Michelin Road 6 GT Tire Long Term Review

Рет қаралды 16,766

Күн бұрын

After about 10,000 miles of use, I'm ready to give a long term review of the Michelin Road 6 GT motorcycle tire. I had these mounted on my BMW R1200RT and used them for two cross country trips, subjecting the tires to all kinds of road surfaces, road conditions, temperature and weather. This video describes my observations.

Пікірлер: 64

@sfzx54 7 ай бұрын

look closely at your front tread, if the leading and trailing edges of your tread are different heights, especially on heavy tour bikes, you might need a touch more rebound dialed in. The noise is similar to what happens on the FJR, a buzzing or high pitched whine when leaned over. It won't stop it once it starts but might decrease the tendency for that odd wear pattern, which is usually what causes that noise to begin.

@Rickmac22 4 ай бұрын

Really nice comprehensive review with very balanced comments and insight. Keep doing reviews please!

@mag28 7 ай бұрын

By far probably the best review of a tire I have ever seen. Thank you so much for this. I just purchased a set and this confirms my decision. Cheers

@johnst65 25 күн бұрын

Great review ...you answered allot of the questions i was looking for answers too

@wadeblake3451 8 ай бұрын

I appreciate the review. I ve been wanting to try these tires since the road 5’s came out. Now that I just purchased an RT I am trying to find an excuse to put the 6’s on. Your review touched upon all the key points and further confirmed my willingness to purchase the 6’s. Cheers.

@0616ko 7 ай бұрын

Excellent review. Helpful information. Thank you.

@josephconrad9725 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for another informative video on the RT, i have exactly the same. Started with the Road 5GT and had similar experience as your description. I ride in Western Europe so all sorts of weather and road conditions. The downsides for me were the noise, as you mentioned also, and the fact that the tire behaved quite differently with a minor difference in tire pressure. I changed at 15,000km and could have done 2,000 more probably. I switched to Dunlop Roadsmart 4 GT based on my mechanic’s advice earlier this year. After 5,000km, this tire behaves as good in the rain and on dry as the Michelin, but is a bit more comfortable to ride and handles lighter than the Michelin. Also, much less sensitive to exact pressure. I look forward to riding in the cold/wet season to get a better idea. Ride safe!

@justinsevier5558 Ай бұрын

Thank you from your neighbor to the east in PA. Just bought a set for my 2010 RT for my upcoming trip. Thanks for the detailed review and for all your detailed RT maintenance videos. I really appreciate them!

@tinderboxarts Ай бұрын

You mean my neighbor to the West! I'm in Hunterdon County NJ. I"m glad it was helpful, and I hope your trip is a good one.

@dparrillojr2 2 ай бұрын

Great review Bro. I’m planning on putting these tires on my 2023 pikes Peak.

@95lovi Ай бұрын

He said it , that’s just what I told another KZfaqroni saying that the Bridgestone A41 was terrible, I love mine on my GS ! And I took both to the total limits on a training course from the ADAC in total down pour. The bike never gave away, I was stunned. So like you said many variables

@Ramon51650 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for an in depth review; you touched on details often overlooked by other reviewers. The rainy season in California is here and it's beginning to match last year's heavy rain that leads to months of runoff on the roads where I ride. I'm happy with the Pirelli that are currently on my bike, but I want added confidence when riding thru runoffs.

@tinderboxarts 5 ай бұрын

I'm sure the Road 6 isn't the only tire which is good in rain or wet roads, but it's hard to imagine a tire being any better in that regard.

@CorgiDaddy 8 ай бұрын

John, another great review stating your experiences. I bought the Road 5 GT for my R1200RT in late 2019. I had to wait for the GT version to be released. Almost 4 years later they are still performing well. I finally was able to run them in the rain for the first time a few weeks ago on the twisties in Northern Arizona and the tires gripped like it was dry pavement. I'll most likely buy the Road 6 GT when they have their rebates again.

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

I previously had the Road 4 GT, and I skipped the Road 5 generation. You probably don't get rain in your area very often, but it sure is nice to have the confidence in the tires when the road does get wet.

@CorgiDaddy 8 ай бұрын

@tinderboxarts It was a monsoon that just appeared unexpectedly. It rarely rains here and it did catch me off guard but the tires performed as designed so I didn't soil myself. 😂

@hymek7017 8 ай бұрын

I have these excellent tyres on my R1200RT and their grip has never failed me. I have to agree with every word you said in your well balanced review. I'm currently on a 2,000 miles tour of Wales in the UK on all sorts of roads from quality trunk roads to sketchy mountain passes covered in stuff like deep water (it's rained a lot this week), sheep pooh, gravel, mud, moss and grass. They do get slighty noisy eventually but it's really a non issue.

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

I have to admit, I have not tested the sheep poop yet! I have ventured over cow manure, though.

@larryechols6606 6 ай бұрын

Great review! I'll be doing most of my riding with a passenger and gear/luggage on a Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S and I'll definitely consider these tires at replacement time.

