Here's my review from my motorcycling blog (pics can be found on the link):
http://findingneutral.tumblr.com/post/6878741169/review-michelin-pilot-road-3-manufacturer
Content:
REVIEW: Michelin Pilot Road 3
Manufacturer: Michelin
Model: Pilot Road 3
Front Tire: 120/70ZR17
Rear Tire: 180/55ZR17
Date of Purchase: June 7, 2011
Vendor: E-Moto Motorcycle Tires (info@swmotorubber.com)
Tire Mounter: Beemers Uber Alles
Satisfaction Level: Medium (so far)
Price Paid (USD): $129.50 + $161.50 = $291.00
Motorcycle used for review: 2006 BMW R1200ST
Miles on the tires reviewed: 0-400 miles
Review:
Two years ago, I was going down the local interstate at about 60-65 on a turn when my motorcycle seemed to move slower and won't turn. I pulled over and my rear tire was punctured badly. I replaced the rear tire with a Metzeler Roadtec Z6. Last month, it happened again and my rear tire was punctured. Thankfully it was just 3 miles from my house and I was able to limp the bike back.
This time, I thought I would try the newly released Michelin Pilot Road 3 for both the front and rear tires. According to Michelin, these tires are designed for sport touring and have "sipes" for more effective water channelling. These also uses Michelin's 2CT two compound technology.
How do they perform?
From the get-go, these tires seem to be more "stable" than the Z6. Mainly, with the Z6's, it was easier to turn the bike. Usually when leaving the house to go riding, I would have to "super slab" it for an hour or two before I really hit the nice roads with the twisties. When it's fairly safe, I try to warm up my tire by leaning left and right going straight while staying on the same lane. Basically, "zig-zagging" within the lane to scrub and warm the tread shoulders and not just the middle. Doing this on the Z6 is easy enough and the bike seems more maneuverable and easier to lean into turns. The Pilot Road 3 is more resistant to leaning than the Z6 in my opinion.
However, on the Z6, since it's easier to lean, it's also easier to lean too far and sometimes it feels that the bike might go down from under you, if you under or overestimate your lean vs. your speed. This is where the Pilot Road 3 shines, in my opinion. While not as easy to lean as the Z6, I find it that I am more confident once the bike is leaned with these tires. Also, gravel while making a leaned turn on the Z6 might freak me out, but the Road 3's take them without much drama.
Of course, it HAD to rain during my first 400 miles with these tires. I can honestly say that the performance of these tires in the wet is superb. I was taking it easy the first 100 miles as I needed to make sure the tires have been broken in correctly with various heat cycles and what not. What I found after riding it longer during the rain is that I am more concerned about the traffic, or deer or my fuel consumption than actually thinking about how the tires would handle the wet roads. These tires are predictable and confidence inspiring in the wet. Please note that while I rode in the rain which was hard at times, I didn't go through any big puddles.
Braking is good but I found no difference from the Z6.
As far as dry pavement performance, I was not able to test this yet with significant mileage. I'll update the review once I get the chance to do so since the Z6 is sticky once warmed up and a joy to ride. I'd like to see how these Road 3's perform. I had the Pilot Road 2 before but it was on a smaller bike.
I'd also like to see if these tires would last long but I would be happy if I get 8k miles on these, specially the rear. Hopefully my string of bad luck with rear tires being punctured has ended..