Michelin Pilot Road 2 review

[Hitcher]

Having wound nearly 14,000km off the rear of my Avon Storms, I decided to give one other of the new crop of dual compound sports/touring tyres a go: this time the Michelin Pilot Road 2s.

The FJR1300 runs the bog standard sizes of 120/70 17 front and 180/55 17 rear so le monde est votre oyster when it comes to tyre choices. This change was the FJR's fourth set of rubber since I have owned it. It came with OEM Battlax 020s; first change was to Conti RoadAttacks; the next change was to Avon Storms. Each move marked an improvement on the set of preceding tyres.

The Pilot Road 2s continue that trend, but not as marked as the way the Storms outperformed the tyre choices that went before.

With the Pilot Road 2s, Michelin has transported its expertise in dual compound tyres from its Pilot Race and Pilot Powers into the real world of sports touring.

Fitted on Friday by those most obliging chaps at TSS, the Michelins have now completed about 450km in a good mix of dry and wet riding.

First impressions were that this is a very "quiet" tyre: no noise or vibrations. Also very surefooted, nimble and smooth on the transitions from left to right-hand cant. Braking performance is excellent, with no desire whatsoever to want to stand the bike up when braking into a corner.

Saturday Mrs H and I departed for Martinborough on our respective steeds across the quite damp Rimutakas. With less than 50km of wear I didn't hurry the new rubber but they gave no signs of twitchiness.

From Martinborough we decided to check out the Riversdale road which, from the Castlepoint turnoff, I took to with a vengeance, stopping at Riversdale to note about 1mm of chickenstrip on either side of the rear. A bit of curry was applied on the return trip as well, and by the time we had returned to Masterton I was feeling very satisfied indeed with my new purchase.

The Rimutakas were still wet and a light drizzle was falling on our return. Despite this I was in a mood to have a bit of sport with some lads in their newish Subaru Legacy B4. The Pilot Roads were magnificent. The humiliation of the B4 was completed at the Totara Park lights...

The next test, as always, will be how well the rear wears. The Pilot Roads will have their work cut out to beat the wear performance of the Avon Storms.

In the market for a set of sports touring tyres? The Michelin Pilot Road 2s are well worth a look.

I'd rate them very closely in their overall riding performance to the Avon Storm, better than the Metzeler Roadtec Z6, better than the Conti RoadAttack and wayyy better than the now completely-outperformed-in-the-sports-touring-tyre-class Battlax 020 (tyres rated in my order of preference).

[Cajun]

Nice review Hitcher, been wondering how these get on, i have a few people asing me what the roads 2 are like, talking to one of local dealers he has sold about half a dozon sets of these in past month or so.

[Cr1MiNaL]

the world is your oyster? wtf

[KoroJ]

I find it's like riding with a dud bearing on the front at slow speed on a smooth surface, but fine normally. Good report, I would concur except my chicken strips look like state highways.

[steved]

The next test, as always, will be how well the rear wears. The Pilot Roads will have their work cut out to beat the wear performance of the Avon Storms.

In the market for a set of sports touring tyres? The Michelin Pilot Road 2s are well worth a look.

I'd rate them very closely in their overall riding performance to the Avon Storm, better than the Metzeler Roadtec Z6, better than the Conti RoadAttack and wayyy better than the now completely-outperformed-in-the-sports-touring-tyre-class Battlax 020 (tyres rated in my order of preference).
How are the Road 2's going after a few more kays Hitcher? I'm about to put one on the rear and am interested in your opinion.

Cheers

[MSTRS]

I too love these tyres. Check here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1267939&postcount=19

[SPman]

the world is your oyster? wtf

or oxter, if you're Jazbug.........

[Hitcher]

How are the Road 2's going after a few more kays Hitcher? I'm about to put one on the rear and am interested in your opinion.

I've run about 8,000km off mine so far, including a Grand Challenge (1,600km) in largely appalling conditions on some disturbingly sub-optimal roads (e.g. "Route" 22). So far there is no evidence of the rear "squaring off", as a Battlax 020 would have done before now, or of the rear tread edges luffing-up as a Conti RoadAttack would have done.

