Michelin Pilot Road 2

Anyone had these?

The B12 came to me with Sportmax Qualifiers, a part-worn D218 front and a
new D209 rear. The front has lasted just over 5k, the rear 3k, and they're
both now on the legal limit. I've been quite happy with the grip and
handling [1], but the Michelins have had some very good write-ups. Any
recomendations for these, or other suitable fitments would be welcome. Use
is all-weather commuting and days out, mainly solo with very little motorway
and no track use anticipated [2]. Good grip is the first priority, decent
wear rate second, and both would be nice. Riding style quickish but
non-hooligan.

[1] I'm still getting to grips with modern tyre technology, so anything
seems good - back when I did most of my riding, the ultimate wet-weather
tyre was a TT100.

[2] Yet.

Thanks.

 

If those are your criteria then you'll be more than happy with the
PR2s. I've had them on my Daytona for over 5K miles now and I have
about another 2K miles left in the rear, and the front is half worn.
They have been brilliant, especially in wet conditions, as you can see
the wear rate is good for a sports/touring tyre and they just feel
right on my bike. I do attempt the odd hooligan antic now and then and
have done some serious motorway mileage on these ones compared to A
road stuff, and the tyres have always coped well. Hog will no doubt
give the same kind of review of the PR2s he has on his Ducati ST4S .

When they are worn out I want to try the Avon Storms just to see what
they are like next. I don't believe you should get stuck in a rut
believing that what you currently use is the ultimate, without trying
the new stuff that comes along.

 

Sucking his keyboard for inspiration, typed:

Yup, that is pretty good.

Agreed.

Thanks for that. I'm finding it pretty hard to judge. I've had a bike all
my life, but stopped riding in 1995 due to illness and have only just come
back (Jan this year). Tyres are better by a factor of many since I was last
on two wheels, and although I know people rubbish the Dunlops, to me they
were awesomely sticky and predictable, compared with what I had before.
Just a pity they wore so quickly - when I got the bike, the front tyre still
had its whiskers on. 3k miles later, it's fucked. The rear was the same -
3k from brand new to 1.6mm tread and starting to square off. I suppose it's
the usual trade-off.

 

They are as loz states. The fronts do not have the straight line
stability of the BT020 but as a result the steering is noticeably
quicker.

I shall probably try some Storms too, on the Bastard12 which has munched
a BT014 in 3000 miles. Large power/torque with no drivetrain cushdrive
gets rather expensive.

 

Drop the tyre pressures by 3psi and try that.

I was chatting to Geoff Baines from Baines Racing[1] and he was saying
the Michelin PR2s have very stiff sidewalls and benefit from running
slightly lower pressures.

[1] Independent Ducati specialists

 

Ah cheers!

 

Sucking his keyboard for inspiration, Hog typed:

Thanks for the info, chaps. PR2s it is, then.

 

I have tried provoking them two up with luggage as if they were sprot tyres
(once nicely warmed). They behaved perfectly. OK this is 117 rear wheel bhp
not 150 but still.

 

Sucking his keyboard for inspiration, Hog typed:

I'll be passing about 100 (crank) through, so within parameters, easily.
Cheers.