New Michelin tyre (sport-touring) Pilot Road 2

[Cajun]

Michelin Pilot Road 2

http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=66

I had a set of michelin roads on my gsxr1100wt when i had it, they seamed like a good sport touring tire, never had any problems with them.

They have now gone dual compound (like the power 2ct)

'Best mileage*




Best wet grip*




* Confirmed by independent tests compared to our 6 top European competitors in the same category

Longest Mileage
1st Michelin Pilot Road 2
2nd= Bridgestone BT-020
2nd= Dunlop D220ST
4th Pirelli Diablo Strada
5th= Bridgestone BT-021
5th= Metzler Roadtec Z6
5th= Continental Road Attack

Best wet grip
1st Michelin Pilot Road 2
2nd Pirelli Diablo Strada
3rd Metzler Roadtec Z6
4th Continental Road Attack
5th Dunlop D220 ST
6th Bridgestone BT-021
7th Bridgestone BT-020'
----

[Devil]

Good looking tyre too!
Looks like a damn good option.

[Lou Girardin]

They'll be here soon. No pricing yet though.

[gav]

Don't we have a sport touring forum? Isnt this due one of those infraction thingys? :nono:

[Hitcher]

I'd like to know what their test bike was. I'm currently getting way better mileage out of a Conti Road Attack than I have ever got out of an 020.

[pritch]

Don't we have a sport touring forum? Isnt this due one of those infraction thingys? :nono:

No Gav we don't.

Does that mean your post is one of those infraction thingys?

Better than an infarction...

[Cajun]

Don't we have a sport touring forum? Isnt this due one of those infraction thingys? :nono:


This more of a general, since its a sport touring tire, but can be used on a wide range of bikes.

if anything might belong in the 'Brakes – Wheels – Tyres' section

[Zapf]

Might just be the new set of tires for me on the XX after my SI trip.

[Lou Girardin]

Don't we have a sport touring forum? Isnt this due one of those infraction thingys? :nono:

No. Because 90% of riders should be using S/T tyres.

[Zapf]

No. Because 90% of riders should be using S/T tyres.

any idea when they are available in NZ?

[WickedOne]

Cycletreads say within the next couple of months.

[Karma]

I thought the pilot roads were already dual compound?

I'd be looking at those when I need to change the rear, but I'll usually run something a little more sticky on the front, pilot sport generally..

[shafty]

Looks like a good "heads up" Cajun, cheers

[WickedOne]

Well they unfortunately didn't arrive in the shipment on Wednesday so looks like it will be next month now...... :angry:

[Zapf]

Well they unfortunately didn't arrive in the shipment on Wednesday so looks like it will be next month now...... :angry:

is that info from Northern's / cycle treads?

[WickedOne]

That is what Cycletreads said on Thursday when I spoke to them. I really wanted a set of these but don't think I can wait till the next shipment comes in. What did you find best on your Hornet Felix? (And what kind of riding were you mainly doing?)

[Duc]

I run Pilot Roads and I think they create a "road noise" that I do not like at all. Anyone else experienced this?

I notice the 2's are a very different front tyre tread pattern and wonder if that will make a diference in this issue.

[WickedOne]

I run Pilot Roads and I think they create a "road noise" that I do not like at all. Anyone else experienced this?

I notice the 2's are a very different front tyre tread pattern and wonder if that will make a diference in this issue.

I am sure they will be a hell of a lot different because the new ones don't have a tread pattern that runs from side to side as the Pilot Roads did.

[Zapf]

That is what Cycletreads said on Thursday when I spoke to them. I really wanted a set of these but don't think I can wait till the next shipment comes in. What did you find best on your Hornet Felix? (And what kind of riding were you mainly doing?)

I really like the Strada's on the Hornet and now also on the XX. I do almost all types of riding, open road / back road / weekend blat / GC....

Strada's have good feel too. I am interested in the new Roads just to see what they are like. They will be for the XX

[WickedOne]

Yeah, looks like I'll be sticking to the Stradas, will try the new Pilot Road 2 next time.

[terbang]

After being told for ages I finally tried a set of Pilot Power 2CT (the dual compound tyres) Only done a 1000K on them touring and they are certainly a nice performing tyre, especially in the wet. Seem to be hacking the 'fat sprotbike' fairly well.

[WickedOne]

After being told for ages I finally tried a set of Pilot Power 2CT (the dual compound tyres) Only done a 1000K on them touring and they are certainly a nice performing tyre, especially in the wet. Seem to be hacking the 'fat sprotbike' fairly well.

