Ultimate epic full on road tyre choice

[yankeedoodledandy]

I have a PR4 Trail on the front and a GT on the rear. Handling is superb wet or dry. Done 1.5k on them and most of that
round rural Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Off to France and Spain next month.
Was disappointed with the Nexts as replaced at 5k, but squared off in 3.5k which shagged the handling.
Was hoping the harder section in the rear GT will stop that and looking good so far.

I don't understand why Michelin left off the hard compound for the PR4T rear. Since every other road tire used on the GS seems to flatten in the middle quickly (Next, TA2, Anakee), and many GSers seem to load the bike a lot for trips, one would think having a longer wearing center would be very important to match tire life to the front.

If I run the PR4 at some point, I'll also get a GT rear instead of the trail, assuming I can find someone who stocks it.

 

[Bounce]

I'm heading towards Conti Road Attack 2 Evo's for my next set of boots; I've run TA's for a few years and they've performed superbly on the road (Dry & Wet conditions), and a bit off road too.

They also do a GT set.....

 

[Giles]

Did somebody say G&T .....

 

[Nutty]

Did somebody say G&T .....

Yes, but not that Gordon's shite

 

[Giles]

Oh I forgot .... you drink that Bombay perfumed shite don't you .....

 

[Nutty]

Oh I forgot .... you drink that Bombay perfumed shite don't you .....

No, Tanqueray 10

 

[Haroldsenior]

Reading through the posts on this subject, it seems that the PR4 has a good following. Often handling and wear are mentioned, both very important. Only occasionally, however, is noise mentioned. Where would your choice lie if that was the main consideration when replacing? Standard as fitted on my 2013 is Conti. I think they are noisy.

 

[Voz]

I had PR3 on my previous bike, Kawasaki Versys 650. Loved them but I picked up a puncture usually once a month. They grip in wet & dry was excellent. My 13 GSW came with Tourence Next which I though were also pretty damn grippy in wet & dry. I got about 9500 klm out of the rear TN before replacing it with another TN, was fairly flat but still about 1 mm left to the wear indicators.

Keep in mind that the Michellin are Kevlar belt vs most other tyres including the Tourence Next. Apparently the Kevlar belts do not retain heat as well as steel belts. Also plugs go into the Michellin a lot easier than steel belted tyres.

 

[Bounce]

No, Tanqueray 10

Tis nice....quite partial to a Hendricks too.....

 

[Eunuch]

Reading through the posts on this subject, it seems that the PR4 has a good following. Often handling and wear are mentioned, both very important. Only occasionally, however, is noise mentioned. Where would your choice lie if that was the main consideration when replacing? Standard as fitted on my 2013 is Conti. I think they are noisy.

I don't think there is a huge difference in road noise on 100% road orientated tyres. The Anakee III's are notoriously noisey and I'll never forget the revelation the first time I moved from trail type tyres (had run Tourances for years) to road only (then it was to PR2's). Unless you particularly like riding slimey shitty back roads in the winter or intend taking a GS on any kind of trail I think there are lots of positives to say go down the 100% road tyre route.

I found both the Roadsmart 2's and the PR4's quiet on the road, though much prefer the PR4's for what they deliver. I'm pretty fussy with noise (wind, in-ear earphones, etc) too.

Tis nice....quite partial to a Hendricks too.....

+1. Don't forget to use cucumber rather than lemon though.

 

[Nutty]

+1. Don't forget to use cucumber rather than lemon though.

LEMON? It's lime in a proper G&T!

 

[notadrop]

PR4 GT

 

[Nutty]

PR4 GT

Stop getting back to the OP, this thread is now about gin and tonic!

 

[Eunuch]

Stop getting back to the OP, this thread is now about gin and tonic!

I've answered the Op and follow-up questions, and now it's time to keep the Mods happy

In order of preference:

G'vine
Hendricks
Plymouth
Bombay
No 3
Tanqueray No 10

And afraid it is lemon rather than lime, apart from Hendricks with cucumber and G'Vine with a grape .... ohh, get me

 

[biggeorge]

MICHELIN PR 4 ON LC

Hi just to update ,had a pair of PR4 TRAILS ,on mine (2014) GS just done 6k on them rear will do another 1k . not squared off much at all but most of mileage done on A/B ROADS ABOUT 1K ON MOTORWAY .handling great wet/dry front will go again very little wear .

 

[King55]

I have a PR4 Trail on the front and a GT on the rear. Handling is superb wet or dry. Done 1.5k on them and most of that
round rural Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Off to France and Spain next month.

Was disappointed with the Nexts as replaced at 5k, but squared off in 3.5k which shagged the handling.
Was hoping the harder section in the rear GT will stop that and looking good so far.

Did the same on my LC and did 2500 miles around the Spains Picos mountains and they still look nearly new

 

[Motorcycle Michael]

I can't believe how far some of you guys go on a set of tyres!
I had Anakee 111's as original fitment on my TE and at 3500 miles,the rear was shot-well under the legal limit.
I now have PR4's and they seem very good all round.

They've covered 2300 and seem to be wearing well-we'll see.

 

[pistole]

I can't believe how far some of you guys go on a set of tyres!
I had Anakee 111's as original fitment on my TE and at 3500 miles,the rear was shot-well under the legal limit.
I now have PR4's and they seem very good all round.

They've covered 2300 and seem to be wearing well-we'll see.

you are right. All riders ride differently

.

 

[notadrop]

Tanqueray 10


.........is that better?

 

[howdoo]

Anakee 3

Afetr 800 miles of solo useage and another 2800 miles with a pillion and lots of luggage, the rear tyre is below the wear markers.
They seem to grip well but it's going to be an expensive doo.