Tyre Thread : Michelin Pilot Roads vs Avon AzaroST (45/46)

[riceburner]

It's that time again.... :rolleyes:

I HAVE done a search, and there's masses of threads - if anything it's information overload ....

So - What are people's views on THESE TWO TYRES ALONE :

Michelin Pilot Roads vs Avon Azaro ST 45/46s

(I have used 010's, 020's, Pilot Sports, Z6's, M1/Z6 mix, Z6/020 mix, ContiRoadAttacks, so know what they're all like, thanks )

I've not used either of these yet on the Rockster and would like to hear people's thoughts. My riding is mostly commuting (525 miles a week) and some hooning/touring (over 100 miles most weekends or more).

Commuting is on fast A-roads (a29/A24), then town work so a fair bit of mostly upright riding.

Hooning tends to be smaller B-roads wherever possible so as much grip as possible is nice

Touring could be anything - but longevity is valued.

I ride in ALL weathers (even snow if I get caught in it) and especially value wet-weather performance along with good feedback from the tyres.

My current favourites are Metz's Z6 - but am always open to trying new tyres - hence why I want to try either of the two aforementioned types while the decent weather is (mostly) here.


Please help me decide from these two brands - I'm getting the new tyres this weekend (my current Z6 front is nearly triangular, and the 020 rear is worn and has a nail in it - it only lasted 4K miles!! :eek: ) - but will be ordering them today (from RideInBikeTyres in Reading - highly recommended ).

[Pat]

I can speak to the Avons as a fully capable tire, as I have had three sets of them. When normally I find myself getting 3300-4200 miles on the likes of an M1 or Z4, and 6500-7000 miles on tires like Macadams, M880s, Battalaxs, I could get up to and more than 8000 miles on the AV45/46. Drive hard & fast on them, and they melt just as easily as other tires, drive conservatively and expect to get at least a couple thousand MORE miles than you would normally get out of other Sport Touring tires (tyres ). I'm afraid to ride in the rain, but my Azaros with little tread left on them, made me feel unusually confident on wet & twisty roads in the foothills.

I put some Pilot Roads on my Triumph triple and LOVED 'EM! I sold my bike (self intervention) and didn't have a chance to find out how many miles I coulda gotten outa them. They gave me all the confidence in the world riding at ridiculous speeds over mountainous roads sprinkled with sand and snow run-off..... VERY confidence inspiring! Unlike the AV45/46, the shape of the Pilot Road is conducive to throwing the bike easily from a full-lean left, to a full-lean right.

My opinion is that the Avons are a fantastic tire for a bike equipped with a fairing and system cases. Avon recommends a tire pressure of 36 up front & 42 in the back. My ABS kicked in TOO EASILY with higher air pressures in my tires unless I had the bike sufficiently loaded. So I would advise against the Azaros if a guy is running a naked R equipped with ABS.
They are a fat sexy tire that when measured, actually makes for a foot-print wider than other tires of the same tire size. The AV45/46s don't seem to follow irregularities in the road, steel grates over bridges won't upset them, and they feel there best at speed.

The Pilot Roads reminded me of my Metzler Z4s...... only reminded me though, they ain't the same as the best tire for the Roadster, the Z4 or Z6. But remember, I only got 4000 miles outa my Z4s..... you'll get far more than that on either the Pilot or AV!

[riceburner]

Cheers Pat - I have to admit I've only used the Z4 on my ZXR400 - it was ok - but not great.

I like the Z6 most at present (as I said), but would like to try something different, just in case it's better. The search for knowledge is never-ending.

[ArjanH]

Got Pilot Roads now, because my local BMW specialist (not a dealer) recommended them and I trust their opinion, and really like them so far. Back tire has about 2000 km, front has 4000 on it.

First tires on my R where Bridgestones. These Pilot Roads give even more confidence. I've been riding in rain too, didn't feel any drifts or slides whatsoever.

Like'm but can't compare to the Avons.

[BobFV1]

Riceburner -

Since I have no experience with Avons, I did not reply to your poll. I have been running Pilot Roads off and on on my Ducati 900ss for about 1500 miles. I mount the Pilot Roads for general hooning and some light touring (just point-to-point day trips) and put the Pilot Race tires back on for track days.

Recently I didn't get a chance to change the tires out and I ran the Pilot Roads for track day and they were surprisingly well planted and responsive - they did a very, very good job on a very twisty course. They also provide a nice ride on the slab - good tires and they seem to be holding up very well - quite suitable as an everyday tire on a sportier bike.

Still love Z-6's on the RT, but that is quite a different ride than your Rockster.

Safe riding.

[Deans BMW]

I have used as Pat has all brands on my R1150R, I like both the Avons and Pilot Roads on the RR, with the nod going to the Roads. My ST came with the Pilot Roads in the 180 width and like them a lot, on my 2nd rear at approching 10,000 miles in 2 1/2 months.

[riceburner]

Just to muddle things.... I've broadened my outlook now to include a couple of Pirelli's offerings :

The Scorpion Sync (standard on the Ducati Multistrada),
and the Diablo Strada (which is a re-treaded Z6 by the looks of it).

Anyone have any experience with these??

[MIXR]

Ok - I'll buy in on the discussion.

The Avons will never out poll the others. I don't know why as they are a very capable tyre. I'm into my second set now, and they just love the tight stuff as well as the long fast sweepers.

Both sets have exhibited the strange 'resonance' they seem to get on the R for the first few thousand kilometers. I now believe it's the wide grooves on the rear tyre settling in - wearing down the sharp edge of the big asymetric tread pattern. It goes away, but can be very noticeable if you travel light (no cases etc) at first.

Very confidence inspiring tyres under all conditions. I use all the tread on the rear of mine with no hint of slip or slide, unlike the two types of Dunlops I originally had. The Avon will 'pit' if used hard, and the big grooves on the rear will feather up. But they just don't let go.

I have not tried the Z6 and would like to, but it's a hard call when the Avons seem to suit the bike so well. I know Pat (hi buddy) has previously mentioned that they were slow steering tyres. I do not find that to be the case on my bike, but I also have a very light steering head (bearing force) compared to some other R's I've checked out. Maybe that's the difference as it allows the lean pressure to be applied more easily through the front end.

I've done long fast runs sitting on speeds well-above sensible, with never a hint of wandering or instability. I regularly blast through sweepers at speeds that allowed my Dunlops to actually slide, but the Avons stay glued. They never 'spin up' like the Dunlops did under 'power' out of the tight stuff, but friends on Z6's say the same.

As for the Michelins, I have only ever had two punctures in my life on bikes. Both rear tyres. Both Michelins. Both caused by something slicing the casing in the centre of the tread of near new tyres. Not sure I want to make it three times.

[Paper]

Edited, and moved on...

[riceburner]

Cheers all.

Amazing isn't it how people's experiences of the same thing are all sooooo different.