Michelin Pilot Road or Avon Storm tires?

[crispiegee1]

Hi Guys,

I don't know if these types of threads are detested (like the "help me choose a bike" topics), but I'd love some opinions on tires. I do commuting and touring on my YZF600R. So far, I've had the original Bridgestones, some Dunlop D220's, Avon Azaros (liked them very much) and Pirelli Diablo Stradas (current).

I'm thinking about either Michelin Pilot Road tires or a set of Avon Storms. Both are fairly comparable in price, so that's not a huge deal. The Avon's will probably end up being about $20 more for a pair. (If I can expect identical performance, maybe I'll save the $20, although I do have a favorable feeling toward Avon, due to my experience with the Azaro.)

Thoughts?

[Justin]

Well I really love the Pilot Road 2ct's. I run one on the rear of the Busa with a Pilot Power front, and absolutely love it. I'd suggest the same combo on your 600 as it's a pretty light bike and the extra grip of a sport tire in the front will be nice. Avon did recently come out with an updated storm, the Storm 2 Ultra. The old Storms I have always heard mixed reviews on them, although I have not used them myself. So my vote goes to the PR2, simply a great tire.

[buls4evr]

  PR2....Last longer AND better grip...and I have used them both.

[crispiegee1]

Oh crap, I just realized that there is one model called Michelin Pilot Road and another called the Pilot Road 2!

And the Pilot Road 2's are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive, not just a little. I notice the tread pattern is different, but I wonder if the really driving dynamics or longevity varies enough to make it worthwhile.

[birdrunner]

Oh crap, I just realized that there is one model called Michelin Pilot Road and another called the Pilot Road 2!

And the Pilot Road 2's are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive, not just a little. I notice the tread pattern is different, but I wonder if the really driving dynamics or longevity varies enough to make it worthwhile.

Yup,  the Pilot 1's are not better than the Avon Storms,   The Pilot 2's are much better than the 1's, and are probably better than the Storm 1's,   the New Avon is unknown to me.  Just know, that as they get better, they get more expensive.  That said,  the Storm 1's lasted 2x as long as the Azaro on my Blackbird.

[Justin]

Oh crap, I just realized that there is one model called Michelin Pilot Road and another called the Pilot Road 2!

And the Pilot Road 2's are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive, not just a little. I notice the tread pattern is different, but I wonder if the really driving dynamics or longevity varies enough to make it worthwhile.

The PR2 is a completely new tire and much much better than the original PR. And yes, it is worth the extra money, they are that much better than the original PR's. I actually didn't like the originals.. they seemed slick, and had a U shape that made turn in sloppy.

[PhxMan]

I have used and love the PR2's on my Sprint, no complaint's what so ever. That being said I switiched to the Avon Storm's Ultra 2 the last tire change, I like the avon tire profile and they seem to turn and track better then the PR2's. Not sure on mileage as of yet, but am enjoying the dry and wet grip.

[Uni]

As has been said there is a significant difference in the PR1 and PR2. I have used both and would never use the PR1 again at any price. Simply not a good handling tire. If you slab it most of the time it works fine but on a 600 I doubt that's the case. I have also used the Avon Storm and it is a good tire. I prefer the PR2 though. No experience with the new Avon but did see it the Cycle World show and it's Avon's entry into the multi compound sport touring market. May try one next.

Jeff
04 Ducati ST3

[crispiegee1]

Yup,  the Pilot 1's are not better than the Avon Storms,   The Pilot 2's are much better than the 1's, and are probably better than the Storm 1's,   the New Avon is unknown to me.  Just know, that as they get better, they get more expensive.  That said,  the Storm 1's lasted 2x as long as the Azaro on my Blackbird.

Wow, I had my Azaro's for 10,000 miles, but I won't hold my breath for 20k!    But 2x as long with the power of your Blackbird is impressive!

[maddjack]

You should also consider the Pirelli angel and Continental Motion i am mounting a set of the new Motion st's in the spring on my Kawa

[Justin]

Wooooot, I just hit 4000 miles on my PR2 rear on the Busa! And it looks like it had a lot left in it! That's pretty good for me. On the XX, ST tires were usually giving up there ghost by now, and the Busa had A LOT more power than the XX did.

[crispiegee1]

Wooooot, I just hit 4000 miles on my PR2 rear on the Busa! And it looks like it had a lot left in it! That's pretty good for me. On the XX, ST tires were usually giving up there ghost by now, and the Busa had A LOT more power than the XX did.

I don't know how you big cc bike guys can afford all the tires you go through!    I'll admit my Pirellis should have been replaced at least 1,000 miles ago (they have 10k on them now), but wow, celebrating a 4,000 mile tire life is anathema to me.

