Mister Tee Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 My quandry: 1. I'm in need of a new rear tire. I'm currently running the OEM Continental Road Attacks, which have almost 11,000 miles on them. 2. I really like the Road Attacks, and find them to be an excellent tire, and wish to replace them (at least the rear anyway) in kind. 3. Dealer does not stock Road Attacks, but they do stock Pilot Road 2's, for which I have heard good things about. I have a couple options - I can just go with a PR2 rear from the dealer, or I can order a RA online and have it mounted. My question here is, in relative terms, which appears to be the longer lasting tire, the RA, or the PR2?
Fugu Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I am on PR2s right now. Had Road Attacks earlier in the summer. The PR2s are the better tire in my opinion, and are wearing better for me than the Road Attacks did. 2000 miles of fast 2 up and my rear RA was flat. I yanked it and put on something else for a long trip- I haven't finished that rear off yet. I left the RA on front and it went 7000 miles, I was happy with it. The PR2s are at about 4000 right now, 1000 of that fast 2 up and the rear is not flat spotting. The sides have some "fringe" on the tread blocks from strafing corners, but they are doing better than other tires I've had in that regard. The front wear is even and smooth. Ride is good, grip is good (and wet grip is good, too). The PR2s may be the best tire I've had on my RT.
motoguy128 Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Pretty impressed with my PR2's now compaed to my original PR1's. 2000 miles so far and no squaring at the rear, no cupping at the front...at all, and much quieter and more responsive (due to less squaring). I think this might be my first 10,000 mile rear tire. But only time will tell. So far, worth the extra money IMO. I took off my wheels and brought them the tires and had them mounted. Good experience knowing how to take off the wheels. I had my local Honda dealer (2.5 miles away) change the tires They had the proper cones to balance them.
medic319 Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I just went through a PR2 in 4000 miles. The tire is past the wear bars on the right side, and at the bars on the left. It is not too flat spotted though. I just ordered a PR1 for the rear, as I had better life from the one that came on my bike. I am not eager to change a tire per month (how long the PR2 was on). The PR2 still has excellent tread in the center, it s the softer compound that wore away. I did about 3k fast two up, and the rest commuting to work on the freeway. I was pleased with the feel of the tires, they were a little noisy when the became worn, but they always felt stable. I just would like to get more than 4k from them.
Mister Tee Posted July 9, 2008 Author Posted July 9, 2008 Well, that's all over the board. I suspect inflation pressures may have something to do with the different tire life reports. Anyway, it turns out my choice has already been made for me, by availability issues. I guess we'll see how that PR2 works out. If I don't like it, the next set will be Road Attacks, but I'll plan ahead by ordering them early.
Fugu Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Well, that's all over the board. Isn't it always? I don't think you'll find many people who have ridden both PR2s and Road Attacks who prefer the Road Attack, price notwithstanding. Individual mileage results vary so much from rider to rider as to be nearly meaningless and I don't think it's all inflation. Rider weight, how much crap we're lugging around in our saddlebags, how much 2 up riding, how hot it is, how rough the pavement is, acceleration and braking habits... By the way, the Road Attacks were worse on metal bridge decks, milled pavement (with the little lines in it) and tar snakes than the PR2s are.
Mister Tee Posted July 9, 2008 Author Posted July 9, 2008 Which is exactly the input I was looking for. Thanks all.
Bullett Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I also went from RA's to PR2's. I had no issues with the RA's but so far, 2500 to 3000 miles in, I like the PR2's better than the RA's.
bogthebasher Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 For what it's worth my better half likes the look of my PR2s better than her RAs... I keep expecting to go out to the garage one morning and find the old switcharoo.
Dick_at_Lake_Tahoe_NV Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 I also went from RA's to PR2's. I had no issues with the RA's but so far, 2500 to 3000 miles in, I like the PR2's better than the RA's. I did the same thing, went from RAs to PR2s. I got 7,000 out of the Rear RA and about 9,000 out of the Front. Only about 2,500 miles on the Rear PR2 and there is NO flatspotting at all. Nice tires, and I like the way they handle the twisties.
LuckyLeif Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 Isn't there a substantial price difference, with the Contis being maybe $50 less expensive? That was my my experience last month and the reason I stayed with the Road Attacks on my RT. I got 6000 mi on the rear with wear bars almost flush; always replace in pairs, but the fronts were showing some cupping. (170 lbs, solo 100%, moderately aggressive, maybe 15% slabs, 38f/42r)
Mister Tee Posted July 14, 2008 Author Posted July 14, 2008 Well, with 11,000 miles on the clock, I still have 60% of the tread on the front RA, and we will see how the PR2 does. Felt fine on the ride home, but I haven't gotten a chance to scrub it in properly and test it out. It appears to be the same thing as the Pilot Power 2CT, except perhaps with a slightly harder compound. Same profile even.
