Pilot Road 2's vs Conti Road Attacks? *WARNING TIRE THREAD*

[deilenberger]

Can we see a showing of hands? My primary requirement is handling (wet and dry, wet important since you just can't seem to avoid it on the east coast). Decent mileage on the tire would also be nice.

FWIW - right now I'm on my 2nd full set of Conti's (2.5nd rears, 2nd front) - they're about done at 24,000 miles (rear has 2-3,000 more in it if I ride it easy, front is close to the wear bars).. so it looks like I'd get 12,000 miles or so from a set.

From those people who've used both - what do you like and dislike?

TIA!

[mogu83]

I'm on my second set of Pilot Road 2s. The first set met an untimely end in Casper, Wyoming along with both wheels, but I was happy with them for 5k. This set has about the same (5K) minimal wear in the center (no I don't measure tire thread) and they stick well enough when the bike is over on its side. I buy a tire mostly for wet weather performance and I'm happy with these. I'll buy another set when these are gone.
Can't compare them to Contis as luckily my bike came with Michelins - you know, the ones that didn't split apart.

[ka5ysy]

Conti Road Attacks;


Rear runs about 6000 miles, 12k for the front for my normal driving. Good sticky tires, but tend to develop a flat spot in the center that makes for thrilling cornering if you are not aware of the ridge and sudden fall-off


Thinking of running up to Alaska soon, so probably will investigate a dual-compound tire for better road life.

[celticus]

I got around 6000 on my Pirelli Scorpion syncs. I like them well enough to buy another pair. I can't describe it I just like them.
Mark

[bobw]

Hey! Don. Not too many miles on the Road Attacks on the r, but I can offer a reference from my Sprint ST after two sets each of PR2's and Sport Attacks. I live near the BRP and I ride all year too, so easy warm up, wet roads and cornering performance are important tire qualities. I average 15-20K a year and carry a load of approximately 250 LBS including me and my camping gear, dang back packing stuff must weigh 70-80 LBS I'm fairly smooth with throttle and brakes and on public roads my tires have approximately a 1/4 inch C.S. showing. 90+% of my riding is on our beautiful mountain roads in
the SE.

Sport Attack worst/best wear was approximately 2500/4700 miles to wear bars. The lower mile tire was used on camping trips carrying my maximum load. The higher mile tire started with a track school and then "normal" riding with very little camping. Temps were much higher for lower mile tire too.

PR2's both were removed at approximately 7500 miles due to new tires for riding school. Educated guess they easily had another 1-2K wear to go, but not worth a reinstall at that point. The front sipes had the lightest feathering starting to develop. I change tires in pairs so I can't say how long the fronts may have lasted.

I pondered the second set of PR2's as Michelin is very proud $$ of their tires. When I factored the cost per mile along with excellent performance and convenience of fewer changes, it worked out in their favor. That said, every tire I have used has been very good on the street (after learning different turn in, feedback, etc.). The multi compound Road Smart and 016 Brickstone have worked very well for some guys I know and I feel these Road Attacks have been doing well on our cold, sand and salt covered roads of late. With tire cost deviations being so ridiculously high, I think my next set will be heavily decided by what's on sale in the Sport/Sport Touring category offerings much more than it has been factored in the past.

Good luck and safe travels!

[Biff's R]

I don't think that the dual compound tires will get any more milage than the others. They just have softer compounds on the sides than the single compound tires.

Just my $0.02.

[Dan-A]

Mine came with Michelins, and I just bought a set of Conti's on close out at A & S. As soon as I get them on the bike, I will comment.

My rear michelin has a flat spot in the middle, which makes it reluctant to turn. Looking forward to new rubber.

[tobes]

Just went through my first set of Pirelli Scorpion Syncs and am impressed - almost 6K miles on 'em. Ordering another set. Ran 2 sets of Conti's on my last R12R and one set on this R. I really liked them on the first bike and hated them on this bike. Not sure what the difference was but too many breakaways in the corners with the Conti's on this bike. Maybe got a bad set? Anyhow these Syncs really hold so I'll give 'em another shot. Haven't tried the Pilot Roads.
Mike

[Bill Stevenson]

My bike came with Bridgestones, which I liked the feel of a lot, but they were shot in 4,700 miles. Pilot Road 2s now have about 5,000+ miles on them are are showing minimal wear. The PR2s changed the handling of the bike, slowed down the steering response (i.e. more stable, less maneuverable). Florida roads wear tires faster than northern roads so your results might vary.

[Johnny the W]

For what it's worth, I have a set of Pilot Road 2's on my 07 R12R and showing very minimal wear at 4,000 miles. Not much experience in the rain since I got them. Very happy with their dry performance.

[RonR]

My 2005 RT came with Metzlers that were totally shot at 6K. My riding impression of them was that the bike "fell" into corners, a consequence of the profile. I replaced them with Pilot Roads and was shocked at the improved overall handling characteristics, including a smooth, neutral increase of lean angle. When I sold the bike at 10K, there was minimal wear.

My 2007 12R came with Pilot Roads. Same great handling as on the RT. At 4500 miles I had to plug the front so I replaced as I was about to leave on a 2K mile trip. I now have almost 10K on the rear and I estimate maybe 1 -2K more then I will upgrade both to Pilot Road 2s.