Another what tyre! - Commuting Tyre?
Discussion
I'm in the market for new commuting tyres in the next month or so, on my little Monster M600.
The way in which I use the bike has changed a fair bit recently. I'm doing around 200-250 miles a week, in all weathers, 50% motorway 50% city.
I'm currently on Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs, but want to go for something with longevity.
I know the invariable answer from most will the Pilot Road 4's, which is what I'm leaning towards, but anyone have experience with the Metzler Roadtecs or Pirelli Angels in comparison?
The way in which I use the bike has changed a fair bit recently. I'm doing around 200-250 miles a week, in all weathers, 50% motorway 50% city.
I'm currently on Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs, but want to go for something with longevity.
I know the invariable answer from most will the Pilot Road 4's, which is what I'm leaning towards, but anyone have experience with the Metzler Roadtecs or Pirelli Angels in comparison?
I'm currently testing the Roadtecs (I was given a set and asked to do a write up). If you do a search for my thread you'll see the detail but so far so good.
As a pure winter tyre I'd stick with the PR4s as they warm up more quickly than the Metzelers. Having said which the Roadtecs are a sportier tyre, still do well in the rain and thus far are wearing well. I ride a Honda Crossrunner which is a heavier machine but my main mileage is commuting into London.
Based on my experience thus far they are a very good option if you're looking for a slightly sportier tyre than the PR4.
As a pure winter tyre I'd stick with the PR4s as they warm up more quickly than the Metzelers. Having said which the Roadtecs are a sportier tyre, still do well in the rain and thus far are wearing well. I ride a Honda Crossrunner which is a heavier machine but my main mileage is commuting into London.
Based on my experience thus far they are a very good option if you're looking for a slightly sportier tyre than the PR4.
I usually run PR4s but I was given a set of Pirelli Angel GTs to test (I was on the Metzeller test list but they didn't have the tyres for my bike).
The Angels are OK, certainly no better than the PR4s. They seem to be wearing a lot quicker than the PR4, with the front showing significant cupping. I know I won't get the 6 months of 120mile a day commute out of these that I've come to expect from the PR4s.
It is horses-for-courses though, wear is down to a lot of factors, bike weight, suspension set-up, riding style etc etc, so one person's finding will not always echo another's.
In this instance the bike is an FJR1300 doing 120 miles a day, mostly m'way but also into central London.
I will certainly be going back to PR4s as they have been the best tyres I've found for my bike.
HTH
Tim
The Angels are OK, certainly no better than the PR4s. They seem to be wearing a lot quicker than the PR4, with the front showing significant cupping. I know I won't get the 6 months of 120mile a day commute out of these that I've come to expect from the PR4s.
It is horses-for-courses though, wear is down to a lot of factors, bike weight, suspension set-up, riding style etc etc, so one person's finding will not always echo another's.
In this instance the bike is an FJR1300 doing 120 miles a day, mostly m'way but also into central London.
I will certainly be going back to PR4s as they have been the best tyres I've found for my bike.
HTH
Tim
Thanks Tim. I'll discount the Pirellis, my bike is a lot lighter, but the commute sounds very similar.
I think that I may give the Metzler's a go, partly because of the review on here and also as they are currently offering £30 cashback.
The PP 2CT's weren't really a commuter tyre and I got a good fair few miles out of them, so I suspect the Metzlers to be as long lasting if not more so.
I think that I may give the Metzler's a go, partly because of the review on here and also as they are currently offering £30 cashback.
The PP 2CT's weren't really a commuter tyre and I got a good fair few miles out of them, so I suspect the Metzlers to be as long lasting if not more so.
Friend of mine commutes 25k a year on his trumpet 675 and still does mid week evening rides or sunday blats with us and he doesnt hang about
He swears by T30s as a good all round tyre, especially winter or wet but does run a couple other Sport Tourer brands in summer if there is an offer due to how quick he goes through them
He swears by T30s as a good all round tyre, especially winter or wet but does run a couple other Sport Tourer brands in summer if there is an offer due to how quick he goes through them
Is there a bad tyre out there anymore?
I use PR3 and 4 on my bikes, PR3 on the Fazer as they don't do it in my fitments (although I actually prefer the softer feel of the PR3s to the 4s).
I was at the Ron Haslam school recently and was mightily impressed with the Bridgestone T30s they used, we had 30C+ followed by a storm and they handled both extremely well IMO. I'm not racer (that was my second real track day to speak of) but I was doing 120mph+ through Craners on them by my second session (I won't be worrying the BSB guys I'll admit, but it felt quick enough at the time!). Impressive tyres though.
