Michelin Corporate press release, early testing states better breaking in the wet and major reinforcement in the rear tire wall, which was way too soft in the PR3...
Read here http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Michelin-Pilot-Road-4-Press-Release (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Michelin-Pilot-Road-4-Press-Release)
All I can say to that is WOW, I can't wait to have a pair on the GTR. :banana:
a bit like I phones , by the time ive actually managed to get the new 4's on the bike, along comes the pr5.
ive just got the 3 on the front to match the rear and loving it
I had a pair of PR2s on my first GTR, and they were an improvement over the OEM Bridgestones, I then fitted a pair of PR3s on my 2011 GTR and they too improved the feel of the bike.
There have been reports of a higher incidence of punctures with PR3s, I don't know if there's anything proven in this connection, but I did have my first puncture in 15+ years with the PR3s on my 2011GTR, I know others have had similar experiences with PR3s
Maybe PR stands for Punctures Regularly :mfr_lol:
Punctures regularly. I like that O.C. Certainly true in my case. 4 in the last year.
PR3 s were the worst tyre that I have ever had on a bike, shocking deformation of tread, and very puncture prone. utter :shit: in my opinion. And then Michelin tell us that the tyre wall was "way to soft, and needs reinforcement" :ohplease:.
I still say they are the best tyre for the GTR.
I've had just the one puncture.
The front on mine has some deformation. I'm in two mins whether to wait for the pr4s or replace with pr3s.
I've heard good things about the new Angels as well
Quote from: 100milesaway on November 14, 2013, 09:58:34 AM
PR3 s were the worst tyre that I have ever had on a bike, shocking deformation of tread, and very puncture prone. utter :shit: in my opinion. And then Michelin tell us that the tyre wall was "way to soft, and needs reinforcement" :ohplease:.
I agree, side walls were way too soft on PR3, nonetheless a good tire but life span was reduced because of this side wear, apparently issue has now been addressed for the PR4.
I won't be the first one to try them though, I am looking forward to hearing feedbacks from GTR owners.
Maybe Lonewolf will get them in January !! Steve are you there !
When it come time for new tyres on Vivian I will be fitting PR4s if they are available.
If I don't like the feel then will be going back to PR3s.
As for certain tyre types being "prone" to punctures,.. thats utter :shit:
The reason you get more punctures is because you are riding through the crud that collects between lanes, or else you have some building work going on nearby and they are strewing screws & nails around, or your local tyre shops are drumming up extra business.
Rear tyres get punctured most because you run over the nail/screw with the front which stands the nail/screw up so that it can penetrate the rear tyre.
I guess the super sticky rubber on Qualifier tyres or the sipes in the PR3 may provide more grip points for a nail/screw to lodge into but it's not going to make that much difference compared to say a PR2 or an Angel or even a :shit: BT021. More likely the grip provided by the PR3 means you are riding on parts of the road you would avoid with inferior tyres.
I now have a PR3 front on my GTR1000 as well. Would fit a rear PR3 as well but they are not available in 150/80-16 so the rear is an Avon Azaro.
Every time a new tyre comes out it is the best thing since sliced bread, suddenly the old tyre is not any good ,, bring back avon roadrunners. TT100's. Proper tyres .,,,, :biker3:
Having read the JohnnyTh report on here its interesting to note that he uses PR3s on his GTR and has travelled some horrendous roads during the course of his epic journey, and only 1 puncture :whistling:
Yeah and my rear PR3 lasted a pathetic 18 months before it needed changing and that was without a puncture, the front is still going strong. Steph, most certainly the PR4 at that rate will be available before I need to replace the tyres again.
Quote from: Lonewolf on November 14, 2013, 07:37:31 PM
Yeah and my rear PR3 lasted a pathetic 18 months before it needed changing and that was without a puncture, the front is still going strong. Steph, most certainly the PR4 at that rate will be available before I need to replace the tyres again.
The PR3s obviously suite your 'style' of riding :mfr_lol:
Fortunately my brand new PR3 was repairable but angels for me next time, Cant afford to ride on these.
