front tire cupping

[Grumpy Goat]

Pyrrho, this ^^^ is the best answer you will get on the planet.

[Pyrrho]

I appreciate the mileage data, thank you. What about RS3 vs RS4 handling in dry and wet?

[Grumpy Goat]

I appreciate the mileage data, thank you. What about RS3 vs RS4 handling in dry and wet?

Check this thread.

[darrell]

Several good comments on the difference between the III and IV just as there will be eventual differences between the IV and V (whenever that happens).

If you value time as money, want to reduce the chance of your rims being damaged during tire changes, want to reduce a couple hours at a dealer or your tire changing place, eliminate the $0.50/mile on your car hauling tires (disregard EV), etc I personally have a hard time understanding why a person would not be willing to pay $100 more for a set of tires that increases your mileage so reducing number of tire changes. As well for those expert riders among you will notice some riding characteristics changes between the 2 versions.

I’m not good enough of a rider to experience all that others might but there are some differences between the III and IV. The IV had a softer sidewall on the front tire, a more V profile of the front tire, a different silica compound on the rear tire and a couple of other small changes.

I don’t ride in rain very often but the few times I have there as been no instances where I felt any tire slip with either the III or IV.

And for those of you attending the National Rally in June in Springfield, MO there are 5 seminars probably an hour long each from 5 difference tire manufactures so you can get all your questions answered.

[Ray]

...there are some differences between the III and IV. The IV had a softer sidewall on the front tire, a more V profile of the front tire, a different silica compound on the rear tire and a couple of other small changes....

As usual, I agree with everything above, and would add, for me, all those changes added up to BIG differences in performance and longevity.

Though I only squeezed ~7000 miles and about 2 weeks out of my last set of RS4s, I'll be the first to admit that for many reasons including lack of skill, my tires usually take a beating in the twisty parts of life.

My first set of RS4s ran ~8000 miles, with 10% left.
I ran RS3s for only ~5500 miles, and a few sets of Roadtec 01s an average of ~6000 miles.

[Pyrrho]

Haha I didn't realize the article I had already read was by the same Darrell on the forum. Nice! This was the additional info I needed. Cost isn't that much of a factor, I'm looking for better sport performance and any extra mileage is a bonus. The ability to retain their shape profiles even after high miles without riding like rocks is particularly impressive.

[Twisty Road]

About 800 miles ago I had a set of Dunlop RS 4's mounted to replace a set of Bridgestone T32's. So far the Dunlop's have experienced some of the best twisty mountain roads of East Tennessee and North Georgia. I'm pleased to report that they stick like Velcro, even when pushed at a fast pace in the curves. I've only ridden in light rain so far, but expect them to perform well in the heavy rains too. Hopefully they will last longer than the 6,700 miles from the T32's.

[Pyrrho]

About 800 miles ago I had a set of Dunlop RS 4's mounted to replace a set of Bridgestone T32's. So far the Dunlop's have experienced some of the best twisty mountain roads of East Tennessee and North Georgia. I'm pleased to report that they stick like Velcro, even when pushed at a fast pace in the curves. I've only ridden in light rain so far, but expect them to perform well in the heavy rains too. Hopefully they will last longer than the 6,700 miles from the T32's.

Exactly where I plan on riding this summer and just what I wanted to hear. I'm sold. All the more reason to pile on miles as soon as possible, so I can eat through the Z8s the bike's coming with.

[Motorhead1977]

Yep, also southwest North Carolina twisties - all the non-dragon roads that are available without the crowds of crazies and "boy wonders". I have a set of Road 5 on my RS and like them very much. Predictable and good in the rain. I get 4-5,000 miles out of a Road 5 rear tire at least I did on my 1200RT. Have to see how it goes with the RS.

[Duccrazydave]

Most of my time is spent in the NC/VA twisties. I also had the Road 5's on my '16RS. Sportbike-soft carcass with great grip and short life (4500 miles). As mentioned earlier, Dunlop RS4's have a more compliant sidewall than the RS3's. Also Michelin level grip with excellent tread life. No wet weather experience to speak of.

