Road Smarts

[Mightytharg]

Tourance EXPs lasted 3k for me on my GSA and with the back just plain worn out and the front horribly unevenly worn.

Done 4.5k on the Roadsmarts and the back is about due for replacement whilst there is still some wear left in the front.

But I may consider going for Pilot Road IIs instead - seem to be better deals on them and I liked them on my 07 K12GT so could be worth a go.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Tourance EXPs lasted 3k for me on my GSA and with the back just plain worn out and the front horribly unevenly worn.

Done 4.5k on the Roadsmarts and the back is about due for replacement whilst there is easily still some wear left in the front.

But I may consider going for Pilot Road IIs instead - seem to be better deals on them and I liked them on my 07 K12GT so could be worth a go.

Is it me?....or are those very low wear rates???

I'd expect at least 6,000 from a rear on a Gs...and all the tyres I've used have acheived that.

 

[bose]

Tourance EXPs lasted 3k for me on my GSA and with the back just plain worn out and the front horribly unevenly worn.

Done 4.5k on the Roadsmarts and the back is about due for replacement whilst there is still some wear left in the front.

But I may consider going for Pilot Road IIs instead - seem to be better deals on them and I liked them on my 07 K12GT so could be worth a go.

Sadly they dont do a 19" front in pr2s

 

[bose]

Went for a solo spin, really like them, I am leaning further and feeling safer.

Where the Tourance was only a few mm from the edge of tread (at lesser angles) the Roadsmart front has about 2 inches left, the profile goes so far around the tyre you would have to lean to about 70 degrees to ride off them.

The rear also has a more rounded profile, I am closer to the edge of this than the front, but again still have further to go than I did on Tourance.

Also as you get towards the edge of the tyres they become more slick and put down a really big footprint, personally not noticed a much faster turn in like some others mentioned, but I do think they may also be a bit smoother.

Can't wait to get them on some really good grippy roads, hopefully get to Wales later in the month and run them along the A483 (amongst others) - by which time the Wilburs will be fitted as well

Plenty of new tarmac been laid all over mid /north wales ,i was down rhayader 2 wkends ago and all roads repaired why cant local councils follow suit,its shamefull

 

[Rasher]

Plenty of new tarmac been laid all over mid /north wales ,i was down rhayader 2 wkends ago and all roads repaired why cant local councils follow suit,its shamefull

I am always amazed at how good most Welsh roads are, for all their faults (mainly over-policing and talking funny) they really do take care of the roads in a way that puts every English Council to shame.

The single track stufff through the Elan Valley is in better nick than most Oxfordshire A-Roads, most unclassified roads around here are breaking up quite badly and covered in potholes.

 

[ianp5uk]

It's gonna be worn out before it is scrubbed in at your rate!

I always though tyres took a lot of scrubbing in until a mate started racing and would regularly scrub a tyre in on the sighting & warmup lap - 5 miles tops!

Still takes me a good 20 - 30 miles though.

Maybe a track tyre doesn't need much scrubbing?

 

[Mightytharg]

Is it me?....or are those very low wear rates???

I'd expect at least 6,000 from a rear on a Gs...and all the tyres I've used have acheived that.

Maybe it's you, maybe it's me - what can I say?

Maybe it's the roads I ride, maybe I'm just too throttle happy.

Key thing is that over the course of over 7.5k miles the Tourance EXPs got the easier end of the deal while I was running the bike in - yet the Roadsmarts lasted significantly longer.

So whilst I can't predict what is "normal" or what mileage anybody else may get I can at least suggest that for me, same rider, same bike, same route the Roadsmarts last about 50% longer at the back, and more than that at the front compared to the Tourance EXPs.

For info I usually do 400 miles a week commuting and my route involves the usual walking pace & stop/start riding in traffic, launches from traffic lights to get ahead, stretches of cruising at "motorway" speeds, plenty of 40/50mph single carriageway and some winding country lanes. So a fair mix.

