I know that tyres are a very contentious issue with people asking what's the best tyre for the 1400 but i have a question regatding michelin PR3
I need to get new tyres as I hate the battlax ones that are on my bike and tge rear is quite square.
On my previous bike a SV650 o put PR2s on and they were great tyres. I've spoken to my tyre fitter about getting Michelin for the 1400 and he says I should be using the PR 3 GT as the bike is heavy.
My question is does anyone know what the difference is and is it worth putting the GTs On?
Thanks
I know I am not answering your question directly but I have recently had fitted a set of Pilot Road 4 tyres.
I think they suit the bike very well..
I am not a total hooligan with my riding style, so maybe I am not the best person to ask about longevity etc..
this has been debated lots and i think the general consensus is either pirelli angel gt's or michelin rp3/4 (though i think there is s 5 coming out shortly) and you'll not go far wrong.
i like pirelli angel gt's myself as i get good mileage and like how they feel .i have never tried the michelin's but supect they would be as good but i get the pirelli's for a good price so that's what i use.
:cheers:
Pilot Road 4 - no need for GT versions :smile2:
Well Appollo this really is a no brainer. By far the best combination of tyres you can have. Is a front tyre closely followed by a rear tyre. :thankyou: Oh and if you can't find the answer here then :google: My next set will be Pirelli Angel Gt's if that helps you :hat:
As the boys have said above.
Angel GT or Michelin 3/4 or 5 👍
I've had 3 sets of PR4's, much of my riding is with the missus and some luggage. I have not needed to use the the GT.
Seeing as you are asking about tyres, I would be getting the PR4's not PR3's.........Or why not treat yourself to a set of the latest Michelin Road 5's.
They will be my next set of tyres. What ever you choose, you will enjoy getting rid of the square one. :onya:
The PR 3 GT and PR 4 GT are NOT certified by Michelin for the 14.
Michelin GT tyres are for long distance touring with pillion and luggage. If that's what you use the 14 for then it makes sense. Otherwise stick to normal variants as the 14 might be heavy, but not that heavy. You might struggle getting heat into the carcase otherwise. As others have said, Tyres are a big investment so why not go for a more modern alternative?
Michelin Road 5's (they have dropped the "pilot" tag) are now available. If there are any PR3's out there still (and its extremely doubtful) then they are really are very old stock, however you might get some good deals on PR4's, being the outgoing tyre that the Road 5 replaces.
It's a no brainer therefore, Michelin PR4's, Road 5's or Pirelli Angel GT's.
I thought Michelin discontinued the PR3's because they were so bad. My favourite Michelin combination is a Power front and PR2 rear but I've now slowed down a lot so Angels are the current choice.
Quote from: Snapey on Tuesday, 06 February 2018, 10:12 AM
I thought Michelin discontinued the PR3's because they were so bad. My favourite Michelin combination is a Power front and PR2 rear but I've now slowed down a lot so Angels are the current choice.
I've got the PR3's on the new blue Pete, they were on it when I got it. They're ok, no issues from me with them. I heard Michelin came out with the 4 because the 3's wore out too fast, nice sticky tyre & good in the wet, but bugger all of a life span.
I went from PR2's to PR4's - MUCH better. I'd recommend them.
The GSX1400 is not heavy enough to need Michelin's GT version so ignore that.
Didn't you go the '55 profile as well Mick? You've been off it so long you won't be able to compare.
I had PR3's on my 14 before I sold it - nice tyre gave confidence, but wear rate was a tad quicker than expected. PR4's gave similar grip but lasted longer, the new Road 5's are supposed to be better still and give more grip in the wet even when half worn.
Quote from: VladTepes on Tuesday, 06 February 2018, 11:51 AM
I went from PR2's to PR4's - MUCH better. I'd recommend them.
The GSX1400 is not heavy enough to need Michelin's GT version so ignore that.
Spoke with my local tyre bloke - pricing between the Michelin PR and Angel GT's is bugger all - 500 bucks for new F+R fitted and balanced.
No price difference either for the "A" rated (heavier duty) variant on both, the Angel GT's are available in a 50 AND 55 profile for the rear, which I thought was interesting, the 55's will give you a (minor) large wheel rolling diameter, but the 50's look better and are the "standard" tyre fitted.
