Best All Around Tire For The RT

[Doctor T]

Original Road6GT's on my 2023 RT got 18,000Km before the flattened profile was starting to noticeably affect cornering. Tread was still ok as I do a significant proportion of riding in twisties so helps the tyres wear more evenly - up to a point. I liked the feel of the R6GT as neutral and predictable. I am not a peg scraping type of guy.

Dealer suggested trying Pirelli Angel GT2 which I did. They didn't feel as neutral as the R6GT and had slight centreline movement which felt odd. Then went on a Long tour (16,000km) with mainly straight highway running, and carrying about 30Kg of luggage. After 11,000Km when I reached Perth I had to change them as the profile was too flat- tread still fine. Dealer there suggested Bridgestone T32GT as being slightly stiffer.

After 6,000Km return trip the T32GT's are holding their profile well, both front and back, and plenty of tread. They feel similarly neutral to the Road6.

They are all good tyres. I think the Michelins might be slightly better for wear and neutral feeling. Don't think I would go with Pirelli again. My riding buddy had Pirelli's on his KTM 1290 and the rear tyre fractured suddenly 300Km west of Mt Isa in nowhere land. On replacing, the tyre dealer in Mt Isa noted there seemed to be a defect in the belting visible from the inside. Maybe just bad luck, but our opinions are based on our experiences. Hallelujah for tyre pressure warning system which went off before the tyre was completely flat. That stretch of Barkley Highway in NT is 130Km/hr limit.

The front tread design of Pirelli Angel GT2 with the center tramlines is terrible. That's why I stuck with the GT1. the handling is very neutral. Hence why I bought 2 GT1 front tyres. I won't be moving to the MK2.

[Jggpossum]

Thanks for the comment on the centreline tread pattern in the pirelli Angels. From the moment I saw the front tyre for the first time I thought it was an inappropriate pattern and makes sense it would tend to tram line the bike. That’s what I noticed on first ride and never got used to it.

[Doctor T]

I remember a lot of tyres from the 80-90s using tramlines in their design. Heard many people complain about weaving caused by the front tyre.
Over 45 years of riding I find the GT1 the best tyre for dry and wet weather handling. before the GT I fitted a pair of Metz 01 which I thought were good but didn't last long. The GT1 is miles better. So far I've covered 7000 miles on them with out any squaring off. Should get another 4000 miles out of them.

[Steve398]

Personally I preferred the Michelin 5GT which I found a softer ride, but next time I’ll try the Bridgestone T32GT which get good reviews and are cheaper than the 6GT’s.

[Panman40]

Personally I preferred the Michelin 5GT which I found a softer ride, but next time I’ll try the Bridgestone T32GT which get good reviews and are cheaper than the 6GT’s.

The 6GT does seem to give a hard ride Steve but I’ve not had road5’s so can’t compare. After having 16 years on uneven Bridgestone tyre wear on the ST1300 I’d be looking to keep away from them myself.
I’m not sure how some folks are getting these huge miles out of a set of tyres!.

[Steve398]

I get the bike serviced and put a new set of tyres on every year before our annual Greek trip, so I couldn’t honestly say what mileage I’m getting other than I do about 6k a year, and the tyres are nowhere near worn out when they’re replaced.

However I do find the 6GT’s a very hard ride, so perhaps I could move on to a softer, more compliant tyre. I’ve enjoyed Continentals and Pirelli Angel GT’s in the past…

[LochiesDad]

Can't go wrong with a pair of Bridgestone BT32's for touring and the odd track-day

[Glenn]

My replacement bike came with a new pair of Bridgestone BT23's, they don't inspire confidence. I will be getting them changed next year for a set of Dunlop Roadsmart 4's

[LochiesDad]

I can respect that choice however i've never known a tyre which doesn't deliver the levels of confidence in both lean and load as the BT23's. We all have our preferences and I only wish everyone, regardless of tyre choice, happy riding and safe journeys wherever you are.

[LochiesDad]

I can respect that choice however i've never known a tyre which doesn't deliver the levels of confidence in both lean and load as the BT23's. We all have our preferences and I only wish everyone, regardless of tyre choice, happy riding and safe journeys wherever you are.

My apologies, the tyres I have are Bridgestone Sport Touring T32's..... retiree moment again

[GoldenWest]

Hello

Just checked the RTs tires and not looking good! What do you fellows recommend for the RT? I have Michelin 5 GTs on it now and they only have 7500 miles and the best I could find was 3/16” of rubber @ the wear bars. A little gun shy with Michelin now.

Tenequip

What’s your mileage expectation and what is it based on?
In all honesty, I read so many tire mileage complaints, but rarely with any basis or rationale other than I hoped to get more miles from my tires.
What’s your thinking?

[Shuswaper]

Seems to me, while 11,000 kms might appear somewhat normal treadlife for the RT, I think it sucks.
Prior to my '23, I have had an st1100 followed by 3 FJRs and on all those bikes, my fronts all lasted 16-19 thous.kms.
Coincidently, all Bridgestones...that is why I am ditching the Road 5GTs for the T33s....nuff said !

[Phil002]

I was on my way back from the west coast in the spring of 2024 and had to look for a replacement tire for my Metzler Roadtec 01s in Thunder Bay, Ont. The only tires available at short notice where Metzler Tourances, which are a dual sport tire with the correct fitment for the RT. I was a bit hesitant to put these on, but they were recommended by the dealer and I needed to keep going. What I found was for my riding style, I could not really distinguish any significant difference from the Roadtec 01s. What I did notice is that on secondary gravel roads, they gave the RT a lot more stability! I live in an area with a lot of gravel roads so this was a big benefit for me, not that I am looking to do any trail riding with it.

The Tourances have about 13,000kms on them now and are in need of replacement. All the tires that have been discussed in this tread I am considering, but I am wondering if anyone has any experience with dual sport tires on an RT. The Tourance is no longer available in the correct sizes for an RT, but the Dunlop Mutant is actually a recommend optional tire for the RT, and I have seen Michelin Road 6's, which seem to have a slightly more aggressive tread pattern on GSs

[JRD]

I've been running Michelin Road 6GT's on my 2015 RT my riding buddy has a 2014 and he got 20,000 km from a set of Kenda KM1's without any issue. Most of our riding miles are together, so in similar conditions. I know the Michelin's are a better traction tire than the Kenda's, but neither of us ride all that hard anymore as we are over 70, but the Kendas are less than half the price. I'd like to hear more from anyone who has used the Kendas as to any traction issues, etc.

[Phil002]

As a followup to my previous post, I installed Michelin Road GT6's on my RT last week. So far, the most noticeable difference, which is pretty common for most new tires, is how quiet they are compared to the well worn ones I was using, will see how that lasts as they wear. The tech who mounted the tires, also noticed a small flat spot on the rim, but that's a different subject...