Yes I'd like better tyre mileage and I do recall that on my R11RT I could rely on tyres wearing out together at 6k - but that was different time, different bike, different routes.

 

[Mightytharg]

Sadly they dont do a 19" front in pr2s

Yep, on looking further it appears that deals available were on the Pilot Road or Pilot Road Trail, no Pilot Road 2.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Maybe it's you, maybe it's me - what can I say?

Maybe it's the roads I ride, maybe I'm just too throttle happy.

Key thing is that over the course of over 7.5k miles the Tourance EXPs got the easier end of the deal while I was running the bike in - yet the Roadsmarts lasted significantly longer.

So whilst I can't predict what is "normal" or what mileage anybody else may get I can at least suggest that for me, same rider, same bike, same route the Roadsmarts last about 50% longer at the back, and more than that at the front compared to the Tourance EXPs.

For info I usually do 400 miles a week commuting and my route involves the usual walking pace & stop/start riding in traffic, launches from traffic lights to get ahead, stretches of cruising at "motorway" speeds, plenty of 40/50mph single carriageway and some winding country lanes. So a fair mix.

Yes I'd like better tyre mileage and I do recall that on my R11RT I could rely on tyres wearing out together at 6k - but that was different time, different bike, different routes.

It wasn't a criticism....no two riders are the same, and the conditions of the routes unlikely to be similar.

It just seemed low...although I think I'm good at getting life out of my tyres, but I've always got 6,000 miles put of my tyres and considerably more normally.

I'd be well peeved at 4,000 miles per tyre...and of it was the expected lifespan I'd look at other alternatives.

 

[Mightytharg]

It wasn't a criticism....no two riders are the same, and the conditions of the routes unlikely to be similar.

It just seemed low...although I think I'm good at getting life out of my tyres, but I've always got 6,000 miles put of my tyres and considerably more normally.

I'd be well peeved at 4,000 miles per tyre...and of it was the expected lifespan I'd look at other alternatives.

I don't think I'm the only person to report rubbish mileage on the EXP Tourances, but I am a little peeved at 4.5k on the rear Roadsmart - I am looking to try another option now to see if I can do better.

But I might also have to accept that it's not all the fault of the tyre.

I do ponder sometimes over a glass of beer how I used to get 50+mpg on fuel and 6k (and a bit) out of tyres on the old R1100RT and yet generally have been getting getting through fuel and tyres a lot faster on my more recent BMs. I don't think I'm any faster or treat the bikes any harder.

Ho Hum

 

[Dainese Brave]

I don't think I'm the only person to report rubbish mileage on the EXP Tourances, but I am a little peeved at 4.5k on the rear Roadsmart - I am looking to try another option now to see if I can do better.

But I might also have to accept that it's not all the fault of the tyre.

I do ponder sometimes over a glass of beer how I used to get 50+mpg on fuel and 6k (and a bit) out of tyres on the old R1100RT and yet generally have been getting getting through fuel and tyres a lot faster on my more recent BMs. I don't think I'm any faster or treat the bikes any harder.

Ho Hum

For example....my current Tourances have done 6,500 miles, been thouroughly abused on a 6,000 mile trip to the Ukraine, on some of the worst roads I've been on, and in the worst weather, and hottest temperatures....so a hard life and a mixed bag.....but apart from the rear being squared off from a 1,500, 3 day blast home, there's still some life in them....and there's still plenty of life in the front.

Who knows?

 

[original_concept]

Sadly they dont do a 19" front in pr2s

I understand Michelin have released PR3s in 7 different sizes, with a further 9 PR3 sizes coming soon... not soon enough... c'mon.

My RSs are already approaching the 2mm mark I'm gonna be lucky to see 5-6K. Not impressed with them. I've also been able to spin the rear tyre far too often in cold conditions, whereas PRs have never done that.

Sorry Dunlop, but you still can't better a tyre that Michelin were making nearly 10 years ago...

 

[bose]

.

