Michelin Pilot Road 3 road test review
Thread Starter
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Michelin Pilot Road 3 road test review
With all the questions about tires lately I though this would be a good read for you guys.....even though I'm a Dunlop guy 
Michelin Pilot Road 3 road test review
by Jeff on April 1, 2011
Part two of a multi-part series on the Michelin Pilot Road 3 sport-touring tires – plus exclusive answers straight from Michelin’s tire engineers.
By Jeff Cobb
Motorcycle Safety News
After spending some time with Michelin’s Pilot Road 3s, as promised, we have first-hand feedback to give on their ride and performance.
As we wrote about previously, Michelin touts its Pilot Road 3 tire as improved, dual-compound rubber suitable for big, powerful sport tourers.
Their cornering grip is enhanced by a softer compound tread on the outer parts of the tread. In the middle section is a higher durometer tread for longer life as those highway miles pile up.
‘Sport-touring,’ not ‘sport’
Before we go too far, Michelin motorcycle tires come in excellent sporting versions, but we need to clarify some misconceptions about the Pilot Road 3s that have been floating around the Internet.
Since the Pilot Road 3s come in sizes to fit popular sportbikes, some have thought to slap them on a GSXR-1000 or the like, and have the best of all worlds.
Sounds great, right? Potential durability like a Gold Wing’s tire, but grip like, perhaps a Michelin Pilot Power in the corners.
But not so fast. This is not what the Pilot Road 3 tires are for, which we learned after a series of back-and forth talks with Michelin.
“Someone who puts these on his Hayabusa will not be a happy camper,” said Michelin Two-Wheel Public Relations Manager, Dan Passe.
Reality check
First off, you take a chance with any tires, as you only have two small contact patches holding you and your bike to the pavement.
Even a track-day worthy Michelin Pilot Power 2CT or racing slick can let you down if you’re not careful, and sometimes even when you are. Everyone knows this, but it bears repeating. You pay your money, and take your chances.
So, the question is: Could you put a Pilot Road 3 on a Yamaha R6, for example, and take a chance?
Short answer: Yes.
Is it a good idea? Probably not, but it is not illegal.
In fact, we’ll note not long ago a UK sportbike mag did a wet track test with an expert rider on PR3s, and reported he could consistently drag a knee.
Those online articles from January have mysteriously disappeared. Did Michelin’s media department request that? We don’t know, but would not be surprised.
It’s a huge liability, and like the saying goes, “use the right tool for the job.”
This said, if you ride at 7/10ths pace, and never crank the bike over too hard on your sedate ride to school or work, or you’ve converted your CBR1000RR to sport-touring duty, you may think about Pilot Road 3s.
But only do it if you are also an excellent rider who can consistently take a bike up to the edge, and know when its tires are starting to break loose.
Otherwise, forget about it. Stick with purpose-made sport tires for your sportbike.
Questions and answers
To further qualify exactly what Michelin did have in mind with the Pilot Road 3s, we sent Dan a few questions, and one of Michelin’s engineers answered them.
Notice how every time we try to gauge the Pilot Road 3s as possible sport rubber, Michelin steers us back on topic: They are only sport-touring tires, Michelin says.
1. Compared to the Pilot Power 2CT how “soft” is the outer tread for the Pilot Road 3s?
The outer tread of Pilot Road 3 is not as soft as the outer tread for Pilot Power 2CT – both compounds, the outer and inner, are different.
2. Compared to the Power Pure 2CT how “soft” is the outer tread for the Pilot Road 3s?
Again the Pure and the Pilot Road 3 tires are different compound-wise as well as relative to each other.
3. Other than merely describing the cornering section of the Pilot Road 3s’ tread as “soft,” how much more info can you give?
Other than the information that you received previously [standard press release info], I cannot give durometer readings or other measures at this time.
4. I know they are road tires, but how “grippy” are they?
From a relative standpoint, the Pilot Road 3 provides a great combination of dry grip and longevity, appropriate for the Sport Touring motorcycle segment. The Power One is our “grippiest” tire but does not feature the same longevity numbers as the Pilot Road 3, but the tires are meant for different types of motorcycles and riding styles.
5. How well do they slide and handle aggressive riding?
The Pilot Road 3 is a great choice for Sport Touring motorcycles and are meant for that application and appropriate riding styles. Michelin offers a variety of motorcycle tires, including the Pilot Pure and Power One, for more performance-oriented riding, appropriate for “hypersport” motorcycles. Michelin encourages safe riding practices on the street, with true performance riding to take place in a track environment.
