Preferred front tire for sporty touring

[brider]

People love to opine about tires, so I'm seeking advice on a replacement for the Michelin Pilot tire currently on the front of my Norge. Wreck bent the fork tubes, axle & left rotor, so while the wheel is off I'll replace the bearings & tire. The tire is kind of visually non-round in cross-section anymore, and just LOOKS slippery if the road was wet.

I bought the bike with Michelins, never owned a sporty tourer before (last 20+ yrs on a Cal 2), and I have nothing bad to say about the Michelins except I'd like a front tire with a few more sipes, or something that is known GOOD for wet weather. I rode this tire in rain, no issues, but I try to avoid rain, and when I'm riding in it I really tip-toe around turns, might help my confidence if I knew my tire was really good in the wet.

Lemme hear what you think! Oh, the rear (same Michelin Pilot) looks like it has a lot of miles left, so I'm hoping it will be compatible with a non-Michelin, if that's an option.

[Bulldog9]

I stick with Either Michelin PS series (favorite was PS3) and the Dunlop road smart for my sport/touring bikes, though I have to say the Angel GT tires on my Norge were very good.

[twowings]

Conti Road or Trail Attacks worked wonderfully on my '08 Norge...great in rain, too

[faffi]

I prefer the PR4 from Michelin. Did not like the PR3 (too harsh on lighter bikes, but should be good on the heavy Norge) or the PR5 (wore quicker and bad in rain), but the PR4 have been bliss. For me. Absolutely even wear from shoulder to shoulder of the thread.

My son went from PR3 on the MT-07 to Conti RoadAttack 3. While the former was too harsh (for me, he like the feedback), the Contis were much too soft and lasted half that the of the Michelins. Fitting the Conti was like fitting a rag - softest tire construction I have laid my hands on.

[guzziboy66]

Pirelli Angel GT's on my 2014 Norge 8VGT.  tried a set, liked the so much that I did it again.

[MG_rider]

Put a Pirelli Diablo Rosso III on the front: telepathic turn in! Really great tire for me, turns in so easy, stable trail braking, can still turn in on the brakes. Sticks like glue. Haven't taken it to Florida Lime level yet, this setup on the front is definitely trackday capable. Sooo much better for the sport part of sport touring than the P Angel that came with the bike.

Don't care how long it lasts, its just a great tire for hauling into turns on paved logging road out here, love it!

[coast range rider]

Dunlop Roadsmarts handle great during their entire tread life. Most tires have worse end of life handling. They last long and grip well, instead of choosing just one of those two. Flexible sidewall gives smooth ride over small bumps and expansion joints. Priced cheaper than Michelin Road 5.

[brider]

Pirelli Angel GT's on my 2014 Norge 8VGT.  tried a set, liked the so much that I did it again.

I DO like the looks & reviews of the Angel GT II, but was not prepared for the price! I'm used to the Shinkos or Avons I ran on my Cal 2!

[PeteS]

I think most tires these days are better than most riders when it comes to grip. Even wear and ability in the rain would be more important to me for touring. I had Shinkos on my EV for a track day and grip was not a problem even with kicking up the floorboards on every turn.

Pete

[kja]

I've used Dunlop roadsmart III and IV on the Norge.  Great in the rain.  Used PR3 before the roadsmart.  Good tires but less mileage than the Dunlops.

[John A]

I’ve got no advice on tires but  as I read the damage description, I wanted to make sure you checked the lower triple tree bearing cup for deformation. Sometimes that will be damaged before the forks will bend. I repair them by cutting off the damaged area, turning a new bearing cup to fit and welding it on. It’s a fairly easy repair.The forks are so strong sometimes the frame will bend before the forks do.

[Stevex]

Latest Michelin sport touring tyre is the Road 6. I've fitted a pair to my CB1300.
Their reputation is first class as it's progressed from the PR series tyres, long lasting and very grippy.
My go to tyre fitter says he sells more Road 6s than all other makes put together.

[faffi]

I am certain that the way we ride and the bikes we ride and the settings we use and the roads we travel all impact how a tire perform.

For instance, Dunlop D205 radials that were fitted to my GSX600F 20 years ago gripped amazingly well on asphalt, wet or dry, but had dangerously little grip on worn tarmac and no grip on wet worn tarmac. I have no idea why, only how. Stopping on dry worn tarmac was like stopping on gravel - next to no friction, tires locking up ridiculously early. But on good asfalt, I could stop on a dime and haul my ears around corners.

Another example is that tires one of my friend loves, I hate - and the other way around. Same with suspension settings, braking points, choice of apex, when getting on the gas and so on.

[Huzo]

Nothing but Michelin Pilots from new.
Never get less than 18,000 km and on one wet Europe, got 22,000 km. I just  like the sound of the name, it gives me confidence…
Will say though, the Pilot 4’s exhibited some scalloping in the second half of their life. Never had a tyre induced fright on any of them.

[Perazzimx14]

Michelin Pilot Road/Road series tires just get better an better with every evolution. They all stick to the road (hot/cold, wet/dry) like dog sh!t in a Vibram boot sole and each generation seems to have longer tire life.

[twowheeladdict]

No complaints with Shinko Raven 009s.

Every Pilot Road 4 and Angel GT I have used got a rear puncture.

[Stretch]

I rode to North Carolina with my girlfriend a couple of years ago on Pilot Road 4s.
No issues, although they did scallop a little bit as they wore.

This year we went to West Virginia with a newer version of the Pilot 4. Very, very
nice when leaned way over. Neutral handling, no "fall in" when initiating a turn,
and very secure in the rain. The only thing to complain about is that the tread pattern
on the front was a little bit noisier than the previous generation. I'd buy 'em again.

These were on the Triumph Trophy.

                                                    -Stretch

[Perazzimx14]

No complaints with Shinko Raven 009s.

Every Pilot Road 4 and Angel GT I have used got a rear puncture.

What kinda mileage are you getting from the 009's?

[guzzler]

I DO like the looks & reviews of the Angel GT II, but was not prepared for the price! I'm used to the Shinkos or Avons I ran on my Cal 2!

G'day.
These are a very very good tyre!
I'm on my second set on my V11 Sport.
Cheers 

[bad Chad]

I'm putting a good word for the Kenda KM1 sport touring tire.  I put them on a year and a half ago, and at first I found them to be just a little bit greasy, compared to the Angel Gt I had been running.  However, as time went on they either got better or I got used to them, I kinda think it is the former, but I have no hard evidence.  I got them because they were less than half he cost of the big names, and I will say they have proven to be long wearing, and predictable, if not cutting edge.

[brider]

Anyone experience any issues with running different BRANDS front/rear, as long as they are both radial or bias?

[guzzler]

Anyone experience any issues with running different BRANDS front/rear, as long as they are both radial or bias?

I don't personally but have a couple of mates who have run Pirelli and Michellin / Metzeler sports rubber when they had to on a trip.
They're both pretty hard chargers too and didn't mention any issues when asked about it.....
Cheers 

[faffi]

I have run a ton of mixed brands over the years, and cannot recall any real handling issues.