Best Road Tyres?

[Andy B]

I'm a tart! I followed the article's recommendation and went for the Dunlops!

1,500 miles in and I'm well impressed. Having come from Tourance EXP's I was seriously unimpressed with both mileage and handling. They may have had the grip but I rarely, if ever, ride to the limit anyway. Having tried Bridgestones, both Metzlers, Conti's, Avon's and now Dunlops I have to say that Conti's and Dunlops do it for me with maybe the ordinary Tourances in a close third place!

 

[mark-a]

now on my second roadsmart rear - front still fine and will see the rear out

Have to say these are fine tyres - I am quite hard on the bike on twisties and these have never scared me

have plenty of 'feel'

but in fairness the tourances that were fitted originally were also very capable

To sum up - I think the GS is so capable and planted that it will run well on any of the above

Pay your money and take your choice of any 'premium' tyre and it'll be fine I think

but have to say these roadsmarts are very good in the wet and in the dry

 

[Bendy toy]

I've always been happy with Continentals, but the capability of Maxxis SuperMax opened my eyes to alternative brands.

 

[Blobby]

Take a look at THIS

Surprises me how little difference there is in performance in both wet & dry between Dunlop TR91 and the dedicated road tyres. Well also no difference to be precise. On my third set of TR91's and while they wear fast, they are damn good and have never put a foot wrong.

 

[red line]

i think its a great article, but there are some points of concern
1. wet lap faster than dry lap
2. PR3 road biased tyre performed far worse than the duel purpose tyres

with this in mind, not sure how accurate the other figurs are

 

[Mogster]

just spotted
Page 2 of 8
Lap times are recorded on the large, dry handling track (see right) and the smaller, wet handling track.

I also am concerned at the performance of the Michelin PR3 as I was going to change from the Dunlop TR91 to Michelin PR3's for the winter. Also are they testing the Trail version which apparently has a more suitable compound.

 

[Beemerman59]

just spotted
Page 2 of 8
Lap times are recorded on the large, dry handling track (see right) and the smaller, wet handling track.

I also am concerned at the performance of the Michelin PR3 as I was going to change from the Dunlop TR91 to Michelin PR3's for the winter. Also are they testing the Trail version which apparently has a more suitable compound.

The Trail version has a greater percentage of the harder compound to give greater mileage on two up/heavily laden Adventure type bikes with relatively narrow tyres. I would have thought that would result in a drop in grip levels and performance with the offset being the greater mileage.

 

[daesimps]

One thing that seemed to be really absent was any mention of squaring off which is normally what gets me long before tread depth is an issue.

I know the PR3 are dual compound and was going to switch to them once I've worn out the factory fit Anakee 2s, but I'm not so sure now.

A look around the Internet seems to give conflicting information as to whether or not the Anakee 2 is dual compound. Michelin's website doesn't mention it, so I would assume not but loads of other websites, including tyre dealerships, seem to indicate that it is.


Dae.

 

[Greg Masters]

Hi,

What is the best road tyre recommended for the R1200GS (2012)?

You cite no preference for:

• purchase price
• longevity
• fuel economy
• comfort
• traction
• braking performance
• grip
• handling
• breakaway
• style
• puncture resistance
• engineered quality
• availability
• etc etc

So the best tyre for your R1200GS (2012) can only be the tyre that YOU like more than any other.

 

[cookie]

So the best tyre for your R1200GS (2012) can only be the tyre that YOU like more than any other.

indeed, and i take my hat off to anyone who can find the limits of any of the "enduro" tyres on the road

 

[Rasher]

indeed, and i take my hat off to anyone who can find the limits of any of the "enduro" tyres on the road

More comes down to feel which gives confidence and I ride better when feeling confident, same as I don't "need" my superior suspension setup, many riders could spank me on crap tyres with knackered OE shocks.

Generally the tyres that do best in the hands of the competent, feel better in the hands of the inept.

My ex racer mate came flying past my Roadsmart shod, Wilburs equiped GS on the "lesser" of the Tourances on his standard suspended renta-wreck GS in the Black Forest, before setting about the local heroes on the B500, embarrasing a number of full on sportsbikes.

