Post by loneranger on Apr 12, 2011 11:47:12 GMT
Having come to the point where both tyres together needed replacing it gave me the opportunity to try another brand ,not that i,m knocking my previous Conti road attacks they always gave me good feedback through the bars and seat of my pants ,however after reading the wet test on the pilot 3,s I decided to chance trying them even though the dry tests had not been published.
(My logic being, a company like Michelin want sales in these harder times, so to get these sales consistently their product will have to live up to most of their sales pitch)
I,ve done over 500 miles on them now.
First what the tests dont tell you - these tyre need twice the run in period probably to do with the slits/sipes in the tread requiring a different or more release agent .
I estimate 200 miles minimum as at 150 miles the front was still slipping over cats eyes and proud white lines in the dry!
Once over that mark my trust in them began to build at 350 miles
they dont quite have the feedback of the conti,s but even in the dry the grip available exceeds the conti,s,so pleased with that as i thought the trade off might be less.
Yesterday it poured down while i was at the pitstop so after topping up my energy I rode in the rain for an hour and a half .
The grip available in the wet was night and day to the conti,s
Uncanny it felt ,I got on a quiet road and tried the wet braking ability ,with out a shadow of a doubt the safety margin is impressive. did noticeably reduce braking distance.
In the wet its usually the front that gives on me ,pushed it to see which would give first oddly for me it was the rear - feels strange but good
Wanted to write this up asap with the memory of the conti,s fresh in my mind.
Conclusion for now will post wear rates later-
More dry grip - yes all i need
Wet grip - Astonishing ,tyre technology has come on
Feel - Jury's still out - will update
safety improvement - deffo
Update on feel/feedback - pushing them i,m getting some sidewall flex nothing bothersome at all, but at least i,m feeling it. i,m still finding it hard how to describe the feel, its there only its like the volume has been turned down - maybe i,m getting older and take longer to accept change,if these had been on the bike all the time i,ve had it i would,nt have known any different so i have to say some of its in my head.Anyway another week has passed and i have to say the dry grip is even more impressive than i first posted, by the way the bike weighs in at over 500lbs so its a bit of an elephant but its comfy and mine and does everything i want - regards Dave
2nd update - I,m boring myself now another week gone -did not want to adjust suspension as last time took me ages to get it where i liked it,anyway bit the bullet - first tyre pressures up 2lbs
more rear spring preload and rebound force - front springs ok and less rebound force ,took it out for a hundred miles on familiar roads think i got this one right first time for once yes i,m finicky
but the chew always gives rewards .Done and happy .
Verdict- In my opinion probably the best sport touring tyre available at present but and its a big but ,when a lot of bikes do not have adjustable suspension most people will not care for them i,ve been lucky in the fact i could alter mine to suit .The tyres are now giving the desired feedback and the grip is the best i have known wet or dry .So if you can adjust buy if you cant you take a chance as feedback is everything in my eyes.
p.s done 1400 miles on them now wears looking good
Right ya can stop yawning now i,m done .....Dave
Heres some pics of these strange Black circles
Purchased from Summit motorcycles who matched the best net quote and saved me the carriage and fitting cost.
(My logic being, a company like Michelin want sales in these harder times, so to get these sales consistently their product will have to live up to most of their sales pitch)
I,ve done over 500 miles on them now.
First what the tests dont tell you - these tyre need twice the run in period probably to do with the slits/sipes in the tread requiring a different or more release agent .
I estimate 200 miles minimum as at 150 miles the front was still slipping over cats eyes and proud white lines in the dry!
Once over that mark my trust in them began to build at 350 miles
they dont quite have the feedback of the conti,s but even in the dry the grip available exceeds the conti,s,so pleased with that as i thought the trade off might be less.
Yesterday it poured down while i was at the pitstop so after topping up my energy I rode in the rain for an hour and a half .
The grip available in the wet was night and day to the conti,s
Uncanny it felt ,I got on a quiet road and tried the wet braking ability ,with out a shadow of a doubt the safety margin is impressive. did noticeably reduce braking distance.
In the wet its usually the front that gives on me ,pushed it to see which would give first oddly for me it was the rear - feels strange but good
Wanted to write this up asap with the memory of the conti,s fresh in my mind.
Conclusion for now will post wear rates later-
More dry grip - yes all i need
Wet grip - Astonishing ,tyre technology has come on
Feel - Jury's still out - will update
safety improvement - deffo
Update on feel/feedback - pushing them i,m getting some sidewall flex nothing bothersome at all, but at least i,m feeling it. i,m still finding it hard how to describe the feel, its there only its like the volume has been turned down - maybe i,m getting older and take longer to accept change,if these had been on the bike all the time i,ve had it i would,nt have known any different so i have to say some of its in my head.Anyway another week has passed and i have to say the dry grip is even more impressive than i first posted, by the way the bike weighs in at over 500lbs so its a bit of an elephant but its comfy and mine and does everything i want - regards Dave
2nd update - I,m boring myself now another week gone -did not want to adjust suspension as last time took me ages to get it where i liked it,anyway bit the bullet - first tyre pressures up 2lbs
more rear spring preload and rebound force - front springs ok and less rebound force ,took it out for a hundred miles on familiar roads think i got this one right first time for once yes i,m finicky
but the chew always gives rewards .Done and happy .
Verdict- In my opinion probably the best sport touring tyre available at present but and its a big but ,when a lot of bikes do not have adjustable suspension most people will not care for them i,ve been lucky in the fact i could alter mine to suit .The tyres are now giving the desired feedback and the grip is the best i have known wet or dry .So if you can adjust buy if you cant you take a chance as feedback is everything in my eyes.
p.s done 1400 miles on them now wears looking good
Right ya can stop yawning now i,m done .....Dave
Heres some pics of these strange Black circles
Purchased from Summit motorcycles who matched the best net quote and saved me the carriage and fitting cost.
