The tyre review thread

[Lonewolf]

Boomer, those mileage predictions are music to my ears.

[Kwikasfuki]

Over 5000 miles on my PR3s and only very slight squaring off (90% motorway miles)
Had the first test in the rain on Wed. Got caught in a thunderstorm that followed me all the way home. The PR3s were brilliant. Never lost traction and I was making good progress too as I needed to get to a funeral.

Looking at the amount of tread left, I'd say these tyres are going to last a long time

[routemaster]

+1  :) I have done just over 4000 miles on my PR3's in just over two months with 75% on twisties
They are still looking very good  :)

[Rusty]

As above ... the original Bridgestones have now covered just over 4000 miles since March 3rd and only have a really small amount of smoothness on the tyre so even now giving it a bit of wellington I would expect them to last quite well ... then PR 3's ..... or I might just try those Pirelli Angels .....

[Kevin]

PR3s all the way for me.
First day in pouring rain since the first week after I fitted the PR3s.
When new they were awesome in the wet, but after 7,000 miles of abuse, they are still awesome.
Very confidence inspiring, very surefooted, best tyres I have ever ridden on.
I reckon the rear will make 10k miles and the front 12k to 14k.

They've been on around 4k miles so not long enough for me to know how long they last but we have around 4k miles planned over the next three weeks so I'll replace them with another set before the Wolfhound Rally.

The first quote is from this thread and the second from another thread and I may have to eat my words.

I've just come back from having the GTR serviced. My first shock was when I was told the front pads have about another thousand miles in them which isn't enough for this weekend and they were only fitted at the last service. The second shock was when I was told the rear tyre is worn - about 2mm left on the RH side; after 4k miles?!  :o There's loads of tread elsewhere, it's just the RH side and there is a definite step between the harder centre compound and the softer edge..

For the pads we went through the "I don't understand that, the last set lasted 7.5k are they likely to have been faulty?" conversation. For the tyre I was just puzzled. I managed to make a PR2 last 7.5k miles when we did our European End to End and 4k is no good to us at all. Then SWMBO said "TT1000" and the light dawned. I'd forgotten about that which would explain the heavy pad and tyre wear.

I'm still a bit concerned by the tyre wear though. The weather was pretty appalling so we weren't doing fast laps and I wonder how long they would have lasted if we had. If I can get one I'll have another PR3 put on tomorrow because I agree with every word Boomer said about how confidence-inspiring they are but we need good mileage out of a tyre so we may have to go back to PR2s if the next  PR3 doesn't deliver.

Unfortunately the dealer didn't have any pads in stock. He's going to try to get some for tomorrow but if he can't does anyone have any idea where I can source some, preferably EBC HH, for before-09:00 delivery on Friday?

(On a more positive note, the Top Block crash bungs look really nice. A bit of a pig to fit apparently that was not helped by the English instructions we were sent were for a slightly different set but that's OK as I didn't have to do it!)

Kevin

[Kwikasfuki]

I would say dealer is your best bet - other dealers stock them so ring around.

As for the tyre wear, I can't think of why the right side would wear more. Tyre pressure with two up riding? Incorrect suspension?

[Kevin]

<snip> As for the tyre wear, I can't think of why the right side would wear more. Tyre pressure with two up riding? Incorrect suspension?

27 clockwise laps of the TT circuit? There are a lot more RH bends than left.

I'll try the only other local dealer but I'm not hopeful as they didn't ever stock them when they used to service our previous GTR.

Kevin

[Kwikasfuki]

27 clockwise laps of the TT circuit? There are a lot more RH bends than left.

Aye, that'd probably do it.

[Kevin]

New PR3 fitted this morning (thank you Alfords, Folkestone). I'll see how that goes before making a decision as to whether we'll keep using them.

Pads due before 09:00 tomorrow  ;D.

Kevin

[Kwikasfuki]

Is the dealer replacing the pads for you?

Did you get the EBC HH ones? If so, can you let us know of your opinions. I'm currently running the OEM pads for the '10 onwards model on my 08, and whilst they are very good, they are also very expensive so I may opt for the EBC next time.

[Kevin]

Yes. The Kawasaki dealer didn't have any and couldn't get any quickly. Alfords didn't have any stock (well they wouldn't as they are a Suzuki and Yamaha dealer) so I ordered on-line and Alfords are going to fit them for me tomorrow morning.

Yes I went for the EBC HH ones, primarily because of availability. I'll let you know how we get on.

Kevin

[Boomer]

I've been using EBC HH's since about 28,000 miles when the OEM pads got down to about 1mm.
Now at 40,000 and they look fine.
They are a bit noisier than the OEM pads and sometimes squeak a bit when wet, but 12,000 miles in and I still like them.

How you manage to shag brake pads that fast is beyond me.
I ride is such a way as to avoid braking.
I am fast and smooth, use engine braking before using the brakes, and plan WAY ahead so that I brake less often. If I have to brake on a motorway then I get pissed off!  >:(
That may also help my tyre mileage, that and the fact that I rarely get to ride twisty roads.  :(

So Kevin, I guess if you want longer brake and tyre life yer gonna have to learn to ride smoother.  ;)

[Kevin]

<snip> How you manage to shag brake pads that fast is beyond me. <snip>I am fast and smooth, use engine braking before using the brakes, and plan WAY ahead so that I brake less often.<snip>

I too am a Riding God (obviously) but I suspect the fact that I ride twisty roads at every opportunity and almost all of my riding is two-up with luggage is a contributory factor in our differing wear rates.

I also suspect you may have missed the bit about a timed 1000 miles round the TT circuit and that only the soft RH side of the tyre was shagged. From the description of your riding I imagine you rarely get on the side bits and, as you say, there's not much call for braking on a motorway...

Kevin (with tongue firmly in cheek)

It's about time we had another meeting so I can take the piss in person rather than via a keyboard!

[Bondu]

Kevin - Any pics of the Top-Block sliders fitted? I looked on your site but didn't see any. I'm on the point of buying a set, any pointers as to the difficulty in fitting?
Thank's
Richard

[Kevin]

I'm running out of time today as we need to get going but I'll put some up on Monday.

When the front pads were removed there seemed to be a lot more than 1000 miles of normal riding left in them so they'd have probably been OK for the weekend but they're done now.

Kevin