Tyre Compatibility

[Yondan]

Hi, I hope I'm in the right place. The dedicated tyre thread seemed to be closed. My 1200GS is currently on Michelin Pilot Roads. I will need to replace the rear in about 500 miles (2 weeks). Recent Ride tests give the Bridgestone B021 a good report. Is it a good idea to run rhe B021 on the rear with a Pilot Road on the Front, or would I be better with a Pilot Road 2 ?

 

[pablo666]

I thought the general consensus is to run on matched pairs.

 

[harryfire]

bmw club in august journal did a tyre test, and if i remember Metzeler Sportec m3 came out tops.
worth a look i suppose

 

[harryfire]

oh i forgot, hi by the way,


and yes matching pairs is the way,

 

[Blackal]

Didn't realise that the Pilot Road 2 fit the GS

I have them on one of my bikes and really rate them for grip and longevity - can't see any reason to change from them.

Another popular choice for the GS is Avon Azero/Storm (Azero on front as Storm not in correct size) - no probs with compatibility (approved by Avon).

Al

 

[harryfire]

hey up Blackal, are you inbetween trixters and tossers as well???

 

[Blackal]

hey up Blackal, are you inbetween trixters and tossers as well???

Got a BoxerCup Replika and a GS1200Adv

Al

 

[harryfire]

yeah seen you on boxertrix

 

[Yondan]

Thanks for the tips

Thanks for all the responses. I don't see the point of binning a perfectly good front tyre, so I guess I'll stay with the Michelins. I understand that the Pilot Road 2 is available for the rear of the GS but not yet for the front. However, apparently Michelin approve 1 on front with 2 on back.

 

[Ali-bear]

I don't think there's really that much difference between the Michelins and the Bridgestones.

Out of curiosity, how long did the Pilot Roads last?

 

[Yondan]

I don't think there's really that much difference between the Michelins and the Bridgestones.

Out of curiosity, how long did the Pilot Roads last?

They were on the bike when I bought it secondhand last October, so I don't know how many miles they had on them, but they looked fairly new. I do roughly 1000 miles a month, so I've probably put around 9000 miles on them, the back is almost down to the wear indicators, and the front is probably half worn. They have an easy life, mainly driving up and down the A2 in traffic, so everything but the centre strip is viftually new.

 

[teamwimp]

beware of running softer rubber on the back than the front. The pilot road 2 is a two compound tyre which is grippier on the shoulders than in the centre. If the front has the same grip as the grippier compound on the rear then you're ok otherwise the rear will continue to stick and shove even when the front is sliding - not good!

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Seems Michelin (Pilot Road/Road 2), Avon (Azaro/Storm) and Bridgestone (BT020/BT021) recommend mixed tyres for the GS. While I'm sure part of this is because they don't want to disenfranchise riders of a bike with Europe-wide popularity, I'm sure they wouldn't recommend it if it was unsafe. I've read tests of the Avon and Bridgestone combinations and in bothe they were recommended.

I'm sure no manufacturers would recommend combining their tyres with another company's. Part of this might be commercial interest, but I wouldn't want to be the first to test a combination in serious riding. I have used combinations for short periods (Tourance front, Anakee rear) pending delivery of a new tyre.

 

[Blackal]

Seems Michelin (Pilot Road/Road 2), Avon (Azaro/Storm) and Bridgestone (BT020/BT021) recommend mixed tyres for the GS. While I'm sure part of this is because they don't want to disenfranchise riders of a bike with Europe-wide popularity, I'm sure they wouldn't recommend it if it was unsafe. I've read tests of the Avon and Bridgestone combinations and in bothe they were recommended.

I'm sure no manufacturers would recommend combining their tyres with another company's. Part of this might be commercial interest, but I wouldn't want to be the first to test a combination in serious riding. I have used combinations for short periods (Tourance front, Anakee rear) pending delivery of a new tyre.

I'm with Robin on this - A tyre maker has control over its own tyres only. The most they will say is "Yeah you can use them -but we can't say how they will behave"

Not sure about teamwimp's idea of not wanting the back grippier than the front - in ideal conditions................. wouldn't you prefer the front to "wash out" ?

There are so many factors affecting grip - weight distribution/ tyre loading, power delivery etc - that it appears a bit simplistic to come out and say "hard front/soft rear = dangerous"

Al

 

[Ali-bear]

There are so many factors affecting grip - weight distribution/ tyre loading, power delivery etc - that it appears a bit simplistic to come out and say "hard front/soft rear = dangerous"

Not to say boastful. If you think that having a front tyre that "washes out" before the back starts to slip is going to limit your riding, you're riding the wrong type of bike my friend.

 

[teamwimp]

no boasting in it - I've had it happen and have the scuffs to show it. If however you think that you have the skill to ride a front wheel washout while the rear powers on then good luck to you as you are a much better rider than I.
Personally I'll stick to my theme which is that I'd rather lose rear grip than front grip.

 

[Ali-bear]

Fair enough.

I don't have the skill to ride the bike with or without washout but if thats what you like then good luck to you.

 

[colinw]

if you ride under power all the way through the corner, your front can do what it likes, even go airbourne and you will still be turning !! problems come when you roll off that right grip. after passing my bike test I used to blame tyres, claiming they let go and slid and all the things that they do. However once I started riding with experienced guys it became VERY clear it wasn't the tyres but me!! I am now observing with the IAM passing on the tips that REALLY taught me to ride. Most modern tyres are capable of well surpassing the riders ability, its just that some make a rider appear better by being more forgiving!!

BEFORE ANYONE TAKES THIS THE WRONG WAY IT IS NOT A DIG AT ANYONE, JUST MY OOPSPINION