I've got a brand new bike...

[JKW]

...well it feels like it!

Sorry to suck you in to a 'tyre thread' but I'm so gobsmacked by the change in my RT that I just had to share.

To be perfectly honest I've been a bit ambivalent about my RT which I bought, half run-in, last May. There are loads of things I love about it but niggling doubts about the reluctant handling and lack of 'give' in the ride (in danger of broken teeth on anything other than nice smooth A roads) have kept me on the edge of going back to a GS, I even thought seriously about trading it in for the new WC.

Well today the factory-fitted Bridgestones were replace with Michelin PR3s - what a revelation!!!

• No more skittishness (in other words crinkly bum time) on tar-banding or dry white lines - the bike doesn't even notice them now;
• I can counter-steer into a corner by breathing on the bars - it used to take a good old two-handed heave;
• when in the corner the bike now stays on the same line without constant adjustments or increased pressure on the bars!;
• and the ride quality!!! - like a bloody magic carpet even on the crappy roads round West Yorkshire!!!!

...and all this is in just 50 miles home (by the very scenic route) from Sirrell's in Scholes and in 'going bloody careful 'til I've scrubbed them' mode!

So I suppose this begs two questions...

1. Why do BMW attempt to completely ruin a superb bike by fitting totally useless slabs of stone-age rubber?

...and...

2. Why was I such a pin-headed prat as to put up with things as long as I did?

 

[ebbo]

Well, I'm glad your pleased, but it sounds to me like your original tires were just plain worn out as in my experience Bridgestone's can get quite nasty (as you describe) when well worn, still, nice to know how well the PR3's perform, enjoy

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Good news

Did you consider any other rubber and/or why did you go for the PR3's?

 

[wreck diver]

Good choice I put PR3,s on my RT,superb tyres.

 

[sven]

The BT021's on mine were poor to start with and plain dangerous as they wore out at about 3300 miles as they were sliding around all over the place.

I had to replace them in Scotland as they wouldn't have made it home legally and only BT023GT's were available at Strathern tyres in Crieff, but they are 10x better. I wouldn't buy another pair though as the carcass is too stiff when one up, so the ride quality is very harsh.

 

[JKW]

Good news

Did you consider any other rubber and/or why did you go for the PR3's?

Just read all the tyre threads in the RT section on here and followed the general sense of the community. I did think about saving a bit by going for the PR2s but the 3s are supposed to last much longer and be better in the wet.

The fact that Michelin are offering a £25 fuel card with every pair purchased before the end of May was just a sweetener really.

 

[JKW]

Well, I'm glad your pleased, but it sounds to me like your original tires were just plain worn out as in my experience Bridgestone's can get quite nasty (as you describe) when well worn, still, nice to know how well the PR3's perform, enjoy

The front was pretty much shot and worn into the strangest profile - sort of chamferred off on each side and peaked in the middle. The rear still had a couple of mms left but just happy to be rid!

 

[aRTy_Hexhead]

The front was pretty much shot and worn into the strangest profile - sort of chamferred off on each side and peaked in the middle. The rear still had a couple of mms left but just happy to be rid!

Yep, sounds like 021s!

When shoulders start to go they wear at an alarming rate.

023GT much better - though earlier comment about being stiff and giving a 'choppy' ride I can empathise with.
Over 5k last year and still plenty of life in them.
021s would have been bald by then!!

PR3s are going to be next - rave reviews from everyone!

Worth the extra pounds, after all it's what keeps you on the road!!

 

[Budweiser]

My new RT came with the Bridgestone tyres. Others warned me about them but after 2.5k I can't say they have been a problem

May be I don't rise quick enough

 

[GSTourer]

I bought a rear Bridgestone BT023 last year with a view to fitting it this year (long story)......but after reading the above re the Michelins I think I will just write it off and get front and rear PR3's fitted next week instead.

 

[stanley]

Yeah,
I've raved about PR3s on here before; had a few sets now!

The next thing Michelin need to do, is quieten the things down a bit! Ride near a wall, truck, tunnel, etc. and the front is waay noisy.

Can't have everything though

Not yet anyway

 

[JKW]

May be I don't rise quick enough

Apparently you can get some very effective blue tablets for that now.

 

[Martyn H]

My new RT came with the Bridgestone tyres. Others warned me about them but after 2.5k I can't say they have been a problem

May be I don't rise quick enough

Which Bridgestone's ? 023's are considered a good tyre; 021's have far fewer fans.

 

[kennyc]

I had 2 sets of Bridgestones on my RT, the 020's lasted 13K, the 021's 12K both had the same pointed wear profile on the front, that made the bike "flop" side to side at low speeds, especially when 2-up, neither set of tyres gave any concern at speed or in the wet, the current set of Road attack 2's have about 8K on them and the same wear pattern is noticeable on the front tyre, there's plenty of tread but the profile is starting to look like an old TT100 ! they have been a superb tyre as far as handling and ride quality, and to be honest with the mileage I do nowadays the wear factor isn't a problem, all the above have been far superior to the Metzlers fitted when I first got the bike.

 

[sven]

12K from a set of tyres?

 

[GSTourer]

My RT is going into Motoscot on the 16th for PR3's to be fitted.

 

[kennyc]

12K from a set of tyres?

if I wanted to shred tyres I wouldn't have bought an RT

 

[stever1]

Totally agree with the OP, I got rid of the 21`s on my RT at just over 5000 miles. The PR`3 are fab, and at only £220 a pair fitted to the bike good value to.

 

[JKW]

Which Bridgestone's ? 023's are considered a good tyre; 021's have far fewer fans.

It is was the 021s - didn't go for the 023s to replace them because of numerous comments around here about the firmness of the ride - the last thing I needed!

UPDATE: I've actually used settings other than 'comfort' on the ESA today without experiencing physical pain!

 

[stever1]

It is was the 021s - didn't go for the 023s to replace them because of numerous comments around here about the firmness of the ride - the last thing I needed!

UPDATE: I've actually used settings other than 'comfort' on the ESA today without experiencing physical pain!

I only ever use comfort setting as I personally feel that the RT suspension is on the firm side anyway. Especially compared to my previous GS