Hey Cronos, Thanks for sharing your experience on the P4's with us... Well that's it then, when my time comes, I will definitely be changing over the the Road Pilots. Tell me, was there any issue going to a 180/70 rear tire? No problems getting the tire onto the rim? If not, then I will also want to go bigger. It just looks the part & I suppose you just have that little bit extra surface. (Who said bigger isn't always better?) & safe travels.
Hay Richard,
There is no issue what so ever. The rim is big enough to handle the 180 without looking funny. What this means is that rim sizes can differ in that you have a rim that can handle a range from 140-160 and it looks right with the 160 on, but if you then put a tyre of 180 on to that rim, it just wont work. The NC rim, can do a range of 160-180 comfortably so it comes out standard with the smallest size the rim can handle.
Ja well I got 30000 on my rear and 40000 on my front stock Bridgestones. I replaced them with the Road Pilots and cant be happier. But then I probably ride like a ou omie. That must be why I get more than 30km/l?
Good grief, 30000km on rear tyres! Well done. Now there's a record to beat. Road Pilot 4 was out of stock and I couldn't delay the replacement thereof.Going to Zambia in January then will fit PR4 to front which has only done 8000kms.
I did 14500km on my Metzeler Interact Z8 tyres (still had tread left) and replaced them since they were going hard and grip was compromised.
I have just fitted Bridgestone BT021 tyres and the bike is transformed due to way better grip.
The Metzelers were only 4 years old and were showing signs of cracking. Tread and tyre age/condition needs to be taken into account when deciding to change tyres.
Should be interesting to know if all dealers will be prepared to replace your Dunlops. I think you should at least try the dealer who sold the bike to the previous owner.
Honda SA undertook to replace some Dunlops at some NC's, due to complains. Just have a look at page 3 of this thread for some comments in this regard. There might be more comments at other pages as well.
Maybe a more "hardegat" attitude will help...
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Hay Guys, it's been a while. Work is crazy busy and my days are getting shorter by the minute.
As you may or may not know, I am one of the lucky ones to have bought the NC with the crappy Dunlop tyres on. Honda swapped the rear just over 3000km, which was a score and decent of them to do. However, since day 1 on my NC I always felt uncomfortable, scared even. She did not feel solid or stable on the road. I kept having this feeling, when taking turns, even when the roads are dry, it felt as if the bike was slipping. It seriously effected my confidence in the bike and effected my riding style.
Now, with September here and the rain short on it's heals, I made a plan for some funds and I got my ass down to JBT in Midrand 2 weeks ago Friday. As always a pleasure to go there and Nomore was a star as usual. I ended up fitting 2 brand new Pilot Road 4's and also increased the rear tyre size up from 160/70 to 180/70. I left there with a smile on my face and a warm happy feeling. However, that was not a patch on how happy I felt, taking my first corner, With new "slippery" tyres on and the bike sat like a dream and just glided around the turn onto the highway. The 30km trek back to work was spent scrubbing the "slippery wax" off the tyres and having the ride of my life. Everything felt better! She was more stable, she felt more solid on the road and I swear she even handled better.
The true test came that evening. I ended up working late because of a deadline and low and behold, It starts Now I am worried because it's brand new tyres with "slippery wax" on and I must ride home in the wet...
Let me tell you guys - Not a single slip, not once did I feel unsafe, not once did she give me any reason to worry. I had my second best ride home, in the rain on my NC ever!!! I love the Pilots and I will recommend them to anyone. Yes it set me back R3600, but it was worth every penny!!
Its been almost 2 weeks now since I had them fitted and my confidence is back, I am enjoying my daily commute so much more and overall I am very happy that i took the plunge and went with the pilots!!
If i am not mistaken that should be 180/55 instead of 180/70?
Never the less i am due for a set of tyres and can get the best price using a 180 instead of the 160 - how have you found handling and tyre wear with the 180?
Had a set of PR4 fitted now and oh my hat i realize now how stupid i was pushing the standard fitted dunlops to 14000km... nearly clipped the inside curb on the first corner the way the bike just hooked up and i was taking it easy to scrub them in.
Also fitted the 180/55 to the back...
Guys if you havent changed those standard dunlops i can now say from experience get rid of them - feel like i need to learn how to handle my bike all over again
Replaced with Michelin Pilot 4's. 120 front and 160 back
Done 5k on them already and seems I will get a wee lot more out of them than the Dunflops.
Handling of bike changed all together. Just goes into a corner
Still need to get the rear tyre size around my square head. The 160 is standard on the rear....my question...what benefit, if any, do you get going for a 170 or 180 on the rear.