Tire mileage continued...

I got 11000+ On my Metez and had many miles to go but replaced for better handling combo
I have heard others with good "luck" with the O.E.M. tires. It doesn't make mechanical sense. Two bikes, same tires and radically different mileage. That's the twenty four thous
[QUOTE="..........Are others finding this improvement on tires?

NO! I guess it depends where you ride and just how you ride. I'm near Maggie Valley, so the terrain and road surface is part of it. I get about 4-4.5k miles from a tire. Dunlops on the front and Exedra Max on the rear. If your corner hard or enjoy the torque these bikes eat tires for breakfast. I've just learned to accept it.

My next front tire will be Michelin Road 5 Rear Motorcycle Tire 150/70ZR-17 (69W) (reversed orientation) as recommended by @1olbull. I'm probably mounting it this weekend. The tread on this tire is incredibly deep, so hoping to get another thousand or so- we'll see.[/QUOTE]
The first thing I noticed with the new generation tire was the hard center and progressive softness on the sides for better gripping. I would think that would be even more apparent to the riders who live in the twisting roads. I can hear the pitch change the more I lean the Rocket.
 
Mounted the Michelin Road 5 Rear Motorcycle Tire 150/70ZR-17 (69W) (reversed orientation) yesterday and took her out for a spin on The Devils Whip (Hwy 80) in NC. Since the tires were new I didn't push it, but my first impression was very good. It feels like the contact patch is bigger than the Dunlops I've been using. It may be a bit less "flicky," but seems more planted once you pick a line. The tread is massive, so expecting I'll get more than 4,500 miles before I can no longer trust it in the rain.

IMG_2942.JPG IMG_2941.JPG
 
I am running the Road 5s on my K1200, no sign of wear yet, but less than 1000 miles. If anything, I noticed more "road feel" I guess you'd call it.
Are the Michelin Road 5 a newer version of the comander series?
 
The Road 5’s replaced the Road Pilot 4 tires. There was a Road and Road Pilot, now just Road. I had RP4s on my last bike and really liked them, but it was a Sport Touring FJR and the tires were matched for that type of bike.
 
I bought my 2008 R3T with 4,000 miles back in 2011. The bike had Metz on the front and rear. Both were changed just over 5,000. I bought another set. Same thing. Poor handling, and 5,000 miles. I thought about selling the bike, expensive just with rubber alone! Then I read one of the many articles on our sight.
The info I read talked about the Michelin Commander II. Unfortunately Michelin didn't make a direct replacement for the front. Joe suggested trying the Elite 3.
I've ran this combonation since. Yesterday while I was detailing the bike I went over my maintence logs. I couldn't believe the tire Millage.
Front tire is still not touching the wear bars in the tread. 40% tread left . 21,000 miles on the tire!
Rear tire is starting cup a little. 17,000 miles !

These numbers are repeatable if ride like a flat lander. Too much of Maggie Valley roads would seriously reduce these numbers. Are others finding this improvement on tires?
Well, how stories change. On last Wednesday I started this with just how lucky I was with my Michelin and my Elite 3 tires. Today, I got on my bike, started it up and moved it from my shop and road it 125 feet to my pole barn to store it until the weather improves. Oops! Front tire is 13 psi. I picked up a drywall screw. Start over on the mileage records......
 
For those considering the Michelin Road 5, make sure you get the Road 5 GT as it is made for heavier bikes. I've been running the Road 4 GT on my Trophy for several years and it is fantastic. The Road 5 GT is supposed to be even better.
 
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