Just got back from vacation and look what finally arrived. Since I have only run the OEM Bridgestones that came on the GA, I will not have much to compare them to but none the less I will keep everyone up to date on the wear and performance.
I hope that the dealer was informed.... This is inexcusable.. Seems like good practice to do what I've had local car tire dealers do and they have a second person re-check lug nuts torque and tire pressure.. or me do it...I've had lug nuts fall off less than 3 miles from the dealer on an SUV.Ok even though this first impression will be based on a 40 mile ride home from the dealer and a front that was only inflated to 35 PSI :frown: and a rear that was inflated to 53 PSI. :surprise: .
According to the Michelin website, both the Road 5 and Road 5 GT 120/70-17 have a load index of 58, i.e. 520 pounds. I have not seen an indication of a load rating of 54 for this tire, which would be the aforementioned 476 pounds. Despite there being two different versions of the Road 5, they would appear to have exactly the same load rating.The functional difference between the two is the load rating.
The PR5 120/70-17 has a load rating of 467 lbs.
The PR5GT 120/70-17 has a load rating of 520 lbs.
Both the PR5 and PR5GT 190/55-17 have a load rating of 852 lbs.
Technically, when fully loaded and running two-up with a full load of fuel, my 2012 GTL would exceed the total load of the non-GT rating by about 50 lbs and just slip under the GT load rating.
Just one of the reasons I went Double-Darkside. Now my total tire load rating is a scoatch over 2,000 lbs.
:grin:
Is that true (more traction)?...so i actually plan on getting the standard Road 5's. I'm ok with shorter life of the tire since i will get more traction.
I know Michelin specifically approves of use of the PR5GT for the K1600 and does not approve of the standard version. Its just odd that they have the exact same ratings that everyone uses to judge whether a tire is appropriate for a given machine.There is more to a tire than just load, speed and wear rating. The K1600 is a rare combination of weight, torque, speed and handling requirements that need to be considered when designing a tire. Over here the tire manufacturers test bike and tire combinations and issue an approval if the tests are positive even though it is not strictly required from a legal point of view. Personally I only run tires that a are approved by the tire manufacturer for the specific use. If you are interested I can post the approvals for the K1600 from major tire suppliers as an orientation. (German only, but it doesn't really matter).
^ This is the critical bit that people miss.The difference is beyond specs.
I too had nothing better to do, but I am no so old that I would actually call someone on a telephone.ld: You use a land line for that!:wink:1-800-346-4098 is the number for Michelin tech line in Greenville NC. In case anyone is in doubt. My question to the tech was "what is the difference between the 5 and the 5 GT". Answer was, "No Difference" and i would be fine running either on the K1600B.
Revzilla leaves that off the non-gt version description.Stiffer carcass to better support heavier touring and sport-touring bikes