The Old (2013-2014) Big FJR Tire Poll

[Fred W]

Not to appear to be a northeastern elitist snob, but anyone who can squeak 15 thousand freaking miles out of a BT023 rear tire does not need a different tire. Just keep running those as long as you can get them and you'll be about 30 tires ahead of everyone else by 100k miles

 

[VMaxChuck]

Bridgestone T-30 is shown as in stock at Bike Bandit but I'd llike to see a couple of user reviews before replacing the 023-GT with ~15000 miles on it with the T-30. Definitely have to replace before next spring/summer. Original OEM Bridgestone was worn almost to the wear bars at 7400 miles. O23 GT front and rear now and very happy with them.

Same for me! 7,500 miles on oem 023 front and 9,500 on the rear. Replaced both with 023GT's. Thinking I should get about 10,000 out of both of these. Already have a set of Bridgestone T30's to try next but probably won't be til end of next year.....

When on sale, particularly when sold as a set the Bridgestones are a GREAT deal.....like $245.00 for both the T30's and the back is a 190/55R17!

 

[JamesW]

PR 3s here in the pacific North Wet. Usually 9000 to 9500miles then trips start coming up and I refurbish, with some tread left. Give the takeoffs to George for travelers in need.

 

[Spud]

Bridgestone T-30 is shown as in stock at Bike Bandit but I'd llike to see a couple of user reviews before replacing the 023-GT with ~15000 miles on it with the T-30. Definitely have to replace before next spring/summer. Original OEM Bridgestone was worn almost to the wear bars at 7400 miles. O23 GT front and rear now and very happy with them.

Same for me! 7,500 miles on oem 023 front and 9,500 on the rear. Replaced both with 023GT's. Thinking I should get about 10,000 out of both of these. Already have a set of Bridgestone T30's to try next but probably won't be til end of next year.....

When on sale, particularly when sold as a set the Bridgestones are a GREAT deal.....like $245.00 for both the T30's and the back is a 190/55R17!

Yes--not to throw a wrench into this discussion but the 190 upsize is now a permanent deal for me. I'm burning through my 'stone 023gt's w/a 190 rear and see no reason to go back to the 185. My inseam is tall enough that the extra height is nothing but a benefit. Looks better on the bike, too.

 

[jayke]

Just getting ready to put on my first set of PR3's .

6100 miles on the original BT-023 rear and I'm at the cords. I don't even ride that hard.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Have to come back to this in a few months.

I am installing the BT023 GT's on Front and Back this weekend with new rear shock.

Gonna take some riding to give good feedback.

Replacing the non GT, BT023 which was solid.

Front cupped badly at 6k

Rear showing very good at 9k, little squirrely on traction...could be worn out stock shock though.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Running 023GTs on both ends. Have a new set ready to spoon on when I kill the current front. Rear gave up at 9,500, front has 10,500 and still looks really good. Front is just now beginning to get a heavy feel in low speed turns. Chaparral had T30GT sets for $225 a few weeks ago, going to check those out, (after) my last set of 023GTs.

<snip> After my trip with wife using BT-023GTs...I am amazed at how the front tire keeps it's profile.

I've heard the same thing somewhere...you're welcome!

--G

 

[Colin24]

PR3 is my current Fav.

Here's the summary of use for my last full set of PR3's which lasted 12500 miles!

- 9400 miles running the 2013 IBR
- 800 miles towing the trailer to and from the start of the IBR.
- 1200 miles touring two-up PLUS a fully loaded trailer

Absolutely gobsmacked at the miles I can get out of a set of these tires. And with pretty good all around performance to boot.

After this set wore out I put the half worn set that I removed prior to the IBR back on the bike and I am still running them into the ground. I am already arranging to get a new set of PR3's on the shelf for next season ( when the current ones finally wear out! )

- Colin

 

[ULEWZ]

PR2s for me front and rear. I tend to wear out the front first, down to the wear bars (not in the center, but close to the edges). Perfect shape till the end on the front profile, and this has been true for me for 3 sets of PR2s. No cupping nor squaring off. Your mileage may vary if you brake from the front into turns or decel hard in the turns. About 5,000 miles a set, which I am happy with.

 

[rbentnail]

For me the Pirelli Angel ST is the shiznit. I generally get 10-12k miles out of it. Since I went darkside on the rear that is moot. I hated the Michelins- wonderfully fear inspiring from all the slipping and chirping in the twisties.

