Michelin Pilot Road vs. Conti Road Attack?

[seanery]

Thinking about tires soon and doing some looking around.
I welcome comments about these 2 tires:

Michelin Pilot Road
vs.
Continental Road Attack

sizing will be stock 120/70/17 and 170/60/17

Thanks in Advance.
-sean

[Yank907]

I have pirelli diablo on mine and when one size wider on rear and they are great.

[Tigger]

I also run Pirelli's on mine, and have no complaints about either handling or longevity. Also easily available from loads of suppliers. Coming up to wear limit so will have to renew soon and will be going for them again. Try giving them a look.

Don't know whether they are expensive or not as they are the only ones I buy. But the grip is brilliant and I feel it is worth it on a heavier bike than the modern rockets!

[mrinflux]

I'm running pirelli diablos also, w/ a 180 on the rear, (you have to remove the side reflector panels inside the wheel well if you're going to run a 180 in the rear, otherwise the 180 will occasionally rub). i love them. they don't last very long, but they stick like glue. they're not cheap but they're worth the money. I tried a set of michelins. not as sticky as the pirellis, but they lasted longer.

[Yank907]

LOL I guess what we are saying is we don't like either. Get you some diablos, haha

[Finnpaso]

Want to know Your "evidences" AGAINST those tires.... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Duc750]

I've never run Pilot Roads on the 907 but had them on my old CBR 1000 and they were absolute crap

They were very nervous in the wet and not a lot better in the dry.
I much prefered Avons on that bike.

I fitted Conti's to the 907 just before the big tour last year and they by contrast were excellent. They have a very rounded profile which means turn in is quick and very neutral all the way through.
I fitted them in stock sizes as I have never believed in going up a size on the rear as IMHO it just slows the steering down.
Mileage wise I'm about 60% worn at 5K miles of highly enthusiastic touring.Although the last "40%" always goes faster than the first 60% so I would expect to get 7-8K from the set

The road attacks won't be too great on a track day as they will get too hot too quickly but I don't think the 907 has the power to warrant a true sports hoop like a Diablo for the road

Having said that if you do go for something sporty my best experience on twins has always been with Pirelli or Metzeler. They just seem to stand up better to the power pulses than Dunlop.


Genrally I think the Conti's have it over the Michelins in terms of griop confidence and turn in both wet and dry. They are also considerably cheaper over here than the Michelins

[mrinflux]

Duc is right - oversizing the rear does slow the steering a bit. but it looks oh-so-much-cooler!!! and since i'm not loris capirosi, i can afford to sacrifice a bit of speed in the name of esthetics.

[jcslocum]

My input is from the tires used on my Multi. Pirelli Super Corsa, bought them to do some track days and they stick like epoxy. I burned thru the rear in 2500 miles so they were not a very economic choice. I now have road attacks and really like them.

I picked them up on ebay for about $200 a set.

[Yank907]

Live on the edge...................go one size bigger on the rear. Unless you are running a race anytime soon with your 16 year old bike........ :neener: WHO CARES!! You will never notice the difference and like mrinflux said........ oh-so-much-cooler ...... and thats why we all ride a Duck in the first place right?

[seanery]

Thanks for the info guys, since a lot of you mention running 180/55 on the rear maybe you can tell me of you experiences with it rubbing. Does your 180 rub? If so, how bad? What did you do to make it stop? ...

thanks again,
-sean

[Yank907]

One of the guys said it rubs a light signal or something. But, I have the euro conversion tail light and no rear turn signals that stick out. So, my 180 runs perfect and I didn't modify a thing. Also, it looks 100% better with a bit more width in the ole backside. I haven't noticed any effect to the turning or handing being affected at all. If anything it feels more sure in the turns than before. But, like I said.........I ain't taken my baby on a dam race track anytime soon so ya know, God hates a coward brother go for the 180!!!

[mrinflux]

In the stock fender well of U.S. models there are two plastic tabs, (one on each side), that have a reflector attached to it. If you have the fender conversion or elimination kit on your 907 the reflector tabs are eliminated so you need not worry. but if you have the stock reflectors hanging down, a 180 tire will sometimes rub the sidewall against the back of the reflector tab. or not. it depends on sag and suspension set-up. i know people who left the reflectors on with a 180 in the rear and it never rubbed. For my taste the clearance is too close so i removed the reflector tabs in the fender well. and anyway, those refectors look cheesy, so even if they don't rub, lose 'em!
peace, elton

[Duc750]

You pays your money and takes your choice if you have two options on tire sizes.

For me it basically comes down to what I'm doing with the bike - if its going to be mainly straight roads and wet weather I go for a 180 (fractionally more comfort too)
- on the basis of more rubber on the road and slightly wider grooves so shifts a little more water.

If I want light steering and fun in the twisties generally I fit a 170
- slightly lighter tyre and narrower for faster turn in

The 907 is the bike for the twisties for me (as I generally have a bot of a ride to get there) so it gets a 170.

My old CBR thou used to get swapped between tyre sizes dependning on the season.

I have to say I haven't tried a 180 on the 907 so have to base it on experience with other similar bikes.