GREAT New Tire Report

1olbull said:

Patrick,
When I ride in the wet, I actually remain much more conservative than when on the dry.
I ran the Azaro backwards for over 12K miles and had absolutely no issues riding in the wet.

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1olbull said:

Well I have now put over 3,000 miles on my new Michelin Road 5 tire.
Tis a 150/70ZR17(69W) rear tire run backwards on the front of my 2012 R3R.

I have finally found a tire as good and likely better than the Avon Azaro.
I love the twisties and at 72 years, I have yet to outgrow the extreme fun of greasing them as best I can. Although not the wild man I once was, there is still nothing better than cutting a fine fast line through a series of twisties!

Although impossible, I'm always in search for anything that can make my R3R handle more like a sport bike. After 62,000 miles and at least 13 tires, this Pilot5 tire is by far THE best I've ever run on my front wheel.

Ninety miles of glorious twisties, called the Coronado Trail (Hwy 191) between Morenci and Alpine, AZ, were my test track.
I found the wider aspect ratio of the 150/70 kept the same wheel diameter and circumference as the 140/75. It provided much improved cornering control and copious quantities of traction. This tire provided me additional ability and confidence to create even more lean angle than ever before on this motor.
I run Standard boards on my R3R which are an inch and a half higher and provide quite a bit more lean angle than the OEM pegs did.
While touching down and dragging my boards was fairly common before, this tire allowed me to confidently increase my lean angle (more with both with butt over the inside of the seat or not) and drag nearly all the way round with total control and confidence. I had to be sure to keep my feet max inboard, so as not to ruin my spendy Daytona yuppie riding boots.
Traction of this tire was so good (not even one slip - ever!) that for me, control was enhanced to the point that the flex of the boards allowed me to gauge just when the engine guards, engine case or kickstand frame bolt were about to drag.

If you enjoy the twisties even half as much as I, you will have the need to lower your front axle and raise your rear axle to improve rake and trail for better handling. To accomplish this, many of us do run the 140/75R17 front with the Exedra Max 240/55R16 rear for this purpose. This tire will noticeably further improve your cornering ability!!!

Michelin Road 5 Rear Motorcycle Tire

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31moppie said:

I believe that it is the tread pattern that makes a tire "directional" not the way it is constructed. Most automotive tires spin either way. I would run it in the proper direction myself. Just my 2 cents

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31moppie said:

I believe that it is the tread pattern that makes a tire "directional" not the way it is constructed. Most automotive tires spin either way. I would run it in the proper direction myself. Just my 2 cents

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