Quote from: nightrider on November 14, 2013, 05:23:44 PM
Every time a new tyre comes out it is the best thing since sliced bread, suddenly the old tyre is not any good ,, bring back avon roadrunners. TT100's. Proper tyres .,,,, :biker3:
I've never been a believer in the "new is better" mantra.
On the 1000 I stuck with the Michelin A89X until the Pirelli Diablo Strada (2002?) came out .
I tried the 90X and the 100X and the D205s but always went back to the A89X.
In 2005 I switched to the MEz6 front & Avon Azaro rear and now in 2013 I have switched to the PR3/Azaro.
If you rode a bike in the wet with Avon Ditchfinders on it now, you'd kak your pants :shit: :shit: :shit:
Compared to modern rubber they are scary scary SCARY!
Quote from: O.C. on November 15, 2013, 07:40:50 AM
The PR3s obviously suite your 'style' of riding :mfr_lol:
It certainly does. Progressive when appropriate, restrained when roads dictate such action and above all in every set of circumstances, a planned, methodical, safe ride carried out in accordance with my training and the Road Traffic Act.
I agree with you totally, they do indeed suite my style of riding.
Quote from: Lonewolf on November 15, 2013, 09:40:29 AM
It certainly does. Progressive when appropriate, restrained when roads dictate such action and above all in every set of circumstances, a planned, methodical, safe ride carried out in accordance with my training and the Road Traffic Act.
I agree with you totally, they do indeed suite with my style of riding.
You sound like one of those :censored: that present speed awareness courses :popcorn:
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on November 15, 2013, 10:30:42 AM
You sound like one of those :censored: that present speed awareness courses :popcorn:
Now how would you know that? :mfr_lol: :whistling:
Quote from: Lonewolf on November 15, 2013, 10:58:50 AM
Now how would you know that? :mfr_lol: :whistling:
Is that what you do LW ?
I've had two sets of PR3's on my '06 'Blade, (167 RWHP) and think they are the hounds rounds, never had 'em step out on me, and got about 3.5 k outta the rear, which aint too bad in my book, rather have 'em sticky 'n soft, than hard and shoite.
An excellent tyre, dunno why the haters?
Had them on my Versys 650, and could ride them the same in the wet as the dry, outstanding set of boots, never picked up any punctures, and that's with 50% riding in London.
I do run my tyres with 'Low' pressure, i.e. the 'Blade handbook stated something like 42 psi, that's two up and fully loaded, and after extensive research on the US forums, ran the rear at 32 without any problems whatsoever.
I'd be very interested to hear what others are running in the GTR tyres, as I have 42/42 at the mo', with the forks on softest, and the rear on minimum pre-load, and I think the suspension is still a little unforgiving.
I have a set of nearly new Avons, and they seem o.k., a little twitchy when giving it the beans, an 8/10, but the PR3's would have to be a 10/10, will look forward to the reports of the PR4's!
Like LW Steve, PR3 must suit my riding style then, coz I like them, I found them very stable on the wet at high speed, even too good, great slow cornering in tight hairpins (Dolomites, French Alps)..for punctures any tires is prone to one, the difference with the PR3, which is big pain in the A** is that once you patch it with either mushroom or slimy worm it does not hold air very well, and you have approximately 24H before re-pumping and so forth, and it is basically ruined, you can't ride with it even for a short while, it has to be changed...compound is too soft, wear and tear of the rear tire is very uneven, too soft compound as well on the wall, so if it is true that PR4 is firmer, stronger compound, I will wait for LW Steve report anxiously and try them on my next tire change... :biker3:
Anyone tried the Pirelli GT (A rated)? I might give these a go
Had 'em on the GTR and the GT. Great tyre, but not the same longevity as the PR3.
Would be my next choice after the PR's
My PR3s are due a replacement. Will hold on for the PR4s
Hold your horses.... please!
The majority of you guys can not take advantage of the technology which is placed in a standard tires. And that's a fact!
As for the difference between PR3 vs. PR4 is primarily changed the dimension and changed the design due to improved braking performance in the wet.
