Michelin Pilot Road 4s

[frez]

Just changed my tyres again (to Avon Storm XMs), here's the mileage I got on the Super Tenere on the two types of PR4...

PR4 Front - 10,842 (i.e. two rears, was some mileage left on it but it was starting to feel a little loose so changed it anyway).

PR4 Trail Rear - 4,822 (around 500 miles left before I would hit wear bars)

PR4 (normal) Rear - 6,020 (around 500 miles left before I would hit wear bars)

So you get about 25% more wear with the non-trail version with no discernible difference in grip/handling.

And before you mention, different roads, different riding, the bike is only used on my long commutes from Wimborne to Bristol and back 3 days a week, same porky rider, same A and B roads, same speeds, first tyre used in spring/summer, second tyre used in summer/autumn.

 

[Maxified]

Thanks for the data. How did you evaluate the performance?

 

[frez]

I only ride on roads not dirt, although I can't see anyone using them if they go on dirt anyway.

The performance on the road is excellent, wet or dry. The grip was so good I ended up with the rear wheel in the air when emergency braking from around 50mph rather than it losing grip and the abs helping out.

You do pay a premium for them though.

I heard good things about the Avons so I thought I'd give them a shot. Fifty miles in riding in the rain they are pretty good. I think the side walls are softer than the PR4s as it gives a more compliant ride. I had the rear slightly let go when giving it big throttle exiting a sharp corner, probably my fault for doing so in the rain on new tyres. I'll post a report when I'm done with them.

 

[Koinz]

I still have the PR4's on mine that I installed in the May timeframe. I do 99% street, but I did do a mountain trail in Kentucky this summer. Luckily it was hardpacked dirt for the most part.

I rode them through some torential rain and I was pretty impressed by their traction - Of course, in that type of rain you slow down considerably.
On wets roads with a constant drizzle I found the traction to be very good. Speed in the twisties were faster, but I felt the rear slip out a tiny bit on a couple of the harder leans.

Sidewalls are much softer than the OEM Bridgestone's I took off, so it depends what you're comparing against.

Mileage has been good - I have about 8K Miles on front and rear and it's not at the wear bar yet. I may replace the rear in the spring and try to get 2 rears to 1 front tire.
YMMV

 

[scott123007]

I only ride on roads not dirt, although I can't see anyone using them if they go on dirt anyway.

/quote]

LOL.

Nevermind...you weren't at the Rally.

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I only ride on roads not dirt, although I can't see anyone using them if they go on dirt anyway.

/quote]

LOL.

Nevermind...you weren't at the Rally.

::025:: I saw what those are capable of in the dirt. I was really impressed. However my skills in the dirt are rather limited.

 

[Scorpio]

I just bought my Tenere so can't speak about PR4's on it but I have them on my K1600 and they are the best tires I have had on that bike. Took it to the Mountains and the tires held so good in the curves almost to the point that I felt uncomfortable . I really love those tires and may look to putting them on the S10 once the factory tires expire.

 

[jaeger22]

Thanks for the comparison frez. You confirmed my theory about the regular RP4 verse the Trail. I when with the regular because I just could not make any sense of the trail using softer rubber. I want this tire for road performance and mileage. So I went with the regular RP4 and I am very happy with it. I am on my second one now. Man you are hard on tires! ??? I had 3K miles on the first rear when I hit the road for a coast to coast and back ride (Orlando-Portland OR and back) I had 10,600 on it when I got back and put the new one on. It still had some usable miles on it but I was getting ready for another trip. I am still on the same front but I normally burn up 2 or even 3 rears to one front. I love Battlewings and they are cheaper but I only get about 8,600 miles out of them.

 

[frez]

I don't get a lot of miles from my tyres because of the roads I ride all the time (and the speed I ride them)...

A little of this...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.9517436,-2.1758744,3a,75y,289.35h,77.7t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sC6aRrNzKkxBFXx-kSnGYbw!2e0

Mostly this..
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.1435095,-2.1610839,3a,75y,333.71h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sq21rCXdNJhnCelbQY447xg!2e0
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3301703,-2.3347408,3a,75y,359.76h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1slCDELrLiyBsRLRhlUKKghA!2e0

A little of this...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4153847,-2.4938315,3a,75y,313.53h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s5UGpasnoBpiAvjrbtise8g!2e0

And none of this...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5097465,-2.1708737,3a,75y,111.04h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1skSlzvNwV1f3LiInjYpwUGA!2e0

A couple of years ago I was just riding motorways (like your interstate highways). Mostly straight, multiple lanes, constant speed (the last link above). Squaring off was the problem back then, not mileage.

 

[Maxified]

Put on about 400 miles on my newly mounted PR4 RTs today. The handling was very good. Coming off the K60s I'd forgotten how much quieter the ride can be with road tires. Having a fresh TBS, freshly lubed shifter pivot, & fairly fresh Mobil1 in the sump, and the new sneakers it was a very smooth ride today. Amazing how much smoother the '12 has become over time & with the AVC re-flash.