I know it's controversial, but I need to ask. I've been running the Michelin Pilot Power's, and I really like them. The only thing I don't like is how quickly they wore out. I got 3500 miles out of them, which is not terrible, but at 12000 miles a year, that's alot of tires. Anyone have experience with the Pilot Road? It sounds like it would be what I'm looking for. I hate to give up the grip of these, but honestly, I'm not using all of it anyway. I've worn the center of my rear tire down to the seam, so it's clear that I do more touring than track days. I've also been told to run a 180 in the rear. Can anyone offer suggestions to either of these points? Thanks.
I've got 4500+ miles on my pilot roads with plenty of rubber left, probably another couple thousand miles or so. longer tire life but not so much for traction when compared to the powers. the Metzler Z4's i had seemed to have lasted forever, i couldn't wait to get those off... but might as well been made of steel rather than rubber when it came to traction.
I prefer the pilot powers... don't mind the more frequent shoe changes for the type of riding i do with those bikes. if you're not a canyon carver or a track day junkie you could probably live just fine with the roads, especially if you're commuting on them.
another suggestion is to buy another set of wheels... you could probably pick up someone else's stock castoff's for $300-$400 if you don't want to pony up cash for aftermarket. keep the powers on one set for track days and put the roads on the other set for the daily commute.
Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards the Pilot Roads because I just don't want new tires every 3000 miles. I don't ride really aggressively, but I do want the grip to be there when I hit the twisties. My problem with the Powers is that If I ride to work, or hit a straight stretch in the country to check out the scenery, I feel like I'm wearing the tire out. I've still got plenty of side tread, but no center. I mostly tour the countryside, but make sure I've got a twisty route. Track days aren't a concern, as I'll get Powers for that. I know it sounds like I'm sold on the Roads, but I hate to lose the grip of the Powers. Will I? With 80hp will I ever notice it? Thanks.
I've tried a lot of tires and it depends on what type of riding. For my situation I'm hooked on 170 Roads. I live on coast hwy 1 in California. I go out the door onto twisty canyons. If I'm going to work it is cool mornings. Pilot Roads warm up very quickly which is exactly what I need. It's a very modern tire.
I rode lots of 180s and always wondered why I was leaning very hard on the bar in a tight hairpin. At my local Duc shop I saw that a mechanic's track/street SS with numbers had a 170. He told me it is much better in twistys. I tried one and never looked back. I sold my 5.5 wheel and got a 4.5 which is better for a 170. Before I did I had a new 180 D208 on a 5.5 and a new 170 D208 on the 4.5 -- tried them both and for me it was very clear -- the 170 turns much quicker = fun. The 4.5/170 is something like 8 lbs lighter than the 5.5/180 -- guys pay a lot of money to loose that much weight from their rims!! I'm even thinking of trying a 160 P Road next.
I posted a question similar to yours several years ago on several lists and the general response was that 180s are sexier and 170s handle better. I do think that the 180s rule racing because they handle better with 100+ hp at a 100+ mph. That's where the big rubber comes into its own.
Guys kept saying the 180 was a 'chick magnet' but I don't think girls can even tell -- the 170 is not small. I think we'll have to go out and see which tire gets the most girls.
Al
96 SP Ohlins (fr & r) FCR 11:1
Con't ... I ride briskly but the street is not a track. It would be very interesting to hear from someone who gets his rear end breaking loose to compare the grip of the Powers and Roads and to compare the grip when cold. A lot of street riding can't even warm up a tire.
I know Chris K likes the 180 but I think he is one of those 100+ hp and 100+ mph guys.
I got my three spoke 4.5 on ebay and then got a Crozzeria (sp?) 4.5 on a special run they did. But the 8lbs difference is on both stock 4.5/170 & 5.5/180 OEM three spoke Duc SS rims.
Besides dude -- you practically live on Pilot Rd! The Good Lord Himself is tellin ya what to get! (hehe)
Al
Last edited by mary2al; 01-05-2007 at 06:08 AM.
Reason: addition
I've tried Pilot Sports, Macadams, Pilot Roads, and now Pirelli Diablo Strada. The Pilot Road are terrible in my opinion, the worst of the lot. Sure they last longer but I didn't like the cold grip or long warm ups. And they never did feel very good - I know feel is subjective but I didn't like them.
Pirelli Diablo Strada are the best tires I've tried on my ST. The feel is really good. Great grip, quick steering, nice supple ride, feels planted in the corners... all around a great tire in my opinion.
And with 3,000 miles on them they still look almost new. Seriously.
One other thing - the 180 is about a pound lighter than the 170. I've tried both and the 170 does steer quicker, but raising the rear ride height makes it steer quicker too and that pound of rotating/unsprung weight makes a difference. Something to think about.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
I like my Metzeler M-1s. They used to be their street/occasional track day tire and have now been relegated to their "budget performance" tire which means all the same grip and performance that they have always had, but at dirt cheap prices. You won't be bragging about them at the water cooler, and the tread pattern does look a bit dated, but for the price...
__________________
1999 944SS i.e., justly tweaked
2000 M900 i.e.
Well, at 10,000 miles a year, three sets of Powers just isn't going to cut it. I order the Pilot Roads today, and will see if I like them. If not, they'll atleast take me to Barber for the AMA races and another long trip I'm making, and I'll only be out $230. I guess you never know unless you try! Thanks for the help guys, I'll let you know how I like them in a few thousand.
I'll most likely mount up Bridgestones for the 4th or 5th season. Their sport touring tire actually wore slower @ the rear, but it got flat in the middle too ;(
They did a surprisingly nice job at the track one day when I couldn't get something new mounted in time.
Since then I've got to their sport tires and deal with the wear rate.
I do like the idea of a 170 on a street machine. I'm going to keep on the lookout for a 4.5 rear.
those numbers are probably a bit optomistic... generally the hubs and spokes are the same between the wider and narrower wheels with the small amount of additional material added in the rim... maybe a pound if two... same with the tires... most weights are fairly close dependent on manufacturer.
one exception i can think of is the later 5.5" stock wheel with three spokes taper out towards the rim where as the old stock wheels tapered in towards the hub. the point being there is more mass near the rim in the older three spoke wheels, so even if they both weigh the same the newer three spoke wheels will turn, start, stop easier even if it's an inch wider because the older wheels had more mass further away from the center of rotation. I believe the five spokes are even lighter than either of the three spokes.
but ride what makes you happy...
if you buy aftermarket wheels you'll find that the majority of the rear rim sizes are 5.5" to 6" anyway... not to mention most of those aftermarket wheels are truely near 8lbs lighter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mary2al
The 4.5/170 is something like 8 lbs lighter than the 5.5/180 -- guys pay a lot of money to loose that much weight from their rims!! I'm even thinking of trying a 160 P Road next.
Which tires to buy?
Linear Mode
