Pirelli Angel GT review and question

[Goodman4]

I just saw cord on the rear of my first pair of Angel GTs after 4600 miles. But these were not the A spec that I "think" you are supposed to get for the FJR or any heavy sport tourer. They are supposed to be a little thicker, I guess. The tire looks good and the wear indicators show plenty of life left. After reading other reviews, I guess this is common with them.

I'm really surprised with the center wear since I've ridding these pretty aggressively and even did a track day at Barber on them. Still wore the center out first.

But I was really happy with the feel for the life of the tires. I'm going to try the A spec on the rear this time. I should get them tomorrow. Might just put on the rear now. Haven't decided yet.

Are those who are running Angel GTs running A spec on the rear?

 

[JamesK]

I recently finished a set of Angel GTs (not A spec), from my past experiences with the B series in PR2, where I found NO appreciable wear or longevity differences by using the B spec tire, the only difference was more money...

I liked the feel of the Angel GTs, but did not get the kind of longevity out of them as I typically do from the PR2, the GTs lasted about 1k miles less than the PR2s would under the same usage.

So I am switching back to the PR2s for as long as I can get them.

I'm not yet convinced (have not seen enough real reports/feedback) on the PR4s to be convinced that they are any better (given my riding style and bike) than the PR3s, which were total crap.

 

[COGnosticator]

I just ordered a set of the GT's for my '05 and didn't know there were two variations for the rear and I ordered the non A spec rear. I didn't know there were 2 differents models available. I guess I will find out how well the non A works out.

I have run a set of these on my Speed Triple and have over 6k miles on them and really liked the tire, which is the reason I got them for the FJR. I was surprised at the mileage I got out of them for the S3 because I rarely get close to 6k out of a rear.

I will be mounting these on the FJR before my trip to the COG national in a couple of weeks

 

[AlleyCat]

I have the A spec on the rear and no complaints at all with this tire. I have about 5000 kms on it (I expect to get approx 12000 kms out of them). My understanding is that the sidewall is stiffer on the A spec to compensate for the heavier bikes. I don't believe it has anything to do with tred thickness.

I would put another one without any hesitation. Great tire !!

 

[Spud]

I've got the A spec on the rear (190/55) but only have about 1000 miles on it. It better last longer than 4600.....I decided to try these over Bridgestone's, which usually last me close to 7000 miles.

 

[@rjen]

I have the A spec on the rear and no complaints at all with this tire. I have about 5000 kms on it (I expect to get approx 12000 kms out of them). My understanding is that the sidewall is stiffer on the A spec to compensate for the heavier bikes. I don't believe it has anything to do with tred thickness.
I would put another one without any hesitation. Great tire !!

Agree: the A spec has stiffer sidewall and is recommended also if you are doing a lot of two-up riding (which I am not)

I am on my second set of GT's. First set without A, no complaints, lasted a little over 10K kilometers, second set (now with 'A' rear) is 3K kilometers now, and I like em just as much (maybe a little more)

 

[glory racing]

Recently finished off a set of GT's on the VFR1200. The rear was done at 1,499 miles, which is about normal for tires around here. Also it felt a little greasy during the last couple hundred miles. The front had a wobble from mile one. I will stick with the bridgestone 023's or T30's if they pan out. I still had a couple sets of 023's so haven't tried the set of T30's yet.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I just saw cord on the rear of my first pair of Angel GTs after 4600 miles. But these were not the A spec that I "think" you are supposed to get for the FJR or any heavy sport tourer. They are supposed to be a little thicker, I guess. The tire looks good and the wear indicators show plenty of life left. After reading other reviews, I guess this is common with them.

Dammit, this post was the final straw. I was gonna run my angels to Silver City for the SW-FOG run this weekend. The rear was coming up to the wear bars in the center, but looked good I thought. I was warned that they might show cord early, so have thought about it, but thought it was wearing pretty uniform, so I wouldn't worry about it. Then I saw this, which matches everything else I have heard. The last thing I want to do is be outside of Alpine AZ running on cords cuz I didn't listen.

So, I went home for a very early lunch and pulled the rear tire off my bike and dropped it off at my Yamaha Dealer. He's putting on a new rear right now. It'll be good to have no stress. I'm leaving the front alone as it has plenty of life in it, and the Metzler Sportech I took them won't last long anyway. These threads probably saved me a huge hassle.

I think I'm either gonna try the new Bridgestone T30 or a set of Roadsmart IIs if I can't find regular Roadsmarts. I have said for a long time that I won't go back to BT tires, but as much as everyone seems to like them, maybe they're worth a try.

 

[glory racing]

Good for you...good call.

On almost every group ride that comes to the Ozarks I end up having to replace at least one tire for someone that thought they had enough rubber to make it through the ride.

When in doubt...put on new tires. Why lose valuable time and extra money during a trip.

 

[Fred W]

+1 - Even if you were able to squeak by, you have to ask yourself: How much is it worth to not have to be anxious about it?

I have a stack of tires in the discard pile with just a little tread left on them to show that I value that attribute more than many others.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Yup...Totally worth $28 to not have to stress. The shop guy was gonna give me the tire back. When I went to pick them up, he said I could still have it, but was glad I brought it in. Said the center was toast. I told him to trash it. I'm not gonna worry about a few dollars worth of rubber. I've decided that's just stupid.

