Pilot Roads Opinions

[Joe308]

  

O.K. maybe a bad time to ask for opinions but I ordered a set of Pilot Roads for my FJR. The stock Metzler Z6 did a great job but but I would like some more tread life as they are nearing their end of life. Anyone have some real life riding on Pilot Roads with a heavy sport touring bike?

[yamatech2003]

I'm on about the 8th or 9th set on my FJR now...Typically get 8-10k miles and comparable grip to the stockers.

[X1rider]

Outstanding grip and feedback. Of course, a Double X eats tires, I only get 3K from the rear, 4K from the front.

[cognosticator]

A buddy with a BMW R1150RS gets 12k miles out of the rear tire, consistently, I can't figure out how, but he does.  I run them on my SV1000a and get 7,300 from the rear, 12k on the front.  I run them as hard as I can in the twisties and I am about to put another set on before my 4k mile trip in July.  The local dealer has them on sale for $199 installed for the 120-180 combo until they are gone.  They said I could bring them back in June and they will still install them for free.  

Get them, I think you will be quite happy with the handling.

[yamatech2003]

Holy crap, thats the price I get for them at employee cost (Dealer cost), then I still have to install them!

[71Fish]

I've got about 100 miles on mine (Bandit) and so far no complaints  

[zer0netgain]

I use Pilot Roads....love 'em.  Would use no other tire unless nothing else was available and I needed a tire NOW.

I get an easy 9-10K out of them, but I do mostly touring.

[HipGnosis]

I gotta ask... why aren't you (cumulative) running the PR2s?!?

[Klondike]

Gotem on my Bandit with about 7000 miles.  Plenty of tread left too.  Good tire.

[FizDog74]

I gotta ask... why aren't you (cumulative) running the PR2s?!?

I was wondering the same thing. Price maybe?

[county]

Those are what I run on my Blackbird.  I get 10K+ miles outta the rear and more outta the front.

I started with them because of some article in England where they got really good ratings for riding in the wet.  Then I was running from Memphis to Phoenix and got rained on more time than not going and a lotta rain coming back.  I ran 90 MPH a lotta the time in the rain and never felt uncomfortable.  That's my experience.

[zer0netgain]

From what I've been told, the PR2 is just a slightly stickier version of the PR.  That would mean faster tire wear.  I get plenty of hold on the PR, so I see no reason to go to the slightly stickier one.

[Cricket1]

From what I've been told, the PR2 is just a slightly stickier version of the PR.  That would mean faster tire wear.  I get plenty of hold on the PR, so I see no reason to go to the slightly stickier one.

I just replaced Z6's (7k rear- toast- front had maybe 1k left) with PR2's, and have been very happy with them. (1,200 miles so afar) Turn in seems slightly quicker than the Z6's, but that could be an illusion since the Z6's were flat spotted. Since the PR2's are a dual compound, the slightly sticker than PR sides, combined with a slightly harder center should give equal or better mileage than the PR's depending what type of roads you ride. Since it is all straight and flat around here, I am hoping for at least 8K out of the rear.

[cognosticator]

I was wondering the same thing. Price maybe?

199.99 installed, and I am not sure how many more miles I would get out of a PR2.  When my dealer quits selling the PR so low then I will try the PR2

[Cookie1960]

From what I've been told, the PR2 is just a slightly stickier version of the PR.  That would mean faster tire wear.  I get plenty of hold on the PR, so I see no reason to go to the slightly stickier one.

It was explained to me that the 2's are dual compound. Stickier on the edges harder in the center for longer life. Ive 500 miles on them on the Bandit and they are good. Im a chicken shit when it comes to the corners (to many years on an HD) but Im getting better. The PR2s really grip in the tight ones. Ive caught myself really banging a few and the smile on my ugly face keeps growing with every one.

Dealer price - 380. Derby Cycle - 250ish.

[maddjack]

From what I've been told, the PR2 is just a slightly stickier version of the PR.  That would mean faster tire wear.  I get plenty of hold on the PR, so I see no reason to go to the slightly stickier one.

Not true,they are as others have stated dual compound,they in fact(for me anyway ) wear better than the old PR's,much more resistant to centering off,and the rain performance is better IMHO

[JonS]

Outstanding grip and feedback. Of course, a Double X eats tires, I only get 3K from the rear, 4K from the front.

