Tyres: Feedback

First topic message reminder :

Can anyone with feedback about the different tyres they've run on their bikes post some info here. I dragged 6000km out of the originals but should've chucked them at 5000km. They seem to go good then all of the sudden start falling apart...

I put on a set of Michelin pilot road 2's (front and back) and they seem pretty good. Unfortunately I already got a puncture after only about 1000km and had to get it repaired. It was a big hole (part of a hacksaw blade went through the rear) and the repair job is good but it losses a few PSI each week.

Well, finally got the old Dunlop Q2's off,
[img][/img]

and the new PR3's on.
[img][/img]

I worked out that the Q2's were at the tread indicators at 14300, so another 1100kms on top of that wasnt bad. Yep, a total of 15400kms Bejeezuz they had some flat spots! Looking forward to wearing these PR3's out.

I'll be interested in your first impressions sb - I was staggered how much better the new PR3's were than the completely shot PR2's that I replaced. 12,000kms later and I'm starting to see some wear on the PR3's.

Ewok, thats music to my ears! 12000kms and still lookin good. Its hard to believe that these tyres last that long. They look super sticky with all those cuts and grooves. This is my first set of Michilens, so lets see how they go.

Fitted PR3s to mine 4 days ago. Bewdiful tyre. I'm finding I add a bit of a 70km detour to the usual 30km on the run home cos the bike feels so good (again). Had some rain on the way to work on Wednesday and this was the first rain in 6 months, so you can imagine what the water oil and rubber on the road made traction like. Cars were scooting of the roads left right and centre (f/wits)... but geez I was impressed how well the PR3s hung on. Real glad I got them for the coming Wet.

I'm not going with Pr2 on the front any more as they scallop to much on the sides. Do Pr3's do this?
[img][/img]

I'm looking at Pirelli Angel st for the front.

sb1250 wrote:

What sort of a fancy VIC number plate is that mate?

i f*%$*n hope not,i`ve just ordered front and back.(pr2-pr3 comment by Kaupy)



this is my 023 bridgies after (edit)13700km

Kaupy1962 wrote:I'm not going with Pr2 on the front any more as they scallop to much on the sides. Do Pr3's do this?

I'm looking at Pirelli Angel st for the front.

Believe me when I say stick with the PR2s (or PR3s). I've used the Pirelli Angel's and they are nowhere near as good. The PR2s are prone to scalloping on the sides, but the Pirelli's have slightly less grip and definitely wear out quicker.

Kaupy1962 wrote:I'm not going with Pr2 on the front any more as they scallop to much on the sides. Do Pr3's do this?
[img][/img]

I'm looking at Pirelli Angel st for the front.

My original Bridgestone 23 and the Metzler M5 i have on now have both worn like yours Kaupy.

Will try a PR3 next.

Kaupy1962 wrote:I'm not going with Pr2 on the front any more as they scallop to much on the sides. Do Pr3's do this?
[img][/img]

I'm looking at Pirelli Angel st for the front.

Thats evidence of a lack of wheelies.....

My Avon strom did the same to the point I started to slide the front, the tread started bubbling in the middle....

Yeah i think I'll go for a PR3. they're cheaper anyway. I can get one to my door for $180

I recently replaced the front PR2 with a PR3 (about 3000km ago). On Saturday I rode from Tathra to Wagga via the Snowy Mtn Hwy in very very wet (and somewhat cold) conditions. I was very impressed with the PR3, it was only through standing water (and over white/yellow lines) that I thought the front was going to let go. The rear PR2 spun up a few times, but was easily controllable and actually quite fun.

My wet weather gear held up fine (Rjays Hydropack jacket, Motodry over pants, Motodry Hydrotex boots and DriRider Air shield gloves) until after Cooma. Then it just got a bit much for the gear. When I stopped at Kiandra, not only could I ring the water out of my 'inner gloves' my feet were 'sloshing' in my boots and water had leaked through the jacket around my middle (although I think that was me not doing up the velcro properly).

I supposes I can't complain to much, riding for nearly 6 hours in almost constant rain is going to be a huge ask for any 'wet weather' gear.

b12mick wrote:*removed remarks* riding for nearly 6 hours in almost constant rain is going to be a huge ask for any 'wet weather' gear.

The wife has a Rukka riding jacket as she commutes almost every day in sydney. The other week she was caught is a massive storm where everything and I do mean everything, (gloves pants boots) was soaking wet all the way through, except for her top under the jacket. I will be buying her some riding pants from them for christmas for her. The front zip of the jacket uses a similar closure to that used by divers wearing dry suits.

