Michelin Pilot 4 long life on LC 2014

...GT on the rear and the trail to the front.
Let us know how you get on with this combination, personally I'd go for grip over tyre life within reason (provided I get about 6000 miles or so out of a tyre).
I'd worry that the carcass of the GT may be a bit stiff for the GS as it's intended for large tourers but I suppose a fully laden GSA could be just as heavy.
It just seems a bit perverse to pick a tyre designed for a different type of bike when there is a specific trail version but it wouldn't be the first time riders have found a better combination than the tyre manufacturer.
 
I want as grippy as possible. .. I'm rightly or wrongly assuming the gt will be grippier overall with the 3 compounds. I'm about three quarters through my anakees so u have time to change my mind if there's enough discussion to change my mind!! :D
 
I want as grippy as possible. .. I'm rightly or wrongly assuming the gt will be grippier overall with the 3 compounds. I'm about three quarters through my anakees so u have time to change my mind if there's enough discussion to change my mind!! :D
Can't see it being grippier as it has less soft compound and some hard compound, whilst the trail has more soft compound and no hard compound. The GT will only be as grippy on the outer edges, you might get to use those in the wet but many riders might not as several riders have posted they don't get to the edge on the GSA even with very spirited riding. Obviously someone needs to experiment and let us know as all this theorising may be a load of whatzits.
Remember more grip and longer tyre life is like the holy grail, it may exist but I haven't seen it, although tyres have certainly improved in both aspects fairly recently.
 
Yeah, Im not bothered about life, just as much grip as possible. it's interesting to see people are getting good life out of these tyres too, it's an added bonus.
 
I replaced the Tourance on my 2013 GS with PR4's, Trail front GT rear at 5K. Just done 2.5K round France and Northern Spain including several Col's. Bike now done 10.5K and back has maybe 500 mile left.

The question of tyre grip was never a concern as I was working hard to keep up with a K1300R and an MV Augusta. Handling was flawless and never felt like the grip was lacking especially when you consider the tyre is nearly worn out. Confidence on sweeping fast bends was superb and the handling on the really tight twisters was sublime

The added benefit of the rear hard centre worked well on the 350 mile run down motorways to the tunnel, as it didn't square off. I felt the Trail would square off quicker on high mileage motorway or A class roads whereas the GT less so. The Trail/GT combination works well for me. Already have another rear GT on order and certainly no chance of ever fitting dual purpose tyres again.
 
I replaced the Tourance on my 2013 GS with PR4's, Trail front GT rear at 5K. Just done 2.5K round France and Northern Spain including several Col's. Bike now done 10.5K and back has maybe 500 mile left.
.

So by the mileage stated 6k and the rear will be done than there ain't much difference with a standard rear, I've had 5k out the rear and theres easily 400-500, the wear is nice and even across the tyre with 2 trips abroad so a good stint to and fr home is down the motorway, what is strange is that the tyres seem to outlast the rear brake pads :(
 
Can't see it being grippier as it has less soft compound and some hard compound, whilst the trail has more soft compound and no hard compound. The GT will only be as grippy on the outer edges, you might get to use those in the wet but many riders might not as several riders have posted they don't get to the edge on the GSA even with very spirited riding. Obviously someone needs to experiment and let us know as all this theorising may be a load of whatzits.
Remember more grip and longer tyre life is like the holy grail, it may exist but I haven't seen it, although tyres have certainly improved in both aspects fairly recently.

I think that you may have got your GT compounds and your Trail compounds the wrong way round JG?
 
Whoops! Begging your pardon JG, I do apologies, you are absolutely spot on, in which case I agree that it does seem a bit pointless to fit a GT tyre instead of the 'Trail' to the GS.
 
Whoops! Begging your pardon JG, I do apologies, you are absolutely spot on, in which case I agree that it does seem a bit pointless to fit a GT tyre instead of the 'Trail' to the GS.
No probs BatMan, I guess those looking for extra mileage are using the GT. Like you I go for grip every time, although the GS handles well in the dry with anything round and black it's in the wet that I notice the difference between different tyres the most (although most of my GS experience has been on the older hex head with narrower tyres)
 
Yes got to agree, the Anakee 3's are great in the dry but can be a bit squibbly in the wet on cat's eyes, metal covers and white road markings, yeh I know that we should avoid them like the plague but sometimes well....you know....
 

Great stuff! :thumb
The tyre retailers here have it pretty much all their own way. I suspect - but cannot prove - that the 170/60-17 PR4 GTs are deliberately not brought into this country, because softer compounds = more wear = more cash in the retailer's pocket.
Although in general, 170/60-17 tyres are impossible to get over here anyway, and have been for a long time. When I owned an R1100S with a 5" rear wheel, back in 2007/8, it was 180/55 or nothing.

Yeah, Im not bothered about life, just as much grip as possible....
Now THAT'S perverse. :p
(I'm just jealous because tyres literally cost ein arm und ein bein over here.)
 
Shiny new PR4s fitted last weekend. Just did the maths: the front PR3 lasted for 12,600 miles with 2 rears (one PR3, one PR4). The rear PR4 lasted 5900 miles.

Both tyres changed would have lasted for some time in dry conditions but I erred on the side of caution as I may be riding in rain over the coming weeks & months so having some tread depth to disperse water seemed a sensible idea.

I am very happy with the grip/wear/price ratio of these tyres.
 
Shiny new PR4s fitted last weekend. Just did the maths: the front PR3 lasted for 12,600 miles with 2 rears (one PR3, one PR4). The rear PR4 lasted 5900 miles.

Both tyres changed would have lasted for some time in dry conditions but I erred on the side of caution as I may be riding in rain over the coming weeks & months so having some tread depth to disperse water seemed a sensible idea.


I am very happy with the grip/wear/price ratio of these tyres.

I got similar mileage out of the rear Anakee and was hoping for more out of my set of PR4 especially as they are way more expensive.
Think I shall give the Conti a go next time I've done 9000 miles in 5 months so tyre life is very important to me.
Terry
 
Just got my PR4's fitted this morning and I love my bike again! 3100miles and the OEM Anakee rear was square, with the back twitching in turns.
Now running on rails again, back to being fun chucking it around.
There's a few mixed comments about http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/motorbike-tyres/ but I ordered late thurs night and they arrived at my work on tuesday morning.
£204 delivered, no problems.
 
Just been out for a blast and scrubbed the PR 4 s in but couldn't quite get them scrubbed to the very edge at the back, anyone else found this or do I just have to try harder/go faster?
 
Just been out for a blast and scrubbed the PR 4 s in but couldn't quite get them scrubbed to the very edge at the back, anyone else found this or do I just have to try harder/go faster?

Different bike probably, on the S10 they go very close to the edge but the limiting factor is scraping my boot across the tarmac
 


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