Latest review from UK Motorcycle News for Sport-touring tyres

[TerryS]

This test compared the Bridgestone T31, Michelin Road 5, Dunlop RoadSport III, Pirelli Angel II, Conti Road Attack III and Metzeler Roadtec O1SE.

 

[etalors]

What is the "confidence" test. Mettzler and Dunlops rank essentially the same. I have had great luck with Dunlop road smart II. Will stick with them next time around.

 

[jspringator]

I had the R5 GT on the ST when I had it. They didn't test the GT. I wish I could get them for the Wing.

 

[dduelin]

I'm really happy with Road 5s on my RT. Sport touring tires are really good these days, lots of good choices.

Is this a copyright violation to pinch the article?

 

[CYYJ]

Thanks Terry, very kind of you to post this.

Michael

 

[Bush]

Been with Metzeler Z series and Roadtec for 20 years and about 170,000 km. Looks like the trend will continue for me, if they make 'em in the proper sizes. ??

 

[caldercay]

Here's the web version

The best sports-touring tyres for your motorcycle

 

[OkieRider]

Bridgestones get a bad rap because they're at their best when you need them most and they give less consideration to other conditions. One of the fastest hawk racers ever used bridgestones. I'm not saying they're the best, I wouldn't know. I haven't ridden on everything. What I am saying is their concept is not well understood.

This little gem is almost a passing comment like it didn't matter: "They feel secure when the bike’s leant over in a turn, particularly in faster corners."

I'm using them now and they're reminiscent of the feel of the Bridgestone slicks I raced in. Not the same performance, but similar profile and other characteristics. I like them so far.

 

[Daboo]

I think Fords are way better than Chevys.

When you factor in the cost...IMHO, the entire test becomes meaningless. The Metzeler Roadtec 01 is competitive with the other tires. The "SE" version is grossly overpriced compared to every other tire there.

I did a cost comparison for my bike on August 8th and this is what the total price came out to without rebates:

• Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE = $440
• Michelin Road 5 = $384
• Pirelli Angel GT II = $368
• Continental RoadAttack III = $327
• Metzeler Roadtec 01 = $332.

Is the "SE" version that much better to command a $100 price increase from the old version?

Chris

 

[TerryS]

I agree Chris, the actual price makes a huge difference to the discussion. The last time I priced up Road 5's in April I was convinced they must be using gold instead of steel for the belts, NZD$688 for a pair, vs $548 for the Bridgestones. In USD that would $467 vs $372. Previously the Road 4's and the Bridgestones were pretty much the same cost.

 

[caldercay]

Is the "SE" version that much better

The SE offers more rubber at extreme lean angles (it has a higher "land/sea" ratio : )

 

[kiltman]

They feel secure when the bike’s leant over in a turn, particularly in faster corners."

I've only run a few types of tires on my STs. I had Bridgestone 023's on my 1990 and a set of Avons I liked the Bridgestones better. On my 2002 I just had the Bridgestone Exedras and changed it out to a Battleaxe T31 big difference and as per quote very secure for my riding skill. My budget likes them too.

 

[drrod]

It would be good to see test results on the tires when they are half wore out. I would bet that some evaluations would change. eg. in my hands, PR4's worked great when new but as they wore, the handling deteriorated significantly because of how the tire wore. The shape went from rounded to trapezoidal (especially the front).

One of the few upsides of Covid is being able to wear out a bunch of tires that had to be changed out for longer rides because not enough tread remaining. Keeping closer to home nowadays. I am currently working on a Roadtec 01 rear and T31 front. both have about 40% tread left and feel fine to me but I am sure a professional rider would find some faults.

 

[Daboo]

I saw a press release today that Dunlop is doing the same thing as Metzeler did. The new Roadsmart IV is coming out...and price more than $100 higher than a set of the old IIIs.

If you thought motorcycle tires were expensive before...well, the bar has been raised.

Chris

 

[Cincykz]

I just had a set of T31 Evo GT shipped to my door for $275 including $20 in NY tax from Chaparral. I've been wanting a pair and it seemed like a good deal. They still have a handful left in ST13 sizes.

I'm currently on a BT023 front and T30 rear. The front is about unserviceable for fast cornering, it's so chopped towards the edges that the bike really pogo's at peg scraping speeds.

I have high hopes for the T31s

My father has Roadtec 01s (non SE) on his Versys 1000 and is pleased with them, but very few miles so far.

 

[Larry Fine]

I have high hopes for the T31s

I predict you'll be quite happy with them. I have stock-sized, non-GT T31s on my 1100, and have had zero complaints.

 

[OkieRider]

I rode T31 GTs hard at ArkanSToc. They did fine without cold tearing at 38f/42r. If I had it to do again, I would probably try 36/36 but they worked so well I didn't bother.

 

[jfheath]

Thank you for posting this @TerryS and @caldercay.

I was hoping that they might have done a 'proper' long term evaluation over the life of the tyre for the benefit of the riders who ride at either end if the sports touring range, as the opening paragraphs seemed to suggest. But for the tourers amongst us, there seems to be precious little to glean from this report from MCN.

It's nice that they have done the comparison on a very popular tourer, but then they seem to put no pillion on it, no touring load, and don't bother to say whether they have fitted touring spec tyres. They then do the test with the lightweight rider who is a racer. So they are not able to comment on how long tyres last, how well they work when fully loaded, how the wear and wear rate develops over the life of the tyre, or even how they handle in the wet (it was a dry day 12-14 deg).

But there is a good comparison of the feeling of sportiness that each of the tyres provides for 22 miles. So that is useful.

I hoped the reviews that are linked in the web based version would provide more information - but they seem to merely quote manufacturers' claims, or in one case went to Morocco and then brushed aside the fact that they were unable to test the tyres in the wet.

Still, this stuff is always worth a read. It is handy to be able to compare the experience that I have with many thousands if miles of riding a few different tyres with the results that they report. The things that match my knowledge for the tyre that I know will probably be a useful comparison point for the tyres that I don't know. In the same way, when reading reports when researching for my next new bike, I always read the report for bikes that I have owned from the same reviewer - so that I have a good point of reference.

 

[Cincykz]

Just to update, over 1000 miles on the T31s, very pleased. Not enough mileage to judge wear, but nice ride and handling. I tend to run right to the edge of my tires, at least the back tires, and I really like the way the T31s feel when you're hanging off and throttling through. I haven't had occasion to break traction on the road, but they will pick the front tire in the rain, even at 40psi.

I see there are t32s now, but if I can grab another pair of cheap 31s (non gt) for my 919, I will.

 

[jfheath]

My T31 GTs have been excellent. I was hoping for a bit more than my usual 5,000 miles from a pair - and they delivered. I had to remove them in early June having reached just over 5000 and with an estimated 800 - 1000 miles of wear left - judging by the wear rate over the previous 2000 miles. But I had a 800-1000 mile tour planned and often the last 1mm of tread wears much faster. I daren't risk it.

But they felt really good throughout their life.

I put on some T32GTs. So far they feel just as good.