Michelin Road 5 tyre review and what did I choose next? |

#michelinroad5​ #michelin​ #road5​ #o75​ #motogusto
What is the best motorcycle tyre? Could it be Michelin Road 5 tires?
Treads on a pair of Michelin Road 5 tires are, shall we say, somewhat unique using technologically advanced Sipes. As the tyre is worn, it continues to displace the same amount of water in the wet, and the outer edges remain soft to give you exceptional grip in the dry. Even when 50% worn (at 3500 miles), Michelin Road 5s offer the same confidence and stops the bike as quickly as a pair of brand new Pilot Road 4s, its predecessor and my previous choice of tyre.
Interestingly, compared to the PR4s, the Sipe technology is away from the edges. Michelin realised riders wouldn’t generally lean that far in the wet, instead offering up more soft grip for the dry.
Using the combined technologies of 2CT and 2CT+ with the latest generation of compounds and evolutionary XST Evo Siped tread, Road 5 does offer excellent continuous grip across many road types and conditions.
During my tyre’s life, I only had three twitches from the rear (which you will see in my video). The Road 5s immediately regained grip, and the bike was back under control. In short, it did its job.
Wet-weather riding? Flawless and confident. They are as if you would be riding in the dry. I remember one hard day’s riding back home through France, pushing hard through torrential rain and facing strong headwinds for several hours, killing 20 miles of fuel out of my tank. Never a concern to knock my confidence.
With around 7000 miles on the tyres under my belt, I noticed a humming from the rear. Instincts said bearings, but it was only noticeable intermittently at certain speeds above 50mph. Not really a complaint, but it was a niggle. I noted a couple of other users commented similar experiences suggested reinflating to the correct tyre pressure. My rear was only a couple of PSI under; I inflated and not had humming since.
As tyres wear, many square and even at the end of its life, Michelin Road 5s compound showed no signs whatsoever continuing to offer well-rounded grip. It is consistent even though, for some reason, I was losing a little confidence.
So, with 1.5mm tread depth and probably another 1000 miles left in available legal rubber, taking them to around 8500 miles, I changed them a little earlier than I would have liked - only because my bike was due its MoT. Other users claimed mileages vary wildly from between 4500 and 11500 miles. Less mileage will be expected with heavy-going riding, while those reaching 11500 are more likely to be city-based commuters riding lighter motorcycles. It seems, then, I’m an average rider with expected average mileage. There is a GT version for heavier motorcycles and long-distance touring enthusiasts.
Still, overall, for a mixed-road use, whether doing long stretches on the motorway or navigating the Picos de Europa’s fast twisties, I can wholeheartedly give this tyre top marks.
So then, what did I change them to? You'll just have to watch the vid. ;)
This is an entirely independent Michelin Road 5 review. I have not been given tyres or paid to provide this video.
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[@nickstevens3139]

The Road 5 is the best tyre I’ve had on my CB1300S riding in Oz. I’ve got 13,000ks on them and I reckon I can get a few thousand more. The 5 gets well over twice the longevity of the Pilot 4 and without the handling going off as the tyres wear.

[@o75uk]

Hey Nick Stevens, thanks for watching from the other side of the globe. I have to agree which is why I'm now on my second set. It is a really good tyre. 👍🏼😉

[@jamjarxxx]

Good to see you back on the bike again. As soon as our lockdown ends putting on a set of pr5 s. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@o75uk]

Hey Jamjarxxx. Thank you! You're welcome. It felt great albeit an essential short trip. With planned trips shelved, I hope to hit the roads with a few spontaneous ones this year. Not long now! You can't go wrong with Road 5s. 😉

[@jamjarxxx]

@@o75uk we are still limited to no more than 5 km from home. Its tough but hope it will be worth it in the end. Can't wait to try the pr5 s.

[@o75uk]

@@jamjarxxx 5km! Oh, the freedom. 😩

[@6060don]

I agree with you the Michelin Road 5 is a great tire. On my Kawasaki Concours (sorry GTR 1400) I don't get the wear you are getting. I do better with the Michelin Road 4. I did put the new Pilot 5 on the front. I will let you know how we make out this summer. It gets hot in British Columbia in the summer so it is always a good test for tires. Happy trails.

