PR 4 GT wearing quickly?

[mikesaa309]

I can't be 100% sure but my last tyre order was November last year and the GSX had 35,090 miles on the clock. It's already in need of a new rear tyre and it's got 39,222 miles. Surely Pilot Road 4 GT's should last longer than this? I do run them at 40 psi not sure if this is too much and I am a heavy lad or maybe it's because I don't ride all too sedately. Maybe the roads round here are just so bad that it wears tires out lol.

What millage are other people getting out of their tires? 

[T 24]

I have used two sets of PR 4 GT:s. 16 000 km/ set. Now I have Angel GT:s, 11 000 km now and there is 3-4 mm left.
Both are ok tyres, but Angel GT:s are a bit more slippery than PR 4 GT:s.
I use 42 psi front and 44 psi rear.

[mikesaa309]

Wonder why my rear one wears down quickly? Front lasts quite a while but generally does out last the rear tyre anyway. Do you ride fairly sedately? I also seem to like the dual carriageway. The A14 runs round my town so quite good to go for a blast down so probably doesn't help it's on the main part of the tyre quite a lot whereas if I went on more twisty roads then it'll be wearing on the outsides too.   

[T 24]

I ride fairly sedately, and mostly alone. Sometimes I use full throttle when overtaking.

[mikesaa309]

I see you live in Finland too bet the roads there are way much better than roads here in the UK especially round where I live.

[T 24]

Better roads in Finland?? I have visited about 50 times in England and I think you have better roads and tarmac.

[mikesaa309]

Not been to Finland myself but have heard roads are in good condition there lol. Also on here: https://www.visitfinland.com/article/driving-in-finland/ states that there's little traffic but then it is supposed to advertising Finland lol isn't gonna tell you that roads are crap.

[Hooli]

I get 6-7k miles from PR4 GTs on the back & that includes some touring, although I don't carry a lot of luggage. I run 40psi in the rear too.

[KiwiCol]

What bit is worn out Mike?  The centre?  put up a pic of the offending item.   

There are just so many factors to consider when trying to establish tread life.   The age of the rubber (date on tyre), pressure, road surface, rider style, rider weight, suspension settings, wheelies & burnouts. Lots of things.


Having said that, 4k miles does seem rather a short life span for one of these, hence the pics.  Looking at the tyre wear pattern helps to diagnose any issues.


Besides, if they're just worn in the centre, @Irish in Oz might buy them off you - he only uses the sides!      

[mikesaa309]

Just worn in the middle mainly: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4VUY5mnxe4BkseJd9

As you can see from the pics there is a nail in the middle of the tyre anyway so will need a new one regardless lol. Doesn't seem to be loosing air though. Shall have to check the tyre date, suspension is set fairly hard but again I'm a heavy guy plus the left hand shock is broken only goes to the 3rd or 4th mark and then the knob locks up been like that since I brought it (second hand bike).

[KiwiCol]

From that pic, it doesn't seem to have any unusual wear patterns, it's definitely squared off in the centre though.  A side view can also help at times, however in this case, it looks like just normal wear.  Your shocks do not appear (from this pic) to be giving you bad wear or handling - so all good there.

I also had this tyre, I'm a heavy guy (or was at that time) & also ran the tyre at 40psi. It did the same thing, squared off in the centre while there was still plenty left at the sides, mainly because there are mostly highway miles on it, sure lovin the twisties, but obviously there are more miles being done sitting straight up.

4,000 miles isn't a lot though, could be a crook batch of tyres, but I'd doubt that very much, it is more likely the riding style, bit heavy handed on the throttle?  Pull away fast & hard from a standstill? brake late & firm just before a corner?, use the rear brake more than the front?

You also said you don't ride too sedately, the bike is heavy, you are heavy, the only thing keeping you up is that tread & if you tend to ride a bit on the hard side, guess you can expect to pay for it in tyre wear.

I bet you thought it was a great tyre too, did  everything you wanted of it & inspired confidence?  Yeah?  That's the grip & rubber compounds working for you. You can get great grip & shorter wear or longer life & less grip. I know which I'd rather have.  The other alternative is to be a bit more easy on the take off's & brake a bit more gentler - look after the tyre.  The modern sports / touring tyre can handle far more that most riders will ever give it, but the harder you push them the quicker they'll wear.

I'm now running Angels, happy with them too. Might try Michy 5 next or the new Angel GT variant, dunno yet.

[KiwiCol]

For what it's worth,  I just looked up my old records, I got 13,000 k out of mine.   Works out to 8,077 miles.   

[Notty]

For what it's worth,  I just looked up my old records, I got 13,000 k out of mine.   Works out to 8,077 miles.

8007 miles ? my 14 hasn't done that many yet !!

[KiwiCol]

You'd better put some new tyres on though Notty, they're probably still the originals!!   023's?

[mikesaa309]

Yeah probably need to keep off the dual carriageways lol. Am a bit heavy on the throttle, I don't tend to launch it quickly though do accelerate hard a fair bit but then it's quite an easy thing to do on the GSX. Shall just have to ride a bit more sedately.

I do quite like the PR 4's. Used them prior to this current set too but before that ran Metzeler roadtec 01 which were also good tires, didn't take note of how long they lasted though and not sure if they're better or worse than the pr 4's. I too wanna try out the Road 5 next thought I get my tires from Tyre Leader and don't seem to have the GT model yet.