I understand Michelin have released PR3s in 7 different sizes, with a further 9 PR3 sizes coming soon... not soon enough... c'mon.

My RSs are already approaching the 2mm mark I'm gonna be lucky to see 5-6K. Not impressed with them. I've also been able to spin the rear tyre far too often in cold conditions, whereas PRs have never done that.

Sorry Dunlop, but you still can't better a tyre that Michelin were making nearly 10 years ago...

Have you tried michelin anakee 2s ,they work for me on my 2008 1200gs,it gets a hard time on the throttle and coverd 5000 miles and they still have 4mm in the middle (7mm new) shoulders well rounded but still well gripy
Would also love some PR3s when if they do a 19" front match,had PR2s on my k1200R ,brilliant tyre life -grip the whole life of the tyre .

 

[t'other dave]

Spoke with the Michelin rep today and he said the only advantage the PR3 has over the PR2 is its better in the wet, that said the 2 is a good wet tyre anyway, wear,profile and dry theres nothing in it but they just have to release new models to keep punters happy and keep up with other manufactors in bringing out a new model.
Dave

 

[LBL]

TR91

As per the other thread on here, what about the Dunlop TR91, supposed to be a better wear rate with the same grip.

I'm normally quite hard on my tyres but got 9k out of my rear conti trail attack and 12k out of the front, i was pleased with that

 

[PhilS]

The Tourance EXPs on my 2010 GSA have 6700 miles on them and are due to be replaced with Roadsmarts tomorrow. They've squared off a bit due to lots of motorway miles on a trip to Spain but I've been very pleased with them.

They're probably good for another 1,000 miles but I've a trip coming up so I'm changing them a little early. Looking forward to trying the Roadsmarts, if only for a change.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[original_concept]

Spoke with the Michelin rep today and he said the only advantage the PR3 has over the PR2 is its better in the wet, that said the 2 is a good wet tyre anyway, wear,profile and dry theres nothing in it but they just have to release new models to keep punters happy and keep up with other manufactors in bringing out a new model.
Dave

Aye, but the PR1 front is the only one available (from one guy in Durham it seems). Michelin never made a PR2 GS front :-( I'd be happy with Michelin making PR1 fronts instead of the PR3, but they need to start making something again. There's a lot of pent up demand for a PR front in the USA too.

 

[PhilS]

Roadsmarts fitted - £189.60.

Only 150 miles or so on them since fitting but the handling of my GSA has changed noticeably for the better. The bike turns-in quicker, feels more planted and confidence inspiring in turns and the ride quality has improved slightly.

Interestingly, the Dunlop website recommends 2.5 and 2.9 - doesn't make a distinction between 1 and 2-up. I started with 2.2 and 2.5 but the front felt a little bouncy, all fine now with 2.5 and 2.9.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[Rasher]

Done a good few miles on mine now (500 two-up this weekend) and like them more and more, not that I ever had any issues with the EXP's grip, but these just inspire confidence even on cold mornings, very planted.

just gotta get in habbit of moving foot back on corners before I wear bottom of boots out.

 

[ianp5uk]

Roadsmarts fitted - £189.60.

Only 150 miles or so on them since fitting but the handling of my GSA has changed noticeably for the better. The bike turns-in quicker, feels more planted and confidence inspiring in turns and the ride quality has improved slightly.

Interestingly, the Dunlop website recommends 2.5 and 2.9 - doesn't make a distinction between 1 and 2-up. I started with 2.2 and 2.5 but the front felt a little bouncy, all fine now with 2.5 and 2.9.

Regards,
Phil.

Are those pressures specifically for the GS? They look like the pressure almost every Jap bike has on 17" 120 & 180-190. I've just put some Roadsmarts on and they feel fine to me on 2.2/2.5. Temp feels ok for a touring tyre too.

I echo the other comments. Feels much more secure, holds a line better, less reaction to bumps / drain covers. Generally feel much more locked in during cornering.