Hi All.
Just fitted a new 180/55/17 rear tire a Michelin Road 6 at the cost of $389AU. My last rear a Pilot Road 2 was exactly $130 cheaper. :pissed:
Pilot Road 2's, my go to tire, are now discontinued along with the fairly recent Road 5's.
I was told that there have been two recent price increases somehow connected with covid issues!!
Seems like Michelin are pricing themselves out of the market.
Looking for some good advice from the group as to a similar performing alternative.
Cheers :fing02:
Welcome to inflation. Oil near $125 is putting huge price pressures on everything. IMHO tires will be particularly susceptible to that. I think of it as Covid on my wallet.
There is a US based ebay retailer selling Road 2s for US $220 per set. No idea about international shipping tho. The last set I got from them in 2021 were about 3 months old, so recent production. I may buy a set and toss em on my spare wheels before the price goes up. Unfortunately higher prices are likely here for the foreseeable future. 😞
Just double checked - no international shipping from that seller. :sad:
Grum - any thoughts about Angel ST or GT? ST's seem in the same general price range as Road 2's, at least here. I'm not understanding why Road 2's have disappeared from mass retailers inventory and even Michelin's website and yet this retailer in the central US is able to source them with current date codes . . . My last set with the 2020 date codes were made in Spain. Too bad about manufacturer's obsession with having "the latest and greatest" - when what customers want is the tried and true that works and is a good value. Maybe that's too simple a concept in today's hyper competitive market, dunno.
Michelin seems to set the bar on price for car tires too. I'll stick with my Dunlops!
4 hours ago, CogswellGrum - any thoughts about Angel ST or GT? ST's seem in the same general price range as Road 2's, at least here.
Thanks Cogs.
That seems like good advice. Sounds like similar Michelin technology, dual compound, high silica, long life, AND I can get one of those Pirellei Angel ST 180/55/17 for $212.95 plus fitting, thats a huge difference to what I just paid for the Road 6 Michelin.
I can even purchase with free delivery a set, front and rear for $355AU thats a huge saving!
After 17 years of Michelin loyalty its by by Michelin from me, latest pricing is just crazy. :fing02:
I switched to the Dunlop Road Sport 2's as they were under $200 for the set, and the 12Hundo tears up tires in 2,500 miles... so far they are every bit as good as the angel GT's. I don't ride in the rain, so don't need the expense of the Michelins...
Just checked they are $205 for 120/70F and 190/55R
35 minutes ago, RC1237VI switched to the Dunlop Road Sport 2's as they were under $200 for the set, and the 12Hundo tears up tires in 2,500 miles... so far they are every bit as good as the angel GT's. I don't ride in the rain, so don't need the expense of the Michelins...
Just checked they are $205 for 120/70F and 190/55R
Good point RC1237V.
I also don't chose to ride in the rain so Michelin wet weather performance is not that important to me either, nice insurance though!
So given my riding style - Faster than slow riders, but slower than fast riders, longevity with good dry road grip are what I'm looking for. The old Michelin PR2's were perfect for me, both in value and performance, shame they are no longer available, at least in Australia that is. :fing02:
Have a look at the reviews of Dunlop Roadsmart 3 & 4. They are my preferred tyre. I had to swap to Pirelli Angel GT II for a recent lap of Tassie and while they hold on OK, they squared off noticeably after 4,800km. My previous rear Roadsmart 3 still had a reasonable profile after 17,000 km, of mainly touring. The Roadsmart also handled a trackday with no issues.
36 minutes ago, VFR78Have a look at the reviews of Dunlop Roadsmart 3 & 4. They are my preferred tyre. I had to swap to Pirelli Angel GT II for a recent lap of Tassie and while they hold on OK, they squared off noticeably after 4,800km. My previous rear Roadsmart 3 still had a reasonable profile after 17,000 km, to of mainly touring. The Roadsmart also handled a trackday with no issues.
Great info there VFR78. Perhaps the Angel ST's may have served you better than the GT's
17,000k's out of a rear Roadsmart 3 is excellent. What did you pay for them?