I use PR3 and 4 on my bikes, PR3 on the Fazer as they don't do it in my fitments (although I actually prefer the softer feel of the PR3s to the 4s).
I was at the Ron Haslam school recently and was mightily impressed with the Bridgestone T30s they used, we had 30C+ followed by a storm and they handled both extremely well IMO. I'm not racer (that was my second real track day to speak of) but I was doing 120mph+ through Craners on them by my second session (I won't be worrying the BSB guys I'll admit, but it felt quick enough at the time!). Impressive tyres though.
I've noticed BT-016's are really cheap now (like less than 80 quid for a back tyre!)
i know they are slightly old hat now, but I'm sure they will do everything asked of them, the tyre life of the new sports touring tyres though probably makes it worth paying slightly extra even if it's just to save the hassle of getting tyres changed.
i know they are slightly old hat now, but I'm sure they will do everything asked of them, the tyre life of the new sports touring tyres though probably makes it worth paying slightly extra even if it's just to save the hassle of getting tyres changed.
PR4s are superb (like a PR3 but less tread shuffle). Best life according to the forums and work really well in all conditions. Roadtecs I've read are not lasting anywhere near as long. Angel's I've tried, but to be honest - my rule in recent years is Pirelli for feel and grip, Michelin for life and broad range of weather conditions. Metzeller are owned by Pirelli.
Dakkon said:
Dunlop Roadmsmart III's fitted today, 50 miles on then in the damp, feel very good, will update with progress.
Interested in your thoughts, look forward to your updates. Besides the BB friendly PR2/3s I've been actively using Roadsmarts and Roadsmart 2's on my previous Honda Blackbird. I really liked both of those Dunlops a lot. Roadsmart2s were my tyres when I traded my bike in Feb this year. Running the PR4s for the first time on my now Speed Triple which I got the dealer to throw in free as part of the deal.
My next tyres will either by the Roadsmart 3s or the Metz Roadtec 01s.
Its gonna take a lot of convincing for me to try anything Bridgestone - I spent many many years just riding on Bridgestones but have had issues with dodgy uneven front wear on a number of bikes. Last tyres I actively used from them were the 020s and 021 sport touring tyres.
Currently on Metzeler Roadtecs (check the review thread) from Michelin Pilot Road 4's. The Michelins were mega for milage, wet use and track use. They have been noted to squirm a bit when pushing on but warm up quick.
As far as the metzelers go, only done aroun 1000/1500 miles on them. Tried using the rear on a dampish track day, went fine on the first one then pushed too much and binned it on the second one. Most likely use error and should have stuck to wets (damp/drying track). Tested them on a dry track the other day at Brands and they feel alright but I only did the one session before switching to my track bike. Definitely need to try more track use on them. For the road use, I have no complaints.
The michelins I have used on several track days and been fine, will slide when too much power is put down (only happened on the 1000) and in the wet but have generally been fine upto inters.
As far as the metzelers go, only done aroun 1000/1500 miles on them. Tried using the rear on a dampish track day, went fine on the first one then pushed too much and binned it on the second one. Most likely use error and should have stuck to wets (damp/drying track). Tested them on a dry track the other day at Brands and they feel alright but I only did the one session before switching to my track bike. Definitely need to try more track use on them. For the road use, I have no complaints.
The michelins I have used on several track days and been fine, will slide when too much power is put down (only happened on the 1000) and in the wet but have generally been fine upto inters.
I've been through PR2 - PR3 - PR4 on the Pan Euro and on balance I think the PR3 were the better combination of grip and wear. The PR4 are better, so many people say, but I'm not convinced I ride hard enough for it to make a difference so as the PR3 are something like 25% cheaper I may go back to them now my rear PR4 is shot... it's done 4500 miles but was on the wear bars 500 miles ago 
Quick update, 2000+ miles on the Roadsmart III's, I really like them, rode hope in the thunderstorm last night, that was exciting, but even with quite a bit of surface water on the roads around Woking and the M3 the tyres were completely confidence inspiring.
I will definitely replace with another set, just curious now to see how long they last.
I will definitely replace with another set, just curious now to see how long they last.
Dakkon said:
Quick update, 2000+ miles on the Roadsmart III's, I really like them, rode hope in the thunderstorm last night, that was exciting, but even with quite a bit of surface water on the roads around Woking and the M3 the tyres were completely confidence inspiring.
I will definitely replace with another set, just curious now to see how long they last.
DakkonI will definitely replace with another set, just curious now to see how long they last.
Can you let me have an update as to the wear of the Road-smart 3s, 12 months on.
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