Michelin Pilot Road 3 (PR3) end of life review

[Blackbird]

With the recent excellent KB reviews of Metzler and Bridgestone tyres, I thought I'd add my review of the Michelin PR3 as they're only a couple of weeks away from being replaced. I've had three different sets tyres on the Street Triple and have compared them with the other sets in terms of performance and life.

Link here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/michelin-pilot-road-3-end-of-life-review.html

Hope it's of interest.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Hitcher]

Mrs H will very soon be in the market for a new set of tyres. She may like to try a set of PR3s. The Storm Ultras have run pretty well on her Bandit 650.

[Blackbird]

Mrs H will very soon be in the market for a new set of tyres. She may like to try a set of PR3s. The Storm Ultras have run pretty well on her Bandit 650.

She could do a lot worse Brett. If she's been happy with the Avons, the PR3's should delight her, particularly in adverse conditions. I know you guys are all-weather riders :niceone:. Happy new year from sunny Coromandel!

[Ocean1]

I followed a BMW K1300 shod with new PR3s for a few days last month, with rain off and on. I agree with your comments about the dry strip they leave behind, but I also found myself dropping back a bit more than normal in such conditions because there seemed to be a lot more mist/haze behind him than others in the group. Was a new bike, so he didn't have much history to compare tyre performance but he was more than happy with their wet grip, and I must say he was riding like that was the case, too.

[Blackbird]

I followed a BMW K1300 shod with new PR3s for a few days last month, with rain off and on. I agree with your comments about the dry strip they leave behind, but I also found myself dropping back a bit more than normal in such conditions because there seemed to be a lot more mist/haze behind him than others in the group. Was a new bike, so he didn't have much history to compare tyre performance but he was more than happy with their wet grip, and I must say he was riding like that was the case, too.

Thanks for the confirming feedback :niceone:. I ride from Coromandel to Auckland in all weathers and feel totally relaxed on the really twisty Coro to Thames coast road in wet conditions. It's also nice to hear that a heavier big horsepower bike also performs well with them. It be interesting to see how they perform long term with the extra weight and horsepower!

Thanks for the comments :not:

[Ocean1]

Thanks for the confirming feedback

Been meaning to try some PR3s for a while, but with changing machines at what turned out to be optimal tyre-life times I've been deprived of the opportunity. Be interested in some advice re the heavy/light rear carcase. What does the Truimph weigh? I suspect both the XB12X and I might prefer the light version.

[Gremlin]

The lack of weight on your bike helps big time in mileage, I can assure you.

Although, just looking at my numbers, I ran the PR3 on the big GSA for almost 6500km before fitting other tyres, then I re-fitted in September again and now the rear is completely knackered (especially through the centre) with another 5000km...

So 11-12k on the Trail designated PR3 on a 250kg GSA (many of those with luggage etc) ain't bad at all... Can't be beat for wet weather grip...

[Grant`]

I have just gone to a set of Z8's on my Cb1000r Predator, after running a set of PR3's which I managed 12,500k out of, before the centre just destroyed itself... That's all weather riding and also 2 or 3 track days on them.

The sides had plenty of grip left but the centre wouldn't have passed a warrant at all.

Pretty happy with them though.

[Madness]

They're still French though.

[trumpy]

Good review Geoff. I have these on my Trumpy (onto my second set) and would agree with everything you have said especially the wet weather performance.
Interesting thing for me is that I bought an XR1200 (yeah, yeah I know I have gone to the dark side....) still wearing its original Dunlop Qualifiers. I have never been a Dunlop fan so was a bit concerned about riding it back to Taupo from Wellington in solid rain (started at Paraparaumu and didn't stop all the way home) and gale force winds. I must admit they didn't give me any concern at all in those conditions. Just scrubbed in a new Qualifier rear so will see over the next few months.
Added note: what idiot at Oxford designed a one piece rain suit that that you almost have to take off completely just to have a pee!!??

[Blackbird]

Been meaning to try some PR3s for a while, but with changing machines at what turned out to be optimal tyre-life times I've been deprived of the opportunity. Be interested in some advice re the heavy/light rear carcase. What does the Truimph weigh? I suspect both the XB12X and I might prefer the light version.

The Triple is quoted at 169 kg empty which is pretty light. I was influenced to some extent with my experience with the Blackbird. The first Avon tyres used to deflect and cause abnormal wear patterns which was cured by using the Avon "B" spec heavier construction tyre. The Triple is a lightweight by comparison but figured that a heavier carcass would give me peace of mind and I could control "feel" by varying the tyre pressure a wee bit. I'd be inclined to do the same on the XB 12 for what it's worth.

[Blackbird]

I have just gone to a set of Z8's on my Cb1000r Predator, after running a set of PR3's which I managed 12,500k out of, before the centre just destroyed itself... That's all weather riding and also 2 or 3 track days on them.

The sides had plenty of gripped left but the centre wouldn't have passed a warrant at all.

Pretty happy with them though.

Grant, that seems pretty good considering your Predator's use. With respect to centre wear compared with the rest of your tyre, if you use it for commuting, I suppose it's probably to be expected. Living on the Coromandel and my IAM riding, spreading the wear isn't an unreasonable expectation.