Fugu Posted July 14, 2008 Posted July 14, 2008 Well, with 11,000 miles on the clock Damn. My PR2s are looking to go 6500 and that will make me HAPPY. It will be the best I've seen on my RT. My RA front wore really well but look at it close, mine started getting some cracking (looked like old age or something) around tread blocks - it still had quite a bit of rubber when I tossed it in the trash.
dhanson Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 I have over 10,500 on my PR2s, lots of hard riding, twisties, 2up and at gross weight (1150 lbs), great tire. I will replace with same in another few thousand miles local.
medic319 Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 i run 42 psi front and rear, checked at least once per week. Again...I think riding styles play a lot in to it. Most of my time on this tire was 2 up fast twisties. I wore through the softer compound on the sides, still plenty of tread in the center.
Angel Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 By the way, the Road Attacks were worse on metal bridge decks, milled pavement (with the little lines in it) and tar snakes than the PR2s are. BIG +1 absolutely my experience. PR2 feel much more stable on less than perfect pavement
Beaky Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 Is there a special fitment of PR2s for the 1200RT or is it the bog standard version? I know there is a special fitment of RA and I think there used to be a special fitment for PR1 so wondered about the PR2. I have nearly 5000 miles on my PR1s which are what the bike came with as OE, they are nearly worn out now and I am planning on replacing with PR2s.
Mister Tee Posted July 16, 2008 Author Posted July 16, 2008 Is there a special fitment of PR2s for the 1200RT or is it the bog standard version? I know there is a special fitment of RA and I think there used to be a special fitment for PR1 so wondered about the PR2. I have nearly 5000 miles on my PR1s which are what the bike came with as OE, they are nearly worn out now and I am planning on replacing with PR2s. No, there is only one version.
j4bberw0ck Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 My 2007 1200RT came on Pilot Roads; rear was replaced July 2007 at 2.5mm after about 4000 miles in anticipation of a long fast ride across Europe (2000 + miles, in indifferent weather) to get home. A Pilot Road 2 took its place, leaving the PR on the front. Excellent tyre. By the time this year's tour came round, the PR2 on the rear was down to 4mm and the PR on the front was showing cupping and down to under 2mm. I live in a very rural area so had a dealer on my route get in a pair of Avon Storm STs which friends with big Hondas have been raving about. The Storm isn't on the list of "approved" fitments from BMW but the RT is on the list of Avon-approved fitments. Got the dealer to mail the old PR2 home and it's sitting in my garage now waiting for re-use to finish it off. The Storms are superb. I did 4,000 miles round Europe in a range of weather conditions from hot and sunny to wet - depressingly wet - on a very heavily laden bike (my lardy ass + luggage) and they were excellent - especially in the wet. Very confidence inspiring, which is important for me after I chucked my 1150RT down a Scottish road in 2006 in torrential rain (on Conti Road Attacks) when I hit some overbanding. I freely admit the experience of sliding along a flooded road 20 feet behind the bike was a sobering one, and it cramped my style for some time. 4300 miles later I have 4mm at least remaining, and my "chicken strips" (not that I push it when I'm touring) have never been smaller. The tyre suits a big bike because it has a very smooth "roll-in" as the bike banks; the Road Attack always struck me as faster to roll in somehow. I know some hugely experienced riders on here - Boffin, George - love them, but I'm not so sure. But I will replace the Storms with more of the same. Really good for longevity and feel and confidence. And I'm working on removing the last couple of millimetres of chicken strip...... without falling off, this time. Too expensive and I'm getting too old...... :-D PS I think what I refer to as "overbanding" is called "tar snakes" in a post above. Where some idiot with a watering-can full of liquid bitumen thinks "if a 1" strip is good then a 4" strip must be FANTASTIC!". Lethal stuff.
Limecreek Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 The Storms are superb. After 3 consecutive sets of Storms on my R12RT, I decided to try the PR2's. I'm going to reserve judgement until I have another 500 miles on them, but as of today I view the Storms as superior in the handling department and superior in the intial cost department too. I'll post my comparison in a few weeks.
Darin Bell Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Does anyone notice a difference on road noise between the Pilot Road and the Pilot Road 2? The Pilot Road tires on my RT are in need of being replaced and although I've really liked the tires, I thought they made to much road noise. I was hoping that the Pilot Road 2 tires might be quieter. Any thoughts?
blkvelvt Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 My PR2's were noisey but I never had PR1's to compare them with. The tire noise reflected off objects. Out in the open they were quiet. Next to a wall or vehicle is when I noticed the noise.
Angel Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 I usually ride with earplugs... I also listen to music and b2b comm. If the pr2's make an inordinate amount of noise... A. I haven't noticed it and, B. I wouldn't care.
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