Discussion
Well, I just returned from a 12 day roadtrip with the M7RRs mounted to my K1300S. I rode solo, empty panniers, and with the 50L Motorrad duffle on the back filled with personal belongings for the 12 day road trip.
Let me start by saying that the M7RRs are BEAUTIFUL tyres. Bump absorbtion is excellent - better than any other tyre I've tried before. They role and transition with consistency and at a perfect 'medium' rate: ie, quicker than Dunlops but slower than Michelin PP3s (note, PP3 vs PR3). In short, very similar to the Pirelli Rosso Corsa which remains IMHO one of the finest fast road/track tyres.
In the dry, M7RR grip is never lacking at pace. Abundant feel edge to edge! I tested these at 35C air temp on hot Pyrenean asphalt, and in the Austrian Alps up the Grossglockner where snow was falling. In the wet, there is more chemical grip than the vaunted PR3s. They were fantastic in damp conditions where traction and grip remained superb through tree lined high speed sweepers where the tarmac was not always dry. And they were ultra stable too - thankfully with none of the squirming of PR3s where the tread blocks move. In the pouring wet where water was still standing, the M7RRs showed some nervousness at speed - the Z8s and PR3s definitely clear more standing water.
BUT after just 2800 miles, the M7RRs are worn down to the wear bars. After 2200 miles (with about 1.5mm to the wear bars), there was a noticeable drop off in performance. Grip fell off significantly, and the carcass felt thin with some rear carcass deflection under high acceleration or tramlining when following crowned roads. They have worn very evenly with no cupping or flat spots, and I would recommend them as a fast road tyre. Just don't expect the mileage.
After 2800 miles, fairly evenly worn to the wear bars, although there is slightly more tread left on the sides (normal). No squaring. Time to change!
Let me start by saying that the M7RRs are BEAUTIFUL tyres. Bump absorbtion is excellent - better than any other tyre I've tried before. They role and transition with consistency and at a perfect 'medium' rate: ie, quicker than Dunlops but slower than Michelin PP3s (note, PP3 vs PR3). In short, very similar to the Pirelli Rosso Corsa which remains IMHO one of the finest fast road/track tyres.
In the dry, M7RR grip is never lacking at pace. Abundant feel edge to edge! I tested these at 35C air temp on hot Pyrenean asphalt, and in the Austrian Alps up the Grossglockner where snow was falling. In the wet, there is more chemical grip than the vaunted PR3s. They were fantastic in damp conditions where traction and grip remained superb through tree lined high speed sweepers where the tarmac was not always dry. And they were ultra stable too - thankfully with none of the squirming of PR3s where the tread blocks move. In the pouring wet where water was still standing, the M7RRs showed some nervousness at speed - the Z8s and PR3s definitely clear more standing water.
BUT after just 2800 miles, the M7RRs are worn down to the wear bars. After 2200 miles (with about 1.5mm to the wear bars), there was a noticeable drop off in performance. Grip fell off significantly, and the carcass felt thin with some rear carcass deflection under high acceleration or tramlining when following crowned roads. They have worn very evenly with no cupping or flat spots, and I would recommend them as a fast road tyre. Just don't expect the mileage.
After 2800 miles, fairly evenly worn to the wear bars, although there is slightly more tread left on the sides (normal). No squaring. Time to change!
jasesapphy said:
Great review
Given the choice for a a toy MZRR or PP3
M7RRGiven the choice for a a toy MZRR or PP3
but it's a close call. The PP3 offers similar life (I did 2000 miles last year on them, same roads, on the 1098R).
M7RR is more stable and grippy in the dry/heat. Better in the damp. Better 'feel', and offers more consistency in transition because of a less V-shaped carcass profile. Superior bump absorbtion.
PP3 provides a very strong sense of assurance to the average rider because the outer rubber is very soft and 'keys' into the road surface. Goes off quicker than the M7RR in high heat and starts sliding sooner. Better in standing water, not as good in the damp. Sharper carcass profile means the PP3 drops into corners more suddenly than the M7RR.
What you'll prefer depends on your riding style, bike, and typical conditions. But if you ride fast, the M7RRs are superior.
jasesapphy said:
Not bothered about milage or riding in very wet
Do like a bit of knee scraping track day stuff, (and a big roundabout just for fun)
My PP3s just coming to end of life on a 600 managed about 2300
Sounds about right. My PP3s were shagged after 2100 road miles on the Duc. (mostly fast cruising, not stop/go)Do like a bit of knee scraping track day stuff, (and a big roundabout just for fun)
My PP3s just coming to end of life on a 600 managed about 2300
I put on a new set of Michelin Pilot Power 3's on my 2011 Speed Triple for the same trip and have never ever ridden on such a confidence inspiring tyre. They do fall into turns quickly and do feel as though they are glued to the road. The S3 is lighter than Spareparts K1300S by about 65kg so it has different handling traits. The only thing that I ever felt uncomfortable about is that the PP3's have a "dead spot/feel" when you get very near the edge. However for some reason I got back with 10mm rear chicken strips and couldn't get it gone. However I hang off which may have caused this.