[/quote]What sort of a fancy VIC number plate is that mate?[/quote]

Just a Vicroads standard issue via the dealer.

Well, a quick initial report on the PR3's. I like em!
Great feel straight away. I didn't clean them with prepsol or solvents, just took it easy for the first few corners. They don't tram line as much as the Q2's thru the crappy roadworks.
No wet roads as yet

sb1250 wrote:

What sort of a fancy VIC number plate is that mate?[/quote]

Just a Vicroads standard issue via the dealer.[/quote]

Well there you go. Must be changing.
All other plates have 2 letters & 3 numbers.

PR3 report...put them on to go to the Phillip Island, done 5600 kms in 10days,and another 600km to go, and am very impressed with them.

Found every twistie road possible,and had to deal shit dirt roads.

As an all round tyre for touring,very confident tyre.

Didn`t get to test them for what they`re known for,that being wet weather.

I`ve had the absolute dream run of weather for this trip,and only came across the slightest of drizzle for 2 separate days at half an hour each.

Would I buy again..as an all round tyre,hell yeah!

Anyone had any experiences with Conti RoadAttacks on the Bandit?
I had them on my XJR and RA2's on my Z750 and loved them.

Lurch wrote:Anyone had any experiences with Conti RoadAttacks on the Bandit?
I had them on my XJR and RA2's on my Z750 and loved them.

Jim Coleman did and I dont think he was overly impressed.

For wear V's grip the popular choice is still PR2/3

I realize that Michelin PR2's are not the current fashion item however I've had good wear and feel out of the PR2's,wet or dry.

Ordered a set of the same through Jake Wilson which arrived at the Tassie home address four days later.

All up price including delivery $318 AUS

I've been fitting them myself using a large builder's clamp to pop the bead. This was described in a previous post.

One happy Bandit

Cheap PR2's at that price.

For anyone who might be considering Continental Contimotion 2's, consider again.
The bike came with mismatched tyres, a new CM2 on the front and a barely legal Michelin Iforgotwhat on the back.
Replaced that after about 1000kms with a CM2 to match the front.
The bloke at Tyres4Bikes at Albion, in Brisbane, gave them a rap. Said he ran them on his VFR a while back and got about 12000kms out of them.
I think a few of those kays must have been on a trailer.
Running 34 psi in both ends, I got less than 5000kms out of the pair.
The front had plenty left in the middle, but the sides were bevelled down flat.
The rear was slick across the middle 3 inches.
On both tyres, the edges of the grooves were feathered up from the tread blocks about 3mm, very smeared, and on the rear the tyre was coming apart at the seam running across its face.

Bear in mind I'm not a particularly experienced rider, the Bandit being my first step up from a 250. No wheelies or burnouts, and definitely not giving it the sort of thrashing someone used to a big bike could.

Replaced with a set of BT-016 Bridgestones, at the advice of NORTHSIDE MOTORCYCLE WORKSHOP - Unit 5/38 KENWORTH PLACE Brendale.
Charged me $350, fitted. They feel GLUED to the road, by comparison.

I may be out of line but it appears you may be running your tyres at too low pressure. My FA's placard recommends 36 front and 42 rear. I got my bike new last week and checked the pressures yesterday, finding them a bit low, something like what you are running. I've just brought them up to the recommended pressure and taken it for a ride, getting back just now (youngest daughter has a big smile as this was her first ride on this bike and she's the first pillion on it too!). It feels and handles very nicely with these pressures.

keenaviator wrote:I may be out of line but it appears you may be running your tyres at too low pressure. My FA's placard recommends 36 front and 42 rear. I got my bike new last week and checked the pressures yesterday, finding them a bit low, something like what you are running. I've just brought them up to the recommended pressure and taken it for a ride, getting back just now (youngest daughter has a big smile as this was her first ride on this bike and she's the first pillion on it too!). It feels and handles very nicely with these pressures.

The Mark1 Bandit service manual lists pressures as 33psi front and rear for solo riding and 36psi front and rear for 2up. I once found a Michelin site that recommended 36psi front and rear for PR2s front and rear on the 96-2000 Bandit. That's what I run on mine.


PS thanks for your input Nathan, please pop up the the "Introduce Yourself" section so we can get better acquainted.

I run my PR3s at 38psi F&R, very nice, sticks well, even with ThatOtherGirl on the back and can lean the bike into corners and touch boots/pegs on the ground.