6. How temperature sensitive are they, particularly the softer cornering tread?
The Pilot Road 3 tire is appropriate for all Sport Touring riding applications and has excellent warm-up properties.
7. How quickly do they get up to temp in warm and colder conditions?
The Pilot Road 3 tire has excellent warm-up properties and a wide window of usage in terms of ambient temperature as low as the 40-degree range to the 120-degree range.
8. How much longer mileage are they expected to give than the Pilot Power 2CT, Power Pure 2CT?
As individual riders and motorcycles do vary, this is a difficult answer. However if all conditions were equal, the Pilot Road 3 would last more than 30 percent longer than a Power Pure, but do keep in mind that there is a scale with compounds, “stickiness” and other factors that go into each tire.
9. Do they have silica in the tread? What more can you tell me about how you achieved good grip and wear together without giving away corporate secrets?
Yes, the Pilot Road 3 tread compound is nearly 100% silica based. With the correct composition and balance of materials, the right design and characteristics, the Pilot Road 3 is an un-compromised tire in the Sport Touring Radial Tire segment, offering the best wet grip and mileage in comparison to other tires in this segment. Due to numerous patents and trade secrets, that is what we can reveal, but this tire cannot be reproduced by another manufacturer.
Road test
Our test rider used his own Ducati Monster to test these tires, so he is very familiar with nuances in the bike’s behavior and capabilities.
We dismounted a set of single-compound Michelin Pilot Power sport tires which have been a fantastic and reasonably priced tire.
In following up from our Q&A session, Michelin said the Pilot Road 3s do not use the same compound in the cornering section as the Pilot Powers either. Each is its own unique blend.
Riding in freezing temperatures and just above freezing and wet conditions put the Pilot Road 3s to the test. After a fairly short ride, stopping, hopping off and placing one’s hand on the front and rear tread shows Michelin is correct about a reasonable warm-up time.
The company makes no claims that we know of for sub-freezing weather, but rates them into the 40-degree F ambient temperature range. Below that, you are on your own.
We took them below 40 degrees anyway, and noted the extensive front and rear siping really seems to do the job. No hydroplaning was felt through puddles around town, even on cool, wet roads.
Low-speed wheelies indicated the rear tire really hooks up, even in the wet. Dry traction, naturally, is even better.
Michelin says the center tread on the dual-compound front tire uses the exact same compound as the cornering tread of the rear, and an even softer compound is used for the front tire’s cornering section.
This means the front is altogether softer and grippier. This is to enhance braking and front cornering grip for the narrower front tire.
Michelin Pilot Road 3. (Image courtesy of Michelin.)
As a rule of thumb, you are safer with as-good-as or better grip up front – to a point – because if the bike is going to slide, you’d rather the rear break loose first. Losing the front has put many a rider down, but a rear slip is less unnerving, and generally, easier to save.
Overall, the tires feel controlled, and confidence inspiring. Rolling into sweeping corners at all legal speeds, their profiles makes handling feel neutral, and grip feels good, encouraging a rider to try for more.
The Pilot Road 3s are no doubt ready for long miles, in a wide variety of conditions. Michelin says they’ll handle up to 120-degree heat, thus making them an around-the-world capable tire.
Riding in the rain, and cold nevertheless does require a smooth technique. If you go out and ride without care, they will break loose. If you work up to it progressively, they are pretty impressive.
In the dry, the Pilot Road 3s make the bike feel all-the-more controllable, which is about as much as you could ask for.
Conclusion
Michelin’s Pilot Road 2s were well regarded, and Michelin makes specific claims that its replacements, the Pilot Road 3s, are measurably better.
At this point, we have no reason to doubt it. They are a sport-touring tire however. We don’t recommend putting them on a sportbike and hoping they will work just as well as a pure sport tire.
They are also available in a high-load rated design for two-up riding, and are recommended as replacement rubber for all sport touring applications.
Michelin Pilot Road 3 road test review | Motorcycle Safety News
Michelin Pilot Road 3 road test review
by Jeff on April 1, 2011
Part two of a multi-part series on the Michelin Pilot Road 3 sport-touring tires – plus exclusive answers straight from Michelin’s tire engineers.
By Jeff Cobb
Motorcycle Safety News
After spending some time with Michelin’s Pilot Road 3s, as promised, we have first-hand feedback to give on their ride and performance.
As we wrote about previously, Michelin touts its Pilot Road 3 tire as improved, dual-compound rubber suitable for big, powerful sport tourers.
