Can anyone relate ?? …looking to replace the tyres on my 2015 DVT, i ride I’d say 80% with a pillion, I’m looking for a tyre that’s longer lasting & won’t quickly square off with a pillion on board, & will give me decent grip when I’m on a solo hoon ( I want the moon on a stick I know )
Tyres, a contentious subject... I'm happy with Michelin Road5. Self and girlfriend did Corsica trip last year with the bike fully loaded with luggage and they coped really well. Have since swapped for the Road6 ahead of a trip to Germany in June, they allegedly last even longer but cost a bit more, time and mileage will tell, they're looking good so far. I reckon I'd get 6,000-7,000 miles from a set of the Road5s, but usually need to change early due to heading off to the continent again and needing the confidence that the tyres fitted will last the distance. I usually have a of set or two of part/mostly worn tyres in the garage that are waiting to be put back on for the final stretch but this never tends to happen and they wind up going to the dump in the end... I've found the Michelin Pilot Roads and now the Road series pretty good and improving with each iteration. The PR4s did wear a but funny, especially the fronts wearing out on the sides first. Maybe me pushing too far into corners on the brakes chasing my 996 riding touring buddy. They offer excellent grip wet or dry, certainly enough for my riding anyway. Was out on Saturday and the centre stand touched down a couple of times.
Another vote for Road 5's, can't fault them apart from the price but, all good premium tyres cost around the same. Mileage really varies, current rear has about 1 ride left after 8 days riding in Spain and a couple of Sunday rides, 2300 miles and it's done but, I have had as much as 4000. They don't square off and they feel almost as good with zero tread as they do when new.
Blimey, you must work them hard Hot weather and abrasive roads do rip into the life of a tyre somewhat, summer tours to Mediterranean countries (or anywhere hot). However, 4,000 miles as your furthest is pretty low.
And that's at 4,000 miles? If you were constantly riding on high abrasion roads, such as in the Scottish Highlands, it might help me understand how you manage to get through them so quickly.
I don't think that one was the 4000 miler, that's just from Sunday mornings around Wales, also, I get better mileage out of them in the summer/warmer conditions than in the winter, they seem to tear up on the sides a lot more when the temps are low. The worst tyre for wear I tried was the Metzeler 01 SE, whilst I had no major grip issues it did start to square off after around 900 miles, I never suffer squared off tyres, another 1000 miles and the rear was done. I've run a few Bridgestone BT023's too, they're ok, not the best in the wet and lower mileage than the Road 5's but, they were a lot cheaper a few years back, not so now, and dry grip was fine. I've not run any true sports tyres yet so will try a pair of Power 5's next, should make the bike turn a bit quicker.
