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Buell Forum » Quick Board Archives » Archive through August 18, 2009 » Looking for EXPERIENCE how well does the pilot road 2 FRONT tire grip « Previous Next »

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Speedfreaks101
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 10:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have been running a Conti Road Attack Rear and a Conti Sport Attack front for my last several sets. Before doing this I spoke with Continental and I was told that it was ok to run a Sport Attack front with a Road Attack rear due to them having the same profile and same tread pattern.

I have decided that I want to try the Pilot Road 2 rear but wanted to run a Pilot Power front tire for more grip. So today I called Michelin USA and spoke to a rep and I was informed that the compound on the outside of the Pilot Road 2 is very similar to the Pilot Power compound, but I forgot to ask about how much difference there is in the carcass. I've read that the Pilot Power has a softer carcass than the Pilot Road 2 but I do not know if it is true. I know for a fact that the profile is different, very different. Now I also have seen quite a few people run a Pilot power front with a Pilot Road 2 rear and like it but I am hesitant since the Michelin rep said it was a no no due to "tread" differences.


Now I am switching tires tomorrow and I am hoping some one can tell me from experience how well the pilot road 2 grips on the front end.I don't mind the rear moving around a little but I want the front rock steady.

Experience please...
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Just_ziptab
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 10:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

All I can tell you is that the front Pilot Roads wear funny on both my XB's. They look like they have been run under inflated. Evidently the harder center material is lasting WAY longer than the softer side compound. The rears are just the opposite and are squaring off. I try to power out of most all corners to round them out in wear,but I guess the center compound see's more straight up acceleration and wears flatter. (yeah,I know,it ain't what you asked.......just wanted to share )
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Ferris_von_bueller
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 10:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

All my tires have done that, Zip
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Just_ziptab
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 11:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Even the OEM Dunlops? Mine wore pretty nice,but cupped.
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Speedfreaks101
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 11:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks Zip. No matter if it is what I was looking for it is still good info. BTW what pressures are you running?
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Odie
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 11:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I run a Pilot Power on the front and a Pilot Road 2 on the rear. Down here the rear is plenty sticky while riding aggressively on country roads and in town. However, when I ride up in the mountains during March Badness I can feel the transition from hard to soft compounds. Sort of startling but you sort of get used to it. I really want to go back to a Power but it doesn't last very long down here in Alabama. Other than that I have noticed no difference in rideability or a weird wear pattern. All is normal down here the way I ride daily. Just in the mountains do things change. Just thought I would let you know I feel it is fine to run the two tires together.
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Jsg4dfan
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 11:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I took my XB9S to one of the Buell sponsored track days last year with a fresh set of Road 2's. I couldn't have been happier with them. Since it was my first track day I was required to go with the novice group. I was pulled aside and asked to move to the advanced group after the second session (I asked to go with the intermediate, which I was allowed to do). I state that not to brag, but to give you a frame of reference -- I'm sure as hell not a racer, but I do love to burn some curves. Touched pegs on both sides, rode way faster than I would ever be comfortable with on the street, and was stunned by the performance of the tires. I was even more impressed with their lack of wear. Your mileage may vary, but I'm not at all worried about not having enough tire.
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Just_ziptab
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 11:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

38 front,36 rear. Check/add every two weeks. Usually just a pound or two low. 170 pounds,including full gear and a lunch bucket(hardly overloaded). Original front brakes went 10,000 miles(and could have gone 15k the way they looked when I took them out),so I'm probably not diving the front onto the softer side compounds all that much. Couple of nice curves that I play pretty hard every day,but evidently not enuf curves to keep'm "round" in profile.
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Cityxslicker
Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 12:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I wouldnt run it in dirt, mud or gravel ; )
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 04:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have RP2's on both ends of my Cityx.

So far these tires are fantastic. On a few occasions I have pushed my bike harder than street logic would dictate. They have a lot more to give than I have courage.

If you are a track junkie I could see where you could overheat the tire, but only if you were REALLY aggressive.
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Speedfreaks101
Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 11:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I just wanted to give some info that others might find useful in the future.

I spoke to another Michelin USA rep today so I could find if the carcass of the Pilot power was softer than the Pilot Road 2. I was told that they were the same as far as stiffness. So the differences are profile and tread pattern. I also asked if the profile difference between the two tires was a contributing factor to not recommending mixing tires. I was told no, only tread pattern.

Thought it might be good info if someone wanted to know, and I will find out how well these things hold up.

Thanks y'all for the input,
Bart
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