 

[Myke Ramsey]

I love the PR2s F&R but a friend told me to try a Pilot Power on the front and I love it more.Great grip and is less noisy that the PR2 front.

I've heard that also, the PP not the PP2, right?.

How's mileage on the PP front as compared to a PR2 rear. I would gladly give up a little mileage on the front for a better gripping tire, especially if it wears out closer to the same time as the rear, which for me with the PR2 is ~ 9k miles.

Fred,

I'm currently on my first set of PP / PR2 but they seem to be wearing the same.

I get about 8-10k with the PR2 rear and am currently @ 4500.

 

[CAJW]

I'm quite happy with my Pirelli Anget GT's - new version released this year. So far, they seem to be lasting fairly well and I think handling is at least as good as the PR2. While I have liked the PR2 during the first half of their life, the last half tends to suck. The PR3's were really nice at the beginning but (for me) didn't last as long as the PR2. If I get decent life out of the current Angels, I'll go back to them again.

Please keep the masses informed of your opinion on your experiences with the Angels. I've read great things about em' and plan on trying a set after the current PR2 shoes go south.

 

[extrememarine]

This is a very subjective topic – so many factors go into what works and feels good for a specific rider and bike setup in their geographic area. One aspect that is not captured in the poll questions is suspension set up – is it OEM or aftermarket? Have both ends been upgraded or only the rear (or front)? Is the suspension serviced regularly?

The follow is my opinion based on my experiences.

My tire choice falls into two categories – under 3500 miles, or over 3500 miles. My FJR (2009) has an Ohlins YA-707 rear shock/spring and re-valved forks with aftermarket springs up front. The front suspension is serviced (fluid flush and fill) annually, the rear Ohlins goes in every 2 years.

For trips and riding where traction is weighted more than tread life (local and short trips), my current go to is the Continental Road Attack 2 GT front and rear. This tire will return a solid 4k for me. It should be noted that the Road Attack 2 c-spec is NOT the same tire as the GT; this was made painfully clear on our EOM trip this year. The RA2 rear was bald shoulder to shoulder at 2,275 miles when we rolled into Ironpony in Columbus. Traction was beyond outstanding, but this is not a FJR tire, and Continental has noted that the GT is made for heavier sport touring bikes.

For anything more than 4k miles, I like the Metzeler Z8 b-spec front and rear. This setup has will reliably return 6800-7k miles from the rear. These tires maintain their profile very well (for me); this tire exhibits the least amount of handling deterioration over its life out of any other tire I’ve run. Traction is acceptable, but reduced as compared to my short range tire selection.

The plan for 2014 is to run a PR2 rear paired with a Pilot Power (or PP 2CT) front. The PR2 was what I ended up with when we had the rear changed on the way home from EOM. This is a very subjective topic – so many factors go into what works and feels good for a specific rider and bike setup in their geographic area. One aspect that is not captured in the poll questions is suspension set up – is it OEM or aftermarket? Have both ends been upgraded or only the rear (or front)? Is the suspension serviced regularly?

The follow is my opinion based on my experiences.

My tire choice falls into two categories – under 3500 miles, or over 3500 miles. My FJR (2009) has an Ohlins YA-707 rear shock/spring and re-valved forks with aftermarket springs up front. The front suspension is serviced (fluid flush and fill) annually, the rear Ohlins goes in every 2 years.

For trips and riding where traction is weighted more than tread life (local and short trips), my current go to is the Continental Road Attack 2 GT front and rear. This tire will return a solid 4k for me. It should be noted that the Road Attack 2 c-spec is NOT the same tire as the GT; this was made painfully clear on our EOM trip this year. The RA2 rear was bald shoulder to shoulder at 2,275 miles when we rolled into Ironpony in Columbus. Traction was beyond outstanding, but this is not a FJR tire, and Continental has noted that the GT is made for heavier sport touring bikes.

For anything more than 4k miles, I like the Metzeler Z8 b-spec front and rear. This setup has will reliably return 6800-7k miles from the rear. These tires maintain their profile very well (for me); this tire exhibits the least amount of handling deterioration over its life out of any other tire I’ve run. Traction is acceptable, but reduced as compared to my short range tire selection.

