Michelin Pilot Road 3 wet performance review

[dduelin]

Bike magazine has the Wet Weather Tire Test in the April issue. I like Bike's tire tests. They try to be as objective as possible with a professional rider, controlled environment, blind review, etc. This test was on a wet track and was probably a sport touring tire review except it rained the day of the test. The PR2 and 3 were in the tires reviewed along with the BT023, RoadSmart, and Storm Ultra II. All are tires found in sizes to fit the ST. The test mule was a Suzuki 1250. The PR3 turned in results "comparable to a racing wet tire". The reviewer was amazed at the performance turned in by the PR3, placing it miles ahead of the other tires which none of which where less than good choices. What is missing of course is how the tire will perform and last in everyday riding. The sipes in the tread that seem to boost the wet grip to near racing tire levels might cause the tire to run hotter than the PR2 and reduce tire life or encourage unusual wear. Michelin claims the 3 outlasts the 2 in mileage however. If so the 3 may take the tire choice for the ST to the next level. Hopefully Michelin is shipping stock to the US and we can get real world reviews here soon.

 

[Avtrician]

Wouldn't mind getting them here in Oz as well.

 

[stoc445]

I've been wavering on getting the 2's or holding off till the 3's are available. With this nugget of 411, I've decided to hold off for the 3s. Thanks for posting this up, just made my decision for me!

 

[RaYzerman]

Personally, I've had concerns about this tread pattern since they announced it. There would seem to be no doubt the extra sipes will help wet performance, that is common sense. However, there may be more "squirming" of the increased number of blocks. An FJR rider with 1500 miles is seeing cupping, and it will be interesting to see more reviews.

 

[okckeith]

I just got a rear mounted @ 48,500 mi., anxious to see how they last. Previous tire was a 180 size PR2, on the ride home this one seemed to turn in quicker.

What size did you put on this time?

 

[okcst1300]

i have a PR3 on the rear with 5-6 hundred miles so far & feel very happy with them , Haven't been able to try them in wet weather yet still waiting on the front which i have been told will be june before it's avaible???

 

[2thdr]

Am I understanding you correctly that they said it was comparable to a racing rain tire? I find that very hard to believe...

 

[Netdummy]

Sound good, wish someone ( other than Avon ) made a tyre to fit the ST1100. Or is it a case of us Aussies missing out as usual? There are still a lot of us riding these machines!!

 

[dduelin]

Am I understanding you correctly that they said it was comparable to a racing rain tire? I find that very hard to believe...

http://issuu.com/tony33/docs/apr11sampler?mode=embed&layout=http://skin.issuu.com/v/light/layout.xml&showFlip

 

[2thdr]

Looks like they were comparing it to a track tire, not a rain racing tire...that makes sense. Track (race) tires are made to perform well when hot and dry, not wet. I just misunderstood you.

 

[dduelin]

Looks like they were comparing it to a track tire, not a rain racing tire...that makes sense. Track (race) tires are made to perform well when hot and dry, not wet. I just misunderstood you.

No, the PR3 gave results similiar to a racing rain tire - a race track wet, or rain, tire. The link to Bike did not show the article in the front of the magazine referred to on the cover. "The Tyre That Will Transform Your Riding". In that article the professional tire tester with 20+ years racing experience raved over the tire's wet feel and grip while spokesmen from rival companies cast doubt a siped tire will last as long as a traditionally treaded one like the PR2. Spectacular wet traction usually means the tire will wear rapidly on hot dry pavement. However, Michelin claims the Pilot Road 3 outlasts the 2. I guess we shall see as more riders get on them. The control tire was a dry track tire to compare to sport touring tires against.

 

[dduelin]

I noticed that the PR3 is on the Michelin web site next to the PR2 but when checking fitment for the ST1300 only the PR2 comes up. I hope there are no issues other than newness here and that the tire won't make the fitment chart ala BT-023s and Storms.

 

[longdog_cymru]

Am I understanding you correctly that they said it was comparable to a racing rain tire? I find that very hard to believe...

I'm with you on this one, a wet race tyre is simply awesome, knee-down on a wet track, it makes me wonder why Lorenzo, Spies, Rossi, et all are not demanding to be allowed to race on the PR3 ................

By the way, I'm a really big fan of the PR2 and I'm sure that the PR3 is a damn good tyre, I'm just saying that the media, (Bike magazine included), tend to get over excited and get a little liberal when it comes to the truth sometimes...............!

 

[dduelin]

I think the article's point may have been that the PR3 is a leap forward in sport touring tires when it comes to wet traction. Don't read too much into it beyond that.

 

[2thdr]

Well, we beat that one to death anyway! After my 023's wear out, I'm sure I'll try some of the PR3's. I love the PP2CT's on my VFR and I use the PP's on my track bike.

 

[RonCharles]

can you guy's comment on going from a factory rear tire size(160/70-17m/c 73v) to a Michelin (160/60zr17 69w)...how will it effect the ride and performance? Also seeing the st1100 originally came with a non radial, will going with a radial tire on this bike improve the ride...that's what I'm thinking.

 

[970mike]

can you guy's comment on going from a factory rear tire size(160/70-17m/c 73v) to a Michelin (160/60zr17 69w)...how will it effect the ride and performance? Also seeing the st1100 originally came with a non radial, will going with a radial tire on this bike improve the ride...that's what I'm thinking.

Here is a bunch of information on ST1100 tire search https://www.st-owners.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4543417

Also contact Uncle Phil here as he has run just about every tire made for the 1100.

 

[RonCharles]

from what I have read and heard from others the Michelin Pilot 3 or 4's are what I am interested...my main concern is how much is the ride effected by using a difference size rear tire> Factory specs rear = 160/70-17 73v vs Michelin size of 160/60zr17 69w. I'm told the Pilot tire is approx 1/2" lower then the factory size and the weight carry load is lighter...any comments on this? Apparently enough people are using them maybe I'm over concerned

 

[Slydynbye]

While riding you wont notice the difference. I have had people ask if my rear tire was under inflated because it sits lower.
When Parking you will need to make sure to park with any down slope to the left, this is because the shorter Tire will make the bike standup and more to the right side.
Getting the bike up on the Center stand is harder, that 1/2 inch makes a difference. That about it,

 

[RonCharles]

Jim, I want a change