Any report on the Road 5 GTs yet?

[bigjohnsd]

I get the impression the compounds are similar to the PR4's, so all good with me... stickier better than hard (mileage) to me. Too bad they cost so much.

Speed costs money! How fast do you want to go?

Looking at a set of the PR5 Trail tires for my still hope to do August-September Labrador/Newfoundland/Nova Scotia trip.

[Blueridgerider]

Great wet pavement behavior.


They stick fairly well in the dry too...

Now that is one great photo! Definitely one I would blow up to poster size and put in my garage or anywhere in the house motorcycle related.

[jwilly]

Here's some feedback on the Road 5 GT's:

Good: These tires have exceptional grip in wet and dry conditions. I really like the feel of these tires in both tight twisty roads as well as higher speed sweepers. You can definitely feel the transition between the hard/soft compound especially when pushing hard in the turns, once you get used to the feel it becomes more natural.

Bad: These tires are pretty expensive compared to other choices available. I have either mounted or helped mount 3 sets of these tires, the front beads seem to roll in while in the warehouse/shipping. It's easy to get the tire onto the rim but can be difficult to get the initial air in the front tire because there is no outward pressure against the rim. (see pic below) I used some water bottles and forces them into the tire for a little while right before mounting and that helped. My last complaint, the GT's will not result in any additional mileage over the standard Road 5's that I ran.

The pics below are the tires with 3100 miles. Note the miles on these tires are almost no slab at all. 95% of the miles on these tires are in North GA, TN and NC mountains. Keep in mind that I ride a very conservative pace and always obey the posted speed limit..

Bead stretching prior to mounting:


Tires with 3100 miles:

[raYzerman]

Clearly those useless roads have abrasive pavement, if you'd stay off them flat boring things, you'd get double that mileage.. for now I'd just continue your good behaviour but find some different roads.

[Hppants]

Well - that is exactly the kind of feedback I was interested in - thanks Jwilly. I'm looking for more miles, first because I'm "frugal" (er.... cheap). And second, I'm looking for a tire that will give me an honest 8,000 miles, which will likely be the longest trip I will take from my current starting point. Having the change tires on the road, while certainly doable - especially with all of the help from this forum, is a PITA for a tourer like myself. I don't like to make plans of any kind on the road - if I ship tires to a pre-determined location, then that is somewhere I gotta be at a certain time.

So it would appear that the PR4GT is the mileage king for the FJR, at least it is for Pants. As for value (least cost per mile), it's a toss up between the PR4GT and the Roadsmart 3s, with a nod to the Dunflop if they offer a rebate.

[jwilly]

So it would appear that the PR4GT is the mileage king for the FJR, at least it is for Pants. As for value (least cost per mile), it's a toss up between the PR4GT and the Roadsmart 3s, with a nod to the Dunflop if they offer a rebate.

Consider the Pirelli Angel GT2, I got 7600 miles out of the set last fall. So for someone normal that's probably 9000..

[bill lumberg]

I happen to be nearing the end of life on a set of Road 5GT’s as well. My previous set of R5GT’s lasted as long as my record holders- PR4GT’s. That was probably 80-90% slab/commuting, 10/20% mountains. Those lasted a long time, and felt superb all the way.

This set has been ridden almost exclusively in the mountains. Hard, by my standards, anyway. I haven’t just ridden close to the edge here or there. I gave the edge some walking around money and told it to buy a new dress. I think any set given a fat boy on a fat bike with nothing but twisties isn’t going to last too long. Mine are pretty much done.

Tires wore amazingly evenly across the tire, and amazingly even front to rear. Rode in heavy rain today and yesterday and they still felt completely poised.

I’ll have to look at my odometer today (may come back and edit), but I think I’m around 4,000 miles on this set, and have already ordered replacement tires.

That is the fastest I’ve gone through any set of tires. Ever
But I’ve done more pure unadulterated mountain hooning on this set than any set before them. This has been one of the best feeling sets of tires I’ve ever run, from start to finish. I may go running back to them after I burn up the set I’m about to put on.

[fontanaman]

So it would appear that the PR4GT is the mileage king for the FJR, at least it is for Pants. As for value (least cost per mile), it's a toss up between the PR4GT and the Roadsmart 3s, with a nod to the Dunflop if they offer a rebate.

Consider the Pirelli Angel GT2, I got 7600 miles out of the set last fall. So for someone normal that's probably 9000..

My '17 came with Pirelli Angel GT spec A. My impression is they are stiff similar to Dunlops RS3s. I am getting good mileage out of them and but they aren't a supple as PR4s. Price of both is same at Rock Mt ATV.

Jwilly did you find the Pirellis stiffer than the PR4s?

[jwilly]

Jwilly did you find the Pirellis stiffer than the PR4s?

I haven't run PR4's in quite a while so I can't really make that comparison. I did a complete review of the Angel GT's last fall here:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4391

[Hppants]

Is the "GT2" and the "GT A-spec" the same tire?

[raYzerman]

No, GT2 replaces the GT, with a little price increase, still have to add A-spec if you want it (I wouldn't, never do, thus perhaps more compliant).