Wow, I had the opposite experience with the Pilot Roads. They were ok, but of the three brands I have used on the MTS, they come in last in every category.
Must be better for heavier bikes. The wear wasn't anything to cheer about either.

[Joe308]

Thanks guys for the responses. The tires arrived today. I may have three or four weeks left on the current shoes before I switch them.
 

[busarider]

I run them on my busa and love them. They are great tires as far as wet and dry traction and I haven't burned them out yet. I will replace them with the same ones if these hold up like I want them to.

[Cookie1960]

1000 mi or so on the PRIIs on the Bandit no complaints. I actually feel a touch more confidence in the corners than the stock Dunlops provided. I noticed the chicken strips are smaller.

They handle quite well.

[TuffguyF4i]

I love them.  Had them on just my XX, now just completed a 2k trip with my F4i on roads.  
No regrets.  I really put them through the paces too!.....kneedragging stuff with luggage.

[Rincewind]

I have a set of PR2's at home waiting to be spooned onto the Tiger.  I can't wait to try the dual compound ones.  I had tried the less expensive Roadsmarts, which were also good until the last 2000 miles or so.

The Tiger comes with Pilot Road S tires, which are similar to the standard PR's.  They were very good until they squared off - good cornering and rain performance.  They lasted 6k miles.  I'm hoping the new PR2's will last over 6,000 miles.

[Joe308]

 

Wow! What a difference riding with new tires make. The bike seems much smoother and seems steadier on the road. I would imagine because the old tires wore down gradually, you would not really notice the degraded handling until you put a new set of tires on. Anyway, I quite happy with the new Pilot Roads.

[TSG0831]

Outstanding tires.  I have them on my 2005 FJR.  Gave them a good test on route 108 in Wisc. between West Salem and Mindoro.  The best twistes in the Midwest!  This road is an excellent test of rider skill and tires outside of Colorado or Tenn.  Check it out!

[71Fish]

I got to test them for 200 miles in a torrential downpour on a winding canyon road.  The performed flawlessly.  Very confident inspiring tire.

[denydog]

I thought I'd post a picture of my Pilot Road 2 rear tire after a four state road trip, mostly on interstate highways averageing 70+ mph.  I've had this set for a year and just turned 9,000 miles on them.  I like to start the summer with fresh tires, but these will just not die!



I generally get higher than average life from my tires.  Riding is about 50% interstate highway, and 50% commuting, and joy riding on 2-lane windy roads.  The grip is great, and I look forward to another set, but I hate to throw these out just yet.

[FizDog74]

I thought I'd post a picture of my Pilot Road 2 rear tire after a four state road trip, mostly on interstate highways averageing 70+ mph.  I've had this set for a year and just turned 9,000 miles on them.  I like to start the summer with fresh tires, but these will just not die!



I generally get higher than average life from my tires.  Riding is about 50% interstate highway, and 50% commuting, and joy riding on 2-lane windy roads.  The grip is great, and I look forward to another set, but I hate to throw these out just yet.

That's amazing for 9000 miles!  

[Cookie1960]

I thought I'd post a picture of my Pilot Road 2 rear tire after a four state road trip, mostly on interstate highways averageing 70+ mph.  I've had this set for a year and just turned 9,000 miles on them.  I like to start the summer with fresh tires, but these will just not die!



I generally get higher than average life from my tires.  Riding is about 50% interstate highway, and 50% commuting, and joy riding on 2-lane windy roads.  The grip is great, and I look forward to another set, but I hate to throw these out just yet.

Damn! I have about 1000 mi. on the PR2s I hope they look that sweet in 8000 mi.

It does look a little flat. My stock dunlops totally flattened out in the center at 2500 mi +/- It turns out they were over inflated by 10 psi FROM THE DEALER. Me being the slacker that I am never checked them. I now check them very often.

Lookin good.

[shooplick]

just bought a set 120/180 from tire express for 219. delivered.  good price i think.

[Cookie1960]

just bought a set 120/180 from tire express for 219. delivered.  good price i think.

Uh, yeah..... I had no cash so I had to use my Suzuki credit at the dealer. I paid 380 for the set

[Fourstring]

just bought a set 120/180 from tire express for 219. delivered.  good price i think.

  Seriously!?  Was that the 2's or the Roads?

