Pilot-Road-2 owners - wear patterns?

[deilenberger]

I really LOVED my Pilot-Road-2's for the first 5-6,000 miles on them. At about 7,000 miles I started noticing squirrelly handling on left curving corners. I took a good look at the front and rear - found the front had some ridge forming on either side of center (ie - lack of worn bit), but not very severe.. less than most tires at that sort of miles. The rear had a very distinct ridge about 1-1.25" to the left (looking from the rear) of the center of the tread. It was actually visible if you got the light right. There was a much smaller ridge on the right side of the tire - same position.

My WAG is this is where the transition from the center harder rubber to the side softer rubber compound takes place.

Since the tire still has a lot of tread left on it - I attacked it with my belt-sander.. simply sitting on my rolling stool behind the bike on the centerstand, and angling the sander to it both sanded and rotated the tire as it sanded.

That was at about 7,000 miles. Things were wonderful for a bit - but now with roughly ummm.. 24,000 to 32,800 - ~8,800 miles on the tire - the squirrelly feeling returned. Another attack with the belt sander, and things once again feel wonderful.

Just wondering if anyone else running the PR-2's has noticed the same thing?

I see Dunlop has a dual-compound tire that is BMW approved for the hexhead police bikes, so I may give that a try next. Based on the wear - I would guess if I can keep the tires round, the PR-2 is easily good for 10,000 miles (much better than the Conti Road-Attacks that were worn and flattened off at around 6,000 miles.) The PR-2 is amazingly good when newish - feels as good in heavy rain as dry clean pavement. It's just this odd wear pattern I'm seeing that would make me consider something else.

Anyone?

BTW - it appears an open 80 grit paper works well for tire sculpturing.

[Mollygrubber]

I am running those tires, and have about 5000 miles on them. I had a good look at them last night, and there's no trace of this - yet.
I have seen a couple of posts indicating a 'triangular' wear pattern on the front tire (ie. the centre of the hard centre strip is not wearing as fast as the edges of the hard centre strip).

Bears watching. I'll let you know if I start having these issues Don.

[LumpyCam]

I also found the PR2 wonderful when new, especially in the rain and even snow. Recently, they've started slipping a bit and I've had a few 'spirited' moments when they've decided to give out in hard turns. They're due for replacement now, with 20,000km (12,500mi) on them (I'm happy!).

If it wasn't raining so heavy these days i could probably get another 1,000km on them. They have developed a flat spot from highway runs, but not uneven wear as you seem to have experienced, Don.

[Kieran R1200R]

You can expect that out of any duell compound tyre.
The front will eventually scollop due to the softer compound on the edge.
But seriously, 8,800 miles from a tyre, I wouldn't be complaining.
I've never had that in my life. Best I have had is 5,000km, that's km not miles.
The other thing is you guys in the States get tyres for less than half the price we pay here in Ausralia. Pilot Road 2 a set retail here for over $500 AU.
So realy what are you asking, a tyre that will do 15,000 miles, stop being cheap!

[deilenberger]

So realy what are you asking, a tyre that will do 15,000 miles, stop being cheap!

You're talking to BMW riders. It's the nature of the beast - sort of like the scorpion on the frog's back.. "it's just our nature.."

[deilenberger]

LumpyCam..

Good picture - but I *do* see a bit of what I'm talking about in your photo:



I highlighted it..

If you run your thumb across that side vs the right side, bet you find a bit of a ridge has formed at the transition point. I find it very noticeable when I'm in a left sweeper - the back feels squirrely and the bike almost wants to stand up (probably wants to roll back onto the flat-spotted area.) You can also see it a bit in the change in lighting between the center and the rounded edge. Your tire is actually flatted off worse than mine are..

Take a feel of it - I think you'll see what I mean. It becomes quite obvious when you take the belt-sander to it - since it scuffs up the high spots first, and the pattern reveals itself. Next time I do it I'll have to take some photos..

BTW - good to see you also have the groove running around the entire tire a bit to the right - off-center. Dunno what this is - I'm assuming since we both have it - a mold line of some sort. When I first saw this I thought something was hitting the tire, but since both front and back have it to some extent, and now I see it on your tire, it's obviously something related to the manufacturing process.