Their cornering grip is enhanced by a softer compound tread on the outer parts of the tread. In the middle section is a higher durometer tread for longer life as those highway miles pile up.
‘Sport-touring,’ not ‘sport’
Before we go too far, Michelin motorcycle tires come in excellent sporting versions, but we need to clarify some misconceptions about the Pilot Road 3s that have been floating around the Internet.
Since the Pilot Road 3s come in sizes to fit popular sportbikes, some have thought to slap them on a GSXR-1000 or the like, and have the best of all worlds.
Sounds great, right? Potential durability like a Gold Wing’s tire, but grip like, perhaps a Michelin Pilot Power in the corners.
But not so fast. This is not what the Pilot Road 3 tires are for, which we learned after a series of back-and forth talks with Michelin.
“Someone who puts these on his Hayabusa will not be a happy camper,” said Michelin Two-Wheel Public Relations Manager, Dan Passe.
Reality check
First off, you take a chance with any tires, as you only have two small contact patches holding you and your bike to the pavement.
Even a track-day worthy Michelin Pilot Power 2CT or racing slick can let you down if you’re not careful, and sometimes even when you are. Everyone knows this, but it bears repeating. You pay your money, and take your chances.
So, the question is: Could you put a Pilot Road 3 on a Yamaha R6, for example, and take a chance?
Short answer: Yes.
Is it a good idea? Probably not, but it is not illegal.
In fact, we’ll note not long ago a UK sportbike mag did a wet track test with an expert rider on PR3s, and reported he could consistently drag a knee.
Those online articles from January have mysteriously disappeared. Did Michelin’s media department request that? We don’t know, but would not be surprised.
It’s a huge liability, and like the saying goes, “use the right tool for the job.”
This said, if you ride at 7/10ths pace, and never crank the bike over too hard on your sedate ride to school or work, or you’ve converted your CBR1000RR to sport-touring duty, you may think about Pilot Road 3s.
But only do it if you are also an excellent rider who can consistently take a bike up to the edge, and know when its tires are starting to break loose.
Otherwise, forget about it. Stick with purpose-made sport tires for your sportbike.
Questions and answers
To further qualify exactly what Michelin did have in mind with the Pilot Road 3s, we sent Dan a few questions, and one of Michelin’s engineers answered them.
Notice how every time we try to gauge the Pilot Road 3s as possible sport rubber, Michelin steers us back on topic: They are only sport-touring tires, Michelin says.
1. Compared to the Pilot Power 2CT how “soft” is the outer tread for the Pilot Road 3s?
The outer tread of Pilot Road 3 is not as soft as the outer tread for Pilot Power 2CT – both compounds, the outer and inner, are different.
2. Compared to the Power Pure 2CT how “soft” is the outer tread for the Pilot Road 3s?
Again the Pure and the Pilot Road 3 tires are different compound-wise as well as relative to each other.
3. Other than merely describing the cornering section of the Pilot Road 3s’ tread as “soft,” how much more info can you give?
Other than the information that you received previously [standard press release info], I cannot give durometer readings or other measures at this time.
4. I know they are road tires, but how “grippy” are they?
From a relative standpoint, the Pilot Road 3 provides a great combination of dry grip and longevity, appropriate for the Sport Touring motorcycle segment. The Power One is our “grippiest” tire but does not feature the same longevity numbers as the Pilot Road 3, but the tires are meant for different types of motorcycles and riding styles.
5. How well do they slide and handle aggressive riding?
The Pilot Road 3 is a great choice for Sport Touring motorcycles and are meant for that application and appropriate riding styles. Michelin offers a variety of motorcycle tires, including the Pilot Pure and Power One, for more performance-oriented riding, appropriate for “hypersport” motorcycles. Michelin encourages safe riding practices on the street, with true performance riding to take place in a track environment.
6. How temperature sensitive are they, particularly the softer cornering tread?
The Pilot Road 3 tire is appropriate for all Sport Touring riding applications and has excellent warm-up properties.
7. How quickly do they get up to temp in warm and colder conditions?
The Pilot Road 3 tire has excellent warm-up properties and a wide window of usage in terms of ambient temperature as low as the 40-degree range to the 120-degree range.
8. How much longer mileage are they expected to give than the Pilot Power 2CT, Power Pure 2CT?
As individual riders and motorcycles do vary, this is a difficult answer. However if all conditions were equal, the Pilot Road 3 would last more than 30 percent longer than a Power Pure, but do keep in mind that there is a scale with compounds, “stickiness” and other factors that go into each tire.
