RT Tire Replacement

[12R12RT]

I've got 7500 miles on my original Bridgestone BT021 Battlax and have about 2mm of tread left before I hit the wear bar, so it's time to plan.

 

I'd like to ask folks what they might recommend for a replacement. In all candor, my number one concern is long life.

 

My riding is easily 80% slab and in the twisties I don't ride as aggressively as most do.

 

When I searched I found a thread that was a couple of years old and, in it, the Michelin Pilot Road 2 was recommended as a high-mileage tire. Looking around the web I see there is also a PR3, but don't know if that's a different tire or simply the current version.

 

The front tire also has about 2mm to the wear bar, so they will be replaced as a set.

 

Recommendations?

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

[Linz]

I have PR3's on all my bikes. Easily the best tire I've ever had on a road bike.

 

Linz

[Paul Mihalka]

Pilot Road 3 is developing a reputation for high mileage. I ride about 30K a year so mileage is important. In my experience and in opinion of most (not all), the highest mileage road tire is the Metzeler ME880, but it is not available in size 180/55x17 which is stock for the R1200RT. Some people have fitted successfully ME880 size 170/60x17 to the R12000RT.

[12R12RT]

I'm kinda right with you Paul. It will have 9K on it by the end of the month, and I've had it since the first of November. I'm hoping to drag these tires out to about 11K, but it remains to be seen if they will go that far.

 

I'd like to stick with the stock size.

 

Linz - thanks for the recommendation.

 

Tom

[malcolmblalock]

I've had good luck, mileage-wise, with the Pirelli Angel ST tires. My last rear was replaced at 13K miles. Front has almost 14K and still looks pretty good. Handle well. Stick well. So far, my favorite tire.

[cruisin]

The realistic differences between the 180/55x17 stock size and the ME880 size 170/60x17 is not all that great. You are only losing 5mm per side and gaining 3mm in height. If your riding habits are as you describe, that small difference would be hardley noticeable.

 

Sounds like your riding style is similar to mine. I love using the ME880s on my RT as they average about 14K on the front and 11.5K on the rear. I suspect with your riding style and the lighter weight of the R12, you might see even better than that.

 

[David13]

I have had the PR2s from Michelin, my favorite brand of tire.

They were excellent, and I could have ran then to 12 or 14 k miles. Tho' I did not from other causes.

I currently have PR3s. I'm not sure of my mileage, but my rear is beginning to square off a bit, which I don't like. I'm not sure why. I usually have at least 39 in it, tho' I'd be happier with 41.

And it could be that I have just done more freeway riding with it.

So I'm not sure if it will prove to be 'high' mileage, like the 2s were.

dc

[Rinkydink]

Pilot Road 3 is developing a reputation for high mileage. I ride about 30K a year so mileage is important. In my experience and in opinion of most (not all), the highest mileage road tire is the Metzeler ME880, but it is not available in size 180/55x17 which is stock for the R1200RT. Some people have fitted successfully ME880 size 170/60x17 to the R12000RT.

 

Tom, this is exactly what I have done (taken from Paul's earlier advice)and couldn't be happier. I ride two up and fully loaded most of the time and like the OP need mileage. People talk about the effects of changing tire sizes but I honestly haven't noticed any difference.

 

If I need a twisty fix it's on my 800ST fitted with PR2s.

[Lmar]

Pilot Road 3 is developing a reputation for high mileage. I ride about 30K a year so mileage is important. In my experience and in opinion of most (not all), the highest mileage road tire is the Metzeler ME880, but it is not available in size 180/55x17 which is stock for the R1200RT. Some people have fitted successfully ME880 size 170/60x17 to the R12000RT.

 

When I rode my 03 Goldwing I used ME880's. Great tire, average mileage was well above 25,000 km.

 

The PR2's are the only tires I have used on my RT. The average 14,000 - 15,000 km on the rear and a three or so thousand on the front.

 

My rear tire will need to be replaced this spring. I am considering a PR3.

[LPOL]

Have about 6000 on my PR3's. Probably about 1/2 worn.

 

My riding is like yours. EILENE is a woman's name...not riding technique

 

Rode all day long in the RAIN the length of Vancouver Island (May 'll) and liked them.

 

Will be buying again.

[lkchris]

Note also that with Michelin PR3 a B-rated rear tire is available, i.e. tire with more load capacity. Not really from any other brands that I'm aware of.