 

[TomInPA]

Yup...Totally worth $28 to not have to stress. The shop guy was gonna give me the tire back. When I went to pick them up, he said I could still have it, but was glad I brought it in. Said the center was toast. I told him to trash it. I'm not gonna worry about a few dollars worth of rubber. I've decided that's just stupid.

We bought tires at the same time, and I got the PR2 when you got the Angels. My PR2 from that change were gone this Spring, and I put on a take-off, and last week put on a new T30 Bridgestone. That last bit of wear goes away fast, and I can only imagine how fast it would disappear in the Arizona heat and chip seal. You did the right thing to change out that tire. Our tires never last as long as we'd like at a rally, and FJRay won't have his tire machine at this one.

 

[JamesK]

Recently finished off a set of GT's on the VFR1200. The rear was done at 1,499 miles, which is about normal for tires around here. Also it felt a little greasy during the last couple hundred miles. The front had a wobble from mile one. I will stick with the bridgestone 023's or T30's if they pan out. I still had a couple sets of 023's so haven't tried the set of T30's yet.

Damn Mark, 1,500 miles out of a set of GTs, I guess I'll quick bitching about only getting around 3,500 miles out of my GTs.

Agree on the greasy feel the last few hundred miles from the rear. My front, whilst not worn in the RoadSmarts trapezoidal fashion did develop a significant wobble from about 2,500 miles, and this is with the All Balls roller bearing installed, I'd hate to think how bad the wobble effects would have been with the EOM head bearings.

I'm also quite surprised at you positive experience with the BT023s. I've just pulled off a set of 023s that I was forced to buy as I ran out of tire on a recent vacation ride, the new GTs didn't last as long as the PR2s would have... I found the 023 front to be very woody, even in warm temps, and it seems to dislike turning in into turns. The rear wears in a bit of a weird way too and to add insult to injury I still could only get around/under 4,000 miles out them.

I'm stocking up on as many PR2s as I can afford to buy

 

[Goodman4]

Got the new Pirelli GT's today! Saw the mods moved this to the NEPRT and I see there are two similar posts about the Pirelli Angel GTs. Sorry about that as the other one is dated before mine. I would have added to that one if I saw it. I searched for Perelli GT from Google, but I must have missed it. But I did try to look before posting.

Glad I motivated AJ to go ahead and make the switch. AJ, did you ever plug that Metzler and try it out or did you decide it wasn't worth it?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Got the new Pirelli GT's today! Saw the mods moved this to the NEPRT and I see there are two similar posts about the Pirelli Angel GTs. Sorry about that as the other one is dated before mine. I would have added to that one if I saw it. I searched for Perelli GT from Google, but I must have missed it. But I did try to look before posting.
Glad I motivated AJ to go ahead and make the switch. AJ, did you ever plug that Metzler and try it out or did you decide it wasn't worth it?

Lol...Was that you I got the tire from? I couldn't remember. I had it patched and waiting. That is what I had put on the bike today. It will work out juuuuuuuust fine!!

 

[Goodman4]

Yes it was! Cool.

 

[LKLD]

Yup...Totally worth $28 to not have to stress. The shop guy was gonna give me the tire back. When I went to pick them up, he said I could still have it, but was glad I brought it in. Said the center was toast. I told him to trash it. I'm not gonna worry about a few dollars worth of rubber. I've decided that's just stupid.

We bought tires at the same time, and I got the PR2 when you got the Angels. My PR2 from that change were gone this Spring, and I put on a take-off, and last week put on a new T30 Bridgestone. That last bit of wear goes away fast, and I can only imagine how fast it would disappear in the Arizona heat and chip seal. You did the right thing to change out that tire. Our tires never last as long as we'd like at a rally, and FJRay won't have his tire machine at this one.

That last bit does go fast! The other week I took a trip to the Keys, and the tire looked fine at 9,000 miles. By the time I got back from the 800 miles trip, I was on cords. https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/157989-fjr-tire-wear-is-this-normal/?p=1149066

 

[glory racing]

Hey James, I attempted to quote and respond but obviously I did something wrong so I had to edit the post and add this. I really suck at this interweb stuff! Guess I should ride less and spend a little time figuring it out...Nah!

You know these chip/seal roads around here. They provide plenty of traction but If you ride assertively they are gonna eat tires. 1000 to 2000 miles is all I can get out of any tire. Since the Bridgestones are less expensive that is the tire of choice. Shinko's were to greasy even for the chip/seal!

Anxious to see how the T30's compare to the 023's.

Sure miss riding with ya and hope all is well for you!

 

[Richouse]

I must be really easy on tires. I keep a fairly close eye on psi and keep them at about 40psi. I left on a trip a couple of weeks ago to the Smokeys and I knew the middle of the rear tire was getting thin but I figured that I'd get a lot more use of the sides of the tires in the mountains. I wound up running over a piece of metal and had to plug it. Two days later cord started showing at just over 15000 miles. It was A BT23 OEM tire. Front was changed many miles ago to a PR2. I wound up putting a Michelin Pilot Sport tire on it (used). Only tire the shop had on hand that would fit. It still has a lot of meat on it and hopefully it will last until I have to change the front again. Ive been thinking about trying the Angel GT at that point.