I will be putting a new rear on the Speedie and a full set on my MV that's how much I liked them.
Spareparts has ridden many types of modern tyres whereas I have not so he is able to offer a very balanced view on these things.
I will be putting a new rear on the Speedie and a full set on my MV that's how much I liked them.
Spareparts has ridden many types of modern tyres whereas I have not so he is able to offer a very balanced view on these things.
Chipchap said:
spareparts said:
PP3 provides a very strong sense of assurance to the average rider
That'll be me then.
It's the outer soft rubber layer that feels like it is chewing into the road surface - it's quite unlike any other tyre I've experienced. I'm not convinced, however, that it is actually any grippier than other tyres like the M7RR or DRC in the dry. Hence it gives a strong sense of assurance.The M7RRs looked very stable following Spareparts and definitely more chemical grip that the PR3 in lightly wet conditions. I had a few times when the front and rear were 'walking', especially in the 80-100+mph sweepers in the wet when Spareparts was rock stable.
The trip was quite pacey and to put into perspective, I had Pilot Road 3s for the trip that did 400 miles pre-trip, so about 3300 miles overall. The rear has 1.9mm left all the way around and the front has 2.2mm most of the way around. I do a lot of trail braking and tend to hammer it out of the corners, but the wear is very strange on the tyres with all tread blocks worn at angles front and rear.
PR3 positives - they have more dry grip than any sports touring tyre has a right to. In the really heavy rain, there were only a couple of time the tyre was lifted from the road by standing water.
PR3 negatives - Their stability, especially when new is very suspect when cracking on. Above 170, there was quite a scary weave, that got no worse at v-max, but meant you could only do that speed in a straight line. The speed limit on sweepers was dictated by the stability, especially if hard on the throttle above 130. That aside as it was only an issue in Spain and a bit in Austria, the main issue is transitioning side to side and coming on and off the power on very fast but relatively tight 2nd/3rd gear roads. You seem to have a permanent wobble on that is a little unsettling and can mask more important feedback, but looks great to chasing riders if you just get on with it and ignore it. As the tyres wore, this mainly went away making me think that there are just too many cuts in tread that allow movement of the tread blocks when they are still tall.
All of the above is irrelevant if you just ride up to 70% and I'd still whole heartedly recommend them. Towards the end of the trip, I was not having to nurse the tyres like Spareparts as I still had tread and plenty of grip. They probably have the best part of 1000 miles left in them.
The trip was quite pacey and to put into perspective, I had Pilot Road 3s for the trip that did 400 miles pre-trip, so about 3300 miles overall. The rear has 1.9mm left all the way around and the front has 2.2mm most of the way around. I do a lot of trail braking and tend to hammer it out of the corners, but the wear is very strange on the tyres with all tread blocks worn at angles front and rear.
PR3 positives - they have more dry grip than any sports touring tyre has a right to. In the really heavy rain, there were only a couple of time the tyre was lifted from the road by standing water.
PR3 negatives - Their stability, especially when new is very suspect when cracking on. Above 170, there was quite a scary weave, that got no worse at v-max, but meant you could only do that speed in a straight line. The speed limit on sweepers was dictated by the stability, especially if hard on the throttle above 130. That aside as it was only an issue in Spain and a bit in Austria, the main issue is transitioning side to side and coming on and off the power on very fast but relatively tight 2nd/3rd gear roads. You seem to have a permanent wobble on that is a little unsettling and can mask more important feedback, but looks great to chasing riders if you just get on with it and ignore it. As the tyres wore, this mainly went away making me think that there are just too many cuts in tread that allow movement of the tread blocks when they are still tall.
All of the above is irrelevant if you just ride up to 70% and I'd still whole heartedly recommend them. Towards the end of the trip, I was not having to nurse the tyres like Spareparts as I still had tread and plenty of grip. They probably have the best part of 1000 miles left in them.
3DP said:
Towards the end of the trip, I was not having to nurse the tyres like Spareparts as I still had tread and plenty of grip. They probably have the best part of 1000 miles left in them.
That is the problem with Eurotrips - tyres.... The options are:1. Get tyres that last the trip, so sports touring tyres if you are doing mega miles
2. Don't go as far
3. Replace them during the trip, but then you are going to get massively ripped of as you are not local, and British. And you can lose half a day messing about.
