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Michelin pr 4

35 posts Started 18 Feb 2014 Last recovered post 25 Mar 2015 Wayback Machine snapshot 21 Jun 2015
#2 slo1

thanks for that.


#3 crakerjac
I'm surprised they don't recommend the PR4 GT for the VFR1200...

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#4 Duc2V4

I'm surprised they don't recommend the PR4 GT for the VFR1200... Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2


I was thinking the same thing...is the FJR a heavier bike than the VFR1200?
#5 Rush2112

I'm surprised they don't recommend the PR4 GT for the VFR1200... Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2


I was thinking the same thing...is the FJR a heavier bike than the VFR1200?

They do recommend for the VFR1200... right around 0:45.  It's the first bike mentioned right there with the Suzuki Bandit


#6 Duc2V4

I'm surprised they don't recommend the PR4 GT for the VFR1200... Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2


I was thinking the same thing...is the FJR a heavier bike than the VFR1200?

They do recommend for the VFR1200... right around 0:55!  It's right there with the Suzuki Bandit

The reference was for the GT model, they mention the FJR and BMW, the VFR1200 was mentioned but not in reference to the GT version.


#7 Rush2112

I'm surprised they don't recommend the PR4 GT for the VFR1200... Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2


I was thinking the same thing...is the FJR a heavier bike than the VFR1200?

They do recommend for the VFR1200... right around 0:55!  It's right there with the Suzuki Bandit

The reference was for the GT model, they mention the FJR and BMW, the VFR1200 was mentioned but not in reference to the GT version.

Gotcha... my bad.  I guess they are classifying the VFR1200 as a pure Sport Tourer and not a GT (Grand Touring?) class bike


#8 Switchblade

So  for  the price   is  the  only  problem  I see ...


#9 lshark Thread starter

the GT seems to feature a hybrid radial/bias belt construction...i guess they feel that the VFR deserves the full sport model, probably based on the way they feel the bikes will be ridden


if you have seen the promo stuff from Michelin, it seems that the VFR1200 was used as a test bed for developing the PR3 and PR4 standard. it seems that the PR4 GT was designed in part to be an OEM tire for the BMW1200RT


#10 lshark Thread starter

i wish they made it in a knobby

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#11 lshark Thread starter

i guess that the GT would be a good choice for the VFR1200 if you primarily use it 2 up with luggage....the tire selector on the Michelin website doesn't suggest the GT for the VFR but it is available in the sizes


#12 norton850

So  for  the price   is  the  only  problem  I see ...

  I did the math on the pr3 vs. the pilot power and cost the same to run either of the two,the only advantage would be less changes.So if you change your own tires which I do pilot power is still the best option,unless you were doing a long tour.I'm talking rear's only,the front another ball of wax all together.


#13 Volfy

Actually, there are other problem with running sporbike tires on heavier rigs like the VFR1200.

1. Sportbike tires are constructed to yield optimum result with relatively lightweight machines.  Mounted on ST bikes, the tire could potentially flex excessively under load, overheat and wear rapidly.

2. Sportbike tires will likely wear uneven on heavier bikes.  I ran a Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa front and a Metzeler M5 rear when I first got my VFR1200 (got a killer deal on this set of mix match), while they worked well handling wise, the front wore very quickly, as expected, and cupped badly.  The M5 rear faired better, but it too also wore the center flat within a couple of thousand miles.

The GT tire thing is a tricky question.  I just picked up a set of Bridgestone T30 for the VFR1200.  I was interested in the PR4 too, but the intro offer I got on the T30 was just too good a deal to pass up.  Anyhow, the distributor said Bridgestone apparently recommended a GT front and a non-GT rear for the VFR1200.  Based on my experience with the Pirelli/Metzeler, I can see why.


#14 Switchblade

So  for  the price   is  the  only  problem  I see ...

  I did the math on the pr3 vs. the pilot power and cost the same to run either of the two,the only advantage would be less changes.So if you change your own tires which I do pilot power is still the best option,unless you were doing a long tour.I'm talking rear's only,the front another ball of wax all together.

I  change  my  own.  But   i   have  5  sets  on   hand  right  now.  So  next  year  probably  will  be  my  first  set  of PR4's.


#15 PirateRiderBen

Is it really that much better than the PR3? I cant imagine it is any better than what was arguably the best. 


#16 lshark Thread starter

they'll be old news by the time my PR3s wear out !!


#18 crakerjac
Hurry up and put some miles on those and report back... I need to decide between the PR4 and PR3... And now I need to figure out if I need/want the GT version of the PR4 or not.

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#19 Switchblade

I just got a set for the veefalo. Sitting in my laundry room. Garage is too cold yet for installation.

 

Sweet  !!!  Cant  wait   for   some  feedback ....


