| Author | Message | ||
     Mountainstorm |
I finally got a Road 3 on the front to match the one on the back. These replace my 3rd set of Pilot Power 2CTs, so I've got a pretty good idea of how the 2CTs perform in cold weather, gravel, rain and nice clean asphalt. Anyone that rides the PP 2CTs is familiar with the more aggressive tip in and immediate grip level even on cold roads, but you would also know how that light tip in gets heavier as the profile flattens out. On a gravel road a 2CT tends to plow a furrow which does add some confidence, until you have to turn sharply. Loose gravel in a turn is never fun, the pointy part of the 2CT front tire washes out, then the wide shoulder hooks back up. So no harm no foul, just a semipermanent crease in the seat. The Road 3 rear with a 2CT front that had seen some miles was a pretty decent combination, once leaned over the front tire had plenty of grip, it was mainly under hard inline braking the front tire loses grip. I mounted the new Road 3 yesterday and put a bit more than 100 miles on it over my usual routes and 100 more after that today. First trip down the steep gravel drive from my house to the road I saw gravel sticking to the front tire like crazy and being flung everywhere. Right out of the box the Road 3 was gummy. The front felt more planted under front brake down the steepest part of the hill. Using the back brake does not have the expected results on that patch of road...it locks up immediately and the bike then accelerates while sliding off the considerable camber toward the nearest ditch. Judicious application of the front brake is the only safe way down...so I place a lot of trust in that front tire being able to stop on gravel. Once on the road I could feel the difference in how the bike wanted to go around a corner. At the highway there is a pile of loose gravel that the front tire likes to wash out on...so I tried it out with the Road 3 and some front brake and although the tire skidded a bit it then hooked up and kept rotating under braking without squirming about. Immediate confidence. The wider radius of the Road 3 profile makes the tire look bigger than a similar sized 2 CT. I was getting the right amount of feel through the bar that even though the handling characteristics were different, the tire was giving me enough feedback to adapt on the fly. On nice clean asphalt at a good pace I noticed the tip in was slower but then there would be a distinct transition to a tighter apex with more lean angle than I usually have and a shorter arc to the exit. In other words the tire wanted me to drive into the curve deeper then without a lot of gymnastics haul it over on it's side then pop back up. A bit different than my usual sweeping arc. I'm a street rider so I'm not thinking about lap times, I'm thinking about some guy clipping that double yellow as I sweep around a blind curve. But I think I like it. Under hard inline braking the Road3 feels more capable than a new 2CT, the front and back hook up without lock up and haul the bike down without any commotion. The slightly slower steering disappears once the bike is leaned over a bit...but the transition is slower than on a 2CT. Overall I am impressed. (Message edited by mountainstorm on June 03, 2011) | ||
| Rt_performance |
thanks for the review pilot 3 are looking good | ||
| _gdkp_ |
In May is was mounting the 2CT´s - so i will post a little review of mine. In corners the 2CT´s really feel much better, to change from left to right side while driving is fast and very nice, now i think the buell feels like the slogan means: "buell own the corners". On of the problem is, that the tire needs longer to get warm (if you drive on a straight road), so take care cause your rear tire will be slippery the first miles :P .... If you ride on streets it´s one of my favorite tires, if you sometimes ride on track and you would have a good time, you should use another, because for me it feels that the tire will not absorb the whole 1125R power and gettin on the street. | ||
| Sl33py |
Mountainstorm - nice review and comparison. A bit of a loaded question but how would they compare with the Corsa 3's? Mine are about shot and looking at another set, 2CT's, or PR3's. I know it's like asking someone their favorite color, and they are all good, but liked the comparison of the 2 (2ct and 3) and figured it never hurts to ask! Things i like about the corsa - rain and cold grip (live in PNW), and confidence in the corners. Thx! | ||
| Mountainstorm |
I like the Michelins better than the Pirellis. Better wear, more useful miles, and as far as I can tell better initial grip. I'm just a street rider, so I don't go out and pill up the tires...but I do encounter a lot of less than optimal road conditions | ||
| Bigblock |
I found corsa III's to have the most grip, I could just ride faster on them, but the PP 2ct works well, and lasts nearly 3x as long for me. Corsa are losing grip at 1100 miles and toast at 1500, PP go over 3,000 miles for me. | ||
| Sl33py |
BigB - damn. I must really ride like a pansie then... 7k on my rear and still have tread... Corsa 3. Getting a bit thin and a bit squared off from commuting, but no wear bars yet. Since i obviously don't push them hard - that's why the Corsa 3's are a tough call. I don't mind a bit more wear if they are sticky and have the same confidence (corners and rain). Appreciate the additional feedback. Mountain - sorry for the tangent from your review, but great info and thanks! | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Bigblock, I would be really surprised if, objectively, the Corsas have better or even comparable grip to the 2CTs. The 2CTs have a pointier profile, which puts more rubber on the ground when leaned over. The Corsas have a rounder profile which not only resists turn-in but also means a smaller contact patch under lean. Mountainstorm, I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "I noticed the tip in was slower but then there would be a distinct transition to a tighter apex with more lean angle than I usually have and a shorter arc to the exit. In other words the tire wanted me to drive into the curve deeper then without a lot of gymnastics haul it over on it's side then pop back up." Do you mean that initial turn-in is less quick than with the Power 2CTs but that when leaned over, it feels like it takes less effort to make directional changes? | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Exactly. Case in point. I'm hauling ass around a blind turn and some tractor has left a huge pile of plant and dirt debris right where I will want to be leaned over. I pop up and change the apex mid turn and lean it back over. No drama, immediate response. But entering the turn there is none of that sudden "off the side of the point" I feel with the 2CT. The inital feel is planted and a bit slow to tip over....then it's light and quick once I get on the side. | ||
| Bigblock |
I can obviously only give a subjective impression and not an objective analysis of tire grip! Perhaps the feel of greater grip is an impression given to me by a softer compound, as the Michelins last well over twice as long for me. Apparent tire profile as determined by the untrained eye seems like guesswork, and a very subjective way to determine ultimate leaned over grip at best. Yes, the 2ct does give a bit better turn in, and feel of agility, especially as comparing a new 2 ct to an old Corsa, but , to me, when the tires had a lot of life in them, I always felt more confident at higher lean angles on the Corsa III than on the Pilot powers. For me, the continued use of PP2ct is based on tire life, and what I would call an acceptable level of cornering confidence and sidewall grip for my style of riding. IMHO, YMMV! | ||
| Bigblock |
Of course, I haven't tried the PR3, so I can only give an unprofessional and biased opinion of the PP2ct v. the Corsa III! | ||
| Nm5150 |
FWIW I just got back from getting a new set of the Rossos installed and for the few miles I have put on them so far I like them ALOT.It looks like they added a little more rubber in the middle that gives the a slightly more angled profile but not like the 2CT.The bike handles very neutral with a little easier turn in than the Corsa III but also a very smooth transition from straight to turn and also side to side.A little body english and hardly any effort on the bars.I will know better tomorrow as it turns out the guy that installed them is a fellow Bueller and we are going riding in the beautiful Qzarks. | ||
| Mako |
love the pr3. seems like the word that comes to mind when comparing them to the corsa3 is accurate. the corsa's seemed a little vague compared to the michelin's, although they seem to require less attention. just getting them broken in so can't compare cornering traction but it feels more agile in the turns with the michelin's. Had no problem with straight line traction so cornering should be close. |