Sweet as, keep us posted on how well they last please.

[Zapf]

anyone heard more about these Pilot Road 2's?

[Cajun]

anyone heard more about these Pilot Road 2's?

Yeah saw a set in the dealer end of last week, similar sorta tread pattern of a power, instead of the old pilot road.

[Hitcher]

What I'd like to see is a head-to-head comparison of the new crop of sport touring tyres: same riders, same bikes, same "circuit", mix of wet & dry; some objective data and discussion from the riders as to their thoughts and preferences on each.

Otherwise 10,000km is a long time between drinks (about four months in the Hitcher household) and it would take about two years to complete a comparative test on my own using a whole-of-tyre-life framework.

Whereas the whole job could be done in a weekend in Taranaki with six riders, six bikes (let's go for the new Bandit as the reference bike) and some indifferent weather.

[Cajun]

There a job for ya Hitcher, go see suzuki, see if borrow some bandits, and go see tire importers and there ya test (c:<

[Hitcher]

Hmmm. I wonder if Crasherfromwayback is reading this? Could be a go for the second half of May...

My six sports-touring tyre preferences would be:

Battlax 020 (a good reference tyre)
Avon Storm
Metzeler Roadtec Z6
Michelin Pilot Road 2
Pirelli Diablo Strada
Conti Road Attack

I've ridden four of these, but not all on the same bike.

[pritch]

Such semi scientific tests are rare, but can be informative if they're done right. The best ones I've seen usually use two different riders and two different bikes.

One of the Brit Bike mags did a test of several Michelin tyres using a number of riders of varying experience. The test found that the sports/touring rubber was the best all round. (They last longer, and they perform better in the wet.) Which was a similar result to an earlier test.


Some sprots bike owners may not be too worried about tyre life, but if you're doing 20,000Ks or more a year you are looking at $1000 up. Twenty dollars every week just for tyres...

Somebody give Big dave a nudge...

[Hitcher]

Most sprotsbike riders rarely ride their bikes to a degree that requires a full-blown race compound road tyre to be fitted. But they won't accept that, less their manhood be threatened.

[Max Preload]

I'm going to invest in a set of these Pilot Road 2's now my BT020's have done their dash.

[Hitcher]

When you do we need progress reports posted!

[pritch]

Most sprotsbike riders rarely ride their bikes to a degree that requires a full-blown race compound road tyre to be fitted. But they won't accept that, less their manhood be threatened.

Ahh well that may be very true but I was too polite to say so....:innocent:

Fact is some sprotbike riders using high performance rubber will rarely ever have the tyre operating within its performance envelope. Particularly so if they are living in a large urban centre.

They would probably be better off using tyres that were working within the temperature range the designers intended.:dodge:

[SPman]

Will a Pilot Road 2 front work OK with a Macadam 100X rear?

[Gremlin]

Fact is some sprotbike riders using high performance rubber will rarely ever have the tyre operating within its performance envelope. Particularly so if they are living in a large urban centre.

They would probably be better off using tyres that were working within the temperature range the designers intended.:dodge:
You try telling them that. As soon as I mention sport tourer compound, like the stradas, I get rubbished. pfffft, I'm too fast for touring compound... uh-huh?

As you mention (and its sooo valid), sticky tyres are only stickier at their intended operating temperature. The number of people that think if they buy the stickiest stuff they can get, it will help... :shutup:

[SPman]

Still fond of Metzler Z6s - a good all purpose tyre

[Krusti]

Mate is supposed to be running a couple on the Southern Cross, will be keen to see how they go.

[Fat Tony]

Looking at getting some new rubber fitted this weekend and the 2CTs are in joint first place on my list with the new Corsa III... I've been running (and rated highly) 014s for a while but figured it was time I tried something else.

I'm quite surprised to see you guys discussing the 2CTs in comparison to the 020... the 020 was a sports touring tyre, the 2CT is marketed more as a sports tyre over here (fast road and track, rather than sport touring). The 2CT is more in line with the 002 than an 020 iirc

[pritch]

I'm quite surprised to see you guys discussing the 2CTs in comparison to the 020...