[@keithwilliams4262]

I've just changed from pilot 4's to Dunlop Road smart 3's. We've had the Dunlops on our blood bike and they've transformed the handling on the fjr. I'm hoping that they do the same for my trophy. Great vid once again 👏

[@o75uk]

Hi Keith, thanks for the feedback. It's appreciated. Tyre choice is very much a personal one but hope my objective user review can help others to make an informed decision.

[@keithwilliams4262]

I think the standard of rubber available to us is amazing. Most tyres will out perform the average rider. Its down to personal choice. If you're like me and you get something in your head about a brand, then that's it! Good or bad. Just put my bike back on the road so it'll be very interesting to see how the road smart 3's compare on my trophy. I might add some feed back if I may at a later date. If you object I'll totally understand. Many thanks keith

[@addicted2baseballrgd21]

@@keithwilliams4262 How did the Roadsmart 3 work out for you? I have the PR4 right now, probably going to need new tires in about a month. Looking at RS3 . Michelin makes a good tire, just kind of pricy. I'm also looking at Avon Spirit ST.

[@keithwilliams4262]

@@addicted2baseballrgd21 hi there. Have to say the Dunlop's have been fantastic. Done 5k so far and probably another 2-3k still in them. Pretty good for a very heavy bike and 95% two up so very pleased. Ill be having the same again for sure when the time comes to change

[@andyjames4015]

Great content and an honest articulate review :)

[@o75uk]

Thanks Andy! 👍🏼🏍💨

[@martinhughes9769]

Been running these on a SX 1000 kawasaki, Done 7600 miles to date and a good few thousand miles left, Standard tyres was battle axe 16 I think could not get rid of them quick enough done 6000 miles they'd track on any bit of uneven road both tyres squared off really badly , never felt confident with them 😳

[@o75uk]

Sorry for the tardy reply - hoping to be back on it soon. How are the tyres now? I still love 'em.

[@SuPpOsEdLyThIsIsCoOl]

I’ve lost count of the twitches on road 5s- exactly like you’ve shown. I’ve gone elsewhere now. To me they seem very good above 10 degrees C, but getting into single figures slipping will come out of nowhere

[@o75uk]

What I find reassuring is how the tyres stop the incident from occuring; I sense the cause is more road surface than tyre.

[@johnwood7306]

Great video and your thoughts on the PR 5s.Got them on my Street triple rs and can't fault them. Take care.

[@o75uk]

Thanks John. Appreciate the feedback. Yep - making the best of any ride - even if it is a short essential trip for the bike's annual MoT. I can't fault them either. Ride safe. 👍🏼

[@andrewfishy34]

Hi there, put new boots on my multistrada last year but stuck with PR 4s it was all to do with confidence i had in them did consider PR 5s tho. Bet it was nice to be out and about. Lets hope for more miles than last year lol. Great video as normal.

[@o75uk]

Hi Andrew. Thank you for your comment and feedback. Very much appreciated. Nowt wrong with the PR4s fella - they are a great tyre too. I don't recall any issues with them. In fact, I did contemplate going back. Yes, so good to get out - albeit a short, essential trip. I'll take anything at the moment. Yep - all trips shelved but putting pencil to paper for 2022. It'll be more spontaneous trips this year. Armed with Calimoto, I'm sure it'll be fun! Yes - no doubt more miles for us too. Enjoy the ride and ride safe. 👍🏼

[@andrewfishylawrence7453]

Picos cancelled last September rebooked for this September fingers crossed, hopefully a couple of weeks we may be able to get out and about to get a few miles under our belts 👍

[@Mike_P646]

Those moments could have easily been fine grit on those bends👍

[@o75uk]

Thanks for your comment. Sorry my reply took a while. That could be the case but it's how the tyre reacted stopping the incident from continuing.

