Back from invading France, Belgium, Lux & Germany... Road 5's. Well after last weekends beautiful weather, and the thick end of 1200 miles, I have a bit more to say about the Road 5's. Before I go into things too much, I was running 32F & 36R. On the outward journey, fully loaded but without a pillion, I noticed a bit of rear squirm when on a constant throttle when the tyre was in, let's say, the middle third i.e; the heavily cut section. Initially, I put this down to the weight of luggage etc. However, not too intrusive, but noticeable. No problem with straight line stability... Day 2: In the Eiffel region, beautiful clear sunny day, 23c, now sans luggage and settings adjusted to suit, I led the 11 sports bikes out on a spirited jaunt. Within 10 miles of our starting point, on a road better suited and surfaced than most tracks I've ridden on, whilst pushing on, I really noticed a very clear transition from the tyres cut area to the slick area. As this is the area where most of the hard acceleration is going on, out of corners, I could really feel the tyre moving and shimmying underneath me. I tried various ways of overcoming this to see what response I got from the rear. Constant throttle, on-off throttle, hanging-off & supermoto style push down. By riding through the shimmy to the slick portion I found the tyre to grip very well on the edge. No issues. A less ham-fisted (aggressive) throttle hand assisted greatly too, in that the tyre wasn't excessively loaded in the treaded area. Once I'd stopped, after about 60 miles, I checked the rear and found it to be tearing on the lips of the cuts. This was on both sides, evenly matched and consistent across the whole treaded area. I didn't adjust tyre pressures at all but just kept riding within what I thought were speeds best suited to me and the bike, tyre combination. No issues whatsoever from the front. Can't report on the rain feel as we basked in glorious sunshine all weekend. One final thing. On the return journey, on a long motorway section at speed, there was the beginnings of a gentle weave. Overall, quite pleased. Would like better stability in that middle 3rd but was pushing a touring tyre hard. Just hope this is of some use to anyone contemplating the Rd5.
@Shoboshi your pressures seem very low for that sort of tyre and that sort of riding. I find running sports touring tyres too low makes then very squirmy. Does with sports tyres too come to that, at least if you're not getting the necessary heat into them. Might explain that tearing on the edges of the sipes too. Did you experiment with pressures? My Conti RA3's were right up at the manufacturers maximum pressures when I wrote the above post. Today I tried them at my usual sports tyre pressures of 38/34 but they were better as they were so I'll be going back to 36/42
There has to be a compromise with tyres like these. Unless you intend riding a lot in the wet i think most riders are better buying a tyre that performs very well in the dry with good wet weather performance rather than the other way round.
I agree. Its in the dry that you want to get the hammer down. Few people nail it in the wet on public roads, you just ride smooth. Every sports touring tyre will manage that. I would add that you also want feedback, sure-footedness and confidence because you're not riding a track where you can learn all its foibles, its a constantly changing road and you want tyres that communicate.
I agree. Its in the dry that you want to get the hammer down. Few people nail it in the wet on public roads, you just ride smooth. Every sports touring tyre will manage that. I would add that you also want feedback, sure-footedness and confidence because you're not riding a track where you can learn all its foibles, its a constantly changing road and you want tyres that communicate.
I have found the PR4 though to be excellent wet or dry, and certainly nothing shobooshi is describing with the 5. I tend to pick the gas up before the apex and drive thru, so having it squirm wouldn’t suit my riding style on quicker rides.
Tyre pressures were recommended by dealer. I used to run Diablo supercorsas on my R1’s, Pani, 1290 at similar psi. I had Pr4’s previously which had similar issue with squirming. I ran them up and down on the psi to see if things changed. It didn’t. The rd5 is marginally better dry. Ten miles and an ambient temp in the low to mid 20’s is more than enough time and temp to prevent cold tearing. The compound is very very soft so that would most likely benefit grip in wet conditions. I suppose I’m looking for sports tyre grip from what’s effectively a wet biased tyre but as I said I like riding hard in the wet. I’ll experiment some more too and see what else occurs.
Metzeler Z8s give almost sports tyre performance in the dry on the road, last well and give decent wet weather performance too.
The best wet grippers I've tried to be fair are the Roadtec 01's, but with the above reservations about wear and flatting off. When they're fresh there's nothing to beat them in the wet. I used to run Z8's on a Speed Triple and liked them, but I tried them on a KTM SMT and had horrendous front end stability issues with bar wagging above 70 mph. The front wheel was balanced and there was nothing wrong with the bike. As soon as I fitted Dunlop Roadsmarts the wagging ceased and it behaved impeccably. For some odd reason those tyres just didn't suit that bike and the experience has put me off using them since. I had reservations about putting the Roadtecs on another KTM but they were fine. I would say they had the edge on the Z8s for grip, wet and dry but the Z8 mileage was excellent.
I have the original scorpions and they have done 4500 miles, today at around 100 mph I could feel a front end weave occuring especially around corners, at 125 it came in again and I had to lean forward when I got to 142. Standard screen on lower setting, 36 psi front and rear, and I am 6’ 3” tyres show signs of wear and topbox fitted. I guess the top box does not help but undecided on roadtecks or the Bridgestone T31, perhaps even a damper on the handlebar.
I might have to try next week without the top box, just to see the difference. On my GTR I only ever got to 125 with the top box as it was so heavy and cumbersome but this Multistrada is as nippy as my grandson.
Take it steady Big Alan, once I’m over 90mph my brain is struggling to keep up Bet you’ve squished some flies today then. As for the pirrelies I would imagine the rear is starting to square off a little at 4,500 miles, this will be the cause of a little instability. It happens to all tyres once they lose their profile. All bike feel so much more stable with new tyres. Good luck with your choice of next rubber
Squished flies!!!!! Millions and millions of them, took five baby wipes to clean the screen and front of the bike, two to do the forks and front fender and I have yet to do the rest. As for my lid that was another two and I have yet to even look at the jacket as it’s horrendous.
Cleaned mine too, no way I could leave the carnage to fester from today. Half a tin or mr sheen does wonders