The 2ct system has now been extended the latest Michelin sport touring tyres.
Thus the new Pilot Road2 is directly comparable to BT020, Strada, Z6, etc.
Which is (sort of) what we're talking about

[Fat Tony]

The 2ct system has now been extended the latest Michelin sport touring tyres.
Thus the new Pilot Road2 is directly comparable to BT020, Strada, Z6, etc.
Which is (sort of) what we're talking about

Ahhhhh, ok cheers for the info... makes mental note to check he's getting the right tyres fitted today :innocent:

[BarBender]

My six sports-touring tyre preferences would be:
Battlax 020 (a good reference tyre)
Avon Storm
Metzeler Roadtec Z6
Michelin Pilot Road 2
Pirelli Diablo Strada
Conti Road Attack
I've ridden four of these, but not all on the same bike.


Michelin Pilot Road 2
Pirelli Diablo Strada
These two seem to suit how, when and where I ride.

[Karma]

Anyone run a pilot road front tyre? I've gotta replace front and rear, and looking at the Pilot Road 2 on the rear, but not sure if I should run the same on the front, or get something stickier like the Pilot Sport.

Answers on a postcard...

[pritch]

not sure if I should run the same on the front, or get something stickier like the Pilot Sport.
Answers on a postcard...

Sorry about the postcard.

Previously I have run "mix and match" tyres of the same make but latterly wouldn't bother.

The different Michelin tyres have different profiles, I seem to recall that the Pilot Sport is less round in section. Having different profiles front and rear may have an unexpected effect on handling?

The sport touring tyres are generally designed to handle wet weather better, so in the rain your plan could have exactly the opposite effect to what you intended.

I think the tyre manufacturers already figured out the different demands of front and rear tyres and build that in, so now I prefer to stick to pairs of tyres designed to operate together.

[mstriumph]

just faced with the same thing - been told by distributor that these especially designed to run in pairs ...........

[Max Preload]

but I'm due for another set


I'm going to invest in a set of these Pilot Road 2's now my BT020's have done their dash.


Anyone run a pilot road front tyre? I've gotta replace front and rear, and looking at the Pilot Road 2 on the rear, but not sure if I should run the same on the front, or get something stickier like the Pilot Sport.

I ended up going PR2 rear and PP2CT front, and as I expected they expired at the same time. I'm tempted to go the same again, since I never lost confidence in them (fantastic in the wet).

[puddytat]

Ive had over 10000 ks out of my PP2Ct's on my R6 AND...it just got another warrant on them.
Im going to do clubmans this year on'er & was thinking of getting something stickier but as I dont have warmers I was thinking I'd be possibly better off sticking with te 2ct's as they'd heat up better?
Will definitely stick with the Mitchelins though as Im happy as with them & they havnt let me "down" yet

[Owl]

Is that 10,000km out of Pilot Power 2CT's or Pilot Road 2CT's?

[scorry]

Is that 10,000km out of Pilot Power 2CT's or Pilot Road 2CT's?

Looks like he said Powers (pp2ct), which is pretty good k's.
My mate got 8000km on a rear pilot power on his zx10, but it was pretty rooted.

[emaN]

I'm running a Sport on the front & a Road on the back.
First thing i noticed was the more 'progressive' tip-in; the Sport has a rounder profile, which helps 'smoothen' the transition.

I put them on nearly two years ago! I've mostly done trackdays on 'em; they've been awesome. Unlike the Diablos i had, i've not had un-wanted slides/step-outs.
They're predictable and move around only when you want 'em to.

Recommended them to a mate in the UK last week; he put 'em on before going up to Donington for the GP & loved his ride through the back roads :)

[HornetBoy]

Looks like he said Powers (pp2ct), which is pretty good k's.
My mate got 8000km on a rear pilot power on his zx10, but it was pretty rooted.

wtf ? Ive barely got 8,000kms out of a PP2 rear on the katana at the moment,how the heck did he do that on a zx10 lol?:eek:

Mind you the front has got a fair bit to go by the looks of it.

[alanzs]

They're going to be the next set of tyres I get. Now if they would only go on sale! Full retail is expensive...

[Owl]

Looks like he said Powers (pp2ct), which is pretty good k's.
My mate got 8000km on a rear pilot power on his zx10, but it was pretty rooted.

8000km out of a Pilot Power with a ZX10 is awesome! I've had 2 on the rear and got 4500km each.:Oops:

[saltydog]

8000km out of a Pilot Power with a ZX10 is awesome! I've had 2 on the rear and got 4500km each.:Oops:

I'm on about 2700kms on a Power 2CT and looks like about half to go. Way better wearing than my last Dunlop. Nice tyre, I will be sticking with these for my next set as well.....

[Max Preload]

MY KINGDOM FOR A PILOT ROAD 2 REAR!