[ErikM]

Umm the tire pictured is not a Pilot Road 2 but a standard Pilot Road, and they are not a dual compound tire, only the newer 2 is. Also Michelin makes a Pilot Road "B" spec rear for heavier sport touring bikes (three ply instead on 2) might be a better choice for the R12R riders, what with the heavier loads these bikes tend to carry :-)

[deilenberger]

Right you are Erik.. tread pattern is different.

In poking around - interesting info on the actual areas of hard/soft rubber on the PR2's:

http://www.tireexpress.com/prod.cfm/cid/9001/pid/18181



Assuming the 80mm/40mm/80mm is soft-hard-soft, and the contact patch representation is accurate - the ridge I'm seeing is forming in the soft part of the tire, just to the left of the contact patch

Interesting (to me at least) - side by side of the new Dunlops vs the PR-2's:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/Co ... 2c10987%2c

[mgdoc8307]

I have also noticed a "line" on the right side of the front tire of my standard road pilots at about 8000 miles. That line disappeared at about 11000 miles. Now I have 13,800 miles on them and the left side is totally worn out;back tire is worn "square" secondary to my recent 5000 miles cross country trip. New Road Pilot -2"s are on order-can hardly wait as the handling is really poor esp. as Don has mentioned when going into a left hander lean. Can't believe I got this many miles from them-should have replaced them 2000 miles ago but I was out on the trip and wanted to get home for the change.

[LumpyCam]

Umm the tire pictured is not a Pilot Road 2 but a standard Pilot Road

Arrrgh - you're right! I just checked and in fact i have the original Pilot Road. Still, they have been phenomenal tires in the wet and snow and lasted a full 20,000km of heavy braking, two up riding, and loaded tours around North America.

[Kieran R1200R]

You guys are getting fernomanal milage out of your tyres.
You must putt your bikes about!
I've tried to look at your profiles but there's no information on your ages,
so I'll guess and say much older than most.
It just goes to show how versitile this R12R is.

[celticus]

You guys are getting fernomanal milage out of your tyres.
You must putt your bikes about!
I've tried to look at your profiles but there's no information on your ages,
so I'll guess and say much older than most.
It just goes to show how versitile this R12R is.

We are both cheap and old but I for one do not "putt my bike about". I have the Pilot Road II and will see what kind of mileage I'll get. I've never gotten what these guys are getting. I have only 3500 or so on it now.
I'm 56.

Mark

[Bill Stevenson]

Don,

I am running PR2s that now have a bit over 10,000 miles on them. Frankly this is quite amazing to me as I have never before had a "performance"tire last this long. (Years ago I tried Metzler Marathons and then a Dunlop high mileage tire, but both had such hard compounds that they were not acceptable in colder wetter conditions that existed in Connecticut where I was living at the time.) Anyway, my current PR2s have wear patterns very similar to those described in this thread and do not handle as well as they did when new. Your idea with the belt sander is a good one, but I am too lazy. This morning it was a cool (for South Florida) 67 degrees F, and the roads were wet. On the on-ramp to the Florida Turnpike, with the bike leaning progressively and the gas on, the rear tire squirmed. First time that has happened with these tires. There is still useful tread, but I am not happy about the deterioration in handling same as you. Maybe the answer is to replace the tires even before they are fully "used-up" as determined by the wear bar indicators. Even at that these tires more than doubled the mileage I got out of the Bridgestone Battleaxe tires the bike came with. And while I was not completely enamored of the PR2 handling when new, I quickly adapted to the way they feel, and really appreciate the durability.

Regards,

Bill

[deilenberger]

You guys are getting fernomanal milage out of your tyres.
You must putt your bikes about!
I've tried to look at your profiles but there's no information on your ages,
so I'll guess and say much older than most.
It just goes to show how versitile this R12R is.

I dunno how old "most" are - but I'm past the 6th decade mark, and am actually riding more aggressively than when I was younger. The R12R makes that easy to do.

A more accurate question might be - what sort of miles did we get with other tires?

I went through 4 rear Conti Road-Attacks before putting the PR2's on at 24,000 miles.
And 2 fronts.

Do the math.