There's no doubt about it the Road 6 I've just paid a fortune for will be my last Michelin!
44 minutes ago, GrumGreat info there VFR78. Perhaps the Angel ST's may have served you better than the GT's
17,000k's out of a rear Roadsmart 3 is excellent. What did you pay for them?
There's no doubt about it the Road 6 I've just paid a fortune for will be my last Michelin!
$295.45 (17/07/20) Grum. It wasn’t the cheapest at the time, but I needed it for our SW Queensland trek. Only just removed it, pre Tassie.
The Angel GT IIs are supposed to be Pirelli’s latest sport touring tyre. I don’t think STs are available anymore, unless its just called Angel now.
I’m wrong, apparently STs are still available!
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And be aware of the difference between the RoadSport and Road Smart. They aren't remotely the same tire. 🙂 RoadSmart IIs haven't been availble in the states for some time, just the III and IVs are out now.
Grum,
That Road 6 pricing is indeed crazy. Even with the currecy conversion, that single tire is significantly more expensive than the Road 2 set available here. The high cost of tires is why I finally set myself up to mount and balance tires myself. That takes some of the sting out of it and it seems that fewer shops want to mount tires not purchased from them. I have a bit over $200 invested in setting myself up, so I figure the first 2 sets paid for it.
Regardless, it looks like inflation is here to stay and we'll all be paying higher prices for everything.
+1 I did the same, and with 5~6 bikes in the stable along with trackdays, and ALL my friends come over to use it (price is some high quality beer), it has paid for itself many times over! Also keeps my fridge stocked with Hazy IPA's :woohoo:
Cogswell, 3/9/2022 at 8:46 PMThere is a US based ebay retailer selling Road 2s for US $220 per set. No idea about international shipping tho. The last set I got from them in 2021 were about 3 months old, so recent production. I may buy a set and toss em on my spare wheels before the price goes up. Unfortunately higher prices are likely here for the foreseeable future. 😞
Just double checked - no international shipping from that seller. :sad:
Can you share the link to that listing? I had the cheap PR2's bookmarked on Amazon, but the listing is now (recently) gone and I can't find it in search. TIA! Planning on swapping out my T30's for PR2's and hoping for more feel/confidence.
10 hours ago, adkfinnCan you share the link to that listing? I had the cheap PR2's bookmarked on Amazon, but the listing is now (recently) gone and I can't find it in search. TIA! Planning on swapping out my T30's for PR2's and hoping for more feel/confidence.
Go to ebay and search on "Michelin Road 2". Can't miss it. It's the same seller that was on Amazon - same name and ships from the same location in MO.
13 hours ago, CogswellGo to ebay and search on "Michelin Road 2". Can't miss it. It's the same seller that was on Amazon - same name and ships from the same location in MO.
Thank you!!
Directly correlated with the price of oil and everything else going on. If you need tires - time to buy is now. I suspect you will see a sharp increase around the beginning of summer as the tire industry takes a while to catch up with pricing...
It wouldn't surprise me to see shortages of stock in tires - can't find what you want no matter the price. Not a prediction, but an observation that seems plausible given the incompetence of leadership. Weird, weird times.
My car tires have been on backorder for many months. No update on even a production date from Michelin (BF Goodrich). Ugh.
Just put a new set of Michelin Defenders on the Honda cage. It took Costco almost 3 weeks to get em in. Caught their $150 off promotion and beat the coming price increases though, so worth the wait.
adkfinn, 3/11/2022 at 7:13 AMCan you share the link to that listing? I had the cheap PR2's bookmarked on Amazon, but the listing is now (recently) gone and I can't find it in search. TIA! Planning on swapping out my T30's for PR2's and hoping for more feel/confidence.
I found these from the same seller on Walmart.com, same free shipping, for $15 cheaper. I have not purchased through Walmart previously, so not sure how well that works. Can save some cash though . . . Must be Walmart's seller fees are less than Ebay's.
So, I ordered a set of PR2s from the same ebay seller on Walmart for $205 delivered. The Pilot Powers on my spare wheels are mid 2014 date codes so have to go. I'll report on the upcoming PR2's dates when they arrive.
59 minutes ago, CogswellSo, I ordered a set of PR2s from the same ebay seller on Walmart for $205 delivered. The Pilot Powers on my spare wheels are mid 2014 date codes so have to go. I'll report on the upcoming PR2's dates when they arrive.
Sounds amazingly cheap Cogs, grab em while ya can!
10 hours ago, GrumSounds amazingly cheap Cogs, grab em while ya can!
It is indeed. I have loved the PR2s since they first came out and feel very lucky to be able to still get them and particularly at such a deal. I looked at international shipping and it's prohibitively expensive - in the $thousands, so unfortunately no way to share the good fortune across the ocean. :sad:
12 hours ago, CogswellSo, I ordered a set of PR2s from the same ebay seller on Walmart for $205 delivered. The Pilot Powers on my spare wheels are mid 2014 date codes so have to go. I'll report on the upcoming PR2's dates when they arrive.
Just saw this video/article on another site - "debunking the tire age myth" - interesting, I didn't realize manufacturers had listed 'stale dates'...
It is right up there with the helmet date myth...
This is on 22 year old low end IRC tires:
Grum, 3/12/2022 at 7:31 PMSounds amazingly cheap Cogs, grab em while ya can!
So the new PR2s arrived. Ground shipping (included in price) was 4 days via Fedex. Both made in Spain (same as previous sets), front date code is 0521 and rear is 4819. Not quite garden fresh, but I'm good with it. Oddly my last set from this vendor were both 2020 manufacture so no telling how stock is is being rotated. Regardless, for $205 ( via Walmart online) at my door for the set, I can afford to change them out a bit more often.
8 hours ago, CogswellSo the new PR2s arrived. Ground shipping (included in price) was 4 days via Fedex. Both made in Spain (same as previous sets), front date code is 0521 and rear is 4819. Not quite garden fresh, but I'm good with it. Oddly my last set from this vendor were both 2020 manufacture so no telling how stock is is being rotated. Regardless, for $205 ( via Walmart online) at my door for the set, I can afford to change them out a bit more often.
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Bloody hell!! $205usd = $276aud thats still over $100 cheaper for the pair than what I paid for a Road 6 rear fitted! You guys are spoilt or we are just ripped off. Great deal Cogs.
Given the manufacture date 21 and 19 wonder if they are end of line stock, not that its of any concern, kept in the dark they'll be fine for a few more years. :fing02:
The mainland has some advantages..
4 hours ago, GrumBloody hell!! $205usd = $276aud thats still over $100 cheaper for the pair than what I paid for a Road 6 rear fitted! You guys are spoilt or we are just ripped off. Great deal Cogs.
Given the manufacture date 21 and 19 wonder if they are end of line stock, not that its of any concern, kept in the dark they'll be fine for a few more years. :fing02:
We're spoiled . . . !! Believe me, we are. For all the bashing of America, everyone here has it pretty darn good and most don't even know it. Hard to figure why such price and availability disparity . . . It must seem so good to be true that I attached the invoice. I wish it could be shared around, but shipping is prohibitive. Anyway, hard to know about end of stock. If seems this vendor still has them available. If through year end they still have them, depending on how much I ride this year I may snag on one more set to put away before they're gone for good.
Just received my new PR2's from the ebay listing for $233 including tax & delivery - date codes at 2121 and 4020 (front - rear). Works for me! Looking forward to getting them on
13 hours ago, adkfinnJust received my new PR2's from the ebay listing for $233 including tax & delivery - date codes at 2121 and 4020 (front - rear). Works for me! Looking forward to getting them on
That's interesting on the date codes. I wondered when going through Walmart for $15 less than ebay if that somehow relates to how much Walmart charges the Vendor vs Ebay, or if they sell their older inventory on Walmart for a bit less and newer on ebay. I'm thinking maybe the latter. Regardless, what I got is fine - they'll be worn out before they go stale.
I just received a set of these. I ordered them from Walmart for $229 plus tax, delivery included.
My date codes are front 4120, rear 0521.
30 minutes ago, motormikeI just received a set of these. I ordered them from Walmart for $229 plus tax, delivery included.
My date codes are front 4120, rear 0521.
That's up $14 since I got mine there in March - still, a steal. I hope to God Michelin keeps making PR2's - my all time favorite tire. I gotta get on it and wear mine out so I can buy some new ones!
I had no idea you could buy motorcycle tires from Walmart online. I usually get tires from Iron Pony in Columbus, OH, or online elsewhere, but now I'll have to remember this option. Thank for the tip! 👍
5 minutes ago, TimCI had no idea you could buy motorcycle tires from Walmart online. I usually get tires from Iron Pony in Columbus, OH, or online elsewhere, but now I'll have to remember this option. Thank for the tip! 👍
For full disclosure, they're not sold by Walmart - see my invoice, above. But that's ok. That vendor was on Amazon but left there and moved to Walmart. They're also on ebay, but the price point there is a bit higher maybe due to higher seller fees on ebay. But, it makes me wonder if the newer date codes are on ebay and the older ones on Walmart. No way of knowing.
I wouldn't think newer on ebay and older on Walmart. It's the same guy selling tires through multiple channels. I was just going to order some Pilot Road 4 or 5 or whatever number they are on (I haven't bought tires in a while), until I saw this thread. I thought I'd give it a whirl and see what shows up.
You guys must’ve bought ‘em all.
I think I bought the last set. There may have been a single front and rear.
1 hour ago, motormikeI think I bought the last set. There may have been a single front and rear.
:sad:
Always hopeful, I'll chalk it up to supply chain issues - maybe they just need to get more in.
Grum, 3/9/2022 at 5:31 PMJust fitted a new 180/55/17 rear tire a Michelin Road 6 at the cost of $389AU. My last rear a Pilot Road 2 was exactly $130 cheaper. :pissed:
I was told that there have been two recent price increases somehow connected with covid issues!!
Seems like Michelin are pricing themselves out of the market.
Clearly, I'm late to this thread but thought I'd pass along the Canadian perspective. And I can relate to the huge cost disparity between US and everywhere else.
I've been a Michelin fan since my first set of Michelin Pilot Sport more than 22 years ago and a couple weeks ago I had a set of PR5 installed. They cost C$209 & C$269 (AU$295) before tax & install.
It's been awhile since I last had non-Michelins; my '09 VTec's oe tires were D207(possibly D204!) and for the next set I tried a set of Pirelli Angel ST. Calling them rim protectors may be a bit harsh, but the third set of tires were Pilot Power 3 which transformed the VFR.
Lastly, while the Pilot Power/Power RS feel even better than Pilot Roads, their lesser mileage isn't worth it to me.
2 hours ago, LorneClearly, I'm late to this thread but thought I'd pass along the Canadian perspective. And I can relate to the huge cost disparity between US and everywhere else.
I've been a Michelin fan since my first set of Michelin Pilot Sport more than 22 years ago and a couple weeks ago I had a set of PR5 installed. They cost C$209 & C$269 (AU$295) before tax & install.
It's been awhile since I last had non-Michelins; my '09 VTec's oe tires were D207(possibly D204!) and for the next set I tried a set of Pirelli Angel ST. Calling them rim protectors may be a bit harsh, but the third set of tires were Pilot Power 3 which transformed the VFR.
Lastly, while the Pilot Power/Power RS feel even better than Pilot Roads, their lesser mileage isn't worth it to me.
From my records, PR5 in June 2019: MRSP was C$397.95 and actual retail price was C$250 for the rear; MRSP C$309.95 and actual retail price was C$191 for the front; Both purchased from a dealership in Edmonton, Canada. No tax or fitting included. Online price may or may not have been less. Given the incredible price rise for everything under the Covid excuse the new prices that you paid are not too bad.
I found the Walmart vendor on ebay still, but just the PR2 180's - $115 US. It says "more than 10 available". But no fronts . . . Fingers crossed that they get more and they remain available.