Michelin Pilot Road report

[stoinkythepig]

Finally spooned the rear tire on Tuesday evening so I have a matched set of tires (for once in a very long time). I opted for a 180 rear instead of the called for 190. Other then the issue I had getting the bead to seat, the rear 180 is a major improvement on my 9R. Feels like a 600. The effort required to turn is vasty reduced (of course I'm coming from a set of worn out tires to brand new ones so my views are rather subjective) compared to the way the bike used to be. The pilots are far less upset by imperfections in the pavement than any other tire I have ever used. They shrug off stuff that would make D207s/BT010s/BT020s/BT014s get squirrely. These might be touring tires but they seem to offer plenty of grip and I'm riding at my normal pace with them. Hoping they last longer than what I'm used to. A big thumbs up to Michelin (I like Michelins on my Durango too...)

[benVFR]

So you like these better than the BT-014s?

Now I am seeing people raving about the new Metzeler MEZ6 as well.

They did something interesting where the front tire is designed to push water out of the way of the rear tire. Then they left a solid patch with no tread in the middle of the rear tire to extend it's life.

Ben

[stoinkythepig]

Never found the grip limit of the 14s so I think they were overkill for my style of riding. They tended to follow pavement grooves and cracks like D207s and I don't like that but it's not a deal breaker either. I always liked BT010s except for the cupping on the front tire which wore them out prematurely.

So, yeah, I do like them better than the 14s, even though they likely have less grip.

Unless the MEZ6s are less money, or the Pilots wear weird/fast, I'll stick with the Pilots for now.

Metzler dropped the MEZ2/MEZ4 combo I prefer on my Conk and it now needs new rubber. Not sure what to get... I don't think they make the MEZ6 in Conk sizes.

[OreoGaborio]

so a thumbs up for the Pilot Roads, eh?.... i think i'm leanin that way, too.... but i do'nt have to make a decision for another thousand miles or so (i'm still on the OEM Dun 207's w/ 5500 miles on em)

[stoinkythepig]

My bike came with 207s too. Got 2650 out of the rear and 2740 out of the front. You sure those are the original tires???

[Nikon]

i may just have to consider pilots as my next set....weighing heavily on the wearing factor...Keep up updated on how they wear on ya

[SSearchVT]

I put a set of Pilot roads on this spring, so far through 3000 miles they show little wear, and for my riding style on a CBR 600 have never left me wanting more tire.

[VFRKeith]

I've got about 4,000 miles on my set of Pilot Roads. They show little sign of wear and no cupping.

They inspire a lot of confidence. They are hard to upset and my chicken strips are much smaller on the Pilots than my stock Bridgestones.

[Nikon]

Originally posted by VFRKeith
I've got about 4,000 miles on my set of Pilot Roads. They show little sign of wear and no cupping.

They inspire a lot of confidence. They are hard to upset and my chicken strips are much smaller on the Pilots than my stock Bridgestones.

no shit huh? I may have to look into this when these go....

[OreoGaborio]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
My bike came with 207s too. Got 2650 out of the rear and 2740 out of the front. You sure those are the original tires???

yeah, pretty sure... the original owner only put 3750 on em, didn't exactly wear em out to the edge and he certainly wasn't a daredevil.... i'm sure he didn't beat on em too much, especially since i've cut his chicken strips in 1/2 and i've only had the thing 6 weeks tomorrow

someone else who knows what they're lookin at has got to take a peek at em to let me know how done they are... but they sure look like they got some life left to me