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Pilot Road 4

J

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gone for now
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Aug 23, 2006
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Word has it that the PR4 will be released for January 1.

There will be 3 versions: standard, GT (heavy bikes), Trail (ADV).

It's supposed to last 20% longer than the PR3 with better wet weather performance.


Anyone see any real tests yet? I'll need a set of tires pretty soon and might go for the PR4s.
 
If I can get my rear to last until then, I might consider it too this time.

They sure came out with the replacement for the PR3 fast. On the forums it seemed like the ST tire with the most rabid fans, but there were those who didn't like it as well. True for any ST tire I expect.

If this one is better than the 3 I expect it's a good tire indeed.

As far as real tests, I didn't think there were tires available for independent testing yet.
 
HappyHighwayman said:
Will they have a 21" front?
Click to expand...

Not at launch, at least. The "Trail" version has sizing for the last gen GS and the new gen GS, which both share tire sizes with a number of other big trailie bikes.

from here:

Michelin Pilot Road 4

120/60 ZR 17
120/70 ZR 17

150/70 ZR 17
160/60 ZR 17
180/55 ZR 17
190/50 ZR 17
190/55 ZR 17

Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT

120/70 ZR 17
120/70 ZR 18

170/60 ZR 17
180/55 ZR 17
190/50 ZR 17
190/55 ZR 17

Michelin Pilot Road 4 Trail

110/80 R 19
120/70 R 19

150/70 R 17
170/60 R 17
Click to expand...
 
davidji said:
If I can get my rear to last until then, I might consider it too this time.

They sure came out with the replacement for the PR3 fast. On the forums it seemed like the ST tire with the most rabid fans, but there were those who didn't like it as well. True for any ST tire I expect.

If this one is better than the 3 I expect it's a good tire indeed.

As far as real tests, I didn't think there were tires available for independent testing yet.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's replacement for the 3 as much as it is for the pr2 which is junk now days.


For reference
 

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Very interested in these—absolutely love my PR3s. If they last longer, stick as well, and are better in the wet.... Jesus, I won't know what to do. :teeth

Michelin press release attached for reference. Here's the Revzilla page for the PR4. Some interesting points:

-"Michelin Pilot Road 4 tires stop shorter in the wet vs. the leading competitive sport touring tires and Michelin Pilot Road 3"
-"...excellent grip from 23°F to 113°F"

My current set of PR3s should be about shot by the time these come out. I'd love it if they'd do a 18/21 set for my Dakar, but I'm not holding my breath.

By the way, these will be the OEM tire on the new RT—as if in answer to the recent thread about how Michelin tires are never OEM fitment.
 

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Karbon said:
Thats a crazy lookin tire. Reminds me of circuit board busses.
Click to expand...

I was wondering what the front would look like, given how crazy looking the front PR3 is. I think the PR4 is maybe actually a bit less wacky looking—photo here.
 
Sign me up, I'm pissed at the wear pattern of the Pirelli Angel GTs. :mad Only 1,500 miles or so.

The front tire is squared-off an inch wide, with two angled flats on both sides, then goes to the round sidewalls. Rear has a 3" wide flat spot. NOT good on rough pavement, the front 'hunts' for the lowest point and jumps around. NOT good when lanesplitting. NOT a happy camper.

If the new PR4s are coming in Jan, I'll wait to swap the Angel GT's out, but I'll be one of the first testers. :teeth
 
Cincinnatus said:
Sign me up, I'm pissed at the wear pattern of the Pirelli Angel GTs. :mad Only 1,500 miles or so.

The front tire is squared-off an inch wide, with two angled flats on both sides, then goes to the round sidewalls. Rear has a 3" wide flat spot. NOT good on rough pavement, the front 'hunts' for the lowest point and jumps around. NOT good when lanesplitting. NOT a happy camper.

If the new PR4s are coming in Jan, I'll wait to swap the Angel GT's out, but I'll be one of the first testers. :teeth
Click to expand...

That's interesting to hear, I'm really enjoying my Angel GTs and don't have any of the same issues.

Regardless, I wanted to try some PR3s on my bike next for a back to back comparison. But with these PR4s coming out, I might try them instead.
 
The 4 will replace the 3. The 3 is already starting to show up on back order lists.

In other tire news, Tucker Rocky will have Metzeler tires after the first of the year.
This is good because having just Parts Unlimited all these years as a distributor has had supplies sometimes short. Now, most shops will have 2 sources for Metz.
It also means they will compete a bit price wise. Don't expect huge fights, prices may be a few dollars less.
 
The new front tire pattern appears to have incorporated some cross breeding with the Metzeler M5.


51HAjiF4UbL._SY300_.jpg
n_road4.jpg
 
Sign me up for some PR4, the RC8 is ready for some new shoes - will definitely be holding off for these to come out.

I've been through 3 sets of PR3s on previous bikes.
 
Cincinnatus said:
Sign me up, I'm pissed at the wear pattern of the Pirelli Angel GTs. :mad Only 1,500 miles or so.

The front tire is squared-off an inch wide, with two angled flats on both sides, then goes to the round sidewalls. Rear has a 3" wide flat spot. NOT good on rough pavement, the front 'hunts' for the lowest point and jumps around. NOT good when lanesplitting. NOT a happy camper.
Click to expand...

Over 3200 miles on mine, 90% slabbing to and from work, and they're still damn near new. :teeth The rear is *just* starting to square off, but nothing that concerns me.

RightCoastBias said:
That's interesting to hear, I'm really enjoying my Angel GTs and don't have any of the same issues.
Click to expand...

+1

Curious to try the PR4's after the Angels GT's though. :ride
 
wasn't there discussion about the PR3 being a bit too perfect?
lots of grip + long life =
1. a low replacement rate
2. canibalizing sales from tires that are positioned to be sportier and would be replaced more often
3. less overall sales?

no facts, just speculation from mis-remembering scattered info from the web. i still think the PR3 is a great tire!
 
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