, high speed twisties, they are just fantastic. I did a very quick 300km loop with some friends today and had more fun and felt more secure than I've felt before on this bike. In fact, a friend has the '06 Sprint and I was all over him today - so much so that he's thinking of fitting them too.

So the bottom line? I cannot recommend the new Michelin Pilot Roads 2 highly enough. Based on the last 3 years experience, I'd be hard pressed to recommend anything else.

I hope this helps anybody else thinking about tyres.

Cheers,

I had the exact same experience when I put the Pilot Roads on my last bike, a Honda 919 (Hornet)- my confidence level went through the roof. I felt invincible on those tires and the only place where I found their limit was at a track day, pushing really, really hard.

I am already trying hard to wear out the Bridgestones so I have a reason to put Michelins on my 06, just can't decide on the Pilot Roads or the Pilot Powers.

ricster · 07-29-2007, 10:22 AM

Thats been my experience to with the Michelins....huge improvement over the bridgestones. I think mfg's definetly cheat on alot of bikes to keep costs down on tires...but I would rather pay a bit more for the bike and have a proper tire fitted when brand new.

Ricster

scoobydoo · 07-29-2007, 10:29 AM

hi all
intresting post ,not many people say to much about the pirelli diablos not the corsas etc just the standard diablo i had them on my fazer 1000 and that transformed the bike has anybody tried them on the 1050 or has the tyre game gone on another level from the pirellis ????
any thoughts
ps i had goood milage from the pirellis to
cheers jason

ricster · 07-29-2007, 10:39 AM

I am wondering about the metzlers for tires on the sprint after the michelins...or I may just stay the michelin route. Any opinions on metzlers? Saw them on a Moto Guzzi they looked interesting.

TripleTime · 07-29-2007, 12:46 PM

Nice post, Tuk!

Hmmm... decisions, decisions... just when I thought I'd made up my mind to switch out to the Avon Storms, now a very positive review of the Pilot Road 2s. I've got plenty of wear left on the Brickstones but, man, they are anything but confidence inspiring... I think they gotta go. Probably can't go wrong with either the Storms or Roads but I would be very interested in hearing an update after you've had some time living with them.

Cheers,
Mark

noobcorpse · 07-29-2007, 02:29 PM

Thanks for the review. I have a set of Metzeler Sportec M3s going on my 07 this Tuesday, and I figure I'll put a good 3-4k on in a couple months.. By Oct/Nov. I should be ready for new tires, and I think I'm going to try the PR2's next.