For most of us ... we can not notice much difference under normal conditions. But we can feel the difference when it's raining and the road is cold.
Hans, you are of course right, but its peace of mind, even I, at the pace I ride have noticed a significant difference between standard tyres and the wonderful PR3's.
Once you've committed, there's no going back.
I totally agree! As for tires - so you do not get any better than Michelin Pilot Road - and version 4 will make it even better!
Having tested numerous manufacturers and have never found anything better suited to our glorious touring machine than the Pilot Road series.
The illustrious R1 in my pic was shod with Michelin PR 's. I totally agree they had the best grip of all the tyres I ragged in 4 years and 38k miles, but hang on - on that bike that's exactly what was needed, ultimate grip - forget about longevity ( I rendered one PR useless in 1500 miles ). We need tyres that serve the sports/tourer world and looks like the PR answers the sports mode well enough but the compound/ tire wall has needed to be beefed up for the tourer as well.
My riding style now probably wouldn't require the grip advantages the PR has over the competition but I certainly wouldn't want punctures or less than 5k miles out of the rear either.
In France on R1 some years ago I had a rear puncture on the michelins (fancy that) and had no choice but to fit some horrible continental 190 something. Absolute :shit: and nearly killed me the rest of the trip. Had no confidence trying to keep up with a ZX12 on the corners - but could have easily on the right rubber. The psychological boost you get cannot be underestimated.
My GTR is shod with Avon Ultra Storm 2's, not impressed, but they came with the bike, and sadly still got lots of tread left.
Took it out for a blat on Sunday, had the TC lighting up a couple of times, 8 degree air temperature too, and I'm pretty sure the PR3's wouldn't have done that on the 'Blade, which has more power and waaaaay lighter as well.
Of course it's all about confidence, and in my experience, the PR3's never stepped out, in four sets and two very different bikes, whereas the Avons have done a number of times now...you pays ya money, yadayadayada...
are you guys noticing that the GTR is very sensitive to tyre wear ?
After , say , 50% of the thread is gone , the heavy steering (and slow transitions) returns with a vengeance.
.
Quote from: pistole on December 12, 2013, 12:02:01 AM
are you guys noticing that the GTR is very sensitive to tyre wear ?
After , say , 50% of the thread is gone , the heavy steering (and slow transitions) returns with a vengeance.
Maybe on the Bridge :shit:'s.
On the PR3s it gets to about 10k miles on the front, nearly on the wear bars, and starts to feel squirmy.
Perfect time to do just that as the tyres are verging on illegal.
I replace the front at that point.
Yes, I could squeeze another 2k miles (and did during the Credit Crunch) out of the front, but it's no fun.
The rear on the other hand can get nearly bald (and very illegal!) before you start to feel the change.
Boomer , am using Pirelli Angel STs. Whatever it is , they are still loads better then the Original B'stones.
Just a little wistful longing for the tippy-toes feeling which accompany new tyres !!
.
Test results for 2012/2013 (GTR1400):
Michelin Pilot Road test of durability for PR2: km. 21,500
Bridgestone BT23GT: km. 7.030 (Not recommended for wet or cold roads - deformation during heavy cornering)
Michelin Pilot Road test the durability of PR3: km. 11,500 (for now - pending due to winter)
- there are at least 10,000 more KM in the tires!
Michelin Pilot Road 4 test pending for june/july 14'
Surprised the Bridgestones deformed. The one thing about them is the strength of the sidewalls, much stiffer than other tyre makes which is what makes them have less 'feel' than others.
Quote from: Winston Smith on December 13, 2013, 11:25:28 PM
Surprised the Bridgestones deformed. The one thing about them is the strength of the sidewalls, much stiffer than other tyre makes which is what makes them have less 'feel' than others.
:agree: ...when I changed my OEM Bridgestones for PR2s on my 2008 GTR the Bridgestones were much heavier and much less pliable :yes:
Quote from: Winston Smith on December 13, 2013, 11:25:28 PM
Surprised the Bridgestones deformed. The one thing about them is the strength of the sidewalls, much stiffer than other tyre makes which is what makes them have less 'feel' than others.
