Best Road Biased Tyres??

[Nick V]

My '13 R1200GS started out with Tourance Nexts.
Good feel, great mileage. (Can't comment on wet-weather performance as I had them on in the middle of winter, and Gauteng winters are bone-dry.)

When the rear TN finally gave in, the front still had at least another 10 000 Km left on it, so I kept it.
However, I couldn't find a replacement rear at the time. I went for PR4s.

It's been pretty much as everyone here has said already. Outstanding grip wet or dry (They are probably the very best tyres for wet weather use I have ever had - aquaplaning over even deep puddles at speed has ceased to be an issue). They warm up fast. Very manoeuverable and confidence-inspiring.
I would hazard a guess that if you like to cane your GS around a track, these are the hot choice.
Downsides? They wear like race tyres (35% less mileage than the TNs), they pick up punctures like crazy (seven in two months on my rear tyre), and on certain tarmac surfaces the front tyre makes a moaning sound like a worn wheel bearing.

My next set of tyres will consist of my pre-used front TN and a brand-new rear equivalent (already paid for and waiting at the tyre dealer).

 

[MerrickCampbell]

My understanding is that tourance next are not on the approved list anymore. So new bike will come with either anakee 3 or Conti Trail attack.

My dealer has said he will happily fit the tyres of my choice (and as I have experience of noisy and fast to square off anakees) I think I will try trail attack. I think they are trail attack2 evo Y/N?

Any feedback on the choice I am faced with would be appreciated. Its a 15 bike, for delivery March 2nd! Can't wait.

Another thing I don't know if the dealer will fit Pilot road 4's of course!

Cheers

Merrick

 

[David Ryan]

If you go for the PR4 the best combo is the GT rear and trail front.
Get them here.
http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/motorbike-tyres/michelin/pilot-road-4-trail/

Interesting comment. What is the difference between the GT and the Trail tyre?
I am about to order a set of PR4's and would like to get it right first time!

 

[CPJS]

I copied this from Carol Nash's site


The tyres come in three variants – the regular Road 4, for regular sports tourers over 600CC; the Road 4 GT for larger machines; and the Road 4 Trail for heavy, high torque trail riding touring bikes. We didn’t test the Trail but the differences between each tyre are mainly the way the dual compound is laid out across the width of the tyre, the softness of the compound used and the carcass technology – explained later in this review.



Tread pattern - 2CT (Dual Compound Technology)

The standard and GT versions have the same tread layout, with the front offering a wide 40% band of medium compound across the middle and 20% of soft compound on the shoulders. The rear sports a hard compound across 20% of the middle to help with longevity and the medium compound covering 40% each side of this. The trail version is the same front and rear, with a 60% band of medium compound across the middle and 20% of soft compound on the shoulders. It all makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

 

[David Ryan]

Great ! Thanks. It does make sense! One assumes that the carcass construction is different on the GT and the TRAIL, compared to the REGULAR as well.
I went on Michelin's website and couldn't find any of this useful info!
I sent them an email but have yet to hear back!

 

[yankeedoodledandy]

My understanding is that tourance next are not on the approved list anymore. So new bike will come with either anakee 3 or Conti Trail attack. My dealer has said he will happily fit the tyres of my choice (and as I have experience of noisy and fast to square off anakees) I think I will try trail attack. I think they are trail attack2 evo Y/N?
Any feedback on the choice I am faced with would be appreciated. Its a 15 bike, for delivery March 2nd! Can't wait.

I've run all 3 brands of the OEM tires. The Anakees are better offroad if that matters to you. My OEM TA2 were really good on tarmac, a bit light-steering, lasted 8k miles, but are expensive, so I tried the others afterwards. Anakees were almost as good on-road, better off road, but a rear tire puncture at 5500 miles led to early removal (now they are my backup pair). The Nexts are cheapest to buy, but only have a few thousand so far, so jury is still out on longevity. Nexts handling and grip (tarmac and gravel) seem as good as the TA2. I think I'm getting more road feel from the Nexts, although that could also be my imagination now that I've had the GS for a couple of years.

I have not tried the PR4 yet, but it doesn't sound like the mileage tradeoff for increased grip (not to mention the price, on the high side) will be worth it for me unless I'm doing a track day. I've been able to go as fast as I want, rain or shine, while street riding on any of the OEM tires.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

No one has mentioned the Pirelli road angel GT yet

got good write ups from the press and last i looked were considerably cheaper than PR4s

Anyone tried them ?

