The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) > Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400

Michelin Road 2, 3, 4 and 5's

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Coomers:
Ok I know I know this is a subject that has been beat to death. I just want to see if others have had similar experiences with Michelin Power Road or as they call them now Road 5 or 6 tires.

The stock Bridgestone’s on my 08 Conny went to crap at about 3000 km, the tires looked fine but the handling was faltering i.e. awkward at slow speeds and having to maintain bar pressure at normal speeds to keep the bike from standing up.  I didn’t realize this till I rode a friends Conny fitted with Michelin PR2’s which made the handling neutral.

I immediately switched to the PR2’s and loved them, after a few sets I then switched to the PR 3’s and was disappointed how quickly the handling went to crap even though the tire visibly looked fine. After a number of sets of PR 4’s with the same experiences I went back to the then hard to find PR2’s with much better experiences.

A few years ago I purchased a new to me 2018 Conny that the previous owner had installed a new set of the OEM Bridgestone’s. I assumed I was going to have to replace the Bridgestone’s very soon but was pleasantly surprised, I road 11,000km before requiring replacement and at this point the tires was visibly ready to be changed. It seems that the version of Bridgestone’s that the Conny came with were of a different quality to the ones that could be purchased.

When it can time to replace the Bridgestone’s I debated buying another set of the Bridgestone’s or the then new Michelin Road 5’s for significantly more money. I went with the Michelins and again after 10,000 km although the tire visibly looks fine when one runs their hands over the tire the front is cupped and rear is scalped with significant ridges in the tread and handling has gone to crap.

I’m curious as to others experiences and what milage they are getting from their tires before the handling falters. I could certainly ride many more miles on my current set of Michelins seeing as they still have lots of tread but I won’t enjoy the handling. I can no longer purchase Michelin PR2’s so I'm looking for options that what others have had success with.

Thanks,

maxtog:
You neglected anywhere to mention if you were getting the "proper" tire, which is the GT.  By not specifying "GT", I have to assume you have been using the non-GT?  The PRx is not the same as the PRxGT

My understanding is that cupping and such is mostly caused by more weight than the tires are really designed around.  The GT is designed for sport touring bikes like the C14: PR2GT PR3GT PR4GT Road5GT Road6GT

Michelin knows this.  Look at this search for current recommendations from them, *only* the GT's will appear:

https://www.michelinman.com/motorcycle/browse-tires/by-vehicle/kawasaki/1400-gtr/1400-gtr/2011/1400

Freddy:
 I can no longer purchase Michelin PR2’s

You should be able to - they still make them.

connie14boy:

--- Quote from: Coomers on April 10, 2023, 03:41:02 PM ---Ok I know I know this is a subject that has been beat to death. I just want to see if others have had similar experiences with Michelin Power Road or as they call them now Road 5 or 6 tires.

The stock Bridgestone’s on my 08 Conny went to crap at about 3000 km, the tires looked fine but the handling was faltering i.e. awkward at slow speeds and having to maintain bar pressure at normal speeds to keep the bike from standing up.  I didn’t realize this till I rode a friends Conny fitted with Michelin PR2’s which made the handling neutral.

I immediately switched to the PR2’s and loved them, after a few sets I then switched to the PR 3’s and was disappointed how quickly the handling went to crap even though the tire visibly looked fine. After a number of sets of PR 4’s with the same experiences I went back to the then hard to find PR2’s with much better experiences.

A few years ago I purchased a new to me 2018 Conny that the previous owner had installed a new set of the OEM Bridgestone’s. I assumed I was going to have to replace the Bridgestone’s very soon but was pleasantly surprised, I road 11,000km before requiring replacement and at this point the tires was visibly ready to be changed. It seems that the version of Bridgestone’s that the Conny came with were of a different quality to the ones that could be purchased.

When it can time to replace the Bridgestone’s I debated buying another set of the Bridgestone’s or the then new Michelin Road 5’s for significantly more money. I went with the Michelins and again after 10,000 km although the tire visibly looks fine when one runs their hands over the tire the front is cupped and rear is scalped with significant ridges in the tread and handling has gone to crap.

I’m curious as to others experiences and what milage they are getting from their tires before the handling falters. I could certainly ride many more miles on my current set of Michelins seeing as they still have lots of tread but I won’t enjoy the handling. I can no longer purchase Michelin PR2’s so I'm looking for options that what others have had success with.
Thanks

The PR2's were superior for mileage as i always got at least 12-13K miles every time i bought a pair. The subsequent series of PR3,4,and 5 were never as good, and cost a lot more. I'm on my 3rd set of Angel GT Pirelli's which perform well and last about 10K. Rear tires should always be the 55 series too for best neutral handling.
--- End quote ---

Coomers:
Yes I had forgot to mention that I have been running the GT versions of the Michelins and I'm also a stickler for air pressure.

The last time I bought PR2's I was no longer able to buy the rear 190 and had to go with a 180 so I figured they were no longer produced.

I'm just curious if others had similar experiences and had better luck with Pirelli Angels or other.

Thanks,

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