Alpine adventure on the Trophy SE

[Novocastrian]

Originally Posted by ChiefMn

I'd rethink the tire situation. I don't know how Michelins wear,but my Pirellis went from plenty of tread to cords showing in a surprisingly short time. Possibly a softer compound near the cords?

Yes, my Pirelli tyres went from looking fine one day to blistered with belting showing through the next.....dangerous!

[Pauli363]

Thanks all.  Well, I'm certainly not to proud or stubborn to ignore the general advice here re the tyres, so on balance, I will likely get a new set fitted before May.  I'll run these michelins up until a few weeks before departure, then put on fresh rubber.  I know tyres are quite a subjective thing, and I don't think there are likely to be too many bad tyres out there if I stick to brand names, but are their any tyres to avoid, or any in particular that I should look at?

Currently on the radar would be Bridgestone Battleaxe    BT023 for heavier bikes.  Pirelli Angel GT's or Michelin Pilot Road 4s.  I don't regard myself as a "heavy" rider and tend not to push the bike too hard.

What's the thoughts?

[Novocastrian]

My advice...avoid Pirelli.  I run Michelin Road 6GT. Superb, expensive tyres.

[trophied]

Other members seem pleased with the Road 6GT's.

[PhilInAthens]

Bridgestone Battlax tires did not serve me well. Squared off too quickly and scalloped up front pretty fast too.  Michelin Pilot Road tires (4 GTs are on right now) have performed much better. Perhaps subjective, but I think the Pilot Roads handle better too, especially when dealing with tar snakes. 

I too plan on retiring soon and also look forward to a celebratory ride - albeit on this side of the pond. Enjoy yours and ride safe!

[flynvtwn]

I've been running Dunlop Roadsmart 4s for about 1K and have no complaints so far.  It is a slightly cheaper option if you didn't want the Michelins.  They get up to temp quickly and I haven't had any traction issues on the mostly damp cold roads that I've been riding all fall and winter.

I wasn't the person who was riding on the original Angels that came on the bike, but when I pulled them off shortly after buying the bike they were very cupped.  Could have been the air pressure that the previous owner was running, but the guy at the shop who was changing them said that the angels were bad for that. 

[trophied]

I've used 2 sets of Avon Storm 3D XM's and both sets have worn well and went over 10K miles easily.  8700 miles on the current set and still in good shape, but I'm sure I'll need new ones before the Twisted Trophies Razorback Classic the first week of April.  I have a little over 900 mile round trip to get there and then the riding we'll do in Arkansas would have them gone before I got back to home base.  Not as bad as the 2200 mile round trip to North Carolina and back, but enough to warrant new tires.

[Pauli363]

I have Michelin Road 4 GTs on the bike currently.  Ill likely go for them again.  Quite a hike in price to the road 6's