Tyre time again What a choice we have

rodsharp

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Have been trying to decide on my next tyres . Only decision so far is I think I should stay with sport touring road tyres as I never go off road. The choice we have in our sizes now has never been better and I am being driven towards the latest editions on the assumption that the progress made constantly improves the standard, just compare the latest with even only 5 years ago as evidence. My choice is between Bridgestone T30 evo. Dunlop road smart 3. Metzeler roadtec 01. Pirelli Angel gt ( a bit older but still gets good reviews) and Michelin PR4 again but don't think it will be them due to the punctures I have had and they don't last long. Excellent reviews also on the latest dual sport tyres so could even change my mind and go for one of them . I guess I am pretty lucky with all the shit going on in the world that I am spending time even thinking about this. Anyway I am sure I will get several bods along to tell me which way to go so here's waiting.
 
I like the Continental TKC-70.

BUT

It's noisy and you can feel the tread wandering slightly at motorway speeds. On the up-side they cope well with slippery gravel over tarmac they are very light handling and seem to be wearing quite well. If you do a lot of motorways and hardly ever touch the rough stuff, you will be better off with road treads.
 
For those that have fitted the PR4's is it worth going GT rear and trail front f you can get them?
 
Fitted Dunlop Trialsmart 2 to my adventure. I am finding the grip very good and on light trails. Love flying around the back roads. Reminds me of flying around on my last bike a GSXR1000.
 
Just fitted a set of Bridgestone A40. Paid £206 fitted. Early days so far but grip seems to be good and the bike feels planted.
 
179club said:
Fitted Dunlop Trialsmart 2 to my adventure. I am finding the grip very good and on light trails. Love flying around the back roads. Reminds me of flying around on my last bike a GSXR1000.
Click to expand...

Agree, this my tyre of choice. Great grip, predictable, stable at speed two up and very good in the wet....no problems with over banding and white lines....really impressive.
 
My brother has the ordinary Tourance on his GSA. They feel heavy handling compared to my TKC-70s. I've not used the Tourance Next but would expect a more nimble feel from them.
 
I've recently put a set of the new Avon trailrider tyres on the GSA. I'm very impressed: lots of grip on cold, wet tarmac, turn in is well balanced, reasonably quiet, and they suit the look of the bike!
Road tyres just look wrong on a GS imho.
I rate them as a better sporty road tyre than the PR3 and PR4, the Angel GTs, and the Scorpion Trail 2s that I've gone through in the last year.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
 
I originally had Conti trail attacks on my GS and changed to PR4 for the same reason your thinking (always ride on roads).

I have now done 8,500 miles on PR4's and they were great. however on an Autumn trip to Brittany I rode with a pal on an identical bike but with Conti Trail attack 2's on. The roads were damp and I thought I would leave him standing.......... Not at all the grip on both tyres were very similar (we swopped bikes for a while to compare).
I have just changed my tyres again and gone for the Conti Trail Attack 2's.

As others have said I feel that the GS does not look quite right with 100% road tyres and after comparing them to the Trail Attacks there was no noticeable benefit whereas with the Trail Attacks they are happy to do mild gravel tracks too.

Interestingly I did notice straight away how much heavier my steering was moving the bike in and out the garage with the Trail Attacks. not sure how this translates on the road (does not feel heavier when riding).

Just my tuppence worth.

Neil
 
Tyres used so far: all on 1200gs stock bike

Tourances x 3 circa 8000miles from rear on each
Bridgestone Battlax x 1 Circa 7000 miles from rear
Michelin PR4 x 1 set Circa 6000 miles from rear
Bridgestone Trailwing = current set 2000 miles so far

Ratings:
1. PR4's - without doubt the best tyres I've had. everything touched down with these - feet, pegs, panniers and still felt like you could lean further. Soft and nearly bald after 6000 miles so not cheap. Stable in wet or dry, quiet and felt more secure leaned over than upright - uncanny and great. will buy again (current Traiwing replacements were only option available at the time :mad:) Once they are gone, it's back to PR4's

2. Tourance - durable, look right and great in the wet, but couldn't lean over as much as on road tyres - still touched pegs but felt risky
2. Battlax - joint 2nd with Tourance - not as good looking or as good value, but a really nice scratching tyre - grippy but reasonably durable.

6. Trailwing - note no 4th or 5th place - wouldn't rate this high enough for that! don't like these much. Feels like I'm riding on marbles at times and once you lose your confidence in your rubber, your whole ride goes to pot - less smooth, more upright, tentative. Would get shot of them but am too tight not to wear them out!

Will fit PR4's again next time although I am tempted by the Avon Distanza reviews....always was a loyalty tart :augie
 
My bike came to me with Trailings. I was glad to get shot of them. I used a pair of Maxxis Detours which were on a par with ordinary Tourance. The back was replaced at about 8K miles with a Maxxis Supermax road tyre which I took well past it's use by date at about 7K miles. The Detour front was nasty but still legal when I fitted the TKC-70s. Ive also got through a pair of Tourance on the alloy wheels. Sturdy and never had any nasty moments but feel stodgy compared to the TKCs.
 
Anything Continental or Michelin.
Those Pirelli Phantom's gave me too many heart-stopping moments with truly frightening slides.
 
stanley said:
I've recently put a set of the new Avon trailrider tyres on the GSA. I'm very impressed: lots of grip on cold, wet tarmac, turn in is well balanced, reasonably quiet, and they suit the look of the bike!
Road tyres just look wrong on a GS imho.
I rate them as a better sporty road tyre than the PR3 and PR4, the Angel GTs, and the Scorpion Trail 2s that I've gone through in the last year.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Trailriders are fantastic, really pleased with mine
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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