The tyre review thread

[routemaster]

Can't beleive the rating of 021's 3/10. Are you sure of this, Im realy impressed with the life of em, Ok now there shot but, 8k. They come free with the bike, Kawasaki must rate them to stick em on as standard.

Rgds

Kawasaki rate them only in the sense they are "fit for purpose" and they have got a good deal on the price - with the emphasis on price

[100milesaway]

Kawasaki rate them only in the sense they are "fit for purpose" and they have got a good deal on the price - with the emphasis on price

Sorry to disagree  but I thought they were fine, bit skittish in the wet but otherwise ok, but mine only did 5 thousand miles.  :)

[mecki]

Sorry to disagree  but I thought they were fine, bit skittish in the wet but otherwise ok, but mine only did 5 thousand miles.  :)

Mine have done just about 4K miles and need to be replaced very soon.
I wouldn't say they were bad but I wouldn't rate them as great either.
So I'll go for PR3s next.

[Rusty]

Good choice Mecki ... 100 milesaway ? ... you are right ... I thought the fitted tyres were ok and exactly as you say " skittish " in the rain and with a bit of wear so 5/10 from me .. ok but no more than that.
I am soooooo pleased with my PR 3's  ;)

[Martin#30]

PR3 after reading all the threads u'v convinced me. Now how mcu do I pay and any good fitters in the Midlands (Tamworth)

Thx

Just had my second set fitted on Friday - £285 ride-in, ride-out. I used ProTyre in Bristol, I imagine they have an outlet in your area.

Simply stunning, astonishing tyres.

Martin.

[Rusty]

I have to say mate  .... " never 'erd of em " ... but I shall get onto Google in just a minute !  ;D
My PR 3's were fitted at the dealer ... £268 ?? or there abouts.

[Kwikasfuki]

Don't believe this. Decided I didn't want to take the car and sit in the the traffic like yesterday. As soon as the TPS switched on, the rear tyre was at 33PSI. Took a look and a huge nail in the middle of the tyre.

This tyre only has got 3.5k on and at least that in tyre life left. WTF can't you repair 190/50 Z rated tyres? This is the second PR3 I've had go like this.

Just realised the car tyres could do with a change as well, so looking at a bill of £650 this week just on tyres  :'(

Edit: Just read this:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Products/productsresults/Tyres/2009/July/jul0109-british-standarsd-for-puncture-repairs/

Does this mean the Michelin can be repaired?

[Martin#30]

My rear PR3 got a screw in it after 50 miles. 10 minutes DIY effort with a puncture repair kit (example seller here on eBay) and it has been fine for the last 6,000 miles.

I always carry the repair kit with me everywhere, easy fix even by the roadside.

Martin.

Kwikasfuki, spend £15 on eBay and fix it yourself. Seriously easy, 10 minutes work. I did 9,400 miles on the repair, and it was perfect.

Martin.

[Kwikasfuki]

I've got a repair kit with the mushroom plugs. Is that all I need?

Edit: Doh, should learn to click on links. Thanks Martin, the one on eBay I also have. Will give it a go tonight or early tomorrow morning. Still waiting for my bike shed to be built so will have to do it in the freezing cold

[Martin#30]

Pretty decent YT video of how the repair is done with these kits - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8L0PWUftEo

Martin.

Edit to say that the tyre does not have to be removed, just easiest for demo purposes in the video I guess.

[Kwikasfuki]

Thanks Martin. You're right, it is a ten minute job.

Those plugs are damn sticky. One question: how much of the plug did you leave in the tyre? I've left half of it. I assume that won't be an issue.

[Martin#30]

One question: how much of the plug did you leave in the tyre? I've left half of it. I assume that won't be an issue.

Yep, half of it stays in the tyre, and gets compressed into the patch that seals on the inside. Trim off the remaining half on the outside, I imagine you have already done that.

Just keep an eye on the pressure for a day or two to assure yourself it is holding, and job's a good'un.

Martin.

[Kwikasfuki]

Trim off the remaining half on the outside, I imagine you have already done that.

Aye, did that. If I'm truthful, it took me two attempts to get it right. The first time I managed to split the plug in half when attempting to insert it into the tyre. Chucked that one away and tried with a new one. All done in the rain outside.

Actually, the other thing I noticed was that the plug came out slightly when filling the tyre with air. I trimmed it prior to filling the tyre and noticed it had come out by a couple of mm and trimmed again. I've left it overnight and will check it tomorrow morning.

[Lonewolf]

I've never done a pucture repair before, do you have to take the tyre off? Isn't there a fix where you can just do it with the tyre still on the wheel?

[Martin#30]

I've never done a pucture repair before, do you have to take the tyre off? Isn't there a fix where you can just do it with the tyre still on the wheel?

Nope, tyre still on the wheel with the kit Kwikas and I used - see eBay link in my post a few above this. It really is stunningly simple, and effective.

Martin.