@FREE_PUREBLOOD333 8 ай бұрын

I'm currently using the same tyres on my FJR1300. Best tyre I've used to date. I don't get any noticeable noise from the tyres. Excellent for our UK weather. 😎👍

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

It's quite possible the noise I experienced is due to the combination of my particular bike and this tire. Road surface is certainly a factor too.

@simsey33 8 ай бұрын

I'll be putting them (tubed) onto a 2001 Bonneville soon, I'm excited to try them based on the many good reviews they have. Great to hear your experience with them, thanks for sharing 👍

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

I didn't even realize they came in sizes to fit the Bonnie. I'm running Conti Road Attack 3 on my Bonneville, and I've been very happy with them. I don't do much wet riding on that bike, though.

@simsey33 8 ай бұрын

@@tinderboxarts yes, they do a 110/80F and a 150/70R, sizes I've used before on the bike. The road attack 4s are available in the same sizes (no 100F or 130/140R available) but they're actually more expensive!

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

Yeah, tire pricing can be nutty sometimes. Depending on purchase timing the same tire might cost much more or much less.

@lipsee100 8 ай бұрын

I,v had Avon storms on my RT ,which are OK but wear quick,,, Mich pilot 4s very nice ,Pirelli something or other big mistake.... I,m going back to Michelins probably GT6s thanks for the review

@888jackflash 6 ай бұрын

I had bad luck with PR4's years back, problems with front cupping. I've avoided Michelins since, but your excellent report makes me reconsider. Wow, 10,000 miles! I'm currently running Bridgestone T-32 GT's, which I really like, but I only get about 6K on my FJR. I was using Dunlop Roadsmarts, but found the T-32 GT's to be much better. When I take my next cross-country trip, I think I'll try the Michelins.

@tinderboxarts 6 ай бұрын

The GT versions with stiffer sidewalls may well make a difference for you with a heavier bike. Cupping, though, can sometimes be traced to problems with the bike suspension or bearings. It's always a good idea to take a close look at those things when you replace tires.

@user-qc6id7vw5z 8 ай бұрын

Greetings from Russia! Interesting, long journeys. Bravo! I ordered it for myself, on Multistrada 950, Road 6.

@Kevin-px7so 3 ай бұрын

Let us know how these work for you.

@Blueknight-il9nc 8 ай бұрын

Great review on the tires. I have those on my 2015 RTP. I also have a 2007 which I just purchased what crash guards are those and also do you have a video on how to lower the pegs. Thank you.

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

Those front and rear guards are just cheap knock-offs of Wunderlich bars, sold on ebay and Amazon and probably other places too. They are all probably made in the same factory. They've held up well for me. I don't have a peg-lowering video, nor do I really have much advice on that subject, because I haven't needed to go that route. I know you can buy lowering kits, though.

@MikeB-bm3qy 3 ай бұрын

John, I picked up a 2013 R1200 RT a couple of months ago. It only has 340 miles on it but I plan to switch out the original Metzler tires for a pair of Road 6 GT's due to age. I assumed all 2013 R1200 RT's had tpms but apparently that's not the case. I'm not sure if mine has it and the batteries are dead or it never had it. I'll find out when I get the tires off if it has the sensors or not. My question is, can it be added with the addition of the sensors and proper programming to recognize they've been installed? Thanks in advance! your videos have been extremely useful in getting the bike back on the road after sitting in a garage for ten plus years. Much appreciated!

@tinderboxarts 3 ай бұрын

I actually thought all RTs of that vintage had TPMS, but I can't swear to it. Obviously you need the control unit or RDC mounted on the bike too, which is sometimes a combo unit with an alarm, so you can look under the seat for that. If none of that is there it would be much cheaper to get an aftermarket system.

@jamesaxelson917 3 ай бұрын

Just put a set on my ZX14R, phenomenal tire and it has far-less squish than the Bridgestone S20’s it came with. Very stiff and responsive tire with a lot of cold grip.

@bsimondsen 7 ай бұрын

John, any chance you could cut the old tire and give us a good cross section. I'd be really interested in the tread center...how much rubber is left.

@tinderboxarts 7 ай бұрын

I have cut open tires before out of curiosity, and they are a LOT more difficult to cut than you might imagine. We forget about the layers and belts molded into the tires we ride. The danger of running a very worn tire is not that it will blow out or lose air, it's that you will lose all traction and go down. Sure, you've seen knuckleheads do burnouts on an old tire until it pops, but that's due to extreme heat from the friction. If you just rode normally on a bald tire, you would find that the exposed belts would make you lose grip on the road before the tire would actually burst.

@4tech69 2 ай бұрын

I just put a pair of these on my 22 Versys 1000 SE+. I had the non GT and loved the performance. I tend to ride on the weekend and quite sporty riding. The rear last about 6K of that. I could have maybe gotten another 1K out of it. I've not ridden it yet, I've not picked it up from the dealer but suspect I will enjoy them just as much but get a xtra 4K out of the rear. They are indeed expensive, as of this date they were around $237 $328 that's with them being on sale 23% off on Revzilla. Dealer was similar.

@larrypahl5756 Ай бұрын

Thanx4post

@paulsmith3487 4 ай бұрын

Sensible review!