My first trip I had to nurse my brakes around the Alps as I couldn't find pads stopping in every bike shop in France and Italy. And had to nurse a rear tyre after on the 2nd day of a long weekend trip as I thought they had enough meat on them so didn't replace them, hitting the threads on the M25 home.
smack said:
3DP said:
Towards the end of the trip, I was not having to nurse the tyres like Spareparts as I still had tread and plenty of grip. They probably have the best part of 1000 miles left in them.
That is the problem with Eurotrips - tyres.... The options are:1. Get tyres that last the trip, so sports touring tyres if you are doing mega miles
2. Don't go as far
3. Replace them during the trip, but then you are going to get massively ripped of as you are not local, and British. And you can lose half a day messing about.
My first trip I had to nurse my brakes around the Alps as I couldn't find pads stopping in every bike shop in France and Italy. And had to nurse a rear tyre after on the 2nd day of a long weekend trip as I thought they had enough meat on them so didn't replace them, hitting the threads on the M25 home.
I am uncertain if I do sports 'touring' in the same way most riders do, hence my preference for performance over longevity. If there was an easy opportunity to change tyres for fresh hoops mid-trip, then that would be worth doing imho. Having the confidence to push and trust your tyres is everything when enjoying a bike imho.
spareparts said:
The bike was wearing a pair of excellent sports touring Metzeler Z8 M/O tyres before the trip - these only had about 200 miles on them and are going back on for UK road duty. But compared to the M7RRs, the Z8s do not offer the same levels of outright dry road performance - grip is noticeably lower when pushing on, and turn in is slower compared to the M7RRs. I wanted the highest performing tyre that would last the trip mileage, and in this regard the M7RRs did well, although an extra 600 miles before performance fell off would have been nice.
I am uncertain if I do sports 'touring' in the same way most riders do, hence my preference for performance over longevity. If there was an easy opportunity to change tyres for fresh hoops mid-trip, then that would be worth doing imho. Having the confidence to push and trust your tyres is everything when enjoying a bike imho.
One thing I don't understand is how little mileage you are getting from modern sports rubber... is this due to the road surfaces abroad being more abrasive? ... the weight of the bike / rider... ?I am uncertain if I do sports 'touring' in the same way most riders do, hence my preference for performance over longevity. If there was an easy opportunity to change tyres for fresh hoops mid-trip, then that would be worth doing imho. Having the confidence to push and trust your tyres is everything when enjoying a bike imho.
I would have expected with fast road riding around 4k-5k miles otherwise.
Mr OCD said:
One thing I don't understand is how little mileage you are getting from modern sports rubber... is this due to the road surfaces abroad being more abrasive? ... the weight of the bike / rider... ?
I would have expected with fast road riding around 4k-5k miles otherwise.
Yes, why do you think that is Spareparts ? [lol]I would have expected with fast road riding around 4k-5k miles otherwise.
Mr OCD said:
One thing I don't understand is how little mileage you are getting from modern sports rubber... is this due to the road surfaces abroad being more abrasive? ... the weight of the bike / rider... ?
I would have expected with fast road riding around 4k-5k miles otherwise.
I think your version of fast road riding and his may differ...I would have expected with fast road riding around 4k-5k miles otherwise.
Mr OCD said:
One thing I don't understand is how little mileage you are getting from modern sports rubber... is this due to the road surfaces abroad being more abrasive? ... the weight of the bike / rider... ?
I would have expected with fast road riding around 4k-5k miles otherwise.
I don't think the road surfaces were overly abrasive. Those M7RRs covered roads from Bilbao up to the Grossglockner and everything in between. The most I have ever gotten out of a modern tyre (including PP3, DRC, SportSmart, SC, SCv2, and now M7RR) is about 3k miles, and apart from the SC/SCv2 (1k miles), I've only gotten between 2-2.5k miles on average. 3DP will tell you that I am not an aggressive rider - in his own words... "conservative" I would have expected with fast road riding around 4k-5k miles otherwise.
I'm not sure why others often ride so slowly though. Weight? I'm between 90-95kg depending on time of year Chipchap said:
Yes, why do you think that is Spareparts ? [lol]
Al, come on. You will be the first to admit that the pace was quite leisurely as the 2014 focus was safety and scenery! SAS Tom said:
I think your version of fast road riding and his may differ...
It doesn't matter if it does / does not ... 2000-2500 miles from something like a Pilot Power 3 is NOT atypical mileage.On a single compound older sports tyre... something more track biased such as supercorsa's or the like yes I'd accept that...
On a modern multi-compound sports road tyre - no
Mr OCD said:
I won't touch bridgestones... but that's just my opinion.
Why not? 
I've been quite happy with earlier sports tyres from Bridgestone and the new S20 Evo is well reviewed.
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