Jadzia's were about 300/set.  grumble, grumble

[2RR2NV]

Outstanding tires.  I have them on my 2005 FJR.  Gave them a good test on route 108 in Wisc. between West Salem and Mindoro.  The best twistes in the Midwest!  This road is an excellent test of rider skill and tires outside of Colorado or Tenn.  Check it out!

you need to come out to the Hills in S.D. i am not saying it's the "best in the midwest" because some may think otherwise. bbuuuuutttt,  i've been in that area of WI and it just didn't compare. Beautiful by far!!!  but twisty? Here's an invite and we'll show you all over the Hills. Awesome ride!! I still need to get with black hills and get some riding in before i head to Alaska.

sorry to threadjack....  back on subject.

[shooplick]

just the roads. pr2 were about 319 a set.

[2cats]

Another Multistrada rider who doesn't like the PR2's, after the first thousand miles.  My benchmark is the Conti Road Attack.  The Michelins seem harder and less precise in turn in.  When I countersteer, I feel like the wheel goes in the opposite direction way  too much for my liking.  Then, I feel like the bike is going to run wide.  On a perfect turn with a perfect surface, they feel stable - but what tire doesn't, under those conditions?  Otherwise, there's a lot too much moving around.  All of this now has me struggling to even choose the turn in point.  It's no fun.  The only thing I can think of doing would be to change my fork oil after 15,000 miles, but it seems funny that all this happened the day the PR2's went on.  

[shooplick]

2cats, what pressure were you running with the pr2? just curious. i have pilot powers (34f 36r psi) now and will put the roads on bofore my cross country trip (powers will bo toast before i leave). i dont know if a "touring" tire will need more pressure than a "sport"?

[2cats]

41/36.  What's funny is that I requested this pressure at the dealer, rode home via interstate, and then tested them out on MOPRT (my own private race track - excellent roads right near my house).  I had not wrestled such a reticent front end since I test rode a used 2003 Kawasaki ZRX.  I was hugely disappointed, but I knew I needed to check the pressures, since my dealer had previously, on more than once occassion, shorted me on air.  The next day, I found that they were indeed 30/28.  Putting them at 41/36 certainly helped, but the Conti's that I'm comparing them to were 41/36 also.

[Kyle401]

just bought a set 120/180 from tire express for 219. delivered.  good price i think.

Thanks for the tip, got mine on order!  

[Kyle401]

I received the tires I ordered on 6/17 with date codes of 2108 (front) and 3508 (rear).

[scottycoyote]

ive had excellent luck with pilot powers on my ninja 9r.......so recently when it came time for tires on the cbr1000f i went with the pilot roads.  Love them so far......i dont know what kind of mileage ill get but they do seem to inspire alot of confidence for me....sticky and soft, nice ride

[FLFaithrider]

I've got 10k on the Z6's that came on my FJR and they still have some life left. I just ordered a set of Pilot Roads and hope I like 'em. I'm not really a fan of dual compound tires and have put up with the Z6's because in central Fla. there ain't a lot of twisties and I figured the harder center would extend the life. I could be wrong but I think the PR's because of the tread pattern of the rear tire covering the center, unlike the PR2's and Z6's, should channel water better and give more grip when I get caught in the rain commuting to Orlando on I-4.

[Cookie1960]

Update, Just turned 4000 miles on mine on the Bandit. Slight flat spot but nothing bad.

I'll probably put another set on in the fall. Or Spring if I can get mileage like I've read about

[tjhess74]

pr2's. good wet, good dry, good straight, good curvy.  ive got over 18k miles on my current set.  they are due for a change this weekend.  pricey at $300, but well worth it imo.

[maddjack]

I know I am pleasantly surprised with my PR2's ( I hated the original PR's).Great in wet ,excellent in dry as good as anything I have run on the Speed Triple.

[Baz]

I have about 3000 miles on a set of PR II's on the FJR. I will need serious convincing to buy anything else now.

[tigertom1965]

41/36 for tire pressures??  

Does the Multistrada require the front air pressures to be higher than the back tire pressures?

All my vehicles have required the fronts at a lower pressure than the rear.

I would think the front higher than the back would make the front end bounce all over the road and feel squirrely. Maybe that is the design with a Multistrada though.

Sounds funny to me.

[Emerson00]

Noob question:

I replaced my old bike's tires when I was just into the wear bars.