[@kristianwebster96]

Im on the Michelin Road 5 as cheaper than the road 6. they sre grippy i push them fairly hard but every now and then i get them slow speed twitches like that you got

[@o75uk]

Thanks for your comment. I love the 5s but had to change the rear to a Road6 (R5 not in stock) due to a puncture in France. The six is proving itself after riding mixed roads in all weathers without a hint of a slip.

[@Eammim]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the R5s. I'm thinking of changing to these next, but the twitches you experienced made me wonder as the roads you were on all looked dry and good condition, I wonder how far the twitch would have gone if it had been raining? With all the blue skies and sunshine it must have been tempting not to have taken a right at the Amsterdam?

[@o75uk]

Hi Eammim - you're welcome! Ha ha - I would love to be tempted but we will have to wait a little longer once we're back in the saddle and the pubs are allowed to open their doors. Ooh, the thought after a long day's ride! ;) You raise a good point but what would the outcome be had I been on different tyres? Would they have reacted in the same way? While you may not see foreign matter on the roads, the Road 5s prevented the incident from continuing therefore I was able to simply ride on. Would foreign matter have been diluted/removed after rain? In the main though, its not something I would be concerned with as the technology that goes into tyres these days helps to reduce risk when riding. What I do know is the three twitches were less significant than foot-down twitches I experienced with other brands.

[@paulmartin2k7]

Put road 5s on my cb500 and it was best decision av made regarding tires. Big boost in confidence in the bike. I will put it one way only.. I would rather pay £270 for a set of road 5s and feel 100% confident than buy other tires because they last longer. I had 1 skip and when I got home I seen it was because I was about 1cm from the tire wall. I will be getting road 5s for my cbr too

[@adamdavis2274]

I love my road 5,s , but rear is almost dead after 4500 miles , on a gsxs1000

[@o75uk]

Thanks for your comment. I've heard the same while others claim 11,500. Guess which ones get the most out of them? (Fun, I mean). 😉👍🏼

[@ganuvien]

It depends on how aggressively you ride. I push PR5s to the limit on my XSR700 and I'm a heavy rider and get 4k+ miles out of the rear tire, which is pretty good compared to other brands that I hear most replace earlier.

[@bigliftm]

on what bike are you riding on ?. MOT ? thank god we dont have that BS in the netherlands. Ordered these tyres for my kawasaki Versys 1000 gt 2018. currently its riding on bridgestone t30 tyres but there square and profile is gone.

[@o75uk]

KTM 990 SMT. You don't have an annual inspection of motor vehicles? Enjoy the 5s. It really is a great tyre.

[@bigliftm]

@@o75uk thank god no we dont have that bullsh...... they are trying to get it but a lot of bikers are organized and give a hell of a fight to keep this BS out.

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Advice please guys. I love Pilot Road 4 & 5s. Have then on my other bikes and are great in the wet and acceptable in the dry. Now, I have a new Pirelli Angel GT mk 1 on the rear of my 2017 Triumph Thruxton non R. I’m thinking of going Pilot Road 5 on the front for wet grip. I know you shouldn’t mix tyres but I fancy the extra grip on the front for when it’s wet. Good idea or bad idea?

[@o75uk]

Thanks for your comment. Personally I would avoid mixing as different grip ratios will impact the handling and ride. Tyres are designed to work together. For the sake of the cost of the rear only, if you want extra grip go Road 5s front and rear.

[@volt7cooltangs701]

o75 cheers o75

[@paulmartin2k7]

Did you say 6-9 or 69k miles?

[@o75uk]

Hi paulmartin2k7. I'd love to have a pair of tyres that last 69,000 miles. Lucky if I get 9,000. 😉

[@paulmartin2k7]

@@o75uk haha I thought that because with how much grip these tyres have, would be very lucky getting above 9 lol used them on NC500, all round trip 1000 and absolutly brilliant

[@kona6451]

I went to Metzler 01

[@o75uk]

That's great. How are they?

[@kona6451]

@@o75uk I haven't installed them yet. Still not riding season here in the PNW. Can't wait though.

[@kona6451]

@@o75uk I tell you, they were really hard to find in my size. I found a set at a bike shop in Michigan and had them shipped. 180/55/17