Another tire question

DK · Post by DK » Mon May 01, 2006 4:33 pm

Well, it's new tire time.

I have 11000 miles on the original Michelin Macadams and the front is cupped badly and you really hear it in the curves. I was looking at going with the Pilot Roads after reading some older posts about the lack of mileage with the Z4s. But my dad bought an R1200RT last fall with the Pilot Roads on it and he says they are noisy. He was at the dealer last week and they mentioned that was a complaint about that tire. So now I'm looking at the Z6 which, according to some recent posts, seems to be better than the Z4.

So, has anyone heard about this noise issue on the Pilot Roads?

Dwayne

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon May 01, 2006 4:49 pm

Any new tire will be ten times better than the original Michelin Macadams...they're so bad...I didn't realise just how bad till I replaced them.

I have Perelli Diablo's and love them.

I can't imagine any new tire having a noise problem.

DJ

DK · Post by DK » Mon May 01, 2006 4:55 pm

DJ,

How are the Diablos holding up as far as mileage? Maybe the reason I have 11000 on the Macadams is because they are so hard

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue May 02, 2006 10:39 am

I got 18,000 klms out of my Macadamia's (hard as nuts) tires and thought that was amazing.

I expected much less with my Perelli's.....and got 20,000 klms out of them..

..(that's 12,500 miles)

I'm on my second set now.

DJ

acejones · Post by **acejones** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:25 am

I have Pilot Roads on my '03 and like them fine. I haven't noticed any noise.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Sun May 07, 2006 2:10 pm

Has anyone noticed differences in tire brands and associated grip? I'm not an aggreessive rider (IMO) but do try to make the turns fun. I've gone through a few models of what Dunlop has to offer, and the Z4/Z6 tires from Metzeler. Now I'm currently on a pair of Avons and have noticed these seem to slip a little; not that I ever noticed any of my other tires slipping. I'm not complaining yet, but I have noticed it. Maybe this is a good thing and the tire is giving me warning before the others have?

Has anyone else noticed their tires slipping?

tor1150r · Post by **tor1150r** » Sun May 07, 2006 6:08 pm

I put 25k km on the original Z4's that came with my bike. I retired them (pun intended) this past winter and replaced tham with Pilot Roads, based on the positive comments from many of the users here. So far I have 1300 km on them and they are fine.

I did notice I could hear them a little more than I remember hearing the Z4's (until they were squaring, and only in turns at speed).

Nonetheless, I like the Pilots so far. I'll report back later in the summer, as I am riding across Canada with my wife, 2-up, in 2 weeks. See http://www.motorcycle-overland.com

Post by **baltm604** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:03 pm

Dwayne,

I ride year round in chicago. I have found that the avon's have held up well from a mileage standpoint, but do slip once in a while, especially below freezing or in cold wet.

I am probably going to try either the z6 or the pirelli's next.

Bill

Post by **Biff's R** » Sun May 07, 2006 9:00 pm

tor1150r,
that looks like one hell of a trip. How much time are you planing for each phase.

BTW, I have had the z6, and pilot road, and both are very good. The Metzelers seemed a bit softer though.

solitario11 · Post by **solitario11** » Sun May 07, 2006 9:10 pm

so far the z6 are the best, very sporty with out the wear of a pure sport tire! the bike handle like never b4,, I can push it so much more, I fell really confident on the twisters.

tor1150r · Post by **tor1150r** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:36 pm

Biff's R wrote:tor1150r,
that looks like one hell of a trip. How much time are you planing for each phase.

BTW, I have had the z6, and pilot road, and both are very good. The Metzelers seemed a bit softer though.

Hey Biff's R
I'm working on 35 days, max, for the eastern leg and ~ 53 days for the western leg. I've been advised to take the Dempster to Inuvik, since I don't see us visiting Dawson City again in the near (or distant) future....but you never know. We may stay there!

Tripton · Post by **Tripton** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:12 pm

Whatever my bike came with...Michelins of some sort...seemed to handle better than the Z6s I put on in a few thousand miles ago. The Z6s are noticibly cupping already, and they do not give me as much confidence in the turns at all. When I first had them put on, they put a size to small on, like the beaksters have. I could have been dreaming, but with the wider rim it seemed awful flighty and tippy. Thats how i noticed it actually.

I remember riding 2up on the old tires and scraping the pegs, and i havent been able to get the balls to do it with these tires by myself yet.

Oh...I am not as daring as I sound either...there is a peg lowering kit on the bike, so they scrape a bit easier than without it.

Post by **Beemeridian** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:42 pm

gel9001 · Post by **gel9001** » Mon May 08, 2006 8:57 pm

I just switched out my original tires, got 14,700 miles on the Michelin Macadams. Bought a pair of Z6 from SWMoto for 235.00 and paid 30 to have them mounted and balanced. Just finished mounting tires and calipers before I had to dress for work so won't be able to try them till tomorrow. Glad to be over this tire b.s. Front tire was dangerously cupped.

Gene

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Tue May 09, 2006 2:19 pm

Reading all the stories makes me believe that there are too many factors relating to tyres to make any meaningful comparisons. Tyre pressure, riding style, road surface, ambient temperature and weather, weight of rider, suspension set-up, etc etc etc all make for different experience with the rubber. It also does not appear that the more you pay, the better the tyre applies.

After all that, I am going for the Z6 because I like the tread pattern!!!

Croc

solitario11 · Post by **solitario11** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:32 pm

not only the patter but the color goes with everything! LOL

Red1 · Post by **Red1** » Thu May 11, 2006 11:43 pm

Just joined this group.

6,000 miles service on my new bike today (new as of mid-Nov).
New tires too.

The old tires really sucked - Bridgestone Battlax - hard, unresponsive, but the back tire still wore out before 6,000 miles.

Just put on Pilot Powers - wow these are some great tires.
Soft, sticky, the turn in is incredible after the original tires.

The old tires felt like there was a flat bottom then a wall on each side of the tire, so that cornering was not aided.
The new tires are very rounded and the turn in is effortless in the twisties.

I know these will not last as long - I'll probably only get about 4,000 miles out of them, but the ride is incredible. Only a few more slick miles to go till they are broken in, then they can really be tried out as intended - fast and curvy.

Post by **Boxer** » Fri May 12, 2006 6:39 am

My tire guy down the street (not a BMW place) told me the best long distance highway tire was Bridgestone.

I got a Pilot Road rear from him last time and am well over 10,000 miles so far with tread left...even in the middle. Anyone else have any comments on this Bridgestone concept?

The Pilot Road I have sings to me in the turns. I think I liked the Michelin Z6s I had before which seemed better for most of my normal riding around here and in the hills.

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