The PR2s are well suited to large big-torque bikes and also to my riding style. They're a good all-road, all-conditions tyre.

But next change I'll be back on Avon Storms, which I rate a bit better than the PR2s in all circumstances.

[dogsnbikes]

I've run about 8,000km off mine so far, including a Grand Challenge (1,600km) in largely appalling conditions on some disturbingly sub-optimal roads (e.g. "Route" 22). So far there is no evidence of the rear "squaring off", as a Battlax 020 would have done before now, or of the rear tread edges luffing-up as a Conti RoadAttack would have done.

The PR2s are well suited to large big-torque bikes and also to my riding style. They're a good all-road, all-conditions tyre.

But next change I'll be back on Avon Storms, which I rate a bit better than the PR2s in all circumstances.

After gaining a pillion and chopping my pilot power out in less than 2500k's I have gone for a road2ct on rear and the pilot power 2ct on front which I clocked up 600k yesterday in less than perfect conditions....so far I am happy with road2's handling and have the Gisborne trip next weekend which will add another 1500 or so K's

so will post my verdict on the road 2 then but so far I am happy

[Morepower]

I will start by stating that I am not a fan of Michelin Tyres. Perhaps until now.
I went in to get some Bridgestones and the Local Suzuki dealer made me a deal on a pair of Michelins that I could not refuse, with summer coming and the hope of doing some miles I went for the new Road 2's.
I went out in the dry with the sole purpose of trying to see where the limits of these tyres is. All I can say is that there is plenty of grip for road riding with the front gently letting go only slightly when pushed far too hard on a bumpy corner and even then it felt perfectly safe. Whats worse despite dishing out the sort of abuse that would start to tear up softer rubber , they still looked brand new!
Today was a trip to Taupo for a wet track day. The Taupo road when wet is usualy trecherous however the grip on the wet road was excellent and at the track in the wet again they felt safe and predictable ( except for the white lines which provided a wee sideways moment ) .

Top road tyres in my book.

[dogsnbikes]

After gaining a pillion and chopping my pilot power out in less than 2500k's I have gone for a road2ct on rear and the pilot power 2ct on front which I clocked up 600k yesterday in less than perfect conditions....so far I am happy with road2's handling and have the Gisborne trip next weekend which will add another 1500 or so K's

so will post my verdict on the road 2 then but so far I am happy

Well with 4000k on the road2 in all types of weather and with a pillion for over 3000k I am more than happy with the road 2 on the rear and find it a perfect match for power 2 I have on the front for my riding style,and will be keeping this combination on my bike until someone can convince me otherwise but I dont think that will happen in the near future

And those that know me know how hard I can be on tyres and considering I am on my 6th rear and 3rd front in 12 months I think I am doing rather well

:first:to Michelin 2ct range

[Morcs]

Michelins ftw

Their tyres are excellent. Got a brand new pilot road rear on the cbr, its still not even scrubbed in and it gets throw around nicely.

Pilot powers on the RVF were awesome. absolutely perfect. even when stone cold I could go pretty hard... rear lasted 2 months though.

[Hitcher]

Storms FTW. On the Takas yesterday from faultless hot, dry riding to two minutes later into pissing wet, cold and the occasional patch of diesel without missing a beat. The Pilot Road "experiment" was (if nothing else) valuable to impress me as to how great Storms really are.

[HornetBoy]

Storms FTW. On the Takas yesterday from faultless hot, dry riding to two minutes later into pissing wet, cold and the occasional patch of diesel without missing a beat. The Pilot Road "experiment" was (if nothing else) valuable to impress me as to how great Storms really are.

Well im convinced ,just cant find a place that can give me any info on them like prices.how much did it cost you for a set of storms ?
where did ya get them from ?