9. Do they have silica in the tread? What more can you tell me about how you achieved good grip and wear together without giving away corporate secrets?
Yes, the Pilot Road 3 tread compound is nearly 100% silica based. With the correct composition and balance of materials, the right design and characteristics, the Pilot Road 3 is an un-compromised tire in the Sport Touring Radial Tire segment, offering the best wet grip and mileage in comparison to other tires in this segment. Due to numerous patents and trade secrets, that is what we can reveal, but this tire cannot be reproduced by another manufacturer.
Road test
Our test rider used his own Ducati Monster to test these tires, so he is very familiar with nuances in the bike’s behavior and capabilities.
We dismounted a set of single-compound Michelin Pilot Power sport tires which have been a fantastic and reasonably priced tire.
In following up from our Q&A session, Michelin said the Pilot Road 3s do not use the same compound in the cornering section as the Pilot Powers either. Each is its own unique blend.
Riding in freezing temperatures and just above freezing and wet conditions put the Pilot Road 3s to the test. After a fairly short ride, stopping, hopping off and placing one’s hand on the front and rear tread shows Michelin is correct about a reasonable warm-up time.
The company makes no claims that we know of for sub-freezing weather, but rates them into the 40-degree F ambient temperature range. Below that, you are on your own.
We took them below 40 degrees anyway, and noted the extensive front and rear siping really seems to do the job. No hydroplaning was felt through puddles around town, even on cool, wet roads.
Low-speed wheelies indicated the rear tire really hooks up, even in the wet. Dry traction, naturally, is even better.
Michelin says the center tread on the dual-compound front tire uses the exact same compound as the cornering tread of the rear, and an even softer compound is used for the front tire’s cornering section.
This means the front is altogether softer and grippier. This is to enhance braking and front cornering grip for the narrower front tire.
Michelin Pilot Road 3. (Image courtesy of Michelin.)
As a rule of thumb, you are safer with as-good-as or better grip up front – to a point – because if the bike is going to slide, you’d rather the rear break loose first. Losing the front has put many a rider down, but a rear slip is less unnerving, and generally, easier to save.
Overall, the tires feel controlled, and confidence inspiring. Rolling into sweeping corners at all legal speeds, their profiles makes handling feel neutral, and grip feels good, encouraging a rider to try for more.
The Pilot Road 3s are no doubt ready for long miles, in a wide variety of conditions. Michelin says they’ll handle up to 120-degree heat, thus making them an around-the-world capable tire.
Riding in the rain, and cold nevertheless does require a smooth technique. If you go out and ride without care, they will break loose. If you work up to it progressively, they are pretty impressive.
In the dry, the Pilot Road 3s make the bike feel all-the-more controllable, which is about as much as you could ask for.
Conclusion
Michelin’s Pilot Road 2s were well regarded, and Michelin makes specific claims that its replacements, the Pilot Road 3s, are measurably better.
At this point, we have no reason to doubt it. They are a sport-touring tire however. We don’t recommend putting them on a sportbike and hoping they will work just as well as a pure sport tire.
They are also available in a high-load rated design for two-up riding, and are recommended as replacement rubber for all sport touring applications.
Michelin Pilot Road 3 road test review | Motorcycle Safety News
Thread Starter
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
And the cliff note version of running "sport-touring" tires on a sport bike:
Only you can deiced if you have the skill set to save the bike if the tire(s) break loose...... or understand the warnings signs of getting to that limit.
Which really means some track time to safely figure these things out.
Though like I said, only you can make this call.
Which sums up the whole issue. If they fit your riding style the will work great but if you push the bike from time to time, you might not be happy with them.
"This said, if you ride at 7/10ths pace, and never crank the bike over too hard on your sedate ride to school or work, or you’ve converted your CBR1000RR to sport-touring duty, you may think about Pilot Road 3s.
But only do it if you are also an excellent rider who can consistently take a bike up to the edge, and know when its tires are starting to break loose.
Otherwise, forget about it. Stick with purpose-made sport tires for your sportbike."
But only do it if you are also an excellent rider who can consistently take a bike up to the edge, and know when its tires are starting to break loose.
Otherwise, forget about it. Stick with purpose-made sport tires for your sportbike."
Only you can deiced if you have the skill set to save the bike if the tire(s) break loose...... or understand the warnings signs of getting to that limit.
Which really means some track time to safely figure these things out.
Though like I said, only you can make this call.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 397
From: UK
Very interesting, thanks for posting that.
