EffBee Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Just got a call from our distributor. The 160/60x18 Dunlop RoadSmart rear tires for the R1100RT BMW's (and other R100 Beemers with 18" rear rims), have arrived and will be at our dealership in a day or two. Fronts, of course, are plentiful. The Michelin Pilot Road2's have been amazing. Long miles from everyone so far, and very little squaring off from highway use. However, they're pricey. If you've been looking for a less-expensive alternative, the RoadSmarts may be the answer.
smiller Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Thanks for the note, was wondering when the 160/60-18 would be out. I had thought that there was a run on the first batch and they sold out, but if I read your message correctly perhaps that size hadn't even been released yet. If the rear holds up as well as the front has so far on my bike then the RoadSmart may end up high on the recommended list as a very good price/performance bargain.
russell_bynum Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Thanks for the info, FB. Out of curiosity, what sort of miles are people getting out of the PR2's compared to PR's? I always did pretty well with the PR's, but they did tend to square off quite a bit. Lisa's RS is currently wearing a set of Pilot Roads that look like this \_/
EffBee Posted July 9, 2008 Author Posted July 9, 2008 Thanks for the info, FB. Out of curiosity, what sort of miles are people getting out of the PR2's compared to PR's? I always did pretty well with the PR's, but they did tend to square off quite a bit. Lisa's RS is currently wearing a set of Pilot Roads that look like this \_/ Only one customer has completely worn out a set. He got 12K out of them and considers himself a "moderate" rider, i.e. aggressive in the corners, but not on the straights, thus his tires were pretty well worn across their entire width. More realistically, I think I'm seeing a lot of riders heading for about 10K in normal use. That, of course, is here in SoCal and on whatever the predominant asphalt grade is around here. As we say, YMMV depending on asphalt, weather, speeds, etc. The old PR's were good for about 8K, although I've seen them go 10K. The difference is the feel in the corners with the PR2's is beyond good. At least that's what I've been told. I haven't ridden on them yet, but the input comes from customers with whom I've ridden and whose perceptions I trust.
russell_bynum Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Cool. I was regularly into the 9-10K range on my Pilot Roads. If I could get that kind of mileage and maintain decent handling, I'd be happier than a Texan at a shooting range.
kcscout Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 My rear tire 1100RT Roadsmarts arrived at the dealer yesterday. I hope to get the front/back pair installed next week.
jrbldr Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Cool. I was regularly into the 9-10K range on my Pilot Roads. If I could get that kind of mileage and maintain decent handling, I'd be happier than a Texan at a shooting range. I got 10K out of a set of PR's and rode them pretty hard, but a lot of that was high-speed highway miles that squared them off, so I changed them out at 10K. I also thought they handled great. So why pay considerably more for the PR2's?
russell_bynum Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Cool. I was regularly into the 9-10K range on my Pilot Roads. If I could get that kind of mileage and maintain decent handling, I'd be happier than a Texan at a shooting range. I got 10K out of a set of PR's and rode them pretty hard, but a lot of that was high-speed highway miles that squared them off, so I changed them out at 10K. I also thought they handled great. So why pay considerably more for the PR2's? If I can get the miles out of them and not have them square off, then they'd be worth it to me. Once they get squared off, the handling changes quite a bit (doesn't want to turn, then falls into the turn, etc. Like I said...I've got a set right now on the RS that look like this: \_/ Come to think of it...the Pilot Powers that are on the Tuono that went to Big Bend look like that too. I hate it when a tire's got plenty of tread left but it's detracting from the ride because it's so squared off that the bike's handling is screwed up.
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 My experience with these tires has them less prone to squaring than anything I have ever spooned on the wheels. They are really maintaining contour, even at 10K miles. I'm not so sure how well the narrower tire on an 1100 will hold up but the 180/55-17 is doing great on the back of my 'Bird and should do even better on the Tuono since it is lighter. Does the Tuono run a 180 or a 190? Every other sport touring tire I have tried has had me wanting to change at around 6K and just putting up with them for another 2K, or in the case of the Z6, going to the cords in a couple hundred miles.
russell_bynum Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 My experience with these tires has them less prone to squaring than anything I have ever spooned on the wheels. They are really maintaining contour, even at 10K miles. I'm not so sure how well the narrower tire on an 1100 will hold up but the 180/55-17 is doing great on the back of my 'Bird and should do even better on the Tuono since it is lighter. Does the Tuono run a 180 or a 190? Either. When I got it, it had a 190/60 but I run a 180/55 since it fits and that's the same thing I run on the CBR. The last set of Pilot Powers I ran were take-offs from the track bike. 4 track days and 2500 Tuono miles and they still look good and have plenty of tread. The set that's on there now was brand new before Big Bend and after ~2000 miles of going straight, they look terrible. Plenty of tread, but VERY squared off. That's not such an issue with the Tuono since it isn't normally the bike I'd pick for droning along on the slab for hours on end...that's what the BMW is for. This particular trip, I just couldn't see being in the fun stuff down there and not having the best bike for it. Anyway...I'm very happy with the Pilot Powers on the Tuono. And I like the Pilot Roads on the BMW...except for the fact that they're square at 6-7K even though the tread is good to 10K or more.
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I would say go ahead and stick a set on both bikes. I can't believe they would be any worse than Pilot Roads on the RT and, as to the Tuono, I can say that they are, in terms of stick, at least the equal of a Pilot Power and in terms of getting square, more like an ME880 but with no cupping on the front. I do run some pretty high tire pressures on my bike, 42/42 to be precise. Doesn't seem to have compromised either comfort or handling. The rear is now exhibiting a small flat spot, about 2-2.5" wide but it is only flat in relation to the overall contour of the tire and no where near wide enough, or pronounced enough, to be noticeable. I have but A LOT of freeway miles on this bike, probably 7.5K out of the 10K miles and almost all of that with 100-120 lbs of luggage strapped or hung on the bike.
Woodie Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I just bought a set of PR2's last week, thinking it would still be a while for the Dunlops. Next time!
rob1100r Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 AHHHHHHHHHH! Just ordered a Roadtec Z6 last week from my 'guy' that does my tires, thinking the same thing (later delivery).. Really wanted to try the Roadsmart...Life goes on.
smiller Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 Really wanted to try the Roadsmart...Life goes on. Well that's one 'good' thing about motorcycle tires... you never have to wait too long to try another set...
rob1100r Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 Really wanted to try the Roadsmart...Life goes on. Well that's one 'good' thing about motorcycle tires... you never have to wait too long to try another set... True....! $$$$ well spent!
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 I just did about 140 miles of back roads getting from the Valley Forge area up to the NY/NJ boarder near the Tappen Zee bridge. Amazing, it knocked most of the square off the back tire. I'm likin' these things more and more.
Bud Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 I just ordered a pair from SW Moto. Should be here Tuesday.
rob1100r Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 I just did about 140 miles of back roads getting from the Valley Forge area up to the NY/NJ boarder near the Tappen Zee bridge. Amazing, it knocked most of the square off the back tire. I'm likin' these things more and more. Hey that's pretty far from SE Florida! A couple of buddies of mine will be doing an Ellenvile NY run in a couple of weeks, some nice ridin' up there..I need my new rear tire before I make that run. Were going to Barryvile/Hawks Nest Tommorow, that should finish off the tire
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 I spend a goodly portion of the year, on my motorcycle and pretty far from SE Florida. Furthest west and north so far this year was Los Alamos, NM but I'm heading for Madison, WI week after next so I'll have a bit more north.
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