He said that while the GSX1400 is not classified as a heavy bike, but considering a ~230 kg dry weight (say 260-270kg wet, then add rider / pillion and/or luggage, you are hauling 350-380kg around.
My understanding is the A rating is to do with the number of plys in the side walls / ply rating to give the tyre stability and load carrying capacity.
I've currently got Michelin PR2's on, the rear tyre is from 2011 (!!) and the front is from 2012 (look at the side wall, there should be a 4 digit number inside a raised oval area. The first two digits are the week of the year they were made in, the last two digits the year of manufacture). Again the tyre bloke said anything past 4-5 years old should be replaced due to the ageing of the rubber.
I will be going with the Angel GTs, and most likely the "A" rated version, 70 profile front and 50 profile rear.
All the tyre blokes now say anything over 5 years old should be replaced. I just recently blue slipped a 4WD and he told me he could pass it because the tyres where 7 years old (he also sold tyres). the vehicle was laided up for almost 4 years and perfectly good tyres, I said show me the cracks on the rubber and now show me where the RMS stipulates age of a tyres.
All rubbers will cure over a period of time but that depends on the acceloraters and other additives that are added during manufacture.
i do rwc for cars, 4wd etc. they do get perish marks. i reckon 5 to 6 yrs should be limit. should have use by dates on them. have a look at blown tyre bits on highways. caravan people the worst. not for me, replace for safety i reckon. theyre only bloody rubber n glue. as far as using A sec tyres on 14, i actually wrote to pirelli in italy. no one in oz could give definitive answer. they wrote back, was amazed, just use standard was answer. i did and have for 5 yrs. A spec is for big bmw, gold wings etc. same price i know but not needeed. my answer came from world manager of pirelli tyre recos, i was impressed.
In most countries there is lack of info and confusion in regard to bike tires. All the tire manufacturers who market their products in Germany are bound by law to certify their tires for each bike model. The tire shops will not put a non-certified tire on a road bike. You shouldn't either! There might be a tire that is not certified and still do a good enough or even better job for your riding but you are on your own. The manufacturers do as many certifications for as many models as they can - they do want to sell as much as they can. There are a great deal of tires for the 14 that are approved by them.
The certifications are not just something a picky German government has decided for no reasons. The main reason is that bikes have to be safe on the Autobahn at high speeds. Can't think of any other country where you can ride legally as fast as here.
I believe these approval documents are only available in German. I'll post them on a separate thread for all the major brands soon.
GT tyres are heavy duty tyres designed for heavy (heavier than the 14) touring bikes and have stiffer side walls to cope with the loads. This will have an effect on the feel of the tyre as it will be less compliant than a standard tyre so will affect the handling.
Quote from: grog on Tuesday, 06 February 2018, 07:42 PMtheyre only bloody rubber n glue
The main agents in tyres are Natural rubber, carbon black, oil, and curing agents.
Quote from: grog on Tuesday, 06 February 2018, 07:42 PM
i do rwc for cars, 4wd etc. they do get perish marks. i reckon 5 to 6 yrs should be limit. should have use by dates on them. have a look at blown tyre bits on highways. caravan people the worst. not for me, replace for safety i reckon. theyre only bloody rubber n glue. as far as using A sec tyres on 14, i actually wrote to pirelli in italy. no one in oz could give definitive answer. they wrote back, was amazed, just use standard was answer. i did and have for 5 yrs. A spec is for big bmw, gold wings etc. same price i know but not needeed. my answer came from world manager of pirelli tyre recos, i was impressed.
Thanks Grog, that makes sense to me, so I will still go with Pirelli Angel GT's just not the "A" spec.
Just to throw a curve ball :devil:. After reading road tests from Europe and Aus, giving the new Conti Road Attack 3 a big wrap, I've fitted a set to my K3. Early days, but being new to a 14, I'm impressed so far. The bike feels lighter and steering nicely neutral, compared to the Brigestones that where previously fitted. A short trip through the curvy old Pacific Hwy and felt very confident with nice change of direction. As I said, being new to the bulk of the 14 , I felt very comfortable with the tyres.