This bike's got it's original Pirelli tires. I'm into the wear bars, but keep wondering if it's wasteful to swap them out at wear bars when, maybe, there's another 3-500 miles in them? I'm commuting, and don't ride real aggressively... I also don't want to buy tires now and waste a few hundred miles.

Also, I'd like to buy them myself and save a LOT of money - the dealer wants $270+/- plus tax and $40-$60 to mount a PR2 rear only... online I can buy a set for $288 or better). Tips on finding someone to mount them?

[Rincewind]

Emerson - you can ride them as long as you want, but be advised that they will perform poorer and poorer in rainy conditions, and you may not be able to get the bike to pass inspection if it doesn't have adequate tread.

If you buy your tire through MSS (motorcycle superstore), they have a list of preferred installers - you can even have the tire delivered to them.  BUT your best bet is to buy some spoons and learn to change it yourself.

[Emerson00]

Thanks on all counts.

Installation... prices for install stands looks $$$. Interesting considering how much I'd save buying from mss, but not right now (I'm not immune to the recession).

When you say buy some spoons... any advice or recommendations on simpler effective means of installing tires w/o a big garage setup? I saw where I could buy tools, but... last time I changed tires myself it was at Sam's club 14 years ago in their "tire Department" with big equipment.

Again, thanks!

[Rincewind]

You don't need a big garage set-up.  I use a center stand.  Pull the tire, set it on (2) 2'x4's, lube around the rim with furniture polish.  Remove valve stem with valve-stem remover.  Use a long and short 2x4 to create a lever - put end of long 2x4 under a car, use short 2x4 end against tire to break the bead.  Support rim from below and use spoons to pry the tire off the rim, one side at a time.  Lube new tire with furniture polish, work it onto the rim on one side.  Insert Dyna Beads (dynamic balancers) into tire before working the other side of the tire onto the rim.  Re-insert valve stem.  Inflate till you hear the two pops of the bead being set.  Remount tire.  Done.

There are a number of good youtube videos on this method, and a webbikeworld article on the 2x4 bead-break method.  For the price of one tire installation by professional, I bought my spoons, rim guards, and valve-stem remover, from MSS.

[Emerson00]

I follow. Thank you.

Less expensive local shop wants $55/tire. Others are $85. I get that, they're giving prices to mount a tire they made nothing on. I'm going to look into your method. Considering the savings of buying a tire online, the cost of a few more tools (YEAH!) is acceptable, to say nothing of the ability to be just that little bit more self sufficient.

Re-using the stem is OK? I thought that was a bad idea... come to think of it the I think the Multi rims have hard stems (90* angles). I guess they stay anyway.

Dynabeads good enough, huh? I'm liking this independence (doing my valve check/adjust next weekend myself, too!).

[Rincewind]

I'm on my third set of tires using the Dynabeads - yes, they work fantastic, and I don't get uneven tire wear around the tire.

The stem stays where it's at - the valve stem is a little thing inside it that twists out.  Just be careful it doesn't go shooting across the garage once you unthread it (not a big deal).  

[bomber]

furniture polish? hmmmm -- never heard of that one -- sound great!

yet another motorcycling use for Lemon Pledge!

[Rincewind]

furniture polish? hmmmm -- never heard of that one -- sound great!

yet another motorcycling use for Lemon Pledge!

There are many other lubes available, of course, like dish soap and water, or armorall, etc.  Something that will dry after a short while, and not remain slippery.

One other thing Emerson - it's easier to get the lip of the tire over the rim if the opposite side of the tire lip is shoved up into the center of the rim as far as possible.  I try to do this by kneeling onto the side I'm not working on.  This gives you a few mm extra space at the opposite end, where you are working the lip with the spoons.

Good luck!

[bomber]

I've been using dish soap for years -- but the idea of my wheels smelling, you know, lemony fresh . . . .

[Emerson00]

maybe irrelevent... but at Sam's we used dish soap - Dawn, IIRC. The other guys told me it was because it cut grease. Then again, this was Sam's Club, and on at least 2 occasions cars that those guys changed tires on lost those wheels on the way home...

I don't think it was th Dawn, I think it was the "oh shit I didn't tighten that wheel's lugs!"

[bomber]

LOL -- no lugs on the Tiger, Bonnie or Buell, so I think I'm safe!

Thanks for the cautionary tale!