Although this French company was founded circa 1832, it only became known as Michelin in 1889.
They patented the detachable tyre in 1891 (for bicycles of course!) Prior to this date tyres were actually glued to the rim, which made fixing punctures a real bother.
Another patent was filed in 1946 - this time for the radial tyre (as opposed to the cross-ply). However a radial tyre for motorcycles was only developed in 1984. (As a matter of interest, the space shuttles had Michelin tyres).
Rear Tyre
Once again, however, the poor ST1100 is left out. Tyres are available for the ST1300, but the closest size for the ST1100 is the 160/60 ZR17. These are available in two models, the Pilot Road, and the Pilot Road 2.
Both of these are advertised as having 100% silica tread compound with the best wet grip and safety. A few reviews have stated that over 10,000 miles were achieved on the Pilot Road 2. Other reviews have stated that the Pilot Road tyres are not really suited for bikes above 600cc.
Recently the Pilot Road 3 was introduced as a successor to the PR2. No reviews of these tyres as yet!
Front Tyre
Pilot Activ 110/80 -18 TT/TL 58V. This has a larger contact patch (larger than what, they don't say) and with the newly-developed rubber compound, this tyre is reputed to have improved grip in both wet and dry conditions, even as the tyre wears. Tyre life is supposedly 20% longer than previous types.
Then there is the Pilot Road 2 110/80 ZR18 TL 58(W). Michelin say that independent tests have confirmed that the Pilot Road 2 offers better grip in the wet, and better longevity than any of its competitors, by using two distinct rubber compounds.
Again, the Pilot Road 3 has replaced the PR2, although not available in 110/80 size.
Visitor comments
Michelin Pilot Road 3 2CT
by Stefano
(Switzerland)
Hi, until now I used a lot of Bridgestone Tyres for my 1991 ST 1100 (owned 2000-2006) and for my 1990 ST 1100 (owned 2012-). I recently bought another ST 1100 with ABS (1995 model) and I was looking for tyres that could run for more km than the Bridgestone. For my car I only run Michelin and I'm very happy with them. I read that the new Michelin Pilot Road 3 is a great tyre for sport/touring heavy bikes.
I found the front tyre in the original dimension for the ST 1100: Michelin 110/80ZR18 (58W) Pilot Road 3 2CT.
But no way to find the rear tyre in the original dimension (160/70ZR17, circumference ~123.9 cm). Although this tyre exists in the 150/70ZR17 (circumference ~209.5 cm) and in the 160/60ZR17 (~203.8 cm) dimensions.
I saw in your pages, that you suggest to use the 160/60R17 when the 160/70R17 isn't available... why don't use the 150/70R17 ? The circumference is more similar to the original one...
I really want to try the Michelin Pilot Road 3 on my ST 1100... ;-)
Thank you for your kind answer.
Rob, Jul 20, 2012
150/70ZR17
You're quite right; it's best to get as close as possible to the original tyre size, so in this instance the 150/70ZR17 would be a better match.
The reason I mentioned the 160/60ZR17 was because the 150/70ZR17 was not offered as a choice when I originally wrote the article. I'm not saying it wasn't available then; but perhaps Michelin forgot to add it to their website.
Once you've ridden on the Pilot Road 3's for a while perhaps you'd like to report back on how they're doing!
Stefano, Jul 20, 2012
Error apology
There is an error in the circumference of the tyres: the nominal circumference of the 160/70R17 is ~205.9 cm, of the 160/60R17 is ~195.9 cm (-4.86%) and of the 150/70R17 is ~201.5 cm (-2.14%).
Now, I don't know if the ABS calculator can accept this error or not. It's maybe better to test these tyres on my 1990 ST 1100... but in the moment I have 2 new Bridgestone BT023 tyres on it. In the meantime if the someone want to test the Michelin Pilot Road 3 tyres and report the experience on this page it will be appreciated.
Best Regards, Stefano
JP Kalishek, Oct 5, 2013
MY experiance with the PR3
I am nearing the end of the life of a set of PR3s in 150/70 and 110/80. The rear is wearing from corner to corner (no "chicken strips") and wet grip has been great. Now, after a long trip to West Virginia, the tires are starting to scallop and get a bit noisy. The front will need replacement with the rear (most other tires except Avons I get two rears to a front) and my cost per mile is still over a penny per mile, and looks to be a bit higher than I have gotten from other tires. Stability is still fine, and these seemed less affected by air pressure changes than other tires I have used (the Avons were bad weavers if less than max pressure).
I find it odd the two most expensive front tires I have used are also the lowest mile returns.
Do you have any comments regarding Michelin tyres?
