Michelin Pilot Road 2 Motorcycle Tires

[MIKE46]

I am on my second set of Road Pilots – I got 8000 miles out of the first set and was generally pleased with them. After 4000 miles on the current set the front tyre has, according to my MOT tester “gone out of shape” and it is causing a small vibration, although there is plenty of tread left on both tyres, I should like to know whether any one else has encountered this problem?

I now need to consider if I should replace just the front tyre or get a full new set. If I go for a new set should I go for a different manufacturer such as Bridgestone, Pirelli or Dunlop?

Any comments about these manufacturer tyres on a1200R?

[NeilS]

I would discuss this with Michelin. Unless you know of something external (bent rim, etc.) to explain it, it's likely a manufacturing defect, and Michelin should be willing to make some kind of adjustment. Given your history, something like half-price for a replacement would be fair.

It may just be superstition, but I don't like the idea of mixing tire types on a bike. If I decided to change to another brand, I'd change them both.

[deilenberger]

I have them on my R1200R - and have about 6,500 miles on them. What sort of "out of shape" did the MOT tester come up with?

I do have some uneven wear on the front tire - the left side appears to have worn faster than the right (US we ride on the right, and in NJ - almost all our roads are crowned, meaning the tire is always climbing uphill on the left side.) I've seen the asymmetric wear on other tires, but on the PR2 there seems to be a small ridge forming about 1" off center. I suspect this may be near the transition point for the dual-compound rubber. The rear has had quite satisfactory wear - very little squaring off (perhaps 2 weeks spent on twisty roads in the south helped..) and looks like it has another 4,000 or so miles left in it.

Just curious what the MOT tester found unsatisfactory..

[Bill Stevenson]

I have about 9,000 miles on my first set of PR2s now and guess they will go at least another 1,000 miles, which makes them the mileage champs of all time for me. My bike came OEM with Battleaxes which lasted about 4,600 miles. I liked the feel of the Battleaxes better than the Michelins, but the fast wear out was not acceptable. On my R1150R I had Dunlops and they were not my favorite tires. If you decide to change just your front tire, I, too, would suggest you stick with the PR2.

Bill

[Dr. Strangelove]

A little OT because I have an 1150R, but I have just ordered my second set of PR2s. When I first got them I thoguht they were the best tires I ever had. In mid life I wasn't sure, now at 10k with significant tread left on the rear and prob 1k left on the front, I am pleased again. I searched other brands and I kept coming up comparing anything else to the PR2s. Considering they were only $30 more for the pair, I re ordered them.

JOhn

[ka5ysy]

Mike: Just a clarification. Are you using the Pilot Roads or PR2's ?

[applebmw]

got back from alaska 8-27-09, sent two RPs' to anchorage & put them on. 7,000 miles & a little tread left. Rode 4,000 mile & limped into colorado springs with cord show for several inches. Had about 1200 miles of dirt, only about 400 miles on the second set. both sets of tires were rp with out the 2. put on rp-2, hope they are better. this was FYI. total milage for trip 10,000 miles

[NeilS]

12200 miles total on the OEM Pilot Roads (1). Front was worn out, not to the cord, but beyond the wear bars. Rear wasn't bald but was very much "squared off." Just switched to PR2s, hoping to do better.

[LumpyCam]

Looks like I'll be changing my Pilot Road 2s around 19,000km (12,000mi) when they'll hit the wear indicator. The front could probably do an extra 2,000km if I accept the hassle of an extra tire change session.

Overall they've been fantastic tires in all weather conditions.