Right then. Getting ready for winter and looking to change from Michelin PR3s. I've been really happy with these in all but one respect - the front has worn out faster than the rear. From what I've read, this is not unusual for these tyres. With winter coming, wet-weather performance and longevity are important factors. I now have my eye on Pirelli Angel GTs, but they seem to be designed for heavier touring bikes. Would I be better off with STs? Are STs as good in the wet as GTs are alleged to be? If not Pirellis, I'd consider Dunlop Roadsmart 2s. I had the original Roadsmarts on an older bike and was impressed, and the RS2s are supposed to be better all round, especially in the wet. Any other recommendations?
I have been running Angel STs all summer and I've been very impressed with them so far. They are wearing very slowly with almost 3k from new and no real visible squaring off on the rear. During the dry summer I've managed to get my toe down by accident a few times as it allowed big lean angles without any fuss. As far as wet grip is concerned I've had no issues yet, the PR3 has more grooves so would probably work better in a heavy downpour but when I've been caught in a shower it still feels like there's plenty of grip. The one big difference I've noticed from the Scorpions I was running before is the stability when braking hard and turning in. the Angels are super stable on the brakes and the tun in is quite slow so you can throw it around and the front doesn't feel like its falling in too fast. Overall I'm impressed so far and they seem great value compared to the PR3 and Roadsmarts.
Done 4k hard miles on the PR3s and wear rate is good and even with loads tread left. Grip good enough to get toe sliders down with balls of feet on pegs. Front end feels vague to me at speed, prefer the feel of PR2s and may go back to them if I don't go for something more sticky like Michelin Pilot Power 3s (PR2s were on different bikes...). Scorpions wear too fast and handle like a bag of s..t after 2k miles, though before they cleared 2k I actually thought they were outstanding. Friends I know using Roadsmarts or Sportsmarts and both give the thumbs up for them.
I vaguely remember talk on here that the fronts wear quicker than the rears on the MTS. No personal experience as had brand new rear when I bought it and had to lob it half worn when the front finally coughed (standard tyres). PR3's now but haven't worn then enough to tell!
My MPR3's have done 5000 miles. A lot of that 2 up plus a few weekends away with her in doors and her shoes and the front is fine; rear also fine. Tyre pressures checked regularly. Will almost certainly get another pair.
I've got Metzeler Z8 interacts on my Fazer 1000 commuter/wet weather bike and they're much better than the PR3s I had on before that, imho.
Give the new Bridestone T30's a try, have them on the superduke and find them excellent-not a budge in the wet or dry. Seemed to be lasting at least double what the old Rosso 2's also. The metz Z8's are another fantastic wet tire, found them very hard to fault and cheaper by a nice bit than the pr3s
Mac, I'm not into causing bother but what do the Metzeler tyres do that make them much better than the PR3! I happen to know that the PR3 is outstanding as are the sportsmarts and the roadsmarts and the Bridgestones and I could go on. In the case of the PR3 over standard scorpion for instance I know that the ride is smoother, they turn in easier through the corners, they warm up very fast, they give fabulous grip and feel in the wet, the wear rate on the ones I have owned has been outstanding etc, etc. Can you please enlighten the community on here what makes the Metzeler so outstanding over and above what the PR3 gives us please. Does it give you a BJ when you bend over to check the tyre pressure for instance? The fact that you love the tyre is absolutely fine by me but please give us more info. I would consider buying them myself but we all need to know why.
I must be riding my Multi wrong as I've changed my PR3 rear after 5.5K and the front has still got good shape and tread left. The PR3's do everything so well and are superb in the wet so I wouldn't want to change to another as I can't think of anything that could be improved. Apart from the bj maybe.....
3 secs a lap quicker in the wet at Cadwell Park. They feel nicer (to me) too. And better wear too (after 3,700 miles). PR3s are good, yes, I've had 2 sets on two different bikes, but they're just PR2s (literally the same tyre) with extra slashes in them which reduces tyre life. I'd take PR2s over PR3s any day even though they are slightly less good in the wet, they're still more than good enough (and cheaper and better wearing too). I'd still take the Z8s over both though. In fact, when my SportSmarts are done on my Multi, I'm putting Z8s on that too.
Hi Pirelli Angel GTs are not just for heavier bikes. There are two different rear tyres made the one designated with A is for heavier bikes the other is for lighter bikes.
I have bridgestone T30's on the 848 and they're fine. Id be used to getting caught out in the rain. Great tyre. You couldnt go wrong imo. See pic ( they dont look like that now ) :biggrin:
New PR3s fitted at the weekend, not really had a chance to push them yet, what with Noah dusting off his blue prints. Interesting that the dealers pointed out there was some bulging on the front original Scorpion. I have been noticing the bars "turning in" a little bit when going into a corner. Thought this might just be me not used to riding with such wide bars, looks like I was wrong. I have religiously checked pressures every weekend and only had to top up very minor amount twice, so not sure why the tyre was bulging. We are not talking John Merrick, quite minor, but had resulted in slight variance in tyre wear. Ho hum lesson learnt and something else to keep eye on.
My Scorpion front tyre went a weird shape on the edges to, I blamed 1200 miles of hard riding in Scotland, but others have similar comments about them.
When I took delivery of my 2013 earlier this year I had a pulsing sensation on the bars at walking speed. After the dealer swapper various parts over from their demo for testing, it turned out to be the front scorpion tyre. Could only conclude it was a deformed tyre from new.
I had the same problem with my front Scorp at 3,500 miles so binned them both. PR3s now. Great tyre with good wear rate IMO.
After a rear puncture with nearly 5 mm tread left, i was surprized at the uneven wear on the front scorpion , especially the stepping on the sides of the tread which tapered to 2mm in places, Its a first for me to have a front wear so quickly and unevenly,so scorpions are out ,, i only ride solo, I always fit pairs so its either a road bias angel gt or pr3, or metzeler tourance next,,,any one tried them on a multi I do lots of unclassified roads with gravel and poor surfaces , tourances gave excellent wet grip,on previous bikes , As its hardly off road stuff i was looking for input on going more road biased with good wet grip and better wear,, forest