[Dave_in_TX]

Pilot Road 3 is developing a reputation for high mileage. I ride about 30K a year so mileage is important. In my experience and in opinion of most (not all), the highest mileage road tire is the Metzeler ME880, but it is not available in size 180/55x17 which is stock for the R1200RT. Some people have fitted successfully ME880 size 170/60x17 to the R12000RT.

 

I've never tried the PR3 but I did try sever PRs and one or two Pr2 before settling on use of a ME880 170/60x17. I have over 134k on my 07 RT so I've gone through quite a few tires. I would guess the last six or seven sets of tires have been with the ME880 rear. I pair that with a Z6 front which generally wears out about the same time as the ME880. The best I ever got out of a PR or PR3 was 6500 miles. The Z6/ME880 combination gives me 10-12k. Besides mileage, I'm very happy with the handling of this combination, even in the rain. I actually feel more secure with the Metzelers than I did with PRs.

 

I know some 10/1150 RT owners had mixed feelings about the handling of ME880s but the R1200RT uses radials which I think may be softer than the bias ply in the ME880.

[spdyjr]

I never hear of them mentioned on the Hexhead forum, but I'm on my second set of Avon Storm 2 Ultras.

 

A friend of mine had a set on his K1200GT and raved about them so I gave them a try. My riding is at the sporting end of the sport touring spectrum, so the original Continental Attacks only lasted about 6k miles with the fronts hitting the wear indicators on the sides first. Long before they wore out, they had begun to feel a little vague and unsettled in transitions. I got 8500 miles on my first set of Avons and the handling characteristics held up to the end. The front tire started cupping on the sides early on but did not worsen as it wore its way to the wear indicators, just made a little more noise when healed over. With about 4k interstate miles, the rear showed a little flattening of the profile but still had wear left on it when I replaced the set. To the end, these tires remained neutral in transitions and provided excellent feedback, especially the rear, which would squirm a little prior to breaking loose powering out of curves, all very confidence inspiring.

 

I'm reluctant to try anything else now, since I've had such good luck with these. Can anyone tell me how the PR3's stack up when used mostly for sport riding?

 

JR

[RedMac]

I too am happy with the Avon's. I had a set of Pilot Road 2's on the bike prior to these and while there were wearing well, the front PR2 had *heavy* cupping at about 2/3s of the way through the tire life.

 

I'm on my second set of Avon Storm 2 Ultra's. Great grip, great wet grip.

 

I don't they will have the life of the Michelin, but no cupping at all for me. I may try the PR3's next...

[Sonor]

I know that I am speaking against public opinion, but I really disliked the PR2s that came on my 05 RT. I thought they gave little or no control especially in gravel and they only lasted 6500 miles. All of the Metzlers I have owned lasted at least 12K so I have gone back to Metzler and not regretted it at all. My mechanic swears by Pirelli but I have not tried them. All the best in your search - I will say revzilla.com had the absolute best price for my Metzlers so give them a try.

[CoarsegoldKid]

Tom, best of luck in your search for tire nirvana. If you plan to attend the North Meets South in the Middle ride event(see ride planning) shoe on some new tires. Any tires that fit, are black and reasonably round will be fine. I currently use PR3s. May the force be with you.

[spdyjr]

Don't forget my question about the PR3's.

[DavidEBSmith]

I know some 10/1150 RT owners had mixed feelings about the handling of ME880s but the R1200RT uses radials which I think may be softer than the bias ply in the ME880.

 

Lest anyone be confused, the R1100RT and the R1150RT use radial tires.

 

Now, the ME880 is also available in a bias ply version. The bias ply rear has substantially more tread depth than the radial version (about 1.5x). The bias ME880 doesn't come in a 160/60-18 size to fit the rear of an R1100RT, but it does come in a 17" size that fits the rear wheel of a K1200RS that fits on the R1100RT (with a change of wheel bolts) (thanks to Paul Mihalka for figuring this out). I tried one, in an attempt to maximize long-distance riding capability, and it made my bike effectively unrideable - the bias tire is much stiffer than the radial, and every pavement irregularity felt as if my tailbone was being hit with a sledgehammer.

