Trying to find the right tyre for your bike, riding conditions and intentions can be a difficult decision. How often do you see people posting on motorcycle Facebook groups asking for tyre recommendations when responses list brands other riders know? While on the one hand, it’s great to hear riders recommend tyres, but would they be suited for the rider asking for the recommendation in the first place? o75 has spotted why one particular tyre comes up time, after time.
I’ve ridden many motorcycles using different tyres, so you do feel the feedback after all this riding. Tyres are developed for a specific purpose so it’s important to find the right tyre for you.
Before spirited Facebook groups became an integrated part of the biking community for recommendations, I relied upon other sources. I researched manufacturer websites, magazine reviews, and spoke to dealers to find the best type of tyre for me, my bike and the purpose I was to use them for, which is mainly touring.
Back then, Michelin launched the Pilot Road 3s. It was a considerable improvement over the OEM tyre the manufacturer fitted on my bike. The research ticked all the boxes and, while not competitively priced, the additional expected mileage outweighed the extra expense compared to its competition.
Swapping in pairs since the PR3s, I’ve had a set of flawless Pilot Road 4s, and, because I knew the brand, the tyre and the technology, it was only a natural progression to fit Road 5s. Seeing a pair of PR4s did just under 10k miles, Michelin claimed these could go further.
The interesting feature with this tyre is the Sipe technology which means, as the tyre is worn, it continues to displace the same amount of water and the outer edges of the tyre remains soft to give you exceptional grip in the dry. Unlike the PR4s, the Sipe technology is away from the edges as Michelin realised riders wouldn’t generally lean that far in the wet.
Even when 50% worn, and at 3500 miles, the Road 5s offer the same confidence in wet and dry conditions and stops the bike as quickly as a new set of Pilot Road 4 tyres.
Using the combined technologies of 2CT and 2CT+ with the latest generation of compounds and evolutionary XST Evo Siped tread, Road 5 does offer excellent continuous grip.
Only once, and very recently, did I have a very slight twitch. It immediately regained grip, and the bike was back under control.
Only once, and very recently, did I have a very slight twitch. It immediately regained grip, and the bike was back under control. Looking back, I put that down to diesel on a country road. I can hardly blame the tyre. It did its job.
Have I used these in the wet? Oh yeah, many times. On one occasion, coming back up through France, I was pushing hard through torrential rain and strong winds for several hours. Not once were they a concern to knock my confidence.
We’re pretty much at 5000 miles; the Road 5s show no sign of squaring off and still offer excellent tread depth. I’m anticipating a change will be required around the 10k mile mark. We shall see.
Overall, for a mixed-road use, whether doing long stretches on the motorway or navigating the fast twisties of the Picos de Europa, I can wholeheartedly give this tyre a five out of five.
You only need to visit Michelin’s website to see what other riders think. Or ask the question within your motorcycle Facebook groups; I’m sure you will see Michelin Road 5s would be a common recommendation.
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