Tyres, tyres, tyres

[Betty]

OK resur-erection time. I was going to pose this question to Meanie in his Thylacine thread as she has recently had a change of paws (sounds terrible) ... anyway figured this was a better place for it.

We have had our safety inspection for Turismo and it was recommended I replace my rear (I blame Heather ). Apparently it is just less than the required 75% ... which by my reckoning means I have almost 30,000 km to go before it needs replacing* - I don't think I will do that much on Turismo ... but anyway they want it changed. I was considering a dual compound tyre if I can find one as despite our best intentions I foresee many freeway kilometres coming up.

I am running Pilot Powers at the moment (and would be keeping the front as is) so I want something compatible. Jukie has spoken to Flywheels and they are unsure of the availabilty of the dual compound pilot powers (PP2). But snooping around here has me thinking about the dual compound pilot road (PR2), completely unsure of their availability. My learnings:

. Dragon no likey PP2
. Bazz no likey PP2 (advice of others)
. MonsterDorf likey PR2 (but not Michelin profile)
. Meanie lovin' the PR2 front & rear (but apparently they replaced truck tyres)
. Michelin website shows the PR2 has a narrower hard compound in the middle whilst the PP2 has a much narrower soft compound on the edge (seems a bit weird to me)

So what do you think?
Standard or Dual Compound?
Road or Pilot?

Thanks peoples.

* Yes I know I am a limp wristed so-and-so, although with almost identical mileage Jukie's was deemed fine ... must be the extra weight ... or the huge difference in power delivery . Probably just that her tyres are worn more evenly [moto] 'cos I know who is more agressive on the throttle .

[mattyvas]

My bet for you Betty, knowing your riding style the PR2 wold suit more.

[Betty]

My bet for you Betty, knowing your riding style the PR2 wold suit more.

Hey! what are you saying? ... Oh thats right I already said it ... never mind.
Thanks Matty

Oh yeah and if I have any of the above wrong, let me know. Any other input is welcome, thanks.

[heatherp]

Told ya so 

FWIW I didn't like PR2 either - found it didn't warm up enough on Vic roads.  But I did get 12000km out of it which is way more than any other rear tyre I've tried and just maybe that was why it felt like it wasn't gripping real well    Didn't know my bike real well back then 

But from what Dave has said on his thread PR2 seems fine on the Tassie roads.

[mattyvas]

Yeah maybe true Heather warmer roads like the tyre better.
It could also have something to do with riding style and it not generating heat if not pushed harder.
Maybe a PP would suit also (Betty) after all you know the tyre and are comfortable on it.

I know it took me a little while to get on terms with my Super Corsa Pro's. 

[heatherp]

Yeah maybe true Heather warmer roads like the tyre better.
It could also have something to do with riding style and it not generating heat if not pushed harder.
Maybe a PP would suit also (Betty) after all you know the tyre and are comfortable on it.

I know it took me a little while to get on terms with my Super Corsa Pro's. 

You have a valid point Matty.  My riding style is way different these days to when I first bought my bike and the PR2 was the first back tyre I tried on it.

[Betty]

That's why I didn't want to deviate too far from the current setup. But I was also hoping to avoid replacing the rear again by the time we got back (refer also freeway comment above).

More than likely we will replacing Jukie's by then too ... gets expensive ... plus the fronts then as well

[heatherp]

Betty it will be worth it in the long run.  It's a horrible feeling riding around really good roads having to take it easy because your tyres have gone off. (or worse having the tyre let go whilst you are having a good time on good roads). Then there is the added fear of getting a puncture when they are that bad.

You will be able to relax and have a much better ride knowing you have your butt covered with decent tread.

[mattyvas]

Okay here's an idea then.
If your rear (tyre) is still very good but you have to replace it for Tourismo.
Replace it with exactly the same thing you have and here's the kicker......





Keep the one that is on there now!
If it still has 75% life left, buy a new one use it up for Tourismo and getting there and back.
Then when you come home you'll have a 75% rear to chuck back on.

Just a thought.
I guess they call that "thinking outside the box" in the big corporate jungle.

[Betty]

That is more or less what I was thinking ... having a tyre to go back to for the Superbike School in April. But I am still worried about squaring off a new tyre with all the highway motoring (I'm not used to that).

[mattyvas]

Do you have your safety cert for Tourismo or would they not sign off until the tyre was changed?
Either way you are going to have squared tyre, be it on a brand new one or the one you have now.

[Betty]

Yeah I got the sign off ... but he warned me if I got down there and they weren't happy, there would be

I was hoping the dual compund would help with the squaring off ... if only so that it didn't seem like the tyre was coming off the rim as I turn into a corner

[trinity]

A few friends have tried the Road 2s with mixed reviews, one said they didn't stick when you're pushing hard the way the Powers do, another said he didn't notice any difference & would go a PR2 again & G has one on his rear, he liked it early on not sure what he thinks now, but you could ask him as it must have some decent k's on it so you'd get a more informed opinion.

As for squaring it off in Tassie, people who've been down there on the last Tas Turismo report there was not much highway riding.

[Betty]

Thanks.

As for squaring it off in Tassie, people who've been down there on the last Tas Turismo report there was not much highway riding.

Its the 1200+km on the way down (and then back again) that are worrying me more.

[trinity]

Of course you have to get here first...Duh!!!