Roadsmarts - have you fitted them to your GTR1400?

Posted: 08/08/2009 at 21:16

Posted: 08/08/2009 at 21:20

No surprise the Roadsmarts give more confidence than Corsa IIIs for regular riding.  I find hypersports tyres only inspire more confidence when I do track days.  On the road they rarely get to an adequate temperature for optimal grip, even riding briskly.

These new dual compound tyres - like Pilot Road 2 and Roadsmart - seem to be the best of both worlds, with confidence inspiring grip on the road, even for a litre sportsbike rider like me.

Posted: 08/08/2009 at 21:36

I've just taken a pair off my BMW R1150RT.

they only lasted just over 4K miles, I was going to replace just the rear but when I checked the front it was squared off to buggery and only had about 1.8mm of tread left.  The tyres on there previously were Metz Z6 which did 8K miles and I have a pair of mich PRII on there now.

The PRII's have done about 2K miles now and are barely showing any signs of wear, I'm expecting a good amount of milage from them.

I've had no issues with grip on ANY of the tyres mentioned, they are all excellent in all weathers. 

Posted: 09/08/2009 at 14:36

I have a set on my ZZR1400 (getting close to a GTR now )

Posted: 09/08/2009 at 22:11

Posted: 10/08/2009 at 11:04

Many thanks for the feedback folks, good stuff. Fair point on the Michelins - I guess there's a tendency to go with tyres you've tried and found to be good, though in the interests of something approaching a scientific test I'll endeavour to try some of Bibendum's products on the old girl before she goes back.

 Sgoaty, have you test-ridden a GTR? I really rated the ZZR riding it in isolation and would be interested to know how the two bikes stack up back-to-back?

Many thanks,

Ben

Posted: 10/08/2009 at 11:26

• Advised by pro-tyre fitter to buy a pair for my CB1300. They were gently 'scrubbed in' for @200 miles then taken for a 10 day trip through france/spain/andorra. 5 of these days were spent going(playing) around the pyrenees(bend after bend).2,350 miles in all. i've just gone on a weekend away in sunny uk, @480 miles. after @3000 motorway miles/ twisty scalextric track miles they look barely worn,aren't squared off at all and inspire nothing but confidence. untill now i always raved about avons' 020's (in the past i've had these on a bandit12 and a busa)but these look like far exceeding there lifespan. i know i've got a CB1300 and not a GTR but i'd imagine that for the majority of time we'd be riding with about the same amount of power/torque/braking forces passing through the tyres.i know tyre life depends on the way you ride,personally,but i'd like to think i'm quite quick but safeish.it's a naked CB so top speeds are short bursts, so 85 to 90mph motorway miles are the norm.

hope this helps.

Posted: 10/08/2009 at 14:01

I had Roadsmarts on my GTR1400 for about 4 winter months.  Lasted approx 1500 miles.  Felt great, excellent road holding, but 1,500 miles, I won't be doing that again.  My riding style is not agressive and I do observing for the IAM.

Just got to the end of life with PR2s approx 4K miles and will be going back to the 021's.  They gave me the most number of miles and they are a known entity.

Andy

Posted: 10/08/2009 at 16:15

Posted: 10/08/2009 at 21:41

1500 miles Andy?! That's impressively poor. We've got a trip lined up next week that'll cover that in three days so if I'm blogging about a new pair of tyres this time next week you'll now things have gone all square-shaped...

How do you rate the GTR? After more than 6000 miles my biggest gripe, and it's really not that big, is the sometimes very clunky transition from a trailing to a positive throttle. Part of it's throttle control, granted, but the combination of abrupt fuelling and slighty clunky final drive can be annoying. Would you agree or do I just need to develop some sensitivity?!

Ben

Ben   

Posted: 11/08/2009 at 12:42

Posted: 20/08/2009 at 06:24

Having done a lot of research there was concern that the Roadsmarts would not wear very well. 1500 miles seems to prove that.

I wasn't happy with the Bridgestone's - the front got really worn particularly when you want it on a lean.

Changed to PR2's. Confidence has soared and they hardly seem worn after 2k miles. Ok so you pay extra upfront but I think they're worth it in the long run.

And why, oh why, hasn't Kwacki done something about the exhaust on the GTR for the 2010 release? It's the same old spud chucker. I tell you something its also as heavy a hell! Saving on the weight alone must be worth it when compared with an after market stainless steel can. I can even ride the bike upright now instead of at a constant lean! (Just kiddin, but I have replaced something ugly with a thing of beauty, lost weight and got better performance to boot. It's like changing the missus!)

Posted: 20/10/2009 at 17:40