Peak Rider
Registered user
Earlier this year at the Demon Tweaks Open House I dropped by the Michelin stand to ask whether the Pilot Road 3 was available in the sizes for the GS. The chap there said not until the end of August and then asked if I'd like to try a set as he wouldn't mind getting some feedback. It would have been very rude to say no so we left it at that.
It was mid-September before they were shipped to Steve Platt in Sandbach where I had them fitted. I didn't realise until then that they were the new adventure bike version, ergo the TL suffix. Coincidently these arrived shortly after a new twin-cam GS which came fitted with Metzeler Tourance EXPs. Although the grip of the Metzelers seemed fine I really didn't like them, especially compared to the Avon Azaro/Storm combination I'd been using on the previous '05 bike. The EXP front steered as though it didn't want to turn in and the rear lacked feel near the edge.
To date I've put close to 600 miles on the PR3 TLs. Good points? The front turns in nicely and holds a line well. The rear has good feel and grip and rolls smoothly and predictably to its limits. Bad points? None so far. I've yet to have a good go in rainy conditions to experience the much-vaunted wet weather performance, one of the PR3s key selling points. Living in Cheshire means a wet weather riding opportunity should be along any minute now.
This what the Michelin rep had to say about the TL version as compared to the regular PR3s. Take from it what you will:
> Compound Rubber : same as 'regular' Road 3.
> Dual Compound Ratio : Front same as regular - Rear has wider 'hard area' to suit 'big' trail bikes.
> Construction : Front is same as Std - Rear is changed to 90 degree ply to suit big trail bikes.
> The best solution for all types of riding and load for big trail bikes is Road 3 Trail.
I'm not sure they mean true off-roading when they say all types of riding. A pavement oriented tyre on dirt is not so good when plugged up with mud but then most GSs never venture off tarmac.
So far the handling, dry weather grip and feel of the TLs are every bit as good any of the better sport-touring tyres. It will be interesting to see how many miles can be squeezed out of them.
It was mid-September before they were shipped to Steve Platt in Sandbach where I had them fitted. I didn't realise until then that they were the new adventure bike version, ergo the TL suffix. Coincidently these arrived shortly after a new twin-cam GS which came fitted with Metzeler Tourance EXPs. Although the grip of the Metzelers seemed fine I really didn't like them, especially compared to the Avon Azaro/Storm combination I'd been using on the previous '05 bike. The EXP front steered as though it didn't want to turn in and the rear lacked feel near the edge.
To date I've put close to 600 miles on the PR3 TLs. Good points? The front turns in nicely and holds a line well. The rear has good feel and grip and rolls smoothly and predictably to its limits. Bad points? None so far. I've yet to have a good go in rainy conditions to experience the much-vaunted wet weather performance, one of the PR3s key selling points. Living in Cheshire means a wet weather riding opportunity should be along any minute now.
This what the Michelin rep had to say about the TL version as compared to the regular PR3s. Take from it what you will:
> Compound Rubber : same as 'regular' Road 3.
> Dual Compound Ratio : Front same as regular - Rear has wider 'hard area' to suit 'big' trail bikes.
> Construction : Front is same as Std - Rear is changed to 90 degree ply to suit big trail bikes.
> The best solution for all types of riding and load for big trail bikes is Road 3 Trail.
I'm not sure they mean true off-roading when they say all types of riding. A pavement oriented tyre on dirt is not so good when plugged up with mud but then most GSs never venture off tarmac.
So far the handling, dry weather grip and feel of the TLs are every bit as good any of the better sport-touring tyres. It will be interesting to see how many miles can be squeezed out of them.