@nedbagno5286 2 ай бұрын

I will agree with the noise complaint. I put the GT’s on my 2017 RT and was suprised with the amount of high-pitched noise coming from the front tire after around 3K miles.

@tinderboxarts 2 ай бұрын

I was just experimenting with this a couple of days ago. I happened to be on a ride where there was very good pavement, highway speed, and nobody around. When you just slightly and gradually veer from centerline of the tire you can hear the whine pick up. I still have the tires with over 10K on them, though not for much longer. The noise will bother some riders, but I just want to know that it isn't a bearing!

@clayfarnet970 8 ай бұрын

Thanks, now I know exactly what is generating that noise on my 2013RT.

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

Ha! Well, you should check your front wheel bearings, because they could be the issue too. But, it could well be the tire if it is kind of a high pitched hum or whine.

@clayfarnet970 8 ай бұрын

@@tinderboxarts 👍 I checked the bearings. It only makes the noises in turns or when I weave back and forth. I suspected the tire but I have a newer set on my NT700 without issue…for now. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us. I dread having to bring my bikes to a mechanic. It’s hard to find a good one nowadays. 👍👍👍

@tinderboxarts 8 ай бұрын

Yeah, it probably is the tire then. I fully understand your frustration with relying on mechanic. I hear and see horror stories every week. The more self-sufficiency you can build the better off you'll be.

@clayfarnet970 8 ай бұрын

@@tinderboxarts My horror story, I bought a Military Green 2007 Royal Enfield with sidecar. I put it in local mechanic shop to tune up and fit a set of new tires...he broke more than he fixed and $11k later, it almost went to court. Never again.

@qconard 7 ай бұрын

Question I thought I ordered the Road 6 but mistakenly ordered the Road 6 GT. Do you think it would still be ok on a ctx700?

@tinderboxarts 7 ай бұрын

The GT version just has a stiffer sidewall than the regular version, which allows carrying more weight. The GT should be fine on your Honda. They will be a little more difficult to mount, and you spent a little more money than you probably needed to, but performance should be the same with the added benefit of being able to carry extra luggage or a passenger without worry.

@qconard 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for replying. Great video too. I had the road 5s and had no complaints. Got 10000 miles out of them. But really like how the 6s look and the reviews. Can't wait to try them! Thanks again John

@95lovi Ай бұрын

10Tsd miles 😮= 16Tsd Kilometers. Thats unbelievable

@scottveara8605 Ай бұрын

Is the front tire on backwards? Rear tread squeeze water out to the sides. Front tire is orientated so the water would move to the middle.

@tinderboxarts Ай бұрын

I agree it may look counter-intuitive, but there are arrows imprinted on the sidewalls of the tires indicating direction and it is correct!

@scottveara8605 Ай бұрын

@tinderboxarts thanks for the reply. It is counter intuitive. But, I do not own a set yet. Considering these, Conti 4, & roadtec 01

@tinderboxarts Ай бұрын

I'm about to do my third cross country trip on these tires, and my son ended up putting them on his Tiger 1200 for this trip as well. They can be noisy, so if that bugs you its something to consider. Other than that I really can't find anything to complain about and the wet weather performance is very important to me on these long trips to the middle of nowhere.

@scottveara8605 Ай бұрын

I'm replacing the tires on my ZX14

@chinghuahee6171 4 ай бұрын

Bridgestone t32 or road 6 are the best touring tyres

@danmclaugh2603 3 ай бұрын

A little off topic but looking for a vid on removing both wheels at the same time for tire change.

@tinderboxarts 3 ай бұрын

Super easy. Put the bike on the centerstand. Remove the rear wheel first, which does require moving or removing the muffler on some model years. Then you can lift under the engine to pivot the bike off the front wheel. See this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mtGeoMeKpsrShH0.html

@morningdew9450 Ай бұрын

Kann man den GT für eine 1250GS empfehlen oder ist sie zu leicht?

@tinderboxarts Ай бұрын

Ich bin mir nicht sicher, welche Reifengrößen für den GS verfügbar sind, aber wenn Sie einen Straßenreifen wünschen, wäre der Michelin Road 6 GT genau das Richtige. Tatsächlich hat mein Sohn gerade Road 6-Reifen auf seine Triumph Tiger 1200 montiert, für eine lange Reise, die uns bevorsteht.

@mengaw-yong2490 2 ай бұрын

Have had road 5 & 6 very good in wet I agree. However I have had 3 punctures in 3 yrs on road 5/6& only 2 punctures in 24 yrs on other tyres . I have read other feedback on puncture prone road 5/6

@tinderboxarts 2 ай бұрын

Well, there's an obvious problem with that logic, right? You only get a puncture when you ride over a screw or nail or other debris, and we don't choose when that happens. It's random. Some riders may go their whole riding life without riding over that type of debris, and others may be unlucky enough to hit it multiple times in a short period. There is no physical reason why the Road series tires would be any more puncture prone than other street based tires. The carcass construction and rubber are similar among all brands. The major difference is tread pattern.

@Corn8Bit Ай бұрын

@@tinderboxartsDoesn't the Road series lack the metal band internally?