Maybe I should clarify :
Deformation occurs suddenly and rapidly. This gives an uneasy cornering , instability and the need for correction. This is the way Bridgestone has designed tyre/sidewall for strength .
BT- 023 GT has 2 overhead belt, nylon at a 45 degree angle to the carcass . This provides a longer belt, and allows for more flex in the casing = comfort. If you don't mind having this, you could add 55 profile (rear tyre) for even higher comfort
You lose accuracy in comparison with BT- 023 std when the carcass can provide a little more flex
BT- 023 standard has a breaker (stabilizing belt, ) and upstairs a mono- spiral belt of steel ( an endless steel cable which is fragmented and rubber ) .
In addition to Bridgestone compared to Michelin Pilot Road still using steel in their tires (Michelin = Kevlar ) , so does this design just that you have shorter braking distances , lack of precision , etc.
If you ask about Bridgestone T30 has better wet performance than PR3 , so the answer is no - a BIG NO NO NO!!
T30 is more pointed in profile and have faster steering response than BT 023'eren . Faster warm - up time and more linear grip ( even to the progressive side ) due to a more uniform interface .
Bridgestone's not a bad tire ... Pirelli Angel is not bad either. But there is just not a tire that is better than the Michelin Pilot Road - it's a fact! Many tests which are made on "secure and controlled" runway may shows something else, but it's on the road, on a daily basis to the real test must be carried out.
Tire choice depends on your riding style, bike, weights and conditions (roads) you are using. My view is not the whole truth, because different motorcycles have different needs. Also driving style. But I can give a general picture with regard to sports / touring and relatively heavy motorcycles. The picture is exactly the same in terms of such. Honda VFR800, Blackbird, Hayabusa, BMW k1200/1300GT, 1600 and finally Kawasaki GTR1400.
Summary: Bridgestone BT021/023/GT will not reach Pilot Road 2, left alone are Pilot 3. As for Bridgestone T30 - so it might reach the level of PR2. About shortly come Pilot Road 4 and moving the level a notch higher.
Your call .... your life and safety ....
Thank you Hans...that is what I call an accurate, detailed, unbiased and informed response :clap:
Me personally I can't wait fir the PR5's, I hear they're gonna be awesome. :popcorn:
By the time your ready for a change PR7s 'll be available :mfr_lol: :whistling:
Quote from: O.C. on December 14, 2013, 01:06:52 PM
By the time your ready for a change PR7s 'll be available :mfr_lol: :whistling:
:mfr_lol: You may be right.
OE on new water cooled RT http://motorcycleindustry.co.uk/new-michelin-pilot-road-4/ (http://motorcycleindustry.co.uk/new-michelin-pilot-road-4/)
Bring on the Avon Roadrunner 2, although did like the michelin M38 and S41. :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Always liked Bridgestones never had any issues really, other than longevity.
Quote from: 100milesaway on November 14, 2013, 09:58:34 AM
PR3 s were the worst tyre that I have ever had on a bike, shocking deformation of tread, and very puncture prone. utter :shit: in my opinion. And then Michelin tell us that the tyre wall was "way to soft, and needs reinforcement" :ohplease:.
Copio ed incollo. :shit:
Pirelli Angelo GT :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2ynku38.jpg)
MGvalerio.
Bring back Dunlop TT100s, that's what I say. :whistling:
Quote from: 100milesaway on December 15, 2013, 04:19:54 PM
Bring back Dunlop TT100s, that's what I say. :whistling:
Ay, and while you're at it bring back those new fangled Penny Farthing's. :popcorn:
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: The Wolf on December 15, 2013, 04:29:39 PM
Ay, and while you're at it bring back those new fangled Penny Farthing's. :popcorn:
Wood tyres, that's the future. Rubber is sooooo last year! :yes:
Anyone found a supplier in the UK selling these yet?
Edit: found them here: http://www.nationalbiketyres.co.uk/http-//www-nationalbiketyres-co-uk/motorcycle-tyres/michelin-motorcycle-tyres/pilot-road-4/cat-877-html/cat_877.html