 

In the 2005 Iron Butt Rally, I used ME880s (radials) on my bike. I did change the rear tire at the midpoint as a precaution, but I probably could have made it through the rally without it. When I eventually changed the front tire, it had over 14K miles and still had legal tread. The ME880s had plenty of grip for a not-aggressive rider.

 

That being said, I've use PR2s the last few tire changes, and prefer the feel of them to the ME880s, and have a set of spanking-new PR3s sitting in the dining room hoping it will be warm enough to work in the unheated garage tomorrow.

[macx]

After my originals were totally gone at about 8,000, I put on a set of Metzeler Road Tech Z6 Interact like I've got on my R1150R.

 

I ride about like you - I like to ride "spiritedly" some of the time but am definitely not a white knuckle rider - I want to at least live to retire!

 

The Metzeler's did fine - just taking them off now. About 12k miles. Read up on tires, decided to try the PR2's. I'd read that the PR3's don't have a harder strip down the middle so was wondering how they'd wear (that was 3 or 4 months ago) - from what I read, above, they're apparently doing very well.

 

I also like the fact they're reportedly good on cold pavement and in the wet.

 

So, we'll see.

 

Take a look at my post on changing tires - "removing the rear tire without tire irons, tire protectors - -"

[12R12RT]

I commute from LA to Sacramento 2-3 times a month, which is why many of my miles are on the slab.

 

However, anytime I can I try and find a more interesting route than I5.

 

Today was one of those days; I rode up to Fresno and then took 41 to 140 (through Yosemite) to 49.

 

And there I was, minding my own damn bidness, when all of a sudden I passed through some podunk town called Coarsegold...

 

Surprised the heck out of me.

 

Tom

[Sonor]

Just wanted to add, I am not using the ME880 Metzlers but rather the Z6.

[RTJohn]

I'm on my third set of tires, Z8's this time. I'm getting 12K and more but then I ride like a granny mostly slab. Lot's of praise for PR3's so I might put them on next tire change.

[CoarsegoldKid]

And there I was, minding my own damn bidness, when all of a sudden I passed through some podunk town called Coarsegold...

 

Surprised the heck out of me.

 

You ain't seen nothin sunshine.

[12R12RT]

And there I was, minding my own damn bidness, when all of a sudden I passed through some podunk town called Coarsegold...

 

Surprised the heck out of me.

 

You ain't seen nothin sunshine.

 

It definitely looked like a cool town. The history was apparent. I was hungry and should have stopped, but I had miles to go before I could sleep and was running on but five hours of shut-eye.

 

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I think I'm going to give the PR2s a try. If they wear a bit better than the BattlAx have I should be happy.

 

Tom

[CoarsegoldKid]

Well Tom come on up. North Meets South in the Middle Reminder

[12R12RT]

Final follow-up.

 

I had my bike in the shop for it's 6000 mile service (at 8700 miles, ooops) and asked about the cost of tires. I'd already received a quote from an independent motorcycle tire shop of $400 for a pair of PRs if I brought the wheels in.

 

Turned out the dealer was running a "Leap Year Special" today wherein they would give you $29 credit for every $100 spent.

 

I got a pair of PR3s installed for $350, which I figure is about $100 more than if I mail-ordered them and installed them myself.

 

I've got about 10,000 miles (I hope) to figure out how to get the equipment to mount my own tires...

 

Tom

[w2ge]

Actually sounds like a very good deal! Sounds like he only charged you about $50 bux to install them... and I'm assuming he also removed/reinstalled the wheels, etc...?

 

PR3's go for about $300 a set. 130 for the front, 170 for the rear..

[12R12RT]

Yes, they did the R&R on the wheels. The order reads that they charged an hour and a half for the new tire installation, and my "leap Year Discount" wound up paying for an hour of that time.

 

I didn't know they were that expensive! I figured I could get them for $250. Better deal than I thought!

 

Tom

[w2ge]

Actually, just went shopping, ordered a set of PR3's for my R12T. BikeBandit SALE plus 10% off AMA member discount.($29 off!) (and I had .22 cents CREDIT-BikeBandit bucks! ;-) $272 shipped to my door. Best I could do..

[RTJohn]

Hmmm...sounds like another Long Beach BMW shopper. I took advantage of their Leap Year Sale and restocked my parts cabinet. Seemed like a good deal to me.

[12R12RT]

Yup. Hard not to like them - pretty good dealer.

 

Tom