New Tires - BT-016 or Pilot Road 2's

[DucatiTorrey]

So ive been reading the threads, and havent seen one that comes to a conclusion. Here is what im looking at.

I got over 6000 miles out of the stock Bridgestones on the 696. Almost all of that was in Michigan, flat and long rides. thats what she said.

now i live in heaven, I mean Colorado. And, i need new tires.

Im considering Mich Pilot Road 2's, they seem to get a lot of good props on here.

But, I liked my Bridgestones that the bike came with, no slip at all, and i think over 6K miles is great.

I would go for a dual compoune sport touring tire, like the pilots, but, now im in CO, riding canyons and more twisties.


what should i do? also, new front tire at the same time? its not where near as bad as the rear. probably yes eh...

thanks for the help guys.

[Howie]

Just to confuse the issue the Pilot Road 3 is here.

[He Man]

what he said ^. I am almost at my wear bars and Pilot 3 is the only choice!!!!! except i dont know where i can change my tire without paying a million bucks for it!!!

[Raux]

if you're changing brands definitely change both.

I ride both twisties and autobahn. glad i switched to dual compound.

[lazylightnin717]

I've got a BT016 on the front and a Pirelli n the rear.

I've ridden pretty much exclusively with Pirellis. Lately I tried the Supercorsa, Corsa 3, and now the Supersports and all three were great tires. I have confidence when I'm wearing Pirellis shoes. They are priced slightly higher.

I have the BT016 on the front right now and I like it. It is responsive and is wearing well. My only complaint is the lack of grip on cool roads. I went out for a spirited ride last week on a 60 degree day and I could feel it slipping a good bit where the Pirelli felt good to go

[DucatiTorrey]

yeah i think i saw the 3's, and yeah, would do both if i go Michelin. Little more money than the BT's and since the 3's are out, the 2's are on sale. Only save 50 bucks though.

plus, i need to see how miuch mounting them will cost. Dont want to spend an arm and a leg just putting them on. Considered getting a rear stand and all the necessary tools to do it myself, would cost the same as having someone do it initially, but i get a rear stand and the tools and know how to do it next time for free.

thanks for your help guys

anyone use the 3's here yet?

edit:
just read on Miche's website the 3 has "x-siping" for wet conditions. I live in Colorado, not Seattle. The 2's may be what i need.

http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotroad3

[ducpainter]

The profile on the 3 is rounder as compared to the 2.

[DucatiTorrey]

The profile on the 3 is rounder as compared to the 2.

good to know. Ill check them out more, btw is that good?

[ducpainter]

good to know. Ill check them out more, btw is that good?

Depends what you like.

A round profile will work at any lean angle and corrections mid turn will be smoother.

This comes at the expense of getting the bike to turn.

A steeper profiled front tire, or more triangulated, will turn quicker, but may feel like it wants to fall into a turn and may not feel like it wants to make mid corner corrections.

Michelin seems to be making the transition from triangulated tires to round profiles with the Pure and the Road 3.

[DucatiTorrey]

Depends what you like.

A round profile will work at any lean angle and corrections mid turn will be smoother.

This comes at the expense of getting the bike to turn.

A steeper profiled front tire, or more triangulated, will turn quicker, but may feel like it wants to fall into a turn and may not feel like it wants to make mid corner corrections.

Michelin seems to be making the transition from triangulated tires to round profiles with the Pure and the Road 3.

i see, i think i would prefer the "falling into a turn" feel.

Hmmm, ill do some more research, but i may be leaning away from the 3's.

1) save money
2) dont have wet conditions almost at all (if anything, sandy) i.e. dont need super crazy siping
3) been happy with the birdgstones.

thanks again, keep the info and suggestions coming, i really appreciate it.

[pcv57]

I had the Pirelli Rosso on my last bike and liked them and now I'm running a set of BT-016s. They're a great tire; warm up quickly and give plenty of grip, wet and dry. I even rode with them over a couple of days and torrential rain and they performed well. I've got about 3000 miles on them and still have plenty of tread left. For the price, you can't beat them.

[ducpainter]

i see, i think i would prefer the "falling into a turn" feel.

Hmmm, ill do some more research, but i may be leaning away from the 3's.

1) save money
2) dont have wet conditions almost at all (if anything, sandy) i.e. dont need super crazy siping
3) been happy with the birdgstones.

thanks again, keep the info and suggestions coming, i really appreciate it.

How many miles do you ride/season or year?

[DucatiTorrey]

my first summer on the bike i hit 5500, then we moved to colorado, and between hiking, camping and the like, only rode 1500. That was last summer. This summer, im planning on around 3 to 4K. that is probably 65% city and commute, the rest canyons

[ducpainter]

my first summer on the bike i hit 5500, then we moved to colorado, and between hiking, camping and the like, only rode 1500. That was last summer. This summer, im planning on around 3 to 4K. that is probably 65% city and commute, the rest canyons

Then the Road is the tire for you.

If you actually do that many miles...

If you think you may slip back into the 1K to 1500 range go for the Power.

Tires should be replaced every 3 or so years and it makes no sense to buy a 12K tire and only put 4K on it and then have it time out.

[DucatiTorrey]

great to know, so maybe Pilot road 2's since they're on sale. what do shops typically charge for mounting?