The tyre review thread

[Rusty]

Will do old friend ... just been across country and up to town in the last couple of days for work, so I shall give it a while, and some wet weather before I start typing  ;D

[Ziderman]

I don't think there are any truely bad top range tyres out there anymore.

Ditto.......!

[fred24]

Went for a run out out yesterday and did my usual toggle through of the computer thingy to check all was well and noticed the rear was only 40psi so decided to keep an eye on it and after a couple of miles it dropped to 39 so decided to do a U turn and get home and have a proper look and found a screw in the tyre. So thumbs up for the TPS in warning me that something was wrong before it became more serious.

Managed to get home safely replace the tyre and have a nice 200mile run afterwards.

Only my second puncture on a bike in 35yrs so can't complain to much but reading this forum it is yet another PR3 that has expired before its time.

It's strange how the screw embedded itself in the tyre the way it has - could make you think there's something about the tread design that makes it susceptible to picking up road debris compared to other tyres. Still fitted another PR3 though as it is such a good tyre.

[mecki]

At least you didn't have much thread left and needed a new one soon anyway.

[Rusty]

Quite so .. thank goodness it wasn't newish !!

[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.

[fred24]

Puncture after 50mls would really P??? me off

The fitter did offer to repair mine but I have never felt comfortable with having tyres repaired on cars or bikes always had them replaced

[rippers]

Have today replaced my Z8 with another Z8 on the rear. I got about 5500 miles out of it, but it is squared off, although probably has another 500 miles left in it. But I am off to France and Belgium so needed to get it sorted. I wanted a PR3 but did not have one in stock and I could not wait until it came in as I am going away.

I have been quite pleased with the Z8 as I thought 6000 miles is not bad for a rear tyre on the 1400, I have the the same on the front and that seems to be holding up very well, little wear after 4000 miles.

Will watch this blog and try to get PR3 next time by not leaving it to the last minut to get it fitted. By the way £150 for the tyre and fitting.

[Lonewolf]

Some may find this interesting.
http://www.michelin.co.uk/motorcycles/michelin-pilot-road-3
Click on the link....(Discover the Michelin Pilot Road 3) & then in the top right of the screen change the language to English and then watch the video.

[Kevin]

I agree with the better grip on wet roads but we've had no problem wearing the things out far more quickly than we ever did PR2s. I do have to say the current one seems to be lasting longer.

   
• First one was completely shot at 3750 miles on the right-hand side. I suspect the IBA IOM TT1000 was responsible for that although we weren't moving particularly rapidly.
• The second one was a little less worn at 3750 miles but was changed anyway due to an upcoming rally - still definite steps between the hard centre and softer edges. This had had an easier life but was sent back to Michelin by the dealer for comment.
• The current one has been on there for around 5000 miles. It's had a much easier life than the previous two with more balance between motorway and B roads and some quite slow runs in Ireland. The step between centre and sides is still there though, particularly on the left.

Kevin

[mecki]

Kevin,

Maybe the PR3s are just not suited for your riding style and/or the roads you travel on?
Especially since you seem to be the only one here experiencing problems like that.
If I were you I'd try some other tyre next time.

[Kevin]

Practically all of my riding is two-up with luggage and a lot of it is long distance. I'm pretty certain no-one else here is doing that which would explain why no-one else is experiencing the problem but I hope you're wrong as I really like these tyres; I had no problem with wear rates on PR2s.

Based on the wear pattern I have a suspicion they may need to be run at more than 42PSI for our usage and I have a call scheduled with Michelin later today to discuss it.

Kevin

[mecki]

That with the tyre pressure makes sense and you probably should just pump your PR3s up a bit.
Definitely cheaper than buying new tyres more often.
If the pressure is too low this usually results in more wear on the sides, and I can imagine on dual compound tyres this could result in the step you describe.
It is not unusual that higher tyre pressure especially on the rear tyre is recommended when a pillion and load is being transported. I had quite a few bikes that stated different pressures for single and pillion use on the sticker on the chain guard.

[Kevin]

That with the tyre pressure makes sense and you probably should just pump your PR3s up a bit.

It's the 'a bit' I'd like Michelin to recommend.

Kevin

[Kevin]

Well that wasn't a very satisfactory discussion at all unfortunately.

The guy at Michelin was loathe to recommend increasing the pressure as he "didn't want to go against what Kawasaki recommend". He said it was something I could try, maybe a couple of PSI, and the implications are slightly less contact with the road and decreased braking efficiency. He agreed there was still plenty of tread left in the centre of the tyre and that it was worn on the edges then went to to say "Most tyres are designed for 1-up riding with occasional 2-up riding not the constant 2-up riding that you are doing. Someone has just brought out a tyre designed for increased weight, primarily for people with full panniers, but that's not what the PR3 was designed for.".

I confess I've never heard of anything like that before and tyre wear has never been an issue for us in the past. Perhaps Michelin ought to change their advertising to say that.

Our third rear is well on its way to needing to be changed so perhaps it's time to look for something else. I could go back to PR2s but they are nowhere near as good in the wet as PR3s so I feel that's a big step backwards. Maybe I'll have to try another brand.

Kevin