Pilot Roads - Tire Noise?

[Pred8tor]

I've read that the PRs produce more tire noise than the original tires. Can those of you who own PRs describe the characteristics of this noise? What speeds, road surface, etc.

I just got PRs on mine, and I want to be sure it's actually the tire noise I'm hearing, not something more serious.

Thanks!

[MMOB]

I hear the front at all speeds on any paved surface; it makes the bike sound like a jeep with 3 ft diameter tires. It is so loud I can't hear the bugs hit the windscreen any more.

The front is also especially loud, with a kind of howl while leaning.

[Bones]

PRs "hum" in my view. The Jeep analogy may be exaggerated, but that's the general idea.

[billxp]

Sounds almost like a bad bearing. But its not. Tires are worth the trade off.

[Medicine Bear]

Sounds almost like a bad bearing. But its not. Tires are worth the trade off.
I'm glad to hear that. My PR's are going on the bike tomorrow.

Fred :03biker:

[Byron]

I'm surprised that any tire makes noise now-a-days. If I recall correctly, the reason the tires hum is because the tread pattern is evenly spaced. It only take a slight variance in the pattern to defeat the noise.

[gene]

My Z-6 front also howls at all lean angles. These tires don't have a center tread band like the Bt-020 or dunlops must have some thing to do with the tread pattern

[pmorritt]

Put on PR's last week. Yes, noticed, immediately, a slight howl--well, not a howl, just low--tire noise. Not annoying and above 40 , not noticeable. But, the better, more predictable and precise handling is acceptable trade off from the stones.

[BluesCityST1300a]

My front Dunlop howls bad but it also has 8200 miles on it.

[Bones]

If I can quote myself on PRs...

Noise

Every tire makes its own sound as the contact patch continually interfaces with the road's surface. Different tread patterns and compounds (and different road surfaces) result in different sounds. After several thousand miles of one tire's distinctive sound, a new set of tires hits my ears differently, calling attention to itself.

And the Pilot Roads did call attention to themselves. They are louder than the other tires I've had on my ST. Front and rear, the tread designs have no continually slick rolling circumference; there is always "slick-groove-slick-groove" contact happening with the road. I expect what helps performance in the rain adds to road noise.

I don't bother with earplugs on a slower paced ride, such as a summer evening cruise, and then I hear the tires. But since I look over the windshield, the sound of air rushing over my helmet supplants the hum once I hit about 50 mph. With earplugs in (typical for me) it's not an issue.

[John Burton]

Interesting that you should ask this -- I was about to post a similar question.

I put a Pilot on the front wheel of a Triumph Trophy that I just got rid of, and the thing screamed to the point that I considered taking it back. I needed a new tire at my annual service early in the spring (had been running BA020s) and the shop supervisor said that they had been getting nice comments on the Michelins, so I tried it.

I only put 1500 miles or so on the tire before getting ride of it, so can't comment on the mileage, and the handling of the Trophy is so different than the ST that it's hard to compare that as well (although it seemed fine), but as the cycle moved up past 45MPH or so, the noise would kick in and you'd better have put in your earplugs.

The ST1300 that I just bought has a Pilot on the rear. Again, only about 1500 miles so far, so can't speculate on mileage, but it doesn't seem to make the noise that the front did. The previous owner said that they had offered him 2 choices on the Pilot, one with "short" tread pattern and one with "long." He said he chose the long, but I can't make heads or tails of what he was talking about.

My ST1300 appears to have the factory-original BA020, now past 10Kmiles, and it's looking a little thin.

So my question is: Should I go with the Pilot on the front (to get a Pilot pair on the bike) and live with the noise, or stay with the BA020 (and figure to go back to that tire on the rear in a few months)? Or is there some other choice?

JB
Phoenix
STOC #6219

[MMOB]

This seems to be a minority view, but I like AV45/46's better than Pilot Roads on the 1300. The AV;s are definitely stickier on slick roads and tar snakes, they are easier to lean, they wear just as well, are cheaper and, are much quieter.

