Time for new skins - PR2's ?

[Jed]

My 2010 R12R came shod with Metzeler Z6's. First pair wore past endurable by 8K miles. The front was badly scalloped and the rear was pretty well squared off. The 2nd pair was run consistently at higher pressures and are still looking pretty good @ 8K miles but are starting to thin out relative to tread in front and the rear is starting to square off. I figure that I've got a couple of K left in the pair, so It's time to start shopping for new tires.

Both sets of Z6's had / still have 1/4" chicken strips so I'm not pushing tires or the bike to the max. I'm not a slow rider by any means but I can't seem to scrub off those chicken strips and still maintain a comfortable margin of error in NH's blind corner flavored twisties. The Z6's have been good, I've had no problems once I sorted out the inflation pressures and they've lasted well this time around. I'm considering Michelin Pilot Road 2's this time and was looking for feedback from people that are running them or have run them on their R12R's.

What kind of total miles have you guys gotten out of your PR2's?

Has anyone owned both and able to comment of the difference in profile between the Z6's and the PR2's?

Thanks in advance,

Jed

[seangd]

I put a new set of PR2's on about a month ago and I've put about 500 miles on them so far. Love 'em.

[deilenberger]

I averaged 12k per set of PR2's - and the rear wasn't really worn out, just squared off enough that I swapped it out. The front wears out first.

I'd suggest considering PR3's - they are an improvement over the PR2 for noise, and perhaps rain capabilities (although the PR2's were outstanding rain tires..)

[xfjr]

I ran Metzler Z6s, Z6 Interacts and Mich PR2s on another bike. Not a direct comparison but all were on the same bike. I didn't like the turn in feel of the Z6s and I thought the hardness gave much less feedback than other tires, but they got very good mileage. I then tried Z6 Interacts and they were very different with much better feel and feedback, but they wore a bit quicker. The Michelin PR2s were the best of the three with excellent feel and grip, but a little shorter life. Note: I don't know whether it's the way I ride or the abrasive roads but I have never gotten over 7500 miles on a set of tires.

By the way, my experience is that while you may scuff the PR2s and PR3s to the edge, the Z6 and Z6 Interacts have a different enough profile that I had a definite "chicken strip", so I don't think it's just you.

Re results on the R1200R, I have gone through one set of PR2s and am now on PR3s with 5400 miles on them. I personally don't think you can beat the grip of either one of them, though the PR3s are supposed to be better in the wet. Whether the PR3s will outlast the PR2s enough to justify the additional cost I don't know yet. But they still look pretty good and I'm pretty sure they will exceed the 6600 I got on the PR2s.

Good luck with whatever you choose, hope this is of some help.

Ed

[ka5ysy]

I agree with Don's suggestion. The PR3's are a better tire all round. I have had a couple of good runs in heavy rain and the work very, very well. They are very neutral at this point, and are very sticky on dry stuff.

I ran a of PR2's and got about 12000 miles out of them, and these should do better.

[angellr]

I agree with Don's suggestion. The PR3's are a better tire all round. I have had a couple of good runs in heavy rain and the work very, very well. They are very neutral at this point, and are very sticky on dry stuff.

I ran a of PR2's and got about 12000 miles out of them, and these should do better.

+2

[xbpod]

As I now have my first BMW, and reading the posts, do you more experienced guys find them very easy on tyre wear. On previous bikes (Buell, Kawasaki Z1000, Honda VTR1000......) I have only managed 3000 - 5000 miles from tyres. Could it be the power delivery of the Boxer or are the American roads less abrasive than in the UK and Europe?

Pete.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Well. Counter to everyone else here, I just ordered Avon Storm 2 to replace the Conti Road Attacks that came on it (used from Max). I have always liked Avon best from a performance view point. But the last set on my F800 were Storm and the back wore out quickly. Hopefully, this is fixed in the '2' version.

Pete. TIre life is very specific to the rider and the type of roads you go on. But I have found that the beemers should give 12k plus on the fronts and around 8k on the rears. This also varies with brands. I'd venture to say that these new PR3s will be at the upper end of the spectrum. This new dual tread compound is a real step up for long rear tire wear.

[ka5ysy]

As I now have my first BMW, and reading the posts, do you more experienced guys find them very easy on tyre wear. On previous bikes (Buell, Kawasaki Z1000, Honda VTR1000......) I have only managed 3000 - 5000 miles from tyres. Could it be the power delivery of the Boxer or are the American roads less abrasive than in the UK and Europe?

Pete.

Hi Pete !


The tire life has a lot to do with how well behaved your right hand and wrist are and what kind of tires you are running. The OEM Road Attacks never lasted more than 3-4,000 miles depending on how aggressive I was riding. They had very good traction at the cost of longevity because they were soft all over. The switch to the PR2's solved the range problem, but they had a habit of developing a ridge that got quite noisy in corners - they had a loud moaning or roaring sound in corners at any kind of speed that was "interesting". The new PR3's allegedly will not have that problem. We shall see !