New tyres, question

[Mushu]

My father has a kawasaki GTR 1400 2012 model and had killed the standard tyres pretty quick so I had a trawl through a few forums to find what tyres would be best, and came to the conclusion that Michelin pilot road 3 comes highly recommended for that model, so that's what he had put on a few weeks ago.

He called me today after finally having a chance to go for a ride and was very disappointed with the performance of the tyres and after about 300k he thinks they are far more worn than they should be. So he called to ask my opinion on if there was a problem and if I would have any suggestions on a solution. He is running manufacturers recommended tyre pressure (42psi) and rides very hard especially considering the weight of the bike.

Any suggestions you guys have for me to pass on? I'll call him during the week and tell him how to check the production dates on the tyres.

Also I had him send pics of the tyres so I'll put up a second post with the pics, any suggestions would be appreciated. Would they likely be so far out of balance to cause this? (The dots are lined up with the valves properly but I doubt they were balanced when the new tyres were fitted)

[Mushu]

[Gremlin]

Is that a normal PR3, or the B rated PR3? For a Concours he absolutely must have the B rated one, as the standard one would be way too soft for a heavy tourer.

edit: They should have been balanced when fitting...

[FJRider]

Few tyres last long on heavy powerful tourers (of any make or model) ... especially when ridden hard on the coarse chip seal of the south island roads.

[caspernz]

Any other brands tried, other than the OEM tyres and the PR3s? I'd say just like Gremlin commented, start by making sure it's the GT or B version of the tyre. PR3s seemed to be a sportier tyre than the PR2s before them, and thus wear faster as well. I'm on to PR4s now, and I like to think they've got the compromise sorted now.

I've always found south island roads to be murder on tyres, especially when it involves 'spirited riding' and that's even on smaller bikes.

The photos don't show anything that looks surprising to me, just a bike ridden with intent. Last set of PR3s on my old GSX750F looked more tortured.

No doubt we'll get a few of the Concours riders on here commenting soon on the ideal tyre choice...

[p.dath]

Although you have the tyres already (so it is too late) I would consider either:
* Pilot Road 4 GT version (note - GT version, designed for heavier bikes)
* Pilot Power 3 - suitable for high power bikes - but will wear much faster

So take a look at the PR4 GT version next time.

[p.dath]

What tyre pressure is your Dad running on those tyres? The Michelin tyre selector recommends running 42psi front and back on that bike.

The tyres look like they had had a hard day at the track (does your Dad ride quite hard) - or the tyre pressure is too low.

[unstuck]

What tyre pressure is your Dad running on those tyres? The Michelin tyre selector recommends running 42psi front and back on that bike.

The tyres look like they had had a hard day at the track (does your Dad ride quite hard) - or the tyre pressure is too low.

I read the first post, did you?

[Blackbird]

The stock PR3 rear certainly isn't sufficiently robust for the weight of the GTR, even with 42 psi in it. The "B" spec as others have said has a stronger carcass (it has the letter B in a panel on the sidewall). Even then, tyre life as others have said isn't going to be all that flash. A friend who had them on his ST1300 reported they were starting to lose shape by 6000 km and were completely stuffed by 9000 km.

I'm a big fan of the PR3's and am now using PR4's but as others have said, the PR4 GT's have been specifically designed for heavier bikes, both in terms of compound and carcass construction.

[Mushu]

I'll have him check whether they are the B spec version (but since I didn't know about it when ordering the tyres I would assume they are the regular PR3). But judging by a bit of googling the standard PR3 shouldn't be as bad as he described 1 up and unloaded (panniers on but empty) and on reasonably decent road surface.

He is in Australia, and so am I. Still using KB cos bikeme doesn't seem as good, lol. So the road surface here isn't as abrasive as the south Island.

I'll be giving him a call in a couple of days and I'll let him know what's been said on here. Thanks for the input guys.

[Blackbird]

Looking at the photo of your Dad's tyres again, do you mean 300 km or 3000 km? Looking at the wear and comparing it with my old PR3@ 13,000 km, there's a heck of a difference, even with the Triple being a far lighter bike! Have also attached a photo of where to look for the B specification mark on the sidewall

[tippersv]

Pirelli Angel GTs also do a 'big bike' version with stiffer sidewalls

[buggerit]

Im on my 3rd set of PR3s and find them good, be intersted to see how people find the PR4
95% of my riding is 2 up and I use the B tyre.
This was a photo at about 10500km

[p.dath]

I read the first post, did you?

My mistake. It was all stated in the original post.

[Mushu]

Looking at the photo of your Dad's tyres again, do you mean 300 km or 3000 km? Looking at the wear and comparing it with my old PR3@ 13,000 km, there's a heck of a difference, even with the Triple being a far lighter bike! Have also attached a photo of where to look for the B specification mark on the sidewall

300km, that's why he's worried cos already his tyres look like they've been a lot further than that, and they don't feel sticky while riding either. Just sent him a message with the photo showing how to identify if they're B spec or not, should hear from him about it when he gets home from work in about am hour.