[36654]

For me, the PR5 front is too soft outboard of the center zone (the small chevron sipes). The region of the large/deep sipes wears quickly (6~7K miles of life) and the tire profile becomes increasingly triangular. The PR5 rear wears very well, providing 9~10K of service life and maintaining a relatively rounded profile.

When the OP mentioned cupping, I attribute that to the localized wear at the large sipes.

CORRECTED

[Grumpy Goat]

Please clarify / edit the above post ^^ ... there is no "RS5" (as in Dunlop RoadSmart 5). I think you must mean Michelin Road 5 ...?

[36654]

Please clarify / edit the above post ^^ ... there is no "RS5" (as in Dunlop RoadSmart 5). I think you must mean Michelin Road 5 ...?

Good catch Grumpy. I was typing before rushing out the door for a family reunion. I have no clue how I created the RS5. I corrected the offending post.

[Grumpy Goat]

Good catch Grumpy. I was typing before rushing out the door for a family reunion. I have no clue how I created the RS5. I corrected the offending post.

No prob, but even the correction also has a problem in that the last tire to have the "Pilot" in the name was the Pilot Road 4. The 5 was simply called the "Road 5". See the Road family here: https://www.michelinman.com/motorcycle/b...amily/road

Not meaning to be picky or anything ... AAMOF when the Road 5 came out most people made the mistake of calling them "Pilot Road 5", which was understandable since had Pilot Road 2 and Pilot Road 3, in addition to the Pilot Road 4.

At least now we know you were not speaking about the Dunlops ...

[Duckbubbles]

Not meaning to be picky or anything ... AAMOF when the Road 5 came out most people made the mistake of calling them "Pilot Road 5", which was understandable since had Pilot Road 2 and Pilot Road 3, in addition to the Pilot Road 4

Not to forget the original "Pilot Road" that dates back to the 90's/early 2000"s AFAIK.

Frank

[MrVvrroomm]

I don’t ride in rain very often but the few times I have there as been no instances where I felt any tire slip with either the III or IV.

I never plan to ride in rain. Unless I'm riding cross country, I never leave if it's raining.

I read all the time riders commenting on how much better traction X tire has in the rain. I call bullshit.

Have you really ever had your bike slip on wet pavement, other than riding over paint on the road? Don't even get me going on tire X being better than tire Y over tar snakes. Tar snakes are a hazard, period. They are a hazard just as sand and/or gravel. It's a feature of the road to be dealt with. There isn't a magic tire for tar snakes, wet or dry.

I tend to ride aggressively, much less so when the road are wet.

Any brand name tire with tread life remaining will out-perform most riders in most conditions.

[36654]

Not meaning to be picky or anything ... AAMOF when the Road 5 came out most people made the mistake of calling them "Pilot Road 5", which was understandable since had Pilot Road 2 and Pilot Road 3, in addition to the Pilot Road 4

Not to forget the original "Pilot Road" that dates back to the 90's/early 2000"s AFAIK.

Frank

Yep, the original model thru the PR4 made many of us into Michelin fans. Somehow, after the PR4, the "wheels came off" the design of the front tires. And, it's just the fronts. The rears are great. Strangely, there are FJR riders that claim high mileage with these newer Michelin products.

[TriangleRider]

And for those of you attending the National Rally in June in Springfield, MO there are 5 seminars probably an hour long each from 5 difference tire manufactures so you can get all your questions answered.

Seriously? Is attendance voluntary or is this some sort of mandatory sentence for people late with their dues?

[MrVvrroomm]

Seriously? Is attendance voluntary or is this some sort of mandatory sentence for people late with their dues?

LOL

[Lee]

Seriously? Is attendance voluntary or is this some sort of mandatory sentence for people late with their dues?

The mandatory seminars deal with oil