My "new to me" 2014 Sprint GT/SE has half worn Pilot Road 3 tyres. The rear is wearing fairly evenly but the Front is wearing awful with low flat patches all around and is "tramlining" badly. I have never been a fan of Michelin tyres and will be looking to change them this year. My previous bike, a BMW R1200RT would also "cup" Michelin front tyres so I had much better success with Dunlop Road Smart and lastly Avon Spirit ST which had a lovely even wear pattern. If anyone is running the Avons on a Sprint GT I would be grateful for an opinion or any advice on other tyres for the GT. Thanks Oops, being fairly new to the Forum I hadn't noticed the dedicated "Tyre" section hence me starting this thread here. Hopefully a positive response will still follow.
I had a Sprint ST for 30,000 spirited riding miles. Used PR4's (slow steering and rear flatted after 4k), 023's (faster steering, rear flatted after 4k), then 3 sets of 01's (best steering, comfort, wet or dry grip never a problem, rear flatted after 4.5k). Same result on the Tiger Sport that replaced the Sprint, changing the rear at 4.5k to see if I can get 1 front to last 2 rears. Lord knows how anyone gets to 5k out of a modern Sport/Touring rear with spirited riding.
If its of any use to you at all... I bought my Sprint (05) with pretty much new tyres, they were both Michelin but PR3 on the front and PR2 on the rear. I have had Bridgestone T30's on my ST3 twice because i loved them on my Honda before and hated the Pirellis that were on it when i got it. In my personal opinion the Michelins are slow turn in in comparison, have a lot more give in them so whilst they give more feedback about the road surface this can then make things feel uncertain when cornering/braking on rough road surfaces.
Many thanks for the info chaps, As I said I,m not a fan of Michelin bike tyres since the first Pilot Road. Just didn't like them and my current Pilot Road 3 fall into the same bracket. Of course it's all a personal thing so maybe it's just me !! Bit disappointed no one has come forward with experience of the Avon Spirit ST on the Sprint GT. As I said before I found this to be a cracking tyre on my R1200RT.
Have run Avons - currently Storm 3D-XMs - on my Trident 900 for many years, or so it seems. Good grip wet and dry, good handling, good mileage and not too expensive. Really can't fault them. Technical advice direct from their factory in Melksham, Wilts is readily available. Can't fault 'em!
I've been using Michelin tyres for years on my old Aprilia Falco, and they were superb. Bought a Sprint GT last year and fitted PR3s. Have to say, they are pretty bad in terms of white-lining and poor road surfaces. A real surprise. Are the Avons made in the UK? I like to try and buy UK made stuff - I know it's hard, but I try.
Yup, the Avons are not only made in the UK but in England. They even come with a nice Union Jack on the label. When I tried them on my R1200RT they where on offer and a really good price. (Avon Spirit ST). The rear has a tread pattern very similar to the Michelin but the front is a lot less "fussy".