Good review Geoff. I have these on my Trumpy (onto my second set) and would agree with everything you have said especially the wet weather performance.
Interesting thing for me is that I bought an XR1200 (yeah, yeah I know I have gone to the dark side....) still wearing its original Dunlop Qualifiers. I have never been a Dunlop fan so was a bit concerned about riding it back to Taupo from Wellington in solid rain (started at Paraparaumu and didn't stop all the way home) and gale force winds. I must admit they didn't give me any concern at all in those conditions. Just scrubbed in a new Qualifier rear so will see over the next few months.
Added note: what idiot at Oxford designed a one piece rain suit that that you almost have to take off completely just to have a pee!!??

Thanks Robert,
Good to hear from you and long time no see! Not the dark side at all :bleh: . In a previous blog, I listed the XR 1200 as one of the bikes I'd like to own - love the flat tracker influence! Haha - I had the same problem with my Frank Thomas one piece. There were a few occasions when I lost control :(.

[Ocean1]

The Triple is quoted at 169 kg empty which is pretty light. I was influenced to some extent with my experience with the Blackbird. The first Avon tyres used to deflect and cause abnormal wear patterns which was cured by using the Avon "B" spec heavier construction tyre. The Triple is a lightweight by comparison but figured that a heavier carcass would give me peace of mind and I could control "feel" by varying the tyre pressure a wee bit. I'd be inclined to do the same on the XB 12 for what it's worth.

I wondered, I'd heard the purpose of the heavier walls was to manage distortion and undue heat buildup in heavier machines, and both of ours are relative lightweights. Ah well, I've got a perfectly good brand new set of straight PRs to wear out first.

[Blackbird]

The lack of weight on your bike helps big time in mileage, I can assure you.

Although, just looking at my numbers, I ran the PR3 on the big GSA for almost 6500km before fitting other tyres, then I re-fitted in September again and now the rear is completely knackered (especially through the centre) with another 5000km...

So 11-12k on the Trail designated PR3 on a 250kg GSA (many of those with luggage etc) ain't bad at all... Can't be beat for wet weather grip...

Alan,
I've heard of trail designated PR3's - where are the major differences? In any event, your longevity is amazing considering what you load onto your bike :niceone:

[Ocean1]

I've heard of trail designated PR3's - where are the major differences?

...and are they available in 17 front"?

[Gremlin]

Alan,
I've heard of trail designated PR3's - where are the major differences? In any event, your longevity is amazing considering what you load onto your bike :niceone:
Yep, so you have the Pilot Road 3 and Pilot Road 3 Trail.

The Trail comes in one size for front and one for rear (last I checked anyway), and designed for the big dual purpose bikes, so a 110/80/19 front and 150/70/17 rear (standard across 12GS, Super Tenere, Triumph Explorer, Vstrom). I believe the standard PR3 also comes in a 150/70/17 rear, so a bit of care there. Being designed for the big dual sport, the rear Trail is dual compound like it's sibling, but the center hard section is much wider than on the standard tyre to account for the bike weight and tendency to eat the centre.

Picture is worth a thousand words, or so they say:

<img src=http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/michelin-pilot-road-3/pilot-road-3-street-compound.jpg>

[trumpy]

Thanks Robert,
Good to hear from you and long time no see! Not the dark side at all :bleh: . In a previous blog, I listed the XR 1200 as one of the bikes I'd like to own - love the flat tracker influence! Haha - I had the same problem with my Frank Thomas one piece. There were a few occasions when I lost control :(.

Once the holiday lunacy is over I will come up and see you and you can give the big girl a whirl. It's been interesting going from a bike that's 170kg dry to one that tips the scales at 250kg. Better than I thought it would be.

[Blackbird]

Once the holiday lunacy is over I will come up and see you and you can give the big girl a whirl. It's been interesting going from a bike that's 170kg dry to one that tips the scales at 250kg. Better than I thought it would be.

Do that, I'll meet you in Thames and we can ride back and have lunch at our place. Look forward to it :niceone:

[madandy]

Geoff, a terrific write up and one of the best amateur ones on tyres I've read.
Once my Conti sport attacks are done these pr3 tyres may be just the ticket for winter!

Cheers, happy new year:niceone:
Andy

[Blackbird]

Thanks very much Andy :niceone: I'm afraid I don't have any experience with Conti's but with a VTR, the PR3's should handle the load ok as long as you get the B load rated rear.

Will be interested to hear how you get on!

[actungbaby]

[QUOTE=Blackbird;1130458075]With the recent excellent KB reviews of Metzler and Bridgestone tyres, I thought I'd add my review of the Michelin PR3 as they're only a couple of weeks away from being replaced. I've had three different sets tyres on the Street Triple and have compared them with the other sets in terms of performance and life.


Hope it's of interest.

Cheers,

very good reivew thanks

[gijoe1313]

Well thought out, informative words about your experiences - I totally agree with your points since I have them fitted to both my CB900 and Predator.

Wait, this is KB innit? Who'd thunk there would be some reasoned logic and non-abusive posts so early in the new year! :eek5:

[Blackbird]

Well thought out, informative words about your experiences - I totally agree with your points since I have them fitted to both my CB900 and Predator.

Wait, this is KB innit? Who'd thunk there would be some reasoned logic and non-abusive posts so early in the new year! :eek5:

Thanks Justin and happy New Year!

Haha - which is why I can't be arsed to post much these days - would hate to spoil things :whistle:

[Grizzo]

Cheers Blackbird, I have bookmarked for future reference.
Handy info.

[Blackbird]

Cheers Blackbird, I have bookmarked for future reference.
Handy info.

Cheers Grizzo :2thumbsup

We can't really go wrong with the current range of tyres on the market.