Looks like the PR2 - a dual compound significantly lengthens rear tire life - not so
much on the front. Mine looks like both will be due at about 10k miles on them
(have a bit over 9k now.)

[Kieran R1200R]

I dunno how old "most" are - but I'm past the 6th decade mark, and am actually riding more aggressively than when I was younger. The R12R makes that easy to do.

A more accurate question might be - what sort of miles did we get with other tires?

I went through 4 rear Conti Road-Attacks before putting the PR2's on at 24,000 miles.
And 2 fronts.

Do the math.

Looks like the PR2 - a dual compound significantly lengthens rear tire life - not so
much on the front. Mine looks like both will be due at about 10k miles on them
(have a bit over 9k now.)[/quote]


OK I thought I would get a bite.
Seriously I have never got the milage you guys are getting, not now not ever.
Do the math, well you are getting 6,000 miles from those Conti's.
When I had them on my R11S I got 4,500 km a set = 2,812 miles
Like it or not you are putting around.
With that said, the milage you are getting and the price you guys can buy your tyres for there is no comparison.
Lap it up guys because it is all on your side!
I'll tell you how passionate I am about tyres.
I have just received 6 sets of Conti Motions from the Bike Bandit USA. You get the fronts for $67US and a Rear for $107US
I got them landed for $320AU a set. If I was to buy them here they cost $510AU
Our dollar is currently $.92c US so you do the math.
With it being high it makes it a profitable transaction.
Those 6 sets will get me about 30,000km = 18,750miles.
I go through them that quick I am always looking for a cheaper way to purchase them, and that's not here!
I've even got my own tyre changing machine.
I'm not blowing my trumpet here mate but rather saying you are getting GREAT MILAGE and it doesn't matter how your tyre wares!

[Mollygrubber]

Kieran, perhaps you should compare apples to apples and try a set of the PR2's (when you win the lotto, of course).

Sounds like you'd be happy with the mileage! and "doing the math", it may prove cheaper for you in the 'long run', money-wise and labour-wise...

Is it possible the roads in your area are more abraisive than in the U.S.? 4,500km tire life would make me wonder (unless you do a lot of track days). I know where I grew up (north of Toronto) they used sharp gravel in the asphalt for a while, it really killed our tires!

Just a thought...

[Kieran R1200R]

I cant say you are wasting your money, but if you want a evener wear I suggest you go with the Pilot Road.
I have them on at the moment and have put them through the pace and they would be more than adequite for the riding
any of you guys are doing.
The problem you will get with a duel compound tyre is the uneven wear especially on the front.
I am doing in a front before a rear with the duel componds, that's why I have gone away from them.
In todays market there isn't a bad trye out there, they are all up to the job, it just comes down to preference, cost and longivity. I have tried all brands from full sport to sport touring and now touring.
I was a bit cautious at first on the Pilot Road because they are marketed as a touring tyre but they are more than adequite.
I am up for slowing down these days because of the mounting Police presence on our roads now.
I have 3,500km on the Pilots at present and I think they will go another 3,500km. If I get 7 or 8,000km out of them I will be more than happy. I'm always on the lookout for a bargain.
Most of this board with the fitting of these tall screens to the bikes makes me know that the majority are into touring and the accational corner if it turns up.
Reality is that the wheel sizes on the R12R is a total over kill for this type of riding.
The sizes like on the K100 are more like it, cheaper tyres too.
Or up to a GS swop like in this picture, then you will probally get over 20,000km on your tyres then when fitting a duel purpose tyre.




I would also like to comment on your 6th decade and hope you still able to enjoy riding into your seventh.

Kieran

Why cant we have spell check?

[LumpyCam]

You must putt your bikes about!
I've tried to look at your profiles but there's no information on your ages,
so I'll guess and say much older than most.

Um, no. At least that's what my rev limiter and ASC tell me several times per week.

I think the comment about road conditions probably has some truth to it. It seems logical that different surfaces and weather conditions (hot/dry vs wet/cold) could have an impact on tire longevity.

[Acpantera]

Just ordered another set of Brigstone BT021 for 195 green backs (delivered) from chapparal, got 7k miles out of the last set and perfectly happy with them.