And although he proved how capable the stock Tourances are, I prefer the feel and extra grip of the Exp's and ideally road tyres, the further ahead of me my tyres are, the bigger the margin for my stupidity before the tyres won't save me from myself

Longevity is a secondary concern, I want good grip in both wet and dry and a tyre that works in cooler conditions (i.e year round and at the top of Alpine passes)

Just undecided between Roadsmart 2's and TR91's, I am sure the TR's will wear quicker, but they come with an extra couple of MM of tread, and it seems grip is pretty similar, so I am leaning towards the 91's for that 5% off-road, just gotta find a 95% tarred road

 

[cookie]

i agree. the differences are more to do with feel than out right performance, at least from a mere mortal's point of view.

i've had occasion to bank my Trail Attack shod bike over to what i consider worrying angles in the wet. it never moves. i'm not convinced that fitting "better" tyres is going to do anything for my riding. bigger safety margin maybe, but i don't seem to have approached the limit of the current tyres.

i like EXPs too, but they don't last.

 

[Waratah]

You cite no preference for:

• purchase price
• longevity
• fuel economy
• comfort
• traction - YES
• braking performance
• grip - YES
• handling - YES
• breakaway - YES
• style
• puncture resistance
• engineered quality
• availability
• etc etc

So the best tyre for your R1200GS (2012) can only be the tyre that YOU like more than any other.

For me its all about grip in the wet and dry

 

[Bendy toy]

Longevity is a secondary concern, I want good grip in both wet and dry and a tyre that works in cooler conditions (i.e year round and at the top of Alpine passes)

Can't argue with that, but although I would like to have the best grip at all times I cant justify new tyres every few thousand miles.

For example, Conti Road Attacks transformed my bike. I had to recalibrate my brain they were so good. But the front was bald on the side walls in just over 6000 and the back squared off in 4,500 and began to skip badly as I leaned into a turn.

Other types with less grip when new, have both lasted longer (lots in some cases) and not fallen off a cliff when they get towards the end of their tread life.

So for me the compromise has had to be tread wear life against ultimate grip when new.

I cover about 15000 a year.which would be three sets of Road Attacks. They would indeed be great to use but (for me) the cost and hassle isnt worth the benefit.

 

[cookie]

the back squared off in 4,500 and began to skip badly as I leaned into a turn.

not something i've ever encountered, even with a very well worn tyre. how hard were you riding?

 

[Mivk7576]

Take a look at THIS

Thanks for posting the tyre evaluation I found it helpful..

 

[Georgeeboi]

I'm happy with the anakee 3s

 

[zool]

Hi,

What is the best road tyre recommended for the R1200GS (2012)?

Waratah, see if you can get your hands on a copy of 'Bike' magazine from June 2007 (issue 410)

they run a 7 page feature called 'Best Tyres for Giant Trailie's' where they test about a dozen tyres on public road & race track in differing conditions and compare full road tyres to semi-off road tyres - actually on an R1200GS

Its a good read and although the words of paid 'Journo's' shouldn't be taken as gospel, it gives you the options of whats & who's offerings are available for our GS

Type this number into 'flea-bay' : 190741634297 to grab a 2nd hand issue.

Additionally, that issue also has a great 6 page feature where GS's tour the Sahara (highs & lows) and a 9 page further feature whereby they try to establish which 'class' of bike is 'fastest' on UK roads over a given journey R1200GS vs DR-Z400SM vs Z750 vs CBR600RR vs Blade

Its a bit of a GS's heavy issue

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Waratah, see if you can get your hands on a copy of 'Bike' magazine from June 2007 (issue 410)

...........

...........and if I remember correctly the Avon Azaro/ST come out top (apart from a freak fault with one of the tyres?)

Andres

 

[Blobby]

...........and if I remember correctly the Avon Azaro/ST come out top (apart from a freak fault with one of the tyres?)

Andres

Just happen to have a copy Bike 6-2007 & verdict was:

- Dunlop Trailmax & Avon Distanzia best if looking for semi-knobbly tyres.
- Avon mix best road tyres (ignoring tyre fault they had) or if fault makes you uncomfortable, Conti Road Attacks next best for spirited riding and 020s for big miles.

However, in 'Motorrad' magazine 11-2008 they tested seven 'Enduro tires' and concluded Conti Trail Attack won "by miles" but for those who "need a tyre for rainy days, the Tourance EXP is a good choice".