Tyres

[ribbert]

I used up the last of my rear tyre on Sunday, time for new rubber.  In the last 10 or so tyres I have not bought the same tyre twice.  I've tried pretty much everything in the "sports / touring " category and for one reason or another never liked any of them enough to buy again, until my last set.  There was nothing from the major brands I hadn't tried or dismissed by reviews and reputation.  After much research I thought the Continental Road Attack 2's, even if they only delivered on half the claims, couldn't be too bad.  To my delight, they transformed the bike by a margin that I thought would be beyond tyres alone, and delivered on all the claims.  An added bonus was getting many more miles than I would have expected.  The front tyre is about 2/3 worn and I'm very happy with the way it's wearing.
I contacted the importers for a list of retailers this week and the following is part of an email exchange with their national manager.

Glad to hear that you like the RA2's. They are pretty awesome, and we get nothing but rave reviews about them. Just hard to get the public to understand that they could be better than the 'more common brands'.

I reckon he's spot on.

BTW I believe it's the unusual profile of the front tyre that contributes most to the improved handling.

So, if your in the hunt for new tyres, do a bit of research and give these a shot.

Noel

[fj11.5]

Have heard nothing but good things about them, think :good2:nk i should start saving

[Dan Filetti]

So how many miles have you gotten on them??!!

Are they good in the rain/ wet?

How have have they worn?

Do you do more commuting on them or more twisty roads?

Do let us know?

[markmartin]

I've got 4000 miles on the set I put on this spring.  They are wearing well and I like everything about them.  I too will be buying another set of these when the time comes for new tires.

[The General]

I used up the last of my rear tyre on Sunday, time for new rubber.  In the last 10 or so tyres I have not bought the same tyre twice.  I've tried pretty much everything in the "sports / touring " category and for one reason or another never liked any of them enough to buy again, until my last set.  There was nothing from the major brands I hadn't tried or dismissed by reviews and reputation.  After much research I thought the Continental Road Attack 2's, even if they only delivered on half the claims, couldn't be too bad.  To my delight, they transformed the bike by a margin that I thought would be beyond tyres alone, and delivered on all the claims.  An added bonus was getting many more miles than I would have expected.  The front tyre is about 2/3 worn and I'm very happy with the way it's wearing.
I contacted the importers for a list of retailers this week and the following is part of an email exchange with their national manager.

Glad to hear that you like the RA2's. They are pretty awesome, and we get nothing but rave reviews about them. Just hard to get the public to understand that they could be better than the 'more common brands'.

I reckon he's spot on.

BTW I believe it's the unusual profile of the front tyre that contributes most to the improved handling.

So, if your in the hunt for new tyres, do a bit of research and give these a shot.

Noel

Tyre technology is certainly advancing and I too have been impressed with RA2`s. Also had many communications with Dunlop National sales manager. So thought I`d try the latest technology - Dunlop Roadsmart ll.  Mine are amongst the first shipment to OZ and were manufactured in their french factory.

I look forward to seeing you at our National FJ Rally at Bellingen in March 2013 for a personalised comparison report. Doug

[SlowOldGuy]

I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the mileage I got out of the (original gen) Roadsmart tires that I tried. The fronts were down to the wear bars at about 3500 miles.

Hopefully you'll get better wear out of the RS2.

DavidR.

[ribbert]

I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the mileage I got out of the (original gen) Roadsmart tires that I tried. The fronts were down to the wear bars at about 3500 miles.

Hopefully you'll get better wear out of the RS2.

DavidR.

These ( Road Attack 2's) are a completely different tyre.

I can't find where I recorded the mileage I fitted them at, but can account for 6000k's in trips alone.

Noel

[ribbert]

So how many miles have you gotten on them??!!

Are they good in the rain/ wet?

How have have they worn?

Do you do more commuting on them or more twisty roads?

Do let us know?

I can't find the mileage I fitted them at but I'm sure they've got more miles on them than the previous ones.

They are brilliant in the wet. I've NEVER cancelled a ride because of rain so they have seen a lot wet roads.

These have seen a bit more slab than usual but I'm happy with the worn profile.

I don't commute and avoid slab wherever possible.

My only complaint would be the absence of wear markers in the centre of the back tyre.

Noel

[FJmonkey]

My only complaint would be the absence of wear markers in the centre of the back tyre.

Noel

That's because you're supposed to wear off the sides and then get new ones. Only Harley tires need them in the center. 

[yamaha fj rider]

I ran Conties in the past on different bikes (not an FJ) and was very happy with them. They did nothing wrong and worked well in the rain.

Kurt

[fj11.5]

slightly off topic, I just did a tyre and wheel swap on the 1200 , my wheels and near new tyres, as the ones on it have been on there 14 years that I know of, on close inspection they were cracking in the tread grooves, besides being on the wear marks the rear dunlop was still soft, but the battle axe b45 was hard , age is also bad on tyres

[The General]

I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the mileage I got out of the (original gen) Roadsmart tires that I tried. The fronts were down to the wear bars at about 3500 miles.

Hopefully you'll get better wear out of the RS2.

DavidR.

The following is a bias view obviously, but I did get even more details earlier to this email. In the end I thought his diligence was worth giving the latest technology a go. (Will keep ya posted)

Doug

the RoadSmart had more than a couple of running changes in its 5 year life so I guess it is difficult to identify the differences.

Also the rear RS started life as a mono tread & then most of the range was changed over to Multi Tread in the first 18 months of its life

Also the RoadSmart are made in 2 different factories ......France & Japan ......whilst the specs are similar there are also some slight differences

We have imported from both factories as have the US
 
I think some of the earlier MultiTread RS may have had a peculiar wear pattern that was rectified  in later production

regards
Ken Wieden
National Motorcycle & Motorsport Manager
Dunlop Tyres
Tel 03 84167225
Mob 0419 253976
Fax 03 84167400
email ken_wieden@goodyear.com

[oldktmdude]

These ( Road Attack 2's) are a completely different tyre.

I can't find where I recorded the mileage I fitted them at, but can account for 6000k's in trips alone.

Noel

Noel, just wondering how the RA2's are goin? I'm just about to buy a pair of tyres and have narrowed my choice down to either a set of RA2's or Pilot Road3's.  I've read good reviews about both tyres so I'd be happy to go with either brand.  Regards, Pete.

[FJSpringy]

Ken Wieden
National Motorcycle & Motorsport Manager
Dunlop Tyres
Tel 03

careful Doug he's a mexican  


I am stuck in a time warp me and the FJ love PR2's

[Chromaxe]

Speaking off tyres, my "local" has no stock of PR3's (currently run PR2's on FJ1) - so they mentioned/recommended Pirelli Speed Demons... have seen them mentioned on some posts from FJer's in the US, anyone ride them in here in AUS? They are going on FJ2 on Thursday.....