I am currently running PR3's so far I am impressed but have not had time to get them up to any real temperatures or push them anywhere near they max, as Summer has not arrived yet. I got them fitted just before Christmas and through the wet and cold UK weather they have been great. I have usually gone for Bridgestones in the past but thought I would give the PR3's a go after all the good reviews and recommendations.
(:-})
I am currently running PR3's so far I am impressed but have not had time to get them up to any real temperatures or push them anywhere near they max, as Summer has not arrived yet. I got them fitted just before Christmas and through the wet and cold UK weather they have been great. I have usually gone for Bridgestones in the past but thought I would give the PR3's a go after all the good reviews and recommendations.(:-})
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 344
I've touched my knee sliders down afew times (can count on one hand) on my hawk with PR3s...but they get overheated if you do a longer canyon "run", and they move around under power, particularly the rear, for 70% pace they are perfectly ok IMO
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
I have heard awesome reviews from BIKE magazine but yeah, for sport touring. I would get them if not for the fact that they are way more expensive and not as high milage as the bridgestone version.
Even michelin race tires have squirmy sidewalls and carcasses & break loose all at once compared to dunlops that even way past dead will slide predictably.
Even michelin race tires have squirmy sidewalls and carcasses & break loose all at once compared to dunlops that even way past dead will slide predictably.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 506
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
this is the reason I have two sets of rims - One with Dunlop Roadsmart IIs, and one set with Q2s.
We'll see how it goes with the roadsmarts; can't really tell in the cold sandy conditions I'm dealing with right now, but time will tell.
thanks for the post 8541Hawk
We'll see how it goes with the roadsmarts; can't really tell in the cold sandy conditions I'm dealing with right now, but time will tell.
thanks for the post 8541Hawk
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 524
From: Tarpon Springs, FL
I just spooned on a set and have yet to ride on them. My rides are mostly a Tampa, Florida (sometimes wet) mostly hwy commute 27 miles each way... I don't expect too much in the way of spirited riding on those commutes.
They are replacing the Dunlop Qualifier 2's that I wore out FAST doing that five day a week commute. Coupled with the fact that I haven't even twisted the throttle once in the two years since my son was born, I am venturing to guess that "working my skills up" is precisely what I am going to be doing. I'll be sure and add to this when I've got a couple months of riding under my belt here soon.
They are replacing the Dunlop Qualifier 2's that I wore out FAST doing that five day a week commute. Coupled with the fact that I haven't even twisted the throttle once in the two years since my son was born, I am venturing to guess that "working my skills up" is precisely what I am going to be doing. I'll be sure and add to this when I've got a couple months of riding under my belt here soon.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Yeah, q2's are like race rubber. Gotta figure they would wear down like pencil erasers on a commute. Thats the same reason I ride the bridgestone 023s.
Great wet grip and I am realistic that I am not at all trusting enuff of city streets to test edge grip then get run over by 1,000 cars/trucks. I just cant justify paying for grip I wont use. Plus I can then spend it on tires for the racebikes where I will only use edgegrip.
Great wet grip and I am realistic that I am not at all trusting enuff of city streets to test edge grip then get run over by 1,000 cars/trucks. I just cant justify paying for grip I wont use. Plus I can then spend it on tires for the racebikes where I will only use edgegrip.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 317
From: St.Louis Mo
I have one on the rear of mine for the last year and have never had any issues. While I am not dragging my knee in corners I don't have much in the way of chicken strips. I plan on adding a PR3 for the front in the next month. I do not let rain deter my riding either.
As I said I like them and have had no issue and mileage is awesome. I put about 11k on the rear last year and by the looks of the tire I should get that much out of it this year also before needing to be replaced.
As I said I like them and have had no issue and mileage is awesome. I put about 11k on the rear last year and by the looks of the tire I should get that much out of it this year also before needing to be replaced.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 740
From: Pa
Thanks for the post.
And I agree with the article.
If ur a rider who wants to ride the backroads most of the time, then a ST tire is not for U or ur sportbike.
But if ur commuting and not edge riding - then an ST is for U.
I will be getting a ST tire next (this summer) as my hard riding days are on the shelf, for now. Most likely PR2s
And I agree with the article.
If ur a rider who wants to ride the backroads most of the time, then a ST tire is not for U or ur sportbike.
But if ur commuting and not edge riding - then an ST is for U.
I will be getting a ST tire next (this summer) as my hard riding days are on the shelf, for now. Most likely PR2s
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mill7163
General Discussion
12
Feb 2, 2008 02:27 PM