The plan for 2014 is to run a PR2 rear paired with a Pilot Power (or PP 2CT) front. The PR2 was what I ended up with when we had the rear changed on the way home from EOM.

 

[Top_Speed1]

PR5's

Oh wait, that was in a dream. So PR2's (or 3's...)

 

[wheatonFJR]

This is a very subjective topic – so many factors go into what works and feels good for a specific rider and bike setup in their geographic area. One aspect that is not captured in the poll questions is suspension set up – is it OEM or aftermarket? Have both ends been upgraded or only the rear (or front)? Is the suspension serviced regularly?
The follow is my opinion based on my experiences.

My tire choice falls into two categories – under 3500 miles, or over 3500 miles. My FJR (2009) has an Ohlins YA-707 rear shock/spring and re-valved forks with aftermarket springs up front. The front suspension is serviced (fluid flush and fill) annually, the rear Ohlins goes in every 2 years.

For trips and riding where traction is weighted more than tread life (local and short trips), my current go to is the Continental Road Attack 2 GT front and rear. This tire will return a solid 4k for me. It should be noted that the Road Attack 2 c-spec is NOT the same tire as the GT; this was made painfully clear on our EOM trip this year. The RA2 rear was bald shoulder to shoulder at 2,275 miles when we rolled into Ironpony in Columbus. Traction was beyond outstanding, but this is not a FJR tire, and Continental has noted that the GT is made for heavier sport touring bikes.

For anything more than 4k miles, I like the Metzeler Z8 b-spec front and rear. This setup has will reliably return 6800-7k miles from the rear. These tires maintain their profile very well (for me); this tire exhibits the least amount of handling deterioration over its life out of any other tire I’ve run. Traction is acceptable, but reduced as compared to my short range tire selection.

The plan for 2014 is to run a PR2 rear paired with a Pilot Power (or PP 2CT) front. The PR2 was what I ended up with when we had the rear changed on the way home from EOM. This is a very subjective topic – so many factors go into what works and feels good for a specific rider and bike setup in their geographic area. One aspect that is not captured in the poll questions is suspension set up – is it OEM or aftermarket? Have both ends been upgraded or only the rear (or front)? Is the suspension serviced regularly?

So, when I hear short range...I presume you are talking SPORTtouring...and longer range = sportTouring.

 

[TomInPA]

I have had both Michelin PR 2 and PR 3 on the bike and found the extended life and better handling as the tire aged, made me return to the PR2.

Also had the "Bridgestone Experience" with some BT021 and was amazed at just how fast I could consume a tire. I just never got over that experience to the point I was willing to try the BT023.

 

[extrememarine]

So, when I hear short range...I presume you are talking SPORTtouring...and longer range = sportTouring.

Is there anything other than SPORTtouring on an FJR?

 

[wheatonFJR]

So, when I hear short range...I presume you are talking SPORTtouring...and longer range = sportTouring.

Is there any other than SPORTtouring on an FJR?

I've seen it happen.

 

[tcfjr]

Other on rear - Dunlop Roadsmart 2 is my favorite these days after I had a PR3 do bad things at speed in the Nevada desert.

I happily ran PR2's for years until my last change, when I went to PR3's (with a B-spec rear). So far I've been more than happy with the PR3's, but when I saw Iggy's failed rear PR3 last spring, it gave me some second (and third) thoughts.

I won't change my current PR3's until they wear out, but I'll go back to PR2's at my next change.

 

[DennisJ]

Not to appear to be a northeastern elitist snob, but anyone who can squeak 15 thousand freaking miles out of a BT023 rear tire does not need a different tire. Just keep running those as long as you can get them and you'll be about 30 tires ahead of everyone else by 100k miles

Actual numbers from records

+1 on the right wrist. I work at smooth throttle control, mainly to minimize the off-idle surge that drives me crazy. The engine is like an electric motor otherwise. Smoot increase in power in respose to increased throttle.

Mileage notes: 10/25/13 22352 miles

6/22/11 replaced original front BT-021 with BT-023 GT, installed right angle valve stem 7241 miles-not down to wear bars but feeling loose

4/6/13 replaced original rear BT-021 with BT-023 GT, installed right angle valve stem 17292 miles-very close to wear bars, no good for the summer

Commuting 15 miles daily and weekend trips a couple of times a month during the Northwest good riding weather. Usually in the 250 - 300 mile range