Who is running pilot road 3's?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by mofo, Jun 7, 2014.

  1. mofo

    mofo New Member

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    I feel the front tire can be steered with little effort when the bike is upright and at slow speeds. It offers no resistance to steering, makes me feel there is not enough of contact patch, or as if it was rolling on butter. In another words, the front end feels extremely light.
    Also, while reaching a certain lean angle, the bike tends to stay at that angle -sort of locking itself in that position- and it takes more effort to counter-steering. Makes me feel it takes little effort to drop it, and I've been very careful since I installed them last Tuesday.
    Not sure if it's due to the thread pattern, to the fact that I'm used to the pilot road 2's, or the fact that they are new and need to be broken in?
    Any advice on what to check or what to do? What is your experience with these tires? Thanks.
    Jerry
     
  2. mlap5150

    mlap5150 New Member

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    I'd hold off judgment until they're broken in a bit. I don't have the PR3s myself but I know in general that tires are a bit slippery when new, I think due to mold release agent or some other chemical on the surface. Ride easy for a few days then see how they feel.
     
  3. Outboard John

    Outboard John New Member

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    I've had my PR3's on for about 3000 mi. and like them quite a bit but don't have much to compare them to as I purchased my 07 with about 6500 mi on it (stock tires) and ran those to 10,000 mi and then did suspension with JD and put the Michelin's on at the same time so big improvement in more ways than one. I told Jamie that I had a new set of PR3's waiting and he relayed that he preferred Dunlaps as they warmed quicker on the street and gave better feed back (hope I am remembering this right), I think the Michelin carcass is firmer which is probably why they feel more nimble but take more to get them warm. My friend runs them on a Beemer RT an consistently gets over 10,000 mi out of them and that's with as little slab time as possible. Hopefully they will grow on you.
    John
     
  4. APSengineer

    APSengineer New Member

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    I've had a pair for 3K miles. They seem fine to me apart from feeling very vague and not inspiring confidence nearing the limits of stock suspension ground clearance. The left 'hero blob' has touched down a few times but I'm not all comfortable with it.
    When I got the bike (03) it had worn out BT-23's - had no such issues until they were toast.
    I'm gonna try something else when PR3's have had it.
     
  5. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    I have used them for years
    You just need to put more speed while turning :thumb:
    Have you check the air pressure and your folk damping?
    Is the rotation on the tire is correct?
     
  6. fatshoutybloke

    fatshoutybloke New Member

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    I've run several pairs on my previous 5th gen and my current 6th gen. They are the best I've ever used, especially in the wet, and last longer as well. Tried the new Avon 3D-XM (not sure you can get those over there) but now have a PR4 on the front and will be fitting the matching rear when the current is done.
     
  7. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

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    You need at least 500 miles till the tire breaks in-even my M5 metzlers took a good 300 miles till they felt right, the heat cycles Have something to do with it too. Perhaps the tire is too hard-they are suppose to be long wearing tires-sport touring, not sport bike tire too. The M5 are very nice, but I don't expect 10,000 out of them either-maybe 4,000 miles.
     
  8. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Give um time and miles...had a pair of pr3 and absolutley loved them..always been a metzler man on my ducati....have pr4 now and goin to the snake to break em in Tuesday

    Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2
     
  9. Robclo

    Robclo New Member

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    I felt they turned in quick at first as well when I came off the stock Dunlop's. I also agree with what Jamie told John, I feel the tire does't give much so there isn't much feel, it's like there is a thin soft layer on the outside and the inside is really firm. If I was to give them a second chance I run them with less pressure like several of the people here have talked about, something like 33 f & 38 r.
    I do prefer the extra give with a tire in the corners, it feels like it will hold/grip the road, especially over the imperfections instead of skip/chatter.
    IMHO the PR3's are like playing golf with a Pinnacle, hard and durable. Where as the stock Dunlop's, M5's, Avon 3D's and Angels GT that I've tried feel more like playing with a PROV-1, soft and playable. The PROV's might end up costing more but I'm gonna enjoy my game more.
    Hope this makes sense to all you golfers.
     
  10. Gweglez

    Gweglez New Member

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    Had mine on for 4/5k now. They felt brilliant straight away. Almost had all the chicken strips off in the rain in about 1000 miles. The sticking to an angle might be the transition between the two compounds and I could feel it at first but you get used to it. Honestly they're brilliant tyres rain or shine
     
  11. mofo

    mofo New Member

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    I like the tire's feel and feedback, no doubt about it. Will do what robclo suggested and run them with 33f and 38r and see what happens. On the other hand, I'm getting used to them and getting more confident.
    Thanks.
     
  12. TNRabbit

    TNRabbit New Member

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    Also, check your steering stem bearings for wear/notchiness.
     
  13. Voided76

    Voided76 New Member

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    I know but...

    I realize I'm going to catch flak, but Shinko released a dual compound tire badged 016, Verge 2X. and so far, I only had a day on it, but I quickly knocked the new off of the launch patch, then scrubbed in the walls all the way to the edge of the tire. So far it sticks like glue WITHOUT the 200-300 mile touch and go squirrelly break in period that the raven, and the old verge had. it feels more like the apex, with a lot more effective tread, and water channels. We'll see if it provides mileage, but 220-30 a set online, .... could be worth it.

    Some circles don't care for Shinkos, but I've had great luck and experiences with them.

    [​IMG]
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  14. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    I always have feelings of trepidation with new tires, probably because new tires were as close as I'd ever come to laying the VFR down. (But saved it).

    One day shortly after having my 2nd set of PR2s (with about 80 miles on them and still not being inspiring), I came across a dirt/gravel type of road. Carefully navigated that, and once I got back on the asphalt, it was like these tires had been on the bike for 2000 miles. Yea, I know it sounds crazy, but it seemed to me that after heating the tires up for those first few miles then hittin the dirt road (not THAT dirt road!), the "dust" worked some sort of hocus pocus, and away I went. True story.
     
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