#20 dadofseven
I replaced my OEM's with a set on Pirelli Angel GTs, put 3500 miles on them in a weeks ride from Reno to Kansas City and back....nothing but spectacular...with a Track Day coming up in April...and thats saying that the OEM's werent that bad on the track back in April...
#21 DangerousDave

I was thinking the same thing...is the FJR a heavier bike than the VFR1200?


About 60 lbs heavier with a full tank of fuel (almost two gallons more than the VFR). The VFR is a virtual lightweight by comparison. The FJR is also very top heavy. 6.6 gallons of fuel up high, electric windshield motor, and the battery is in the upper fairing! Parking lot maneuvers with the wife on the back were always white knuckle moments for me. I don't miss it.
#22 dynajohn

60 pounds sounds about right between my 08 FJR and the 13 VFR Dave. My VFR feels even lighter than the 60 pound difference due to it's lower CG.


#23 lshark Thread starter

my 2000 Valkyrie is only 75 lbs more than the VFR !!!   and very low CG !!  it handles pretty damn good !! tires aren't too sticky tho ...wish it had a 17" rear wheel, the PR4's would be nice on there !!


#24 quikbrew

Had PR3s replaced with PR4s just over a week ago and done about 400 miles of commuting. First impressions of the 4s are that they feel harder than the 3s, but handling and grip are at least as good, i.e. brilliant. 

Going by the performance of the 3s, of which, I've had 4 or 5 sets on the VFR12, I'm expecting great things from the 4s.


#25 crakerjac

Did you go with the PR4 or the PR4GT or a combination of the two?


#26 quikbrew

Standard PR4 on both wheels


#27 Switchblade

my 2000 Valkyrie is only 75 lbs more than the VFR !!!   and very low CG !!  it handles pretty damn good !! tires aren't too sticky tho ...wish it had a 17" rear wheel, the PR4's would be nice on there !!

Valkyrie 660lbs  dry ?


VFR  dry 481lbs .


Dry weight  GoldWing 803 lbs.


#28 lshark Thread starter

not a Gold Wing it's a Valkyrie ...681 lbs dry   VFR1200... 591 lbs wet .....diff is a little over 100 lbs


#29 LoopRider
I am happy to trade faster wear for feel to a point. I have just done 7000 kms on Michelin Pilot Power 3s. The tyre wear indicator is not quite reached so probably 1000 kms legally left. They feel better than the PR3 to me and as good as some earlier Dunlop SportSmarts I had. The SportSmarts were toast at 5000 kms so PP3s probably my pick. A hard pick though as the PR3 got about 20% better wear, however I can get another set of PP3s at $NZ525 fitted rather than PR3 at $NZ585. I cannot find a discounted price yet for the PR4 as probably too new onto the market, however from what is said here, probably no advantage to me as just longer wearing.
#30 Switchblade

not a Gold Wing it's a Valkyrie ...681 lbs dry   VFR1200... 591 lbs wet .....diff is a little over 100 lbs

The big    girl  oh  yeah  too  heavy  for  me  ...


my 2000 Valkyrie is only 75 lbs more than the VFR !!!   and very low CG !!  it handles pretty damn good !! tires aren't too sticky tho ...wish it had a 17" rear wheel, the PR4's would be nice on there !!

Valkyrie 660lbs  dry ?


VFR  dry 481lbs .


Dry weight  GoldWing 803 lbs.

^^^^^


#31 Like This

My PR4s went on yesterday.  Got 8163 miles out of the OEM Dunlops.  Probably could have gone about another 500 miles.

#32 Like This
I got 8121 out of my OE Dunlops but planned to get at least 500 more till I ran over a fair sized something. The PR4 got baptized almost immediately. Better feel dry and much more confidence inspiring in driving rain.
#33 Like This

i got 8119 miles out of my last PR3 rear and 9322 miles on the front PR3

#34 Like This

I now have about 100 miles on the PR4's (and the bike, before the snow returned to Chicago)

Like them - they are a non-issue, I don't think about them, bike does what I want. Still slowly pushing the bike harder in the leans, but nothing at all to indicate I couldn't take these to the peg feelers.  So far so good, nice transition from side to side, holds a line well, doesn't feel soft (e.g., like I should have gotten the GT's...)

Really like them. Feels planted. Haven't ridden in the rain yet, so that test will come as the weather improves and I can commute on the bike again.

 -Dan

#35 Like This

ahhh yes..put about 50 miles on the new PR4 rear ...new front PR4 has 150 miles from before the recent ice age set in.....feels nice....can't say if i feel any difference from the PR3, but she feels good !!!..changed the final drive oil while i had the tire off...i'm ready for spring

End of thread · 35 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 21 Jun 2015