ME880's or Pilot Roads for lots of Highway use?

Optimus Prime · Post by **Optimus Prime** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 10:43 am

I'm mounting new tires real soon and am trying to decide between 880's or Pilot Roads. The only curves I really see are entrance and exit ramps. I have Z6's now and like them, but both front and rear have noticeable flat spots which is starting to make for a not so smooth transition when turning.

I know a lot of guys here and at sport-touring like the Pilot Roads, but are ME880's a little better for nearly pure highway?

nemt1150r · Post by **nemt1150r** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:44 am

I have run two sets of Pilot Roads, one set of Z6's and am now trying a set of 880's. I like the feel on wet roads, dirt and gravel roads, and the grip is good in the twistys. I only have a thousand miles on the 880's so no indication of how long they will last.
Russ

Post by **jm1515** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:49 pm

Check out this recent discussion....

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... hlight=880

BobFV1 · Post by **BobFV1** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:55 pm

OP - How many miles are you getting out of your Z-6's? Are you running them at high PSI like 40/42? that might enhance life and stall the squaring off.

Optimus Prime · Post by **Optimus Prime** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:57 pm

BobFV1 wrote:OP - How many miles are you getting out of your Z-6's? Are you running them at high PSI like 40/42? that might enhance life and stall the squaring off.

I'm running 40/42, mostly superslab at 75-80 mph. I've got 7,000 on them now, but I have a 1000 mile trip coming up and I don't want to get caught in the middle of a trip with wear bars showing.

BobFV1 · Post by **BobFV1** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:10 pm

Wow - sounds like you should switch to something with longer life for your style of riding. I have used Pilot Roads on my Ducati for some multi-day trips - they have good handling and good wear, also very good in the wet. I think they should last longer than the Z-6's (although I prefer the 6's on the RT because I ride a lot of backroads on it). I have heard a "ply' argument (bias versus radial) against using the 880's on the RT but have not confirmed this - might be worth researching. Good luck.

Optimus Prime · Post by **Optimus Prime** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:22 pm

BobFV1 wrote:Wow - sounds like you should switch to something with longer life for your style of riding. I have used Pilot Roads on my Ducati for some multi-day trips - they have good handling and good wear, also very good in the wet. I think they should last longer than the Z-6's (although I prefer the 6's on the RT because I ride a lot of backroads on it). I have heard a "ply' argument (bias versus radial) against using the 880's on the RT but have not confirmed this - might be worth researching. Good luck.

880's come in radial or bias. It sounds like they'll both do well...

FGanger · Post by **FGanger** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:36 pm

I had my first Pilot Road put on because it was the only tire available in Whitehorse, Yukon Terr. I thought I would only keep it long enough to get a "real tire." But something happened, I fell in love with it.

For my type of riding it is just about perfect. I get almost double the tire milage over Z4's, etc., no flats, pretty sticky in the wet, and the price is right. Except for Whitehorse where it cost $300 installed.

Most of my long trips are now pulling my pop-up camper. I still get great milage. Most important, when towing a trailer without brakes, it will pull the bike and trailer down from speed - even when two-up.

What's not to like,
Frank