Michellin Road 6 GT?? and tyre fitters in East midlands?

[Wario]

Hi,

Time to change my first set of tyres (Metz @ 8200 Miles on Gen2 - able to see the ply through the rubber). Looking at options and my favs are of course the metz but also was looking at the Mich and see that we can use Road6 GT as well.

So the question is Road6 or Road6 GT? Has anyone fitted Road 6 GTs? is it an advantage or disadvantage to use GTs?

I have huge chicken strips on my old plus i do some spirited riding trying to explore more BHP at higher rev bands. Maybe because I did not get the comfort to push the bike beyond 26 deg. Road 5s on my Kawasaki Z1000sx are quite confidence inspiring hence looking for Mich.

My paramount priority is Grip - Cold / rain / dry and should be confidence inspiring in bends at good speed. Good tyre life comes second. A few pennies are not worth counting here in terms of the price.

Also, any suggestions for getting the tyres fitted around Leicester or east midlands if I order them online??

Thanks a lot in advance

Regards, W

[RyanGTXR]

Essentially, the "GT" version will make the ride a bit harsher as the construction is stiffer for heavier bikes, read near 300kgs bikes such as BMW K1600 and the like. While the XR isn't a light bike it's a bit light for the weights the "GT" tyres are designed for.
Can't say much else about them as never ridden on them. I use Metz O1's or Pirelli GT's.
Don't know about fitting your way, but doesn't cost much to buy the gear required to fit yourself. Been doing my own for donkeys years.

[bobdave]

I've just changed from the original metzlers (back tyre down to just under the legal limit but not showing canvas and front stepped out from the tread cuts) at 5800 miles. Ive put Michelin Road 6s (not the GTs) on and am very pleased with them so far. I guess whenever you put new tyres on the bike will feel better but I've used michelin Roads on previous bikes (albeit the 5s) and been pleased with them so I have a high level of confidence in them and trust them. As has been stated in previous threads about tyres, what 1 person likes others may not but the Michelins work for me !

I can't comment on tyre fitters in East Midlands but Mark at Powerlinks down here in the south is very good.

[Antares]

Road 5s and 6s tick all your boxes. Imo the 5s handle better than the 6s but the 6s are an evolution in every other regards.

For both tyres not only the GTs are not suitable, they don't even come in the correct size (only 190/50 not 190/55 that the XR takes) GTs are for 240-250kg+

Even fully laden it doesn't make sense on the XR, handles just fine and gets normal life out of the normal variants.

[Gothrick]

I had the GT’s on a ZZR1400 and they were ideal. However, I agree with the previous posts that they are only suitable for heavier bikes and wouldn’t consider putting them on the XR.

[Wario]

Hi RyanGTXR, bobdave, Antares, Gothrick,

Thanks for your quick inputs. Pretty clear on the use of GT's. Looking at the other reviews on Metz vs Mich, for me, the metz wins owing to the ease of handling. The Mich on my Z1000sx seems to want to keep to a straight line and is an effort to push into corners.

So the choice for me is Metzeler Roadtec 01 both front and rear. Now to find some one who can fit these for me.... although I can attempt changing them myself, I am more than happy for someone to do it for me and save myself from a few cuts and bruises (Not to mention making my wife unhappy by living in the garage ;)).

Will keep this group posted on how it goes.

Regards, W

[Antares]

Fair enough on the decision, although imo the Road 5s last longer (by a big chunk) and handle better than the Metzelers particularly halfway through their life the 6s probably don't handle as well as the Metz but then last even longer. Whatever floats your boat 

[Gazk]

Hi Wario,

I've just PMed you 

[Salish1000]

Originally Posted by Antares

Fair enough on the decision, although imo the Road 5s last longer (by a big chunk) and handle better than the Metzelers particularly halfway through their life the 6s probably don't handle as well as the Metz but then last even longer. Whatever floats your boat 

This was my experience with the Metz Road 01's as well. Went through them way too fast. Didn't notice any improvement in performance. Went back to Michelin Road's. My highest priority is wet and cold grip given where I live, but I don't have to sacrifice longevity with the Road series. I like the idea of other tires, but once we find something that works so well, it's hard to justify a change.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Salish1000

This was my experience with the Metz Road 01's as well. Went through them way too fast. Didn't notice any improvement in performance. Went back to Michelin Road's. My highest priority is wet and cold grip given where I live, but I don't have to sacrifice longevity with the Road series. I like the idea of other tires, but once we find something that works so well, it's hard to justify a change.

I like to explore my options but my No.1 recommendation is still the Road 5. I have now tried ever major brand premium sport touring tyre with the exception of some of the Dunlop offerings. I currently have the new Conti Road Attack 4s on my 1290 but haven't had a proper chance to try them out yet, bit hard to compare grip too since the 1290 rips itself free with very little easy but they do seem to be confidence inspiring