Touring tyres suggestions for 2003 Triumph Trophy?

[dogsnbikes]

Ok guy's its time for the KB tyre experts to give me some advise...

Situation is I have tried Michelin PR3's the front is upto 11000ks however I broke through to the canvas on the (PR3 Rear) edges a week ago (yes last Tuesday) at just under 7000ks...being in Piopio I limped to Te Kuiti and put on a Conti-motion which lasted the rest of the trip and is due for replacement now at just on 3200ks

Now the bike had a PR2 on the rear when we got the bike but it always felt loose and the missus has said that the conti made the ride almost as comfy as the Daytona which is running PP2 front and PR3 rear..

The dry weight of the bike is 235kgs add fuel,oil,luggage the missus and myself making the bike fully loaded we are touching on around 500kgs

The PR3 breaking through to the canvass



The Conti at 3200Ks

[Gremlin]

Many tyres have a B rated one, designed for the heavier bikes and the higher loads. I'd keep an eye out for those, rather than getting the normal rating.

Otherwise, consider Z8 or I think Hitcher was reporting the Conti Road Attack GT 2 was good?

[mulletman]

I wouldnt use a Z8 on your bike if your only getting 7000kms from a PR3 rear, the Z8 will die like ya conti motion esp 2up on your machine. My Z8 squared off at around 4500kms on my lighter SV.
Gremlins advice on 'B' rated tyres seems the go in your situation - good advice there i reckon.

[Cloggy]

My experience, Bandit 1250, half our kays are riding two up with luggage.
PR2's wore like your PR3's. Edges wore out long before the centre did.
Put Z8's on, "C" type on the rear for heavy loaded bikes. Lasted 8000km. Really pleased with these, very predictable and confidence inspiring.
Next was a set of BT023's, not the GT version. These were a disaster. Edges bald at 4000km, plenty thread in the centre still. Always felt like the rear was sliding.
Currently running the Conti Road Attack 2 GT's. Choose these over another set of Z8's due to some good reviews by some people on here who's opinions I respect. I do not regret that choice. I think they may last longer than the Z8's. They are certainly holding up good at the moment.

[Madness]

I wouldnt use a Z8 on your bike if your only getting 7000kms from a PR3 rear, the Z8 will die like ya conti motion esp 2up on your machine. My Z8 squared off at around 4500kms on my lighter SV.
Gremlins advice on 'B' rated tyres seems the go in your situation - good advice there i reckon.

I'm a happy repeat Z8 customer getting close to twice that under a ZX12-R. You should maybe try using the whole tyre, not just the middle?

What sort of pressures were you running?

[mulletman]

I'm a happy repeat Z8 customer getting close to twice that under a ZX12-R. You should maybe try using the whole tyre, not just the middle?

What sort of pressures were you running?

When you frequent (dare i say) the Akaroa GP you use everything you got, perhaps you had a ' C ' type tyre?
Previous to the Z8s i had 0016s no squareing off on them.
I run 36 front 38 rear (cold) you ?
On a ZX12r how the fuck do you get twice the ks ?

[Madness]

When you frequent (dare i say) the Akaroa GP you use everything you got, perhaps you had a ' C ' type tyre?
Previous to the Z8s i had 0016s no squareing off on them.
I run 36 front 38 rear (cold) you ?
On a ZX12r how the fuck do you get twice the ks ?

Usually run 38f 40r, maybe a few lbs more on a longer ride but keep the 2psi differential. I've done 2 drag have-a-go-days at Meremere with the current Z8 rear & just can't seem to kill it. Just looked at Forbes & Davies site & they offer a C & M version in 190/55 with M being dual-compound. I'd say I'm probably running a C version but cannot fault it for grip either. I think your posts are the first negative I've read about them TBH.


It helps that there are fuck all decent hills up here, I'm a Wellingtonian through & through & would have never got such mileage with the Rimutakas on my doorstep.

[YellowDog]

I was on the same lines too.

A PR3 shouldn't deteriorate in that way.

For loaded up touring, I have 42 in the rear and 38 in the front AND 38/34 for one up general riding.

[Gremlin]

A PR3 shouldn't deteriorate in that way.

Pressures aside, the carcass of the PR3 is very soft, so it's not too surprising it doesn't work for heavy bikes in most situations... My boss 2up on a CB900 also found it wasn't to his liking, with the tyres flexxing too much for him.

[Hitcher]

The Conti Road Attack 2 GT is a very good tyre in all conditions. Handling is near faultless and they wear well. They are my current Gold Standard in this class.

[yod]

Those BT023s I put on the bird are going well, never had a slip except when I've touched paint or tar bleed in the wet, almost at 8000kms and will easily get another 1500-2000 from them, I can just see the start of some squaring now and I'm heading to and from a work quite a lot so fairly impressed it's not worse than it is.

The GT version may be a good option for you on the Trophy - I'm told they're designed for "the really big tourers"

and remember..."it is not a sportsbike!"

[manxkiwi]

Quality suspension set to suit the riding you do will pay for itself, over a few years, in increased tyre life. You'll enjoy the difference too.

[dogsnbikes]

The suspension option is being considered at the moment.... but its got to be considered how much to spend on suspension in relation to the value of the bike.Considering we will be upgrading to the new Trophy in 3-4 years anyway.

With the tyres is obivious the PR3 is too soft in the edges for a bike like the Trophy and the conti was a on tour solution to get us home which it did,so really need a harder dual compound tyre or maybe go to a single compound tyre is where I sould be looking if I want decent milage from tyres...Also ride comfort needs to be considered from a pillons point of view

Gremlin has made a good point in regards ro how the tyre is rated so will bare that in mind and will do more reserch on the Conti Road attack 2 as well