Opinions on Michelin Pilot Road 3

[baffa]

Hi all, blade has these tyres fitted, and I replaced the rear a little while ago.
Great for commuting and wet weather and so forth, there are plenty of raving reviews online and so forth.

But I wanted peoples opinions on these tyres for performance riding in warmer weather.

I went for a few rides over the weekend, and the weather was pretty hot. Both days when I was pushing slightly round corners, I found the tyres starting getting "squirrelly". . They felt like they were overheating and moving around when leant over. To be fair there was no "holy fuck" type feeling, but I lost confidence in them. The pressure may have been a little bit out, but I do check it on a regular basis.

I'm considering ripping them off and fitting something like the Bridgestone S20s over summer, and re-fitting them over the cooler months.

I use the bike a lot for commuting in all conditions, which they seem well suited to, as they have good mileage, warm up quickly, and are fantastic in the wet. But equally, I might decide to take the bike for a fang on a nice day, and in my mind a tyre that handles that better than commuting is a priority.

[p.dath]

The PR3 tyres are excellent, but they are definitely intended to be a road tyre (hence the "road" in the name).

However if you want to play on a track, or are are wanting to push hard then I don't think they are a good match for a high power output bike (like a CBR1000RR).

Michellin make a tyre selector tool:
http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tire-selector
If you are wanting a road tyre suitable for a little track use or want to ride hard on the road then consider something like the "Pilot Power 3". You'll notice Michellin's own tyre select tool doesn't recommend the PR3 as soon as you say you want to be able to use them on a track - so head the manufacturers words.

[Gremlin]

Probably discussed in the Road 3 thread, but the carcass of the Road 3 is more flexible than the Road 2.

Carry some weight (like a pillion) or push it a bit harder and it will flex more than the Road 2. This is what gives it the awesome wet weather grip, quick warm up etc.

[AllanB]

Look at the S30 as a very good sports tourer as well.

[nzspokes]

Probably discussed in the Road 3 thread, but the carcass of the Road 3 is more flexible than the Road 2.

Carry some weight (like a pillion) or push it a bit harder and it will flex more than the Road 2. This is what gives it the awesome wet weather grip, quick warm up etc.

Agreed. I may go PR2s next time round.

[Gremlin]

Agreed. I may go PR2s next time round.
Using PR2 currently. Even at 10-12k a year on the bike it's 2 years before I've used up the tyres. Next set for the Hornet are already on the shelves. Boss didn't like PR3 on his Hornet (carrying a pillion and he didn't like the carcass flex) so they're barely used, but need to be used...

[mulletman]

Ive got PP3s on the SV, 11000kms on the front and still good life, the rears on 6500kms and looks pretty good, i reckon 10k we'll see...they're both keeping a really great profile as well.

[Ocean1]

No tyre is going to cover the range of uses you're asking of them and be 100% effective.

I'm on my first set of PR3s, and while I get that same "squirrelly" feedback I also find it's pretty predictable. They do wear weird, though, my rear looked over half gone at 2k, but hasn't changed much in the next 2k.

PP2/PP3s are the go for fanging, just don't expect the mileage you'll get from the PR.

[nzspokes]

Using PR2 currently. Even at 10-12k a year on the bike it's 2 years before I've used up the tyres. Next set for the Hornet are already on the shelves. Boss didn't like PR3 on his Hornet (carrying a pillion and he didn't like the carcass flex) so they're barely used, but need to be used...

Don't get me wrong, I love the PR3s. Happy to have them on as the tyres that came with the bike were hard as rocks. On my track day they did feel like the moved about quite a bit.

Maybe some spare wheels with some Pilot powers on would be the go.

[neels]

I noticed the same the other day, seemed a bit squirmy in the back when I was pushing it along a bit. Hadn't before but that's probably because I usually have mrs on the back so everything is a bit more sedate.

The rear has quite badly feathered/ramped the edges of the tread blocks, could just be my bike or the way I ride it but it's not a nice look, so think I'll look at something different next time round.

[haydes55]

I noticed the same the other day, seemed a bit squirmy in the back when I was pushing it along a bit. Hadn't before but that's probably because I usually have mrs on the back so everything is a bit more sedate.

The rear has quite badly feathered/ramped the edges of the tread blocks, could just be my bike or the way I ride it but it's not a nice look, so think I'll look at something different next time round.

My rear and front have worn like that. 5,000km on them, they look past half way worn. I'm looking at going for a tire with less tread grooves next time so this happens less. I reckon the PP2CT looks good.

Truth is, wet weather grip (which PR3's are supposed to be best at) isn't much of an issue, because I'm still slow and cautious in the rain, regardless of how much grip I have, might as well have a tire which will last longer and be better suited to dry weather when that's the majority of my riding, and the entirety of my spirited riding.