[vifferman]

Storms XPQ.
The only time they've given me a 'moment' since fitting them, was in the wet, accelerating hard over a lane marking that had been 'invisibilised' by having black painty-tarry stuff painted over it. The rear spun up very momentarily then resumed its tenacious grip on the tarmacadam.

Interestingly (or perhaps not), I thought these Avons would be similar to the last lot, and would be happier / feel more betterer at recommended or higher inflation pressures, but they actually feel / ride better at a couple of PSI lower. Maybe it's the uprated suspenders, but this is the first time in like, forever, that I haven't found "recommended PSIs is best".

[vifferman]

Well im convinced ,just cant find a place that can give me any info on them like prices.how much did it cost you for a set of storms ?
where did ya get them from ?
A set of Storms for the VFR was $480, fitted and balanced. I was quoted over $600 for the Michelins.

[MSTRS]

A set of Storms for the VFR was $480, fitted and balanced. I was quoted over $600 for the Michelins.

Thats friendly alright. Kms per $ would be good info to have. My PR2s have done over 4000kms and still look new barring the scrubbed to the edges look

[vifferman]

Thanks friendly alright. Kms per $ would be good info to have
I'm happy if I get a year out of a set of tyres. I've no idea of mileage, coz I've never recorded it.
The last set of Avons lasted about 18 months, and I was getting bored with waiting for them to wear out.

[Hitcher]

Interestingly (or perhaps not), I thought these Avons would be similar to the last lot, and would be happier / feel more betterer at recommended or higher inflation pressures, but they actually feel / ride better at a couple of PSI lower. Maybe it's the uprated suspenders, but this is the first time in like, forever, that I haven't found "recommended PSIs is best".

So what are you running yours at? Mine are currently at 36/38.

[HornetBoy]

A set of Storms for the VFR was $480, fitted and balanced. I was quoted over $600 for the Michelins.

thanks ,they do seem like a top tyre over the competitors -Being cheaper, longer lasting an better handling .

just need to find a place to get them from ...

[vifferman]

So what are you running yours at? Mine are currently at 36/38.
35ish and 38-40ish, last time I checked.
On the last set of Avons, I was running the AV49-SP (front) at 37-38, and the AV46-ST (rear) at 40-42. The front tended to wander a bit and felt vague if the pressure was under 37, because the sidewalls were so flexible.

[Owl]

thanks ,they do seem like a top tyre over the competitors -Being cheaper, longer lasting an better handling .

just need to find a place to get them from ...

I ordered a rear 180/55/17 Storm last week through Phil Turnbull's in Palmy for $275, if that helps. I have noticed it has a fairly flat profile and is easily taken to the edge. It is also very wide and measures in excess of 185mm. I'm not sure how that stacks up to the PR2, but it's very different to the PP 2CT. Still, I want more k's out off this tyre so I'm prepared for a trade-off.

[Hitcher]

I ordered a rear 180/55/17 Storm last week through Phil Turnbull's in Palmy for $275, if that helps. I have noticed it has a fairly flat profile and is easily taken to the edge. It is also very wide and measures in excess of 185mm. I'm not sure how that stacks up to the PR2, but it's very different to the PP 2CT. Still, I want more k's out off this tyre so I'm prepared for a trade-off.

You should find that the addition of some compressed air changes both the profile and the width.

[Owl]

You should find that the addition of some compressed air changes both the profile and the width.

It’s a little hard putting air into a tyre when it’s not on a rim!!!

:niceone:

[HornetBoy]

I ordered a rear 180/55/17 Storm last week through Phil Turnbull's in Palmy for $275, if that helps. I have noticed it has a fairly flat profile and is easily taken to the edge. It is also very wide and measures in excess of 185mm. I'm not sure how that stacks up to the PR2, but it's very different to the PP 2CT. Still, I want more k's out off this tyre so I'm prepared for a trade-off.

:2thumbsup thanks mate just what i needed to know .. will be going in tomorrow to order some in ,although i have smaller tyres on the katana (150/70/17 Rear and 120/70-17 Front) so hope avons come in 150's :baby: