It’s time to change my tires and I was wondering what your suggestions are based upon my riding style.
To make life easier I am only interested in Michelins and Bridgestone’s as more the choices tougher the decision.
Background –
- I weigh 210 pounds.
- I do not commute on my bike. I use her for pleasure only.
- I don’t ride when it rains or even when its wet outside. It’s easy for me as Fresno, CA is mostly dry.
- Most of my riding is SOLO on weekends (twisties 80%)/(freeway 20%) – generally 100-150 mile day trips.
- I have put 1000 miles since I purchased the vfr. The bike came with BT021 installed. The sidewall states manufacturing date was 2008.
- Riding style-I ride with a group of riders who ride ST1300, FJR’s etc and I like to keep pace with them. We don’t race but we are not slow as well.
PR2 vs BT021-
I had PR2 installed on my zx-14 (sold as it was too much of a bike for me). Had put around 2000 miles with PR2.
Likes
- PR2 stick well. BT021 on vfr feel hard (maybe they are 4 years old).
- After 2000 miles of riding PR2 on zx – they barely had any wear. Don’t know how the life of BT021 is.
Dislikes
- The effort required to turn zx-14 w/PR2 was high (maybe it was the zx-14’s 190/50 rear). My vfr’s with 4 year old BT021 steer's much lighter and is more flicable.
- I didn’t find PR2 as neutral as the BT021.
Conclusion-
Based upon the above criteria what tire would you recommend? I do not want a sport tire as it will not last long.
I like to change tires in pairs.
I haven't read one negative review on the PR2 but surprisingly I like the BT021’s. I do not know how PR2 feel on the vfr.
Not sure if you can get the BT021's any more. I've been running the BT023's and like them.
PP front, PR2 rear is what I run...
How many mile do you get on a set of PP front, PR2 rear
Do they wear evenly. Any issues with mismatched tires...
I have run the PR2 on my VFR and both the PR2 and the BT-023 on my Multistrada. They both get similar mileage but the Bridgestones felt consistent throughout their life and the Michelins got a little greasy feeling at the end of their life. However, it wasn't a huge difference and I would buy whichever set on which I could get the best deal.
It would be benficial to you to dive into the area where you posted this. There is a trove of experience on tires here. As has been stated here over and over again, tires are like oil...it's everyone's opinion. To me, the longevity I get on tires depends on the type of riding I do. If I get stuck in Oklahoma for months on end, I wear out the middle of my rear first. If I get to go over to Arkansas a bunch, the PP front / PR2 rear combo wears the sides out first and pretty equally front and rear. I don't really pay much attention to miles...I just replace them when I think I need new ones.
I did not find any specific comparison Bt023 Vs Pr2. There is the poll which does not have BT023 listed.
I saw comments like 'I run this tire on my bike' without the reasoning as to why/what drove the decision.
I did not find any specific comparison Bt023 Vs Pr2. There is the poll which does not have BT023 listed.
I saw comments like 'I run this tire on my bike' without the reasoning as to why/what drove the decision.
I tried Pilot Powers a couple of times and always thought they were too triangular. To me they felt like the bike would just fall over in a turn if you let it. The Bridgestones always seemed more neutral with a rounded profile. I haven't tried the PR2's though, so I can't give a direct comparison. On the track, the PP's were good, but just didn't care for them on the street. My BT023's are also the GT version. I have bags on the bike 100% of the time, I'm not small, and for a while I was doing a lot of 2-up riding, so the GT's gave longer life for me. They are also a little cheaper than the PR2's.
If the BT-023's are cheaper which I am guessing they are, I would buy them. I have been riding on a set for a few months and am very happy. Based on everything I have read on this forum and since you said you don't ride in the wet, you cannot go wrong with either.