Pilot Road 2 - input, sources to buy?

[bpg]

MODS!  Pretty please leave this up for a while in General Discussion!

Been looking really hard at the new for '07 Michelen Pilot Road 2  

Seems like an ideal tire for me - 5 daily 50 mile commutes, 100-500 weekend miles in mountain twisties, and the occasional week+ trip that involves anything from slab to superb twisties to a rocky and gravel-ly goat path

Currently running Metz M1 up front and Z6 in the back - with this set-up I can eek a tad over 6K out of the rear tire.  Thing is, all my freeway commuting has the center worn out before the shoulders (yeah I know, swerve in traffic more, LOL! ).  The M1 up front wears pretty evenly.

I love the grip of the Z6 (no chicken strips at all, and no slippage, ever).  Much better than the original Pilot Roads that were on the bike when I bought it (lots of slippage).  

So, will the PR 2 provide more center tread mileage and still give the same great grip?

And, where are the best sources for Pilot Road 2's?  

I change my own, so online/good price is preferred..

Thanks all!!

[1KPerDay]

So, will the PR 2 provide more center tread mileage and still give the same great grip?

Probably. Buy a set and let us know.

[bpg]

shoot, I would do just that if my favoritest/most reliable online dealers (Ron Ayers & SWmoto Tire) stocked 'em, LOL!

FWIW, for comparison sake, supposedly the Z6 is very close to or the same thing as a Pirelli Diablo Strada, so swap that in for "Z6" in the first post

[ctfz1]

sw lists pr2s as this week. Have to use left menue, expensive,

[bpg]

sw lists pr2s as this week. Have to use left menue, expensive,

Damn - $159 + $14 S&H!!  

$173 shipped for the PR 2, versus $150 shipped for a Z6 from Ron Ayers..

Hmmmmmmm.....

Currently getting ~43 miles/dollar from the Z6 (at 6500 miles of life); I'd have to get at LEAST 7500 miles out of the PR 2 to break even...  

But less tire changing, LOL!

[1KPerDay]

If you're getting 6500 out of the Z6 I imagine the PR2s will last at least 7.5K for you... I get about 6-7K out of the roads and everyone says they last longer than the Z6.

[Giaka]

sw lists pr2s as this week. Have to use left menue, expensive,

http://arizonamoto.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SWMT&Category_Code=PilotRoad2

Yeap looks like the SV will get the regular PRs or something else.

[TRaGiK]

As soon as I get through my Avon Storms (another month so), I'll be buying a set.

Can't wait to try 'em out.

[ctfz1]

sw has Bridgestones 021 s 120/70 17 and 180/55 17 pair $221.90 shipped.
These are getting very good reviews.

[Powder Addict]

I'm very curious about this as well.  I got about >6k out of my Pilot Power CT2's, while I LOVE the tire, I'd like to not have to replace the tire every 6k.

[Andrew]

My local shop has them in stock (well he did yesterday )
Too bad I still have some life on my Roads. By the end of the month I will be able to give you a "how new PR2 feel" report.

[bpg]

sw has Bridgestones 021 s 120/70 17 and 180/55 17 pair $221.90 shipped.
These are getting very good reviews.

Dang!!  Haven't seen many reviews for the BT 021's in my application yet, but that's a screaming deal!  

Anyone know how the Bridgestone 021 compares to a Metz Z6 (as far as grip and longevity)??

[carlt828]

So, will the PR 2 provide more center tread mileage and still give the same great grip?

I thought it was basically the same center with softer-stickier sides.  

[ctfz1]

German magazine  rated 021 best sport touring tire in limited testing.  Riders on FZ1 and FJR Forums happy, tire greatly superior 020 or Pilot Road in feel. Mileage is still open question, is supposed to outlast 020s.
SWMototires charges $14 ship one tire, no shipping on two.
Find Pirelli Stradas less expensive Z6.

[bpg]

I thought it was basically the same center with softer-stickier sides.  

Sorry - meant to say that "compared to a Metz Z-6 rear, will the PR2 last significantly longer and provide the same (or better!!) grip"...

[bpg]

German magazine  rated 021 best sport touring tire in limited testing.  Riders on FZ1 and FJR Forums happy, tire greatly superior 020 or Pilot Road in feel. Mileage is still open question, is supposed to outlast 020s.
SWMototires charges $14 ship one tire, no shipping on two.
Find Pirelli Stradas less expensive Z6.

Well, if the BT-021's outlast the Z6/Stradas (<--which are essentially the same tire, right?), and for less $$, I think it would be a good match for my needs...

[ctfz1]

Maybe. Regional roads, air pressure run, skill, hp, weight all have influence. I like the Stradas, showed cord at 7500. An aggressive W Virginia rider says 3000-3500. Florida good, Texas bad.
Best guess I'd expect about same mileage I got on Stratas.
Wish were easy answers. Using Metzler M3s I won in contest at sportbikes.com/ good tire, waiting to see mileage.
Cost wise 021s probably next set.

[bpg]

'zactly - all I can do is try 'em..  Actually going to leave the M1 up front - it delivers KILLER traction and longevity for a heav(ier) bike being thrashed in the NC mountains...

[Jules]

The PR 2CT was released in Australia quite a bit earlier than in the US. At present they are quite difficult to find in certain sizes. I needed a 180/55 and had to wait 3 weeks, although 190's were available at some shops. I just had one fitted on the rear of my VFR800 yesterday so can't comment yet re performance. FWIW I'm running the single compound P Power on the front so it will be interesting to see how that combo works out.
Here is a link to Michelin's PR 2CT product info  http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=2092004104045&codePage=2092004104045_13032007105938&lang=EN

[bpg]

The PR 2CT was released in Australia quite a bit earlier than in the US. At present they are quite difficult to find in certain sizes. I needed a 180/55 and had to wait 3 weeks, although 190's were available at some shops. I just had one fitted on the rear of my VFR800 yesterday so can't comment yet re performance. FWIW I'm running the single compound P Power on the front so it will be interesting to see how that combo works out.

That's probably the same combo I would run.. however, since the cheapest I can find them is $170+, I'll wait until Michelin comes off their high horse to sample them.  They'd need to get some SERIOUS mileage on my fat old bike and still provide the grip of a Z6 to make it worth it at this point.

I actually went with the Bridgestone B-021 rear for now, will see how it works with a 1/2-used Metz M1 front and go from there..