[FJRoss]

Is the "GT2" and the "GT A-spec" the same tire?

The GT II is a new offering. The "A" spec is just about a stiffer carcass for heavier bikes.

[Hppants]

Jim - could you venture a guess regarding mileage you are gonna get out of the A-spec tire?

[fontanaman]

Jim - could you venture a guess regarding mileage you are gonna get out of the A-spec tire?

I expect to get 6500-7500 miles from the Angel GT Spec A's. Note these are not the Angel GT 2s.

Here are some numbers. The tread depth was measured at the center most wear bar. Depth is to top of wear bar. These tires were either new or very new when I bought the '17. These are the tires I road from Lafayette to Spokane, so lots of highway miles.

The rear tire has 5000 miles on it and has 2.5/32 tread left. New Tread depth is 5/32.
The rear tire has 5000 miles on it and has 3/32 tread left. New Tread depth is 8/32.

Let's compare that to the PR4 I have mounted on my 09. The tread depth was measure at the center most wear bar. Depth is to top of wear bar.
These tires were used on a a trip to California, a trip to NE Oregon and on day rides around Spokane.

The rear tire has 3500 miles on it and has 2.75/32 tread left. New tread depth is 5/32.
The rear tire has 4000 miles on it and has 3/32 tread left. New Tread depth is 9/32.

When I was out riding yesterday I had complete confidence in the Pirelli's plus I am getting 1500 more miles out of them vs the PR4. The PR4 and Angel GT Spec A's cost just over $300 before sales tax. I kind doubt the PR5 GT at 405 before tax, a 31% increase, will provide 31% more enjoyment, performance or miles.

So I am going to buy a set of Pirelli Angel GT Spec A's at Revzilla.

[raYzerman]

There is a brand new Angel GT on my VFR waiting to be ridden. Shinko Raven 009 up front. I have read good things about the Angel GT's grip and handling from testimonials on other forums, never a negative comment.

[Hppants]

Great feedback, Jim - many thanks. Your projections certainly seem reasonable.

Would the consensus of opinion offer that the A-spec tire wears longer than the non-A-spec tire, all other things being equal? Just my "thinking out loud", but stiffer sidewalk equals less flex, which equals less friction, which equals less heat, which equals longer wear?

I'm contemplating trying the A-spec for the rear, and the non A-spec for the front...

[raYzerman]

Opinion only... Marginally so from my experience, bound to be more mileage if you are doing two-up. To me the compounds on Angel GT and PR4 are similar, good grip and handling... want the best mileage go PR2, and RS3's also a tad harder than PR4, just be aware of a touch less grip in wet and cool weather stuff. Summer heat, not much to worry about.

[fontanaman]

I go with what Ray said.

I choose the Spec A because I hope it lasts a little longer, was designed for heavier bikes and is on my '17. I doubt a non Spec A will last longer than Spec A. I weight 230 so I qualify my as two up when solo.

Given the FJR wears out a front tire first why go with a non Spec A type tire up front?. I want to learn more .

[Hppants]

For me, regardless of brand, the rear wears out about 20%-25% sooner than the front. Been this way for the Gen 1 and both Gen 3s. The PR2 on my Gen 1 lasted about 8,000 miles (rear), but on the Gen3, it was smoked in about 5K.

The PR4GTs lasted about 25% longer than the RS3s (both front and rear). I've got two sets of each on my current bike for data. Grip (wet and dry) is sufficient for me on both tires. I'm not nearly as aggressive on wet pavement as dry. The RS3 is about 25% cheaper than the PR4GT, a smidge less if I catch the RS3 with a rebate.

But if the Pirelli Angel GT last as long as the PR4GT and cost the same as the RS3, then I'm definitely gonna try it.

[Blueridgerider]

Here's some feedback on the Road 5 GT's:

Good: These tires have exceptional grip in wet and dry conditions. I really like the feel of these tires in both tight twisty roads as well as higher speed sweepers. You can definitely feel the transition between the hard/soft compound especially when pushing hard in the turns, once you get used to the feel it becomes more natural.

Bad: These tires are pretty expensive compared to other choices available. I have either mounted or helped mount 3 sets of these tires, the front beads seem to roll in while in the warehouse/shipping. It's easy to get the tire onto the rim but can be difficult to get the initial air in the front tire because there is no outward pressure against the rim. (see pic below) I used some water bottles and forces them into the tire for a little while right before mounting and that helped. My last complaint, the GT's will not result in any additional mileage over the standard Road 5's that I ran.

The pics below are the tires with 3100 miles. Note the miles on these tires are almost no slab at all. 95% of the miles on these tires are in North GA, TN and NC mountains. Keep in mind that I ride a very conservative pace and always obey the posted speed limit..

Bead stretching prior to mounting:


Tires with 3100 miles:

Damn I have ridden those roads and never remembered Sandpaper surfaces Man I have about 3,000 miles on mine and ride primarily in the twisties too but they look nothing like that. Very happy so far with the wear and others have said, the handling with them is fantastic.