Pilot Road 2s or Avon Storms?

**riffer** · 11th January 2008, 10:32

Well by now everbody's probably sick of hearing about me going on about Viper front/Storm rear combo but seriously Dan, they rock.

Great i the dry, great in the wet, and a back-to-back ride comparo with mine and MDU's bike confirmed to me that they also grip harder and turn in heaps faster too (MDU and I have identical bikes, except for tyres - oh and I run a 180/55-17 compared to his 170/60-17).

Wear on the Viper front appears to be consistent with rear wear on the RF - the GSX1400 should be similar.

I'd recommend a Viper/Storm combo with no hesitation - I'll be doing it again next tyre change.

**jrandom** · 11th January 2008, 10:33

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I'd go Storms front and rear.

Given that Betty and the FJR are two somewhat different bikes, and that on top of the PR2-positive comments I've received already I also know that beyond runs PR2s on his GSX1400 and loves them, I'm going to go with the Michelins to start with.

I'll probably try a set of Storms next, though.

**terbang** · 11th January 2008, 10:54

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Just because it's a "sport touring" tyre doesn't mean that the performance of the Storm should be underestimated. As I mentioned earlier, the Storm and the PR2 have redefined completely this class of tyre. Discard and expunge all of your prejudices about what sports touring tyres can and can't do compared to their "sportier" cousins.

Right on the money there. Last time I rode on a set of sport touring tyres, they were Dunlop 204's. I had them fitted to a 1200 Bandit and I regularily returned from riding a nervous wreck, in fact they were so bad I just biffed them. Ran an Avon Azzarro on the rear of my Busa to suit the scotsman in me which wasnt that bad, but still had a bit of pucker factor when sport riding. I sort of gave up on the concept and shredded a couple of sets of sticky sport tyres prior to settling into a more sedate type of bike (the Nav). Or so I thought. The Nav had, from the factory, Metzler Z4s on it that brought back deep rooted flashbacks of my bandit on D204's, so they had to go. Now the wheel configuration on this bike, with its 18" front wheel, excludes most sport tyres so I sort of found myself back on sport tourers. To my most pleasant surprise, the new gen dual compound tyres as Hitcher already states, are absolutely awesome and have released the wolf wearing the sheeps clothing.

**Blackbird** · 11th January 2008, 11:01

In case there is any misunderstanding, Avon Storms are not a dual compound tyre. They go for a similar end result by the way the carcass is constructed.

**vifferman** · 11th January 2008, 11:16

Originally Posted by Blackbird

They go for a similar end result by the way the carcass is constructed.

The Avon "Variable Belt Density" thang.

**Max Preload** · 12th January 2008, 10:44

I fitted a PR2 rear with a PP 2CT front early last this year and certainly have no complaints. I came off BT020's and they were ok but the Michelins are streets ahead for grip, although it doesn't turn in quite as quickly. Wear wise I couldn't be happier.

**smoky** · 12th January 2008, 10:59

Originally Posted by jrandom

Right, phone call made, one set of Pilot Road 2s on the way...

I haven’t tried the Storms’ yet – but heres some advise on the Pilot Road 2’s; I suggest you check that your getting the duel compound one for the rear – there is just a standard Pilot Road that’s not duel compound.

I had a set – loved the grip and handling, but I only got 6000 or so out of them due to a dodgy shock, I wore the sides out before the centre.
Reading your comments about your tyre wear then definitely get a duel compound for the rear, it won’t tend to square as quickly, and if it does a good fang around Coro or the likes will take the square off.
But I wouldn’t suggest duel compound for the front of an RF – they’re too hard on the side of the front tyre

**Chrislost** · 12th January 2008, 17:47

Originally Posted by jrandom

Betty's BT020s have to go.

I've narrowed the replacement choice, by reputation, down to the PR2s or the Storms (or perhaps a Storm/Viper combo).

I've noted plenty of recommendations for both, here, but no direct comparison.

Has anyone tried both the Avons and the Michelins on the same bike? Can you comment on the difference?

Also, can anyone comment on the merits of running a Viper front and a Storm rear, as opposed to Storms front and rear?