Thanks Bundy for your impression. This is the first I have found for the CRA3 fitted on a 14.
For a guy who tests tires on youtube this is his Top tire.
His number 2 is the Pirelli Angel GT. He said that this one was punished like no other tire he tested. It held up extremely well.
Number 3 is Bridgestone S21.
His tests are limitied to his personal riding taste, which is lots of curves by dry roads in the Black Forrest. No tire lasts more than 3000 km for him. All of the 3 made it close to that.
As I am pi..ed at Conti for reasons I ranted on in another thread and have nothing to do with the tire, I am going to switch to the Angel GT. More "objective" reasons for this choice are the good experiences of many mates on the 14 here and that the before mentioned tester did not punish the CRA3 as much as the Angel GT (Angel GT may have been his top choice if he had done so).
@Bundy07 is that a 55 profile rear?
Oh my I'm in big trouble I have an A spec Angel on my 14. I suppose it won't flex like the MotoGP bikes.
Think I would be better off with a Michelin M38 like the good old days in the early 80's on my GPZ's GSX's, with about 70 profile and 115 wide lol.
Don't be too hard on yourself Irish, :whistling: Just buy the right one next time! :stir: :lol:
Geez Irish .....if you want flex maybe just run it at 18psi :hat:
After the tyres which were fitted as new wore out, BT 020, Ive fitted Pilot Roads 2 or 3 ever since.
Hey KiwiCol. no, its stock standard 50 profile. They also come with what they call traction skin which is a slightly roughened finish for better run-in grip.
:cheers:
Don't worry Kiwi's all sorted I'm doing the Oxley next week, already packed to go.
Be sure to have a great time......I see the rear peg down, you taking the boss too ?
Cheers Bundy07, I just thought it was a bit taller in the cross section than a 50. Different brands definitely do have different profiles though.
Nice option to have them already pre-scuffed.
Hey Irish, is Chris going to join you guys? Lives in the shadow ya know, - don't see him much on here.
Have a great ride Jeff :onya: You could probably do the Oxley with your eyes closed now mate.
Yep, keep an eye out for Rogues, he is hard to see though, as he is always in the Shadow.
enjoy your ride Irish. i have no idea why the difference in angels, heavier load i guess. certainly wasnt paying out, just pirelli advice i used. cant really see how it matters. the old michys, i remember well. had a48 on old ducati, worked fine. replaced with a49, went up same road, bike would hardly turn, they were crap. put a pirelli phantom on, all good. just a dud tyre the 49. were soon replaced, mustve had a few complaints. anyway, enjoy that ride.
And this is why A spec could be better than B, well on some of the roads I ride.
KF the boss is back in Oz for 3 months so she will be dinky.
KC didn't see or hear from him last two times so I guess won't see him this time, staying at Port Mac.
Hopefully I see you & Charlene at Jerry's tomorrow Jeff. We can discuss tyres.
enjoy your talk you two blokes. lets know the conclusion.
Quote from: grog on Friday, 09 February 2018, 07:21 PM
enjoy your talk you two blokes. lets know the conclusion.
There will be a conclusion Grog but I won't have a clue what it is. Unfortunately Jeff doesn't come with subtitles & Charlene is even harder to understand. :whistling: :onya:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Well we met up with Snapey at Jerry's this morning he didn't have a burger as he is on a diet.
My bike went very well with a A spec through the Yarramalong Valley be I did have a pillion being Charlene.
Anyway i have come to a conclusion about the tyres
1. If Snapey keeps dieting he will need C spec.
2. I don't need B spec and if didn't read it on the tyre I bet you wouldn't even know.
3. If I don't have a pillion this is my solution.
Great answer Irish, clever. I agree about load rating on Angel, id never notice any diff. Stronger has to be better.
Irish needs the A spec version to carry his wallet!!
PR4 are good, tried them on a bike I no longer have, PR3 not so. On the 14 the PR2s are plenty good enough, been using them for years with no complaints.
GTs not needed on the 14. Yes heavier than many but not that heavy. On my Pan I have to use the GTs
Tim, what didn't you like about the PR3? I've got some on at the mo & they're fine. Just interested