I replaced the front Pilot Power 2CT with a Pilot Road 2 just before the Cold Kiwi but I can't get a rear Pilot Road 2 to replace the shattered one that's on there (180/55R17). I've been told that they're *still* up to 7 weeks away (I was told 5 weeks about 3 weeks ago, so by the end of next month they'll probably be 12 weeks away... :whistle:) and it's bald as a egg. I'm reluctant to use something else as I've found the one that's on there now to be the business and well suited to the way I ride. I don't want to blow $350 on a tyre that I might not personally like. :oi-grr:

I'm tempted to bring in a couple of sets from the US for myself since they're not keeping decent stock levels and ordering early enough here to ensure a reliable supply. I've heard a rumour that most of the ones coming in are to fill back orders as well. :angry2:

mumble fuck mumble mumble backwater mumble....

[Dino]

Not good news there Max Preload, I was about to go in this morning and order one myself, may have to go with my second choice.
I'll let you know if I find a secret stash.
.

[Max Preload]

MY KINGDOM FOR A PILOT ROAD 2 REAR!

I replaced the front Pilot Power 2CT with a Pilot Road 2 just before the Cold Kiwi but I can't get a rear Pilot Road 2 to replace the shattered one that's on there (180/55R17). I've been told that they're *still* up to 7 weeks away (I was told 5 weeks about 3 weeks ago, so by the end of next month they'll probably be 12 weeks away... :whistle:) and it's bald as a egg. I'm reluctant to use something else as I've found the one that's on there now to be the business and well suited to the way I ride. I don't want to blow $350 on a tyre that I might not personally like. :oi-grr:

I'm tempted to bring in a couple of sets from the US for myself since they're not keeping decent stock levels and ordering early enough here to ensure a reliable supply. I've heard a rumour that most of the ones coming in are to fill back orders as well. :angry2:

mumble fuck mumble mumble backwater mumble....

After the 'no Pilot Road 2s' fiasco, I put a Diablo Rosso on the rear for shits and giggles. It's now pretty much done for - less than 3 months - not sure of the kms, but not a lot. While it was fun, I won't be doing that again. And as much as I'd like to go back to a PR2 rear, I just hate the way they lip up so badly on the edge of the grooves - looks like a friggin' sand tyre. I need a tyre that the tread stops short of the edge. Hmmm what to buy...

[Mystic13]

After the 'no Pilot Road 2s' fiasco, I put a Diablo Rosso on the rear for shits and giggles. It's now pretty much done for - less than 3 months - not sure of the kms, but not a lot. While it was fun, I won't be doing that again. And as much as I'd like to go back to a PR2 rear, I just hate the way they lip up so badly on the edge of the grooves - looks like a friggin' sand tyre. I need a tyre that the tread stops short of the edge. Hmmm what to buy...

The Pilot Power 2CT's and Z6's scallop quite badly for me. I did my rear in and could only get a Pirelli Corsa III. The tyre has only done 2000km's but it's not scalloping like the other two. With Pilot and Z6 I'd get the tyre loosing it's shape pretty quickly with the sides grinding flat and the top as well. The Corsa III has been a real shock. It seems to wear evenlyish over the radius. Holds well in the wet. I'm looking forward to seeing how they wear through their life. There are no signs of scalloping yet.

The z6's would be close to the worst tyre I've had and they go through the last bit real fast.

Cheers

[discotex]

I need a tyre that the tread stops short of the edge. Hmmm what to buy...

BT-016 :done:

<img src="http://indysuperbike.com/img/Bridgestone/BT-016.jpg">

[vifferman]

I need a tyre that the tread stops short of the edge. Hmmm what to buy...
Avon Storm FTW.

[short-circuit]

Avon Storm FTW.

They get my vote too

[vifferman]

I can't understand this tyre; I've had no problems with grip, and yet the way the thing is wearing (or in fact, NOT wearing), it seems set to last forever. I would have thought that good grip and long life were mutually exclusive. :confused:

[Blackbird]

I can't understand this tyre; I've had no problems with grip, and yet the way the thing is wearing (or in fact, NOT wearing), it seems set to last forever. I would have thought that good grip and long life were mutually exclusive. :confused:

Hmmm... I'm finding what must be the only drawback of living on the Peninsula - every time I go out, the Avons seem to get a real work-out and if I see 7000 km out of the rear this time, I'm going to be lucky:rolleyes:. Mind you, I've been monitoring wear rate for Dold Industries as part of their Viper trial and the wear rate appears to have lessened appreciably now I've got good suspension front and rear.