Finally my beast is the bike I always knew it could be. A few of you might remember my posts awhile ago regarding the handling of my bike. It always wanted to "oversteer" to the point where slow turns were scary.
Well today I just descided enough was enough and had some Michelin Pilot Road 3's fitted to see if this would cure my problem.........FRIGGIN MAGIC. It is a completely different bike. It handles totally neutral now with no "oversteer" at all. I've had numerous bikes over the years with countless tyre changes but I have never had a bike transform this much with a simple tyre change. To say Im estatic is an understatement. Ill never put Bridgestones on any bike I ever own from this day forward.....Horrible Tyres for various reasons IMO. This is from past and present experience. Looking forward seeing how the PR3's handle on a trip Im starting on Thursday....bout 6000km..Woohoo. Cant wait.
Cheers Scott

* Last updated by: svscott on 7/2/2013 @ 2:19 AM *

Looking forward seeing how the PR3's handle on a trip Im starting on Thursday....bout 6000km..Woohoo. Cant wait.
Cheers Scott

Actually mate I'm heading down your way. East coast to Eden, Mornington Peninsula, GOR, Warrnambool, Adelaide, Port Augusta via Adelaide hills, Ceduna, back to port Augusta, Broken hill then various roads back to Sydney. Looking at between 500-600km per day using every back/twisty road we can find. Got most planned out already. Any recommendations on roads to look at would be great.Gonna be epic! :)

* Last updated by: svscott on 7/2/2013 @ 3:54 AM *

scott did you get the 190 55's?

Yeah Everyone was raving about how good the 55 is on the 14. They are right:):):) Absolutely tracks through the corners like its on rails.........finally. One very happy camper here.

* Last updated by: svscott on 7/2/2013 @ 5:04 AM *

Still can't believe how crap those S20's were on my 14.....right from the start. My Bike felt totally different to the demo one I rode.......it had Michelins on it....go figure!

Bro on all points above...agreed!

Keep in mind that OEM tires aren't the same as off-the-rack tires with even the same manufacturer and designation. OEM tires are more or less rim protectors that are made down to a price and designed to last long enough for you to get used to a new machine and then be changed out after break-in. Not saying those particular Bridgestones are any good, but you probably would have felt a difference with new tires of the same kind.

* Last updated by: Danno on 7/2/2013 @ 5:29 AM *

Yeah...see....I don't get that. Are you saying a S20 supplied to Kawasaki for OEM fitment is different to a S20 off the rack?

I really find it hard to believe a manufacture of this standing makes tyres of reduced quality for OEM spec........that's just counter productive for the company. Would just give all concerned a bad "opinion" of there product. I would think they would give them there BEST option to "showcase" there product. Just IMO.
Cheers

* Last updated by: svscott on 7/2/2013 @ 7:14 AM *

PR3's ... Don't leave home without them

* Last updated by: Werks on 7/2/2013 @ 7:45 AM *

Always been a Michelin Man...........should have ditched the Bridgestones from the start.

* Last updated by: svscott on 7/2/2013 @ 7:57 AM *

What I hear is that if we ran on natural rubber, our tires would last and last. Butt ala$, tires are made with oil. So that mix right there is the make or break my soft/hard compounds. With the 14, they have special made [lightweight] tires, special drive chains, all limitedition so stick her shock is stick that seat under me at the counter, you said WOT was my reach around price?

HAHAHAHAHHH! Reach around price! :))))

Adelaide hills,

Yeah...see....I don't get that. Are you saying a S20 supplied to Kawasaki for OEM fitment is different to a S20 off the rack?

Absolutely. They are made in the same molds so there's no outward difference But they're built down to a price-cheaper.

I've burned through lots of Bridgestones and several Dunlops the last 10 years, always buying the dual compound models. Since swithing to PR2s I've gotten way better mileage plus great handling. I believe the PR2s last a little longer than the PR3s at the expense of some wet traction. Plus they're cheaper. Don't really ride in the wet that much so I'm happy with the PR2s. Michelen rules as far as I've figured out.

Very strange. The PR3s were a disaster on my bike. Mushy feel, wandering under braking, would not turn into a tight bend. I dumped them before they killed me. Could be higher ambient temps over here in Australia. They got worse on days over 27 degrees C (80F).
Now I have Dunlop sportsmarts (Qualifier2s) and couldnt be happier.

I did the same. Sportex M5 were twitchy even on the straits. Put on a set or Pilot rd3's she's stable and rails like a freight train on steriods

Nothing but michelins on my rides, just haven't riden on any better tire!

took advice from here got a set of Pr3 fitted yesterday, bike feels a lot better, granted the stock bridgestones were well and truly fukd, the pr3 drops into a corner faster, suspension feels different, obviously due to tyre construction, so far i like a lot,got 2400 miles from last set of bridgestone

Meant to post a couple of days ago. Back from my trip. 4600km (had to cut it short due to other commitments). These PR3's hardly look like they have been used. Very little "squaring off" and I did some BIG kilometers in a straight line (unfortunately). Those of you who know the stretches of road from Adelaide to Broken Hill to Cobar will know what I'm talking about.According to a local in Broken Hill Im very lucky to have a licence after I mentioned to him how long it took us to do the Adelaide/Broken Hill run. Apparently the local HP officer in Cockburn was sick.........someone was looking after us :) They hide in the country side in camouflage clothing with radar guns out there apparently!!!
When I was able to get into the twisties they inspired nothing but confidence. Not one "moment" to speak of. I will never swap to another brand of tyre. My mechanic tried to convince me to try something else prior to the trip but I stuck to my guns..........so glad I did!
Cheers

t.According to a local in Broken Hill Im very lucky to have a licence after I mentioned to him how long it took us to do the Adelaide/Broken Hill run.

* Last updated by: bean07 on 7/19/2013 @ 4:44 AM *

Hey Bean. Yeah I'de heard the story from a few people here in Sydney....didn't believe it, then got told the same thing in Broken Hill. Go figure! I can concur with your speed. My poor topbox must have been hanging on for dear life. :)

Fing awesome!! Just awesome! I love the power 3's. lotsa confidence at lean.