So far, the best online price I have found on the Michelin PR2 is at Motorcycle Superstore, if that helps.

[birdrunner]

I don't know how you big cc bike guys can afford all the tires you go through!    I'll admit my Pirellis should have been replaced at least 1,000 miles ago (they have 10k on them now), but wow, celebrating a 4,000 mile tire life is anathema to me.

So far, the best online price I have found on the Michelin PR2 is at Motorcycle Superstore, if that helps.

My rear Azaro lasted less than 4000 miles.  

[stinky93071]

if its between storm1 and PR1 I would go with the storm... but between storm1 and PR2 the PR2 gets it hands down to me.

[Justin]

I don't know how you big cc bike guys can afford all the tires you go through!    I'll admit my Pirellis should have been replaced at least 1,000 miles ago (they have 10k on them now), but wow, celebrating a 4,000 mile tire life is anathema to me.

So far, the best online price I have found on the Michelin PR2 is at Motorcycle Superstore, if that helps.

Yeah, the downside of power and a heavy hand.. it sucks

[richak]

Over the last few years I went through 3 pair of BT-021, then 3 sets of Storms, and am now on my first pair of PRIIs. I like how the Michelins wear the best, and the mileage seems to be as good or better than the others. They grip well and I'll use them again. As the miles pile on them, they keep a rounder profile. I found the Bridgestone and Avon fronts to get scalloped as they hit 5k to 6k miles. I think the improvement in the Michelin front is due to the grooves being symetrical.

[Mr.Black]

Over the last few years I went through 3 pair of BT-021, then 3 sets of Storms, and am now on my first pair of PRIIs. I like how the Michelins wear the best, and the mileage seems to be as good or better than the others. They grip well and I'll use them again. As the miles pile on them, they keep a rounder profile. I found the Bridgestone and Avon fronts to get scalloped as they hit 5k to 6k miles. I think the improvement in the Michelin front is due to the grooves being symetrical.

The front PR 2 on the bandit started to scallop at around 5500. The rear is only slightly squared off. Probably another set of PR2s in the late spring before the national if the currents last that long.

[JonS]

As has been said there is a significant difference in the PR1 and PR2. I have used both and would never use the PR1 again at any price. Simply not a good handling tire. If you slab it most of the time it works fine but on a 600 I doubt that's the case. I have also used the Avon Storm and it is a good tire. I prefer the PR2 though. No experience with the new Avon but did see it the Cycle World show and it's Avon's entry into the multi compound sport touring market. May try one next.

Jeff
04 Ducati ST3

The PR1s were about the worst tire I have used. The Pirelli Diablo Stradas are as good as anything I have tried.  

[maddjack]

I really Lke the PR 2's I have on my Triumph,but they are pricey

[buls4evr]

  Crispiegee..... I budget $1000/ yr. for tires on my BMW K1200RS! Big bikes with shafts really eat them. That 600 should do much better on tires.

[K Rider]

I get 12K miles out of the PR2's on a 04' K1200GT . I haven't tried the Storm 2's, but I seriously doubt they can equal the mileage of the PR2's.

John B.

[bomber]

I really Lke the PR 2's I have on my Triumph,but they are pricey

This is true, measured by the price it takes to get them  . . . measured by some sort of cost per mile, my PR2 set is within a couple of hundred miles of being chearper than a PR set . . . . .  they also handle better for me . . . . .

[MrMoto]

PR2s

The same conclusion has been reached over at http://www.yzf600r.com. Join if you haven't yet. You won't regret it for the amount of info and help available from the members.

Tell 'em MrMoto sent ya!

[crispiegee1]

PR2s

The same conclusion has been reached over at http://www.yzf600r.com. Join if you haven't yet. You won't regret it for the amount of info and help available from the members.

Tell 'em MrMoto sent ya!

Great suggestion - I'm actually already a member, but I hadn't thought of checking there, since I am fairly loyal to this group. But, since you suggested it, I just went and checked it out. You're right: PR2's have incredibly positive feedback.

[HipGnosis]

measured by some sort of cost per mile, my PR2 set is within a couple of hundred miles of being chearper than a PR set . . . . .  they also handle better for me . . . . .

You can also factor in the cost of having tires mounted, unless you do it yourself.  Even then, your time is worth something.

For the budget minded there's the Dunlop RoadSmart (the rear gets better reviews than the front).

[tor]

My wife and I both had PR2's on our St1300's. At about 5000 or so miles the tires (worst in the back) got so flats-potted and cupped that they became unbearable to ride on. The howling sound in the corners was just incredible, and I could feel it in the bike.  We ended up taking them off at about 5500 miles.

