I ran Pirelli Angel GTs for several years (and several sets of tires. The fronts always wore out before the backs, almost at a two to one ratio. Going to A-specs helped but only slightly. High pressure, low pressure, still the same. Thats 180 degrees the opposite of every other street bike Ive owned. I am a big guy and I do ride the bike pretty hard, love the twisties.
Bought a set of Michelin PR4GTs and they have performed significantly better wear wise and I feel like they handle as good or better too. They definitely do better in the wet, they just feel more stable. Im almost finished with the front, and the back has a bit more to go, but not nearly the two to one ratio like the Pirellis. I think they were sinoly a tad too soft on the edges.
Im sold on the PR4GTs. Need to buy another set before they phase them out for the PR5s. I wont try the PR5s until the PR5GTs are released. Again, big guy, big bike ridden hard. The GT part only makes sense.
How you ride, and how big you are definitely makes some difference on which tires will work good for you.
I change and balance my own and have for years. Last I heard the dealers wanted about $40-$50 per tire off the bike amd you usually have to make two trips... Not for me. It takes me longer to R&R the wheel than it does to change the tire, although I spend quite a bit of time getting the balance just right.
To each his own.