My personal choice is the PR4 as i have used them before on the last bike and am waiting to wear out the Anakees so i can fit some

 

[Zx9man]

So far I am very happy with my pr4

 

[FBF]

The Roadsmarts are very good. I currently have Bridgstone Battlax T30s as they seems better suited to touring than the Dunlop and are easier to find. Never liked the look of the PR4 and they're expensive.

Since when do "looks" have a bearing on tyre choice, last time I had a look at tyres they were black and round.

I usually select a tyre based on the following criteria Handling, Wear, Cost.

I've used PR3 and PR4 on a K1300s, K1600 GT and a VFR 800 and was extremely satisfied with them especially in the wet.

 

[yankeedoodledandy]

People keep mentioning tire models that do not come in a 120/70R19 front, at least here in the US at major sites like Revzilla. Do you get sizes for certain models in the UK that we don't?

 

[UK Jon]

No one has mentioned the Pirelli road angel GT yet

got good write ups from the press and last i looked were considerably cheaper than PR4s

Anyone tried them ?

My personal choice is the PR4 as i have used them before on the last bike and am waiting to wear out the Anakees so i can fit some

Had Angel GT's on my K1600. Then replaced with PR4's. In summary certainly no complaints with the GT's. I just wanted the best gripping tyre come rain or shine hence the change. Simple.

Regards

Regards

 

[Bigtrucknuts]

Interesting comment. What is the difference between the GT and the Trail tyre?
I am about to order a set of PR4's and would like to get it right first time!

I did the same trail front GT rear. The GT does not come in a 19 inch front. But the GT rear has a harder compound in the centre on the tire for longer life. The front GT and trail is mostly the same anyway.

 

[MerrickCampbell]

I've run all 3 brands of the OEM tires. The Anakees are better offroad if that matters to you. My OEM TA2 were really good on tarmac, a bit light-steering, lasted 8k miles, but are expensive, so I tried the others afterwards. Anakees were almost as good on-road, better off road, but a rear tire puncture at 5500 miles led to early removal (now they are my backup pair). The Nexts are cheapest to buy, but only have a few thousand so far, so jury is still out on longevity. Nexts handling and grip (tarmac and gravel) seem as good as the TA2. I think I'm getting more road feel from the Nexts, although that could also be my imagination now that I've had the GS for a couple of years.

I have not tried the PR4 yet, but it doesn't sound like the mileage tradeoff for increased grip (not to mention the price, on the high side) will be worth it for me unless I'm doing a track day. I've been able to go as fast as I want, rain or shine, while street riding on any of the OEM tires.

Thanks very much for your feedback. Others have told me the Tourance Nexts are good but no longerOEM. You made no comment about the fast squaring off on the Anakees? On balance it sounds like the trail attack 2 is the choice for me from OEM choice. I have yet to find out if they can/will deliver with PR4's of course. Thanks again. Merrick

 

[Titto]

I work with quite a lot of bikers all with varying bikes between us, everyone seems to have gone over to the PR4s and they are all getting good mileage out the tyres, bikes range from blackbirds to gsxr 1000. Everyone raves about the grip especially in the wet. Are most gs owners getting less mileage out of these PR4s then?

 

[mcinlb]

I work with quite a lot of bikers all with varying bikes between us, everyone seems to have gone over to the PR4s and they are all getting good mileage out the tyres, bikes range from blackbirds to gsxr 1000. Everyone raves about the grip especially in the wet. Are most gs owners getting less mileage out of these PR4s then?

May be the size and weight of the bikes ( and the Tossers who ride them).............

 

[Binky]

Got pr4's, they are dangerous as they inspire way too much confidence!

Absolutely agree...they are brill...same grip in the wet as Trail attacks in the dry (nearly!)

 

[Paul S]

Thanks very much for your feedback. Others have told me the Tourance Nexts are good but no longerOEM. You made no comment about the fast squaring off on the Anakees? On balance it sounds like the trail attack 2 is the choice for me from OEM choice. I have yet to find out if they can/will deliver with PR4's of course. Thanks again. Merrick

Personally I do not like the Trail Attacks in the wet and will not be using them in the future.
Choice this time for me was between PR4's or Tourance Next - went for the Nexts as quite a bit cheaper and was slightly put off by the PR4's reputation for getting punctures.

Will see how I get on when I get round to fitting them.

 

[Biot]

Had PR3's and then PR4's om my Multistrada 1200. Lots of 2 up touring with all 3 boxes on and very good grip wet or dry. Will be putting them on the GS this summer.

 

[madmartin]

I run Roadsmart 2. Anyone else and whats your thoughts on these tyres? I like em...

 

[Usurp66]

I run Roadsmart 2. Anyone else and whats your thoughts on these tyres? I like em...

Just got a set myself, will be fitted shortly.

What differences have you noted compared to the Anakees?