Time for new tires on the K1300S

[magellan]

I did a few searches before posting this thread because I'm sure everyone is tired of tire threads. Hopefully not. Looking at a few choices for tire replacement. Taking off the Metzler M3's and going to try something else. I was at the local tire shop today and the fellow recommend the Michelin Pilot Road 5 GT. He really thinks this is the tire for me but i'm not so sure. I was going to buy the Angel GT's after reading a few reviews here and there but he said Pilot Road 5 GT. First of all I'm not sure I want a GT tire. I do tour but I'm more of a back road rider and that just seems like a too stiff of a side wall. There are so many choices that it's confusing. I'm not worried about mileage, if I can get 5000 good miles out of a set I'm happy even though you can drop a boat load of money on tires these days. $400.00 -$500.00 for a set. I might go with the Michelins but the regular Pilot Road 5's. I think I had a set of Pilots on my older 2004 K1200RS GT but then again I had lots of tires on that bike and I can't remember all of what i was riding on then. Any suggestions or what your opinion is about a GT tire?

thanks all

[cabnfvr]

Hi, sounds like you are suffering from tire infoidis. The M3 is a sport tire where the Road 4 or 5s are sport-touring tires. If you liked the M3 and got anywhere near 5000 miles then you don't need a sport tire. You'd probably like the Z8 or Roadtec 01. Revzilla has an excellent tire selection, but it just gets more confusing. We are currently running the Road 5 GT (still new) but I can't tell any difference between it and the standard Road 4. If I were replacing the Road 5 it would be with the Road 4. Why, you ask? The Road 5 is touted as a better wet weather tire but they took the sipes off the sidewall because they don't think anyone will lean that far in the rain. We scrapped pegs on the RS in the rain and the thought of a slick sidewall on the S just doesn't excite me. So there you have it. Five minutes out of my life offering you absolutely no useful information. Oh yeah, a rant . I WANT A CENTER TREAD. I HATE TIRES WITH NO CENTER TREAD.

Maybe some good info .... since you didn't notice a handling issue with the M3 I would agree, you do not need a GT tire.

[Lee]

Tim is the PR4 still manufactured?
Last year I had trouble finding both front and rear PR4s.

[cabnfvr]

PR4s are still available and it's still listed by Michelin on their website. The Road 4 was the best wet tire out there so I do not get making the 5 a better wet tire but not better in mileage.

[magellan]

[Kneedragger]

Angel GTII... nothing else compares, IMHO... sport tire gip, touring tire longevity. I have 6K+ miles on my second set and they are not down to the wear markers... and unlike the Michelins I've used, the performance does not drop significantly in the last 1/3 of their life...

[cabnfvr]

Those are on my short list for next time. Thanks for the info.

[R111S]

Another Pirelli Angel ST/GT/GT2 Fan here. I prefer riding curvy two-lane pavement at an elevated pace. The Pirelli Tires are always Mountain Goat Stable! Ditto on performing well to the end of tread life!

[Scot]

Just bought a set of Shinko's Going to go cheap next time see what it is all about. Have been on the Michelin train a long time but man $450.00 for tires that really do not wear all that well.

Although the PR4 GT series on there now have lasted the longest. Back has miles left front has cupping going on. Thinking if I get 4-5 k out of $170.00 set I will be ahead.

Think I got the 005 Advance Shinko. Thought about the 009 but that tread line on the front made me think it would track lines in the road. Probably be a couple of thousand miles till I get them mounted.

Pot is now stirred.

[justjoe]

I like the Stinko's on the GSA. Completely different requirements though when it comes to performance. I have used the Anakee III's, TKC70's and now the Stinkos and I like them.

[RS530]

[Kneedragger]

I agree that tire selection is a personal choice based largely on one's style of riding. My new-to-me 2015 K1300S came with a set of brand new Roadsmart IIs, but I never really trusted them completely... to me, the steering and grip seemed vague at sporting speeds. I quickly sacrificed them for the Angel GT IIs... YMMV...

[RS530]

[beech]

The PR5 tires came out with the GT version a few months after the original release. Seems the GT version stiffened the side walls to answer the complaints that the tires were wiggly when pushed. Especially when past half time in their lives. Each to his own. I prefer the Metzler 7RR at the moment. Will try the 9RR's next set. Always want to keep up with the neighbors.

[Scot]

The Roadsmart II's were not confidence inspiring when leaned over for me. They just did not feel sticky when starting to get honked over. Never lost traction just did not feel like they were going to stick. Plus the front cupped out as fast as the Bridgestones.

[dynajohn]

I am late to this discussion but I am curious if any of you guys that love the Angel GT's had both the Angel GT's and the GT2's. Looking for replacements and wondering what the difference is between the two except price. The GT's have always gotten great reviews for handling and I was wondering whether the GT2's have the same characteristics plus better wear. Good turn in is important to me on my K1300HP. Price is not a consideration if the GT2's handle as well as the GT,s.

[RS530]

I have not personally had the chance yet to try the twos, I read that they are not getting the best reviews. I have used the GTs and always loved them, I only tried the Roadsmart IIIs just to try a different tire, and I love them as well. The past couple of years I have done some long bike trips, and I can say both have been great with tire wear, and wet weather handling. Currently I am still on the Roadsmart bandwagon and not ready to get off.

[cjs350]

Last two sets on my RS have been the initial Angel GT, which I really liked, now have a set of Angel GTII A spec which is designed for the heavier bike. Being So Cal I haven't had a lot of wet riding experience, but I slow down so much in the rain I've never really had an issue. I like the Angels, and a good riding buddy swears by the Michelin Road 5's - Candidly I doubt that unless I was put on the same bike with different tires over a repeatable course I probably couldn't tell the difference from one to another. I figure is I get 5 - 7000 miles on a set I'm good with whatever is black, round, and protects the rim.

[Welshman]

I think there are very few "poor" tyres out there. The quality of motorcycle rubber has improved markedly over the years. Michelin make good tyres, so do Bridgestone and other manufacturers. Personally I stick with what works and currently the BT 30 and BT 31 have worked really well on my K1300s. Good tyre life as I can get 5,000 from a rear whereas an Metzler M3 would only last 3,000, and good wet weather grip.

[cabnfvr]

Anyone else find it odd that radial motorcycle tire mileage hasn't improved at all since the 1990s? 5k then, 5k now. Only now you can't tell when the center tread has gone.

[Scot]

Well I am still liking the Shinko's. Only about 2000 miles on them 1 trip and some local stuff ( crappy year for riding 2020 ) but they ride nice turn in nice and no funny wear yet. Looks like this will be a multi year review.