[Edit: Cue everyone who's tried one but not the other chiming in with a recommendation for the one they've tried...]

have you thought about BT021s?

their that 2ct shit too

**ManDownUnder** · 17th January 2008, 15:26

Originally Posted by jrandom

Betty's BT020s have to go.

LOL ya stupid tit...

You mean BT010s... but I do have to say thanks for the chicken strips... them's got more meat than I had dreamed of! You do know you're supposed to lean into corners don't you?

**jrandom** · 17th January 2008, 15:49

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

You mean BT010s... but I do have to say thanks for the chicken strips... them's got more meat than I had dreamed of! You do know you're supposed to lean into corners don't you?

No, that was a BT020 on the front. Not a BT010.

The BT010 is the old, old version of Bridgestone's sport tyre range, which is currently at BT015, although a lot of bikes are still getting fitted in the factory with BT014s.

I presume you've picked it up?

Read the sidewall again.

Also, take a photo now for the record, and if you can noticeably reduce those front chicken strips within a month on the RF (we'll put hi-res photos up in a thread and get a vote) you can have that box of Steinlager back!

(I'll be round drinking half of it, though...)

**ManDownUnder** · 18th January 2008, 07:08

Originally Posted by jrandom

No, that was a BT020 on the front. Not a BT010.

The BT010 is the old, old version of Bridgestone's sport tyre range, which is currently at BT015, although a lot of bikes are still getting fitted in the factory with BT014s.

I presume you've picked it up?

Read the sidewall again.

Also, take a photo now for the record, and if you can noticeably reduce those front chicken strips within a month on the RF (we'll put hi-res photos up in a thread and get a vote) you can have that box of Steinlager back!

(I'll be round drinking half of it, though...)

You are talking about the (reading the sidewall carefully...) and I quote "BT010" with the big bit of paper stuck to it saying hold for Dan - off a GSX1400 16/1/08". Would that be the one? BT020's look like this

Will organise pics soon... no problem - might even see if I can get the model of rubber in the shot for ya. No worries about that beer. Enjoy it. When I reduce those chicken strips tou can buy me another one to go with it...!

**jrandom** · 18th January 2008, 07:51

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

You are talking about the (reading the sidewall carefully...) and I quote "BT010" with the big bit of paper stuck to it saying hold for Dan - off a GSX1400 16/1/08". Would that be the one? BT020's look like this

Will organise pics soon... no problem - might even see if I can get the model of rubber in the shot for ya. No worries about that beer. Enjoy it. When I reduce those chicken strips tou can buy me another one to go with it...!

Oh my god dude!

Treads gave you the wrong tyre!

Seriously. It was an 020 on the front. Yes, it looked like the 020 in the photograph.

Congratulations on your mysterious free sticky sport tyre!

I did think your dissing of my chicken strips was a bit rough; I'd only left a few mm on the front 020. None on the back.

Priceless!

**jrandom** · 18th January 2008, 07:58

OK, on another note

*still giggling over MDU's unexpected good fortune*

I scrubbed in the Pilot Road 2s on the ATNR last night with Stickchick on the pillion seat, and they worked a treat. Much better dry grip than the BT020s. They steer predictably (if perhaps a little slowly) and generally feel sticky and stable. I'm happy with my choice.

Jody reckons she could feel the rear end squirming around under throttle out of corners, but I didn't notice any upset from the pilot's seat, so it can't have been that bad.

Anyway, squirming out of corners is what GSX1400s do. I was definitely getting on the throttle harder - the Michelins give me heaps more confidence than the old Bridgestones did.

**ManDownUnder** · 18th January 2008, 08:18

LOLOL... fair enough - that IS funny. You want to ring treads and let them know they have an 020 they need to hold for you?

Jesus... I'd rather have the 020 anytime (and seriously... this 010 has ... 25mm... maybe more of virginal rubber on both sides)

Originally Posted by jrandom

Oh my god dude!

Treads gave you the wrong tyre!

Seriously. It was an 020 on the front. Yes, it looked like the 020 in the photograph.

Congratulations on your mysterious free sticky sport tyre!

I did think your dissing of my chicken strips was a bit rough; I'd only left a few mm on the front 020. None on the back.

Priceless!