[Pred8tor]

I can hear mine on most surfaces above 40mph, and at just over 50mph the howl is very loud, seemingly coming from the front only. I don't normally wear earplugs and the noise hurts my ears. The initial fear was that something was wrong with the front bearings, but it's not consistent on all road surfaces. It is consistent with lean angle, though.

As loud as it sounds to me, I can't help but wonder if others around me hear this loud nose, too?

I like the way they feel - but I may seriously consider another brand next time around.

The factory 'Stones would make a little noise in turns, but not while straight. It was noticeable, but not annoying.

[John Burton]

Sorry to be dumb, but I'm new to this forum and this scoot.

Looks like what I have on the rear is a Pilot Power. I'd like to match the front when I replace, but I don't see any suppliers with a Power in 120/70 ZR 18 -- seems to be only available in 17" -- anyone know any different? Have a pointer to a supplier?

If it's not available in 18", is the Pilot Road an OK paring?

Thanks in advance,

JB
Phoenix

[wjbertrand]

Add me to the list of noisy Pilot owners. I was just about to add to my thread on first impressions on this noise question when I saw this thread. Seems like my noise, with ear plugs in, is more noticeable at lower speeds where there isn't as much wind noise. I guess if it's normal for these tires I won't worry about it. Does it get better with mileage?

[Bones]

Does it get better with mileage?

In my experience all tires get louder with mileage. Because you wear different sections of the tread differently depending on how you ride and the material and condition of roads where you ride, the sounds that occur as the tire wears will vary.

When you change from one tire brand to another, your ears have to get used to a new sound from the tires. I noticed that when I put the Z6s on my bike, and again with the PRs.

If you would find yourself constantly annoyed by tire hum, there are alternatives to PRs, but I prefer the all around performance of PRs so some hum isn't much of a concern.

I don't know, maybe PRs hum because they don't know the words.

[Pred8tor]

If you would find yourself constantly annoyed by tire hum, there are alternatives to PRs, but I prefer the all around performance of PRs so some hum isn't much of a concern.

If mine just "hummed" it wouldn't be so annoying - but they tend to howl between 50-55, on certain pavement types. I hope the noise is just tires - and not bearings!

[crazykz]

The noise does vary between surfaces but I have gotten use to it. I've also had other tires start to howl in turns after a number of miles but because of the PR's horizontal tread pattern they tend to make more noise than others. All in all though I will take the performance over the noise any day.

I don't think you have anything to worry about except having a great set of tires.

Curt

[dduelin]

At 5,000 miles on them my PR's do seem louder on smooth pavement than when new. The noise is just there and I don't find it objectionable however. I often ride with one or two others and they haven't noticed the PR's noise at all from their vantage point. I really like the PR's and will probably go with them again when its time.

[GRN]

Looks like what I have on the rear is a Pilot Power. I'd like to match the front when I replace, but I don't see any suppliers with a Power in 120/70 ZR 18 -- seems to be only available in 17" -- anyone know any different? Have a pointer to a supplier?
If it's not available in 18", is the Pilot Road an OK paring?
Thanks in advance,

JB
Phoenix

JB,

I'm not sure the Power is made for a bike this heavy... seems like I only hear of these on 650-1000cc bikes, and most of what I've heard from those on the larger bikes is not favorable. You may be well advised to replace both with roads.

[John Burton]

Thanks for the advice, GRN.

The Pilot Power came with the bike when I bought it last month. Mileage from the previous owner would indicate that it has less than 2K miles on it now. So unless someone can suggest a motorcycle market for used tires, I think I'm stuck with it for awhile.

On the good side, I went ahead and ordered the Pilot Road for the front, and I should have it on the scoot by the weekend.

Guess we'll see. I'm not a real aggressive rider, so shouldn't be any major issues. I hope.

JB
Phoenix

[sandman]

Oh Yeah! They sing pretty all the time.

Gordon