Which tyre again?

[Monsieur]

My pilot roads are now due for a change but, like always. I'm confused by the choice of tyres.
Trail attacks sound a decent tyre but my pilot roads have done sterling service - front has done 5000 miles and the rear is nearly at 15000 miles.
I only ride on tarmac - so should I stick with what I know (pilot roads) or go for trail attacks?
Honda Varadero XL1000

[Boris]

I suspect the trail attacks won't last nearly as long. I had Road Attacks on and the front lasted about 9,000 miles and the rears 4,500 each.

I've just fitted Pilot Roads and I must admit I can't really detect a difference. I've covered about 1500 miles on them in the last week or so and they are holding up well and are on track to last longer than the contis.

[africajim]

Well, I do venture offroad, forest tracks etc, sensible stuff as anything wet or slidy and the lardy beast will sit down!
The trail wings it came with are aggressive enough for my needs but I'm not happy with the life of them, 3000 miles is a bit short.
I'm replacing with Michelin Anakees, I had them on the Tiger and got at least 6000 miles from them. I believe the weight of the Vara makes it hard on tyres but I'll report back on the Anakees when I return from the Stella run.

[Freerangestormer]

+1 for the Annakee's

I changed front and rears 15,000 km ago (I just realised how much mileage I've done in the past year) and without actually measuring tread depth I would say the rear still has a long way to go and the front wear is barely noticable and you would be hard pushed to find a square edge. 99% on road use and it's hot here (30 C+) all the time. Temps have never gotten above 58 C even at 160+ kph in this weather. They have a very predictable feel in both wet and dry, I'm no kneeslider but even I have managed full use of the rear tread width , they do let the bike fall into turns very easily so beware the first time you use them can be a bit of a "Gulp" moment.

I can't imagine the AK2's being any less good for the Vara. Many of the Triumph Tiger 1050 people are reporting good things about the PR2's as well.

[z-weiser]

just replaced my rear with a tourance, feels ace and handles really nicely!

leans right over and feels pretty stable on the motorway!

I'll report back but if it's as good on the Vara as it was on the Africa Twin then i'll be more than happy!

let's see how it copes with 500 miles of M6/M56 per week!

Z

[Dave]

Hi Guys

Got a bit of a shock on Wednesday.

Put my vara in for a service (4750miles) and borrowed a 600mile vara for the day - I just hadnt realised how bad my Trailwings had got in such a relatively short time.

I had planned to change the tyres with Pilot Roads in 2000miles time but with the front down to 2mm and unevenly worn (rear 3mm) the replacement has been brought forward to a weeks time.

I'll then probably need a new set for the Nurburgring in November - they dont seem to last long these tyres do they!

Dave

[PHILinFRANCE]

Annakees all the time long lasting and sticky
Phil

[Snaphappy]

I've got Conti Road Attacks on at the Mo, at first I thought crap as they seemed to wear down really fast, but it must of been just the initial wearing in as the tread seems stable, I've only done a couple of thou on them front still looks new. Nice handling regardless of weather, tarmac only.
Although next time round I'm heading for Dunlop D607 unless someone shouts don't

Over here I'm restricted to what tyre I can use and having Contis entered into the logbook cost me an extra £60

[Monsieur]

Booked in on monday for a pair of pilot roads