If you slab a lot, I would not recommend it. i.e they didn't work for us.

[Dutch]

If you slab a lot, I would not recommend it. i.e they didn't work for us.

What pressures were you using?

[tor]

  What pressures were you using?

42 psi, front and back, on both bikes.

[FJRmgm]

My wife and I both had PR2's on our St1300's. At about 5000 or so miles the tires (worst in the back) got so flats-potted and cupped that they became unbearable to ride on. The howling sound in the corners was just incredible, and I could feel it in the bike.  We ended up taking them off at about 5500 miles.

If you slab a lot, I would not recommend it. i.e they didn't work for us.

Tor - that looks like either a tire balance or air pressure problem to me.

[tor]

Tor - that looks like either a tire balance or air pressure problem to me.

Its just that my wife's tire looked the same way. (also an ST1300)  . Her's was howling just as bad as mine was. We both keep the tires at 42 psi. They were bought at the same time and from the same place.....

[jeepinbanditrider]

I'm running Avon Storms right now on my FJR and really like them especially in the well.......rain    I do notice they get a little squirrelly on really cold mornings till they get some heat in them.  

I ran PR1s on my ex-wife's SV650 for a while and really liked them but IMO the performed on the same level as the Shinko Ravens I ran on that same bike but for more money lol.

I haven't ran PR2s yet but have heard good things about them here and on other MC boards.

[Justin]

Its just that my wife's tire looked the same way. (also an ST1300)  . Her's was howling just as bad as mine was. We both keep the tires at 42 psi. They were bought at the same time and from the same place.....

That is really weird wear, and weird it happened on both bikes.

[Canuck]

I've used Storms and PR2's on my Bandit, and the PR2's got almost 50% higher mileage.

[Dunewar]

What's the difference between the Pilot road 2 and the Pilot Power? I'm not doing much miles anymore since the advent of a company car and a todler to put in the back of the company car, so I don't really care about mileage.
I'm running a bridgestone BT021on my ZR-7s right now, but I want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Never again am I going to use such a bad tire

Especially the front slides like crazy as soon as it's moist or wet. I really don't feel safe on that tire. And i'm not the only one apparently. On the dutch motor-forum, a lot of people are complaining, and a few have lost their front-end in the rain without any prior warning, just like that, with of  course dramatic results...

[jeepinbanditrider]

What's the difference between the Pilot road 2 and the Pilot Power? I'm not doing much miles anymore since the advent of a company car and a todler to put in the back of the company car, so I don't really care about mileage.
I'm running a bridgestone BT021on my ZR-7s right now, but I want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Never again am I going to use such a bad tire

Especially the front slides like crazy as soon as it's moist or wet. I really don't feel safe on that tire. And i'm not the only one apparently. On the dutch motor-forum, a lot of people are complaining, and a few have lost their front-end in the rain without any prior warning, just like that, with of  course dramatic results...

The Pilot Power is a sport riding tire where the Pilot Road is a dual compound Sport Touring tire.

[Justin]

The Pilot Power is a sport riding tire where the Pilot Road is a dual compound Sport Touring tire.

The new Pilot Power 2ct is a dual compound as well. Here's a chart showing where both tires fall on the scale.

[Dunewar]

The new Pilot Power 2ct is a dual compound as well. Here's a chart showing where both tires fall on the scale.

But will I be able to get enough heat in the pilot powers on my ZR-7s, or should I stick to the pilot road 2's?

[tigertom1965]

That is an old list. Just go here http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotroad2 and you will see the new list.
Or look at my attachment.  

[Jes_VFR]

Well I've been running the storms on my VFR and been happy with them.
I've ridden a couple of other bikes with PR2's and not been incredibly impressed. They are a quality tire, but I still felt more confident on my storms.

Add in the that storms cost me a lot less than the PR2 and lasted plenty long for me, I would have said bet the storms.

But with the new storm's out, I'd have to take another look.
I'd also consider the pirelli angel

[Justin]

But will I be able to get enough heat in the pilot powers on my ZR-7s, or should I stick to the pilot road 2's?

The Pilot Powers will warm up a lot better than the Roads. I run a Pilot Power 2ct on my front and a Pilot Road 2ct on the rear. The Power is much stickier than the Road that I run on the back where I don't mind a bit of slipping in the cold.

[Dunewar]

The Pilot Powers will warm up a lot better than the Roads. I run a Pilot Power 2ct on my front and a Pilot Road 2ct on the rear. The Power is much stickier than the Road that I run on the back where I don't mind a bit of slipping in the cold.

thanks much!

That's it, i'm ordering pilot powers for my kawa...