12RT Hexhead tyre question

[Wrigsby1]

Yip, I know this has been on the round for a while but here are a few questions for those who have tried some different brands...

I have a 07 12RT fitted with PR3's... Great tyres for wet weather, OK but fairly slow handling tyres, not overy natural to roll into quicker corners... Wear purely average...

In the 1150RT days I found they were very brand/profile specific... Bridgestone were the quickest handling... Mich/Dunlop average, Metz v slow... Obviously the brand characterisitcs have changed and this is also a different bike...

So who has found a pretty quick steering tyre, decent allround grip and reasonable wear...? And what is it...?

I have read a few tyre threads but most of the comments are referring to different "wants" so making it hard to pin down what is what... Apart form the present slow higher speed handling I like the 12RT... although I can understand why some folk didn't like it as much as the 1150's as its not got the same easy balance of the older bikes... I have played with the pressures as well...

Cheers in advance...

 

[Wrigsby1]

Self answer again... It's down to a choice of a few... Openeo has Angel ST's at £136 a set... PR2's at £147... RS1's at £148, 023's with GT rear at 157, RS2's and my presently fitted PR3's at £170 and PR4's at £181... I fit and balance myself...

Any opinions regarding rear tyre wear and fairly quick steering...?? My PR3's are excellent in the wet, good enough in the dry except the lack "bite" and are a bit on the slow side steering wise... Also I am struggling to get more that 3-3.5k miles out of the rear with all over wear and the front is going to get about 5-6k. The roads up here are a bit "sharp" and the lower ambient temp may be a factor... Opinions invited...

 

[Wrigsby1]

I'm getting good at replying to my own thread...!

023 GT's... Hopefully a few more miles and a bit quicker steering... I usually like Bridgestone as long as it's not their piss poor GS tyres...

 

[Martyn H]

Conti Road Attack 2 Evo

 

[Malcvtr]

I've never had the slow steering problem you've experienced with the PR3s. I know you said you've played with tyre pressures, so that's that, but, just for the record, 36/42 works for me. This is the problem with all tyre threads: one man's meat is another man's poison. Good luck with your search for a tyre that ticks all your boxes

 

[dr nosh]

BT 023 for me. (2013 1200RT).

Better mileage than BT021 (original fit), estimate 1500 - 2000 miles more (still running on bike so final figure not known yet), have not 'squared' off so quickly, and are less twitchy on lines, and crossing different tarmac surfaces. (ie, Off the edge of road patches).

Will probably replace with 023 again.

Just my views. Other tyre types are available

 

[Blackal]

I think any Pilot Road 2 tyres - will be fairly old stock.


Of all the sports/touring tyres - I reckon Dunlop Roadsmart will be the quickest turn-in.

Al

 

[Wrigsby1]

Thanks all of you for the replies... I just wanted a bit of user feedback... I plumped for 023GT's as a change... The PR3's are fine but strangely are not as good in the dry as I expected... In the wet they are excellent but in the dry they are a bit vague as you push it a bit... It may be the roads up here are too cold but I have had a couple of loose moments rather than getting "bitey"... The front has been slower steering especially after 1/3 wear, the wear is even... The rear has worn fine as well but even with the 36/42 pressures, it still is slower to turn...

I'm not saying really slow to turn.... You needed R1150's/K1200RS's with MEZ's to really know sloooowwww steering... Like fighting a reluctant mule... I thought KRS's were really shite until I rode one on the older Bridgestones... A transformation...

 

[Our Gee]

Just to add my two pence worth. I stopped supporting Michelin after running two consecutive pairs of Pilot Road Two. Hated them. Tread Grooves cupped badly and they howled awfully at any angle off the vertical. Next I was introduced to Continental as there was a special deal on pairs of Road Attacks at the time. Brilliant tyre, stacks of dry grip, "enough" wet grip and a super comfy compliant ride. Three pairs of Conti's followed. Next there was a deal on Dunlop Roadsmarts (The Original) so I gave them a go. Good all round tyre. never had a grip "moment", wears better than the Conti but not quite as comfy a ride. Never tried the Conti Evo so that mat be an option next time. I use two Roadsmart "rears" to one front on the RT and change them well before the "wear indicators" are reached. As regards "quick steering" I do appreciate that we all have different requirements but this would be well down my list of must haves. For a relatively heavy tourer I need Grip, Good wear rate and pattern and a nice comfy ride. Just might go back to the Conti again !!.

 

[dr nosh]

BT 023 for me. (2013 1200RT).

Better mileage than BT021 (original fit), estimate 1500 - 2000 miles more (still running on bike so final figure not known yet), have not 'squared' off so quickly, and are less twitchy on lines, and crossing different tarmac surfaces. (ie, Off the edge of road patches).

Will probably replace with 023 again.

Just my views. Other tyre types are available

Just changed the tyres today.

Original fit BT021. 9,000 miles. Squared off quite quickly. Tramlined very easily (too easily...me no likey)

BT023 GT. 11,780 miles. Did square off but not to the same extent. Virtually no tramlining.

Pictures in 'Picture of the Day'.

 

[busy builder]

I've ordered a new rear PR4 instead of a PR4 GT for my LC RT as I think the GT is too stiff, I don't ride with a pillion and only have panniers on once or twice a year. My current GT's have squared off at 4,000 miles but could be down to our Highland rough roads.

I was talking to a couple of German tourists a few weeks ago, they think our roads are very tyre wearing compared to the continent.

I loved the old PR3, very good tyres, no problem with turn in.

 

[Wrigsby1]

I've ordered a new rear PR4 instead of a PR4 GT for my LC RT as I think the GT is too stiff, I don't ride with a pillion and only have panniers on once or twice a year. My current GT's have squared off at 4,000 miles but could be down to our Highland rough roads.

I was talking to a couple of German tourists a few weeks ago, they think our roads are very tyre wearing compared to the continent.

I loved the old PR3, very good tyres, no problem with turn in.

I fitted the BT23GT's and have added a couple of thousand miles since... They are definitely more neutral steering and less noisy that the PR3's and hold a higher speed corner without any drama... They seem good enough in the wet as well and they have had a lot of wet for sure...

Re the roads being more wearing... The roads up here in Shetland seem the same... The road temp is never more than cold, the tyres never more that warm and being generally lightly worn and with course chips, seem harder on wear...