guzzler Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 G'day Folks Sorry to start a tyre thread, but I did a search and couldn't quite find the answers I was looking for, so thought I'd pose the question to your learned selves. When I went to put air in the tyres on Thursday night in preparation for my usual Friday commute to work I noticed the rear was reading 17psi, bugger! On checking yep, bloody great nail wedged in there! So looks like new tyres are in order. So now the question. I've been running Michelin PR 3's for the last 15 thousand kays 120/70/17 front and 170/60/17 on the rear on my 2001 V11 Sport and am bloody impressed with them.Now the PR 3 has been replaced with the 4 and wish to try these. The problem is they don't have a 170/60 except in the GT which is from what I can gather for luxury barge's like my mates Gold wing.I don't reckon the V11 needs such a tyre, but what are the consequences of running one on it? A harsher ride perhaps? So I'm leaning towards trying a 160/60 on her, and the main worry I have is will it speed up the steering much?Any issues? I've had the suspension sorted ( new fork springs, re-valved. and the rear has a Hyperpro 460 shock and set up for me ) and frankly think she steers quickly enough at the moment and I'm bloody happy with it and no issues with stability in a straight line either. I'd really appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Thanks and I promise not to mention oil. Cheers Guzzler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docc Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I certainly like my 160. I wouldn't say that it steers "quicker" (I know this is all relative and subjective), maybe just more *connected* between the front and rear. I've always said about tyres, "Worth trying something new. If I don't like it, it'll be worn out before long." Of course, I say that, but am pretty stuck on using the Pirelli Angel GT in 160. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi_Roy Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I would just plug the tire you have, but I'm cheap. Sent from my shoe phone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzler Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 Thanks Fella's I found some earlier tyre threads on the subject and the consensus seems to be to run with the 160 on a 4.5 inch rim! So to that end I've ordered a set. They get fitted next Friday. Looking forward to trying the 160. Cheers Guzzler Ps Roy the nail went in between the grooves then bent on an angle such that it cannot be repaired. Still I got 15 thou ( kays ) from it so all is not lost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O2 V11 Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 15,000 km and it wasn't worn out, that is twice the distance that I can knacker a tyre in, I am amazed. Is it just the PR3 or just your road surfaces and riding style? Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowRyter Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 plug it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzler Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Mate I'm amazed at modern tyres, well the Michelin Pilot Road series anyways. Back in the day if you got 4 to 5 thou from a rear you were doing well. While I don't ride like I used to when I was younger ( 4 x discs in my neck fused together, rods etc ) I certainly don't baby her! However I must admit most of these kays have been commuting 140ks round trip to work on the freeway.Since we sold up and moved to the country 2 years ago I haven't had much time to just get out for a ride just for the sake of it.So I like to get a ride in at least once a week even if it's only the commute!So maybe this is a factor? Anyways I do hope to be able get a lot more riding in from now on as we have some great roads around here once you get away from the freeway. So it'll be interesting to see how long the PR4's last with some more fun in the hills !! Cheers Guzzler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuzziMoto Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 We pulled four of our bikes out for a ride yesterday, actually we did two separate rides two bikes at a time, and had a great time. But I mention this because I had forgotten how worn out the Michelin PR3's are on the wifes V11. I am not sure how many miles it took to wear out, I stopped tracking tire mileage a while ago. I found it interesting how the dual compound PR3 wore. The very bottom has a noticeable flat section in the center but there is still rubber left, then the middle area of the two side is worn down to where the grooves of the tread are near flush. And it is clear that the wife likes left handers better than rights. It seems funny to have a tire wear out on the sides before the middle is toast, but that seems like a better way for a tire to wear. I reckon the wifes V11 will need new tires shortly. I expect I will go with the new version of the PR's, the PR4. Hers has a 4.5" rim on the back, as it is an early red framer, so it will be a 160.... again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRD Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 LowRyter- Where did you purchase your Pocket Tire Plugger Kit? Is it small enough to fit in the tail section of your Sport? And since money is never a consideration when buying stuff for our bikes :-), how much? Thks. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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