Tyres

[ribbert]

Anyone here been through (or almost through) a set of PR4's notice a tendency to tramline as they wear?

Mine have about 6000km on them and due to the use they've had still retain a near perfect rounded profile.
I have played with tyre pressures which makes no difference.

I have just started to notice this over the last few weeks and initially thought it was just the odd strange road defect causing it but it seems to be regular.

It is only subtle at the moment but definitely there.

My other question is, how the hell do you wear these things out? I reckon they're only about half worn. What sort of mileage have you got from them?

Any feedback?

Noel

[racerrad8]

Zoanom, uses the Michelin PR4, he stopped by on Friday to the shop and we looked at his mileage as his were starting to flatten out. He had almost 9400 miles on them. He uses his bike for commuting mostly and twisters as he can, so the sides had plenty of tread left but the centers were close to the wear bars. Maybe 1,000 miles or so before they are there.

Robert

[oldktmdude]

   Noel, I got just over 9,600 km's out of the set of PR4's that I replaced just before the Rally. I didn't notice the tram-lining problem that you've mentioned but I did notice that the last couple of millimetres of tread did disappear very quickly. This tread disappearance was also very evident with the Pirelli Angels that I tried a few years ago. The PR4's are #2 on my list of preferred tyres.
   Regards, Pete.

[Pat Conlon]

That's about right, 8600 miles for me on the PR-4 back tire....never before have I had a back tire last that long.
Typically I would get 4500 to 5500 miles.
I noticed no tram lining on the front. We have rain grooves in the concrete sections of our freeways here in SoCal and you can get a wiggle on certain tires. I have not noticed it with the PR-4
I have 120/70-17 at 38psi in the front on a 3.5" rim, and 180/55-17 on a 5.5" rim at 40psi in the back for solo, 42 psi for touring with luggage.

[ribbert]

Thanks Robert, Pete and Pat for the feedback.
Maybe time to have a hunt around the rest of the bike and make sure everything's in order.

Pete, I notice they are #2 on your list of preferred tyres. Would #1 happen to be Z8's?

Noel

[oldktmdude]

Thanks Robert, Pete and Pat for the feedback.
Maybe time to have a hunt around the rest of the bike and make sure everything's in order.

Pete, I notice they are #2 on your list of preferred tyres. Would #1 happen to be Z8's?

Noel

You'd be correct in assuming that Noel. It's a close competition between the two but the Z8's have a confidence inspiring feel about them that I like very much.
Both are exceptional tyres and for grip and longevity, by far the best I've tried so far. 
   Regards, Pete.

[fj johnnie]

  I have 7,200 miles on my PR4's and they still ride fine. No issues with any odd wear , however they do take more time to warm up as they age and or wear. They are very nice sticky tires, but lately, towards the end of their life they seem more temperature sensitive. I have never put this many miles on a tire that sticks this well.

[ribbert]

  I have 7,200 miles on my PR4's and they still ride fine. No issues with any odd wear , however they do take more time to warm up as they age and or wear. They are very nice sticky tires, but lately, towards the end of their life they seem more temperature sensitive. I have never put this many miles on a tire that sticks this well.

Thanks Johnnie, overwhelmingly it seems the tyres are not prone to the behaviour I observed.

Interesting observation you make about the temp. I have noticed they run much cooler than any of my previous tyres, regardless of the conditions or riding style.

Noel