Pilot Road 2 questions

IDAHOBALLER · 07-09-2009, 07:33 PM

Well, the rear tire on my SV is just about worn out and I will be buying another tire pretty soon. I have regular pilot powers on it now, and I LOVE the way they handle, but I just wear the rears out way too quick. Since I use my bike for more commuting than I do canyon carving I am thinking about getting a Pilot Road 2 rear to put on instead of another power.

My questions about the PR2's are about the profile of the tire its self. I know it has a little bit taller sidewalls allowing less available lean angle than the PP's, but how much lean angle are we talking here? I get on my edges of the rear tire from time to time (have drug a footpeg feeler or two from time to time

), but not as far as the tire will go. I get on the edges, but not to the point where I actually wear the edges off like the track guys do, so I know there is some lean angle in reserve. I just dont want to have a tire that I will roll onto the sidewall too far and lose my contact patch.

And my other question is how well will a pilot power front tire work with a pilot road 2 rear tire? Are the profiles cooperative with each other?

Hozhead · 07-09-2009, 08:00 PM

I've been running the Pilot Road 2 tires on my SM610 since last fall and I love them. Unfortunately, I can't give any actual lean angle numbers.

I've had the 610 leaned over quite far on the street (Bogus and Lowman) without ever having even a momentary slide or fall but I'm not confident enough with the rear tire profile to drag knee on the track with them.

The front tire has the same profile as a Pilot Power so you shouldn't have any issues mixing the two as you described.

For an SV on the street, I wouldn't hesitate one moment to run the Pilot Road 2 and then go rail on them. I don't believe that dragging an SV peg feeler would have you leaned over enough experience problems. Short of putting on aftermarket rear sets and hitting the track, the Road 2 will be great for you.

DB Cooper · 07-09-2009, 08:33 PM

Buy the tire and be the pilot tire and let us know how it feels and handles. I'm interested in these tires also for a future purchase.

Cider · 07-09-2009, 09:36 PM

If you're as slow as me, Pilot Roads won't hold you back. I did the loop on an SV with Pilot Roads (not PR2s), and had no problems whatsoever. If you're faster than me (like Hoz), your mileage might vary.

Gem STate ST · 07-09-2009, 11:33 PM

Just wore out a set of PR2's on my ST.I did not like them.The center compound seemed too hard causing an abrupt transition when leaning over.Enough so that my front end kept washing out.Tried different air pressures and suspension settings with no help resolving the problem.Got 7,000 out of them which is my average for tires regardless of brand.Am back on the Avon Storms.

You may get different results since I am flicking over a 700lb. bike.Lots of people like the PR2's but I am not one of them.

Hozhead · 07-10-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem STate ST

You may get different results since I am flicking over a 700lb. bike.Lots of people like the PR2's but I am not one of them.

I have to agree that the weight of the ST had a lot to do with your PR2 experience. On my SM610 (315 lbs), the transition during lean is quite smooth.

IDAHOBALLER · 07-10-2009, 01:42 PM

The one reason that made me want to keep PP's on all around is I had planned to eventually take this bike to the track, but it is really starting to look like I wont be able to make it to the track for a long while if ever. So, I think I am just going to buy a PR2 for the rear and see how that works out for me. I pretty much wear out a PP rear in MAYBE 2500 miles tops, but the front still looks almost new with very minimal wear on it in that same time.

07-09-2009, 07:33 PM	#1
IDAHOBALLER Senior Member Joined: Jul 2008 From: Merville, ID Posts: 814 I Ride: As often as possible!	Pilot Road 2 questions Well, the rear tire on my SV is just about worn out and I will be buying another tire pretty soon. I have regular pilot powers on it now, and I LOVE the way they handle, but I just wear the rears out way too quick. Since I use my bike for more commuting than I do canyon carving I am thinking about getting a Pilot Road 2 rear to put on instead of another power. My questions about the PR2's are about the profile of the tire its self. I know it has a little bit taller sidewalls allowing less available lean angle than the PP's, but how much lean angle are we talking here? I get on my edges of the rear tire from time to time (have drug a footpeg feeler or two from time to time ), but not as far as the tire will go. I get on the edges, but not to the point where I actually wear the edges off like the track guys do, so I know there is some lean angle in reserve. I just dont want to have a tire that I will roll onto the sidewall too far and lose my contact patch. And my other question is how well will a pilot power front tire work with a pilot road 2 rear tire? Are the profiles cooperative with each other?

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07-09-2009, 08:00 PM	#2
Hozhead Joined: Feb 2006 From: Price, UT Posts: 6,810 I Ride: Husqvarna SM610	I've been running the Pilot Road 2 tires on my SM610 since last fall and I love them. Unfortunately, I can't give any actual lean angle numbers. I've had the 610 leaned over quite far on the street (Bogus and Lowman) without ever having even a momentary slide or fall but I'm not confident enough with the rear tire profile to drag knee on the track with them. The front tire has the same profile as a Pilot Power so you shouldn't have any issues mixing the two as you described. For an SV on the street, I wouldn't hesitate one moment to run the Pilot Road 2 and then go rail on them. I don't believe that dragging an SV peg feeler would have you leaned over enough experience problems. Short of putting on aftermarket rear sets and hitting the track, the Road 2 will be great for you.

07-09-2009, 08:33 PM	#3
DB Cooper Senior Member Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 588	Buy the tire and be the pilot tire and let us know how it feels and handles. I'm interested in these tires also for a future purchase.

07-09-2009, 09:36 PM	#4
Cider Senior Member Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,349	If you're as slow as me, Pilot Roads won't hold you back. I did the loop on an SV with Pilot Roads (not PR2s), and had no problems whatsoever. If you're faster than me (like Hoz), your mileage might vary.

07-09-2009, 11:33 PM	#5
Gem STate ST Senior Member Joined: Jun 2008 From: K-Town Posts: 715 I Ride: 2006 ST1300A-02'Falco	Just wore out a set of PR2's on my ST.I did not like them.The center compound seemed too hard causing an abrupt transition when leaning over.Enough so that my front end kept washing out.Tried different air pressures and suspension settings with no help resolving the problem.Got 7,000 out of them which is my average for tires regardless of brand.Am back on the Avon Storms. You may get different results since I am flicking over a 700lb. bike.Lots of people like the PR2's but I am not one of them.

07-10-2009, 01:42 PM	#7
IDAHOBALLER Senior Member Joined: Jul 2008 From: Merville, ID Posts: 814 I Ride: As often as possible!	The one reason that made me want to keep PP's on all around is I had planned to eventually take this bike to the track, but it is really starting to look like I wont be able to make it to the track for a long while if ever. So, I think I am just going to buy a PR2 for the rear and see how that works out for me. I pretty much wear out a PP rear in MAYBE 2500 miles tops, but the front still looks almost new with very minimal wear on it in that same time.