Not a tire I would normally purchase. Went down to Brothers Powersports in Bremerton, WA to chat with Mike about tires. He and nick both had some great input. I have been runnin the Michelin Pilot Power 3's since about the 500 mile mark on Priscilla and I am at about 12000 miles. Been through several sets of the power 3's. Bought the last set in November. Mike was laughing about how destroyed they were after a few months of ridin the wet Washington weather. Burnt up toasted, flat spotted from rollin burnouts and screwin around in the wet. Lots of TC 'testing' rofl.
They recommended the new Pilot Road 4 and had excellent reasoning behind it.
1. Fantastic wet weather traction.
2. 20% of the middle portion of the tire is a med-hard compound with aggressive directional siping.
- this gives excellent long wear and yet provides a level of conformity to the road that gives great feedback and surprisingly good adhesion in the wet and improves on dry roads.
3. The outer 40% on either side if the middle strip is a medium compound for grip at lean.
- this is an excellent 'feeling' tire. The grooves stop well why of usable lean angle tread leaving firm traction contact patch in michelins excellent medium coumpound. This tire warms up well and starts to provide fantastic grip and feedback right to foot peg feeler touchdown on a stock length bike set up for cornering (aka tail high, weight forward, 28 mm sag front, 29mm sag rear).
I was skeptical, considering a sport touring tire not grippy enough for my usual hooligan ridin. But this tire grips very well, almost as well as the power. At the edge of adhesion, it does give up a little grip compared to the power 3. But that is not truly a safe level of push on the street. The adhesion edge I have found so far without great conditions is confidence inspiring and absolutely solid. I am surprised, actually blown away by how much I like this tire.
I purchased and run only the 190/55 profile rear and this tire has a very nice shape for lean angle adhesion. You give up a little 'launch grip' on the street, but the long wearing excellent performance even in the wet, seems an excellent trade off.
NOTE: This tire is very sensitive to pressure. I weigh 185lbs. Inflated to 41.5 rear / 41.0 front, was too hard. It returned a 'squidgy' feel at cruise. I checked and reduced the tire pressures to: 38 front / 39 rear, and now she feels flawless! Very nice compliant ride with a slightly softer sidewall stiffness than the power 3. Very comfortable high performance, high tech tire. Very stable at speeds in excess of 170mph so far.
Thank you to Mike V., And Nick, excellent service and fast and efficient work, as always. It is rare nowadays to find a dealership that exceeds expectations! Also thanks to an excellent sales staff that always feeds me coffee! And a huge poppyseed muffin that hit the spot! :)) they are great down there, they know I get cranky if I'm not fed!
Disciple of the 14R
Vincit Qui Patitur
Predator Race Team #23 - Priscilla ~ 118.85 ft.lbs. of TORQUE
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