Michelin Pilot Road 2: Excellent tire!

[throttlemeister]

For my Spain trip (see report in Boxerbanter forum), I needed a tire that would last the distance, as I was not going to be changing on the trip nor liked the idea of returning on canvas. Sports tires were out of the question, cause of their wear. Previous experiences with touring tires did not leave me happy, but I needed a set anyway. I told myself I was going for the cultural stuff, not to rip up the twisties.

A choice was made, and I put a set of the new Michelin Pilot Road 2 under the S.

In short, what a fantastic tire! They needed more time to scrub in than the Pilot Powers and they are very slippery when new, which was a bit unnervy.

Now, after this trip which according to my GPS lasted 7736km I am fully convinced of the capabilities of this tire. It has plenty grip, even in very hot temperatures and road surfaces. Even on high speed 130kph turns with the heads almost on the deck, they never even hinted of letting go. Instead it created nice little rolls of rubber on both wheels.

The times it did let go, caused by very slippery polished road surfaces, it did so slowly and without scaring me.

The tire stays nice and round and wear is very minimal. As said, I did 7736 on this trip, and there is still 2-3mm from the wear bars. Even after superslabbing home on the way back aka 1000km motorway, there is still no flat spot in the center of the rear tire.

These tires will last me at least 10,000km and I have not spared them in the mountains.

Will I get them again? That depends. For another big trip like this, in a heartbeat. For normal riding? No. They have more than enough grip, but they are still a touring tire. Which means the carcass is more flat for added stability, but also causing slower turn-in. Personally, I prefer the quick turn-in and twitchyness of true sports tires.

My perfect tire? The MPR2 with the shape of a sports tire.

[winger]

Interesting!!!,mine have 4500miles on now,my personnel hate is scrubbing tyres in,their the easiest one ones i've had,did e'm in minutes.

Interesting you think 130 clicks an hour is quick!!! but prefer a sports tyre for quicker turns,fully loaded two up at 200 maybe.

With 4500 on mine have started to loose the profile,but still have loads of tread left.

The down side,they ain't so good with cats eyes etc in wet,have had one or two exciting moments,but i do have my S set up fairly stiffly.

Had someone say to me the other day Michelin have dropped a bollock,they've raised the bar to high,not only has it murdered other makes of tyres,it's killed a lot of there own,hence when you ask for an Road O2 they may try and sell you something else!!! but thats another story.

[throttlemeister]

Didn't say I thought that was quick. Doing 130 with the cyl. head on the deck is though, imo. We're on public roads and not even highways, not a track. I don't give a rats on speeds going in a straight line.

[winger]

130 isn't quick doing anything,apart from falling off,200 clicks hard over two up,fully loaded,straight line?? i'm doing more than 200k's in a straight line i can tell you.maybe thats why mine falls to bits

[throttlemeister]

You musn't do a lot of curves then and ride a lot of motorways instead. I prefer smaller roads personally. Or you may have a gross disregard for your own life, your passenger and other people as I have yet to see any B road on which anyone with a sane mind can say it is safe to do 200kph.

[winger]

Read your first post,and then your last,bit of contridiction i think

[Blackal]

C'mon now lads - no nead for

These sound like the tyres I need for taking the R-1 on holiday to France, or has anyone got a better suggestion for sportier ones that will last 3000 miles?

(I reckon I'll get 2000 miles out of the original Dunlop rear )

Al

[bill pierce]

Good to know they seem to ware well. I just had a set mounted 2 weeks ago. Have 2K miles on them.
They stick much better than I expected. I had pilot powers before. I have a 140 mile a day commute to work and back on windy roads so the miles rack up quick.

[Boxered]

I had a pair fitted 3 weeks ago, and after last weeks trip to germany and a day at the nurburgring, I can report no problems in the wet ( even after being jetwashed for a few hours in the black forest ) grip is excellent once the're warmed up, and after 2k miles they still look brand new! I'm impressed.....very

Steve

[dave2wheels]

yes I like the Pilot road 2 as well fitted on my grey bike, I also use Avon Azaro (on red bike) and I'll be moving to the Avon Storms next. Like the Avons, cheap AND good! (and yes of course I have wet and dry track tyres, and fast road tyres to compare with! I own 4 sets of wheels)

Bill, serious respect for a 140 mile round trip. Makes me feel like I only go the the local shops and back in 80 mile daily round trip!

Dave

[Gromit]

I wanted to give the Road 2's a try on the 'Bird when I got new tyres last week but Michelin don't do a fitment for the bike yet.

However, I ended up with a pair of Avon Storm ST's which have been fabulous. Good ride quality, plenty of grip and not a single squirm over the weekend in France despite some extremely wet weather. I'm on my 2nd Storm rear - the first went to 3500 miles and only just half-worn (got a new rear to match the new front so kept the half-worn rear for future use). No squaring off at all and kept its profile nicely.

As soon as Michelin recommend a fitment for the Blackbird I'll give them a try though, will be interesting to compare, although they'll have to go some to actually improve on the new Avons.