Running the PR6 on my 950S Multi, awesome tires, nice step up from the 5's, they steer very quick.

 

Thanks for the info, is it too early to gauge tyre life? I'm currently getting about 3,500 out of the rear Bridgestone and 7,000 out of the front.

With the winter looming I'm thinking the Michelins may be a better option, although I've never had any real issues with the Bridgestones.

Cheers

Mark

 

Can't seem to find too many reviews of the Conti Road Attack 4's on Youtube, mainly advertising vids. Liking the reviews on the Michelins though so will probably give these a try.

Thanks for your insight, much appreciated.

Mark

 

Get Metzeler Roadtec 01 SEs. Haven't seen them up against Michelin 5 or 6, but they creamed everything before that in tests.

 

Thanks for the input Mac, looking at some of the reviews for these now, nice tread pattern as well.

 

Got a 21 690smcr. Just swapped out the OEM s21 on the front - about 8k miles off that. Had a puncture on the rear at about 4k (apparently it was almost spent...) and put a Michelin road 5 on to replace it

Got about 5-6k out the road 5 before the middle wore through. Maybe about 1k of that was "motorway" riding.

The road 5 definitely feels different to the S21, similar grip to the edge but it takes ever so slightly longer to feel solid when tipping it in. If you're okay compromising slightly on the "feel" in favour of durability down the middle, then the road 5 won't disappoint and is definitely more durable down the middle.

Road 6 is apparently a step forward on the road 5, so I'd assume you'll be alright with it.

I'm switching to a conti or a pirelli Rossi 4 on the back as I'm happy to take the long way around and skip the motorways.

 

Thanks for the insight JamieT, good to get feedback from someone that's tried them on the SMCR. It does put an element of doubt on the Michelins especially with the cost. The Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE's recommended by Mac look interesting and possibly the Conti Road Attack 4's suggested by DaveNZ but can't find too many reviews on Youtube. What Conti's do you have in mind?

 

I hated that insecure feel mid crank on road 5s - had them on 1290 adventure and cb500x commuter.

Road attack 3s I love the feel of, maybe better riders can go quicker on michelins, but I ride much better when I feel confident, rather than when some ex racer tells me I should.

YMMV

 

Transition in grip, from hard to soft, wasn't a fan either, thats why i never whet back to the 5's after running CRA3's. The 6's are definitely better, especially on a lower HP bike like my Multi, and be perfect on a 690, but a 1290 will eat them.

 

^^^ 8000 plus kms from the CRA3's, they are superseded with the new out CRA4's, and the new 6's for for the Road attacks. here's an older comparo. All-rounder rubber! It's the best sports-touring tyres

 

^^^ 8000 plus kms from the CRA3's, they are superseded with the new out CRA4's, and the new 6's for for the Road attacks. here's an older comparo. All-rounder rubber! It's the best sports-touring tyres

Thanks for that link DaveNZ, that made for some interesting reading. Nice to see some of the tyres we're discussing on here being reviewed. Tyres are definitely a subjective topic but it's good to get peoples point of view and their experiences. I'm now thinking the Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE's until someone puts doubt in my mind

 

I ran Roadtec 01's in around 2017 on my 1290 GT, i loved the front, great wet grip, but the flat profile of the rear made the bike steer slow, looks like they have fixed/changed the rear since then.

 

I've never understood slow steering criticisms of any bike. Maybe it's a relative thing. If you want to steer quicker you just have to turn the bars faster. Maybe it's a rider technique thing?

 

Magazine tests wet and dry used to put the road 5s, road attack 3s and roadtec 01s in top 3 every time, never much in it.

Michelins seem to be either loved or hated.

Roadtecs always liked by owners but seem to wear quick / square off, but track tests put them a couple of tenths of a second quicker than contis...

Which in my experience wear quite evenly and last fairly well.

 

I'm eyeing up the CRA4's, but leaning towards the diablo rosso 4's.

Not far off threads on the road 5 so what I end up with will depend on how good my Spanish is and what the nearest KTM dealer has in stock

 

Feedback/ feel is a priority for me, most tyres have more ability than me, but without confidence I can't use it.

Extra grip is handy to get me out of the shit when I misjudge a corner or the road surface is a bit iffy, on a track you know the grip levels on every corner, on the road we ride on an assumption the next corner will be as grippy as the last one....
...which is why I won't buy anything but latrst gen premium tyres regardless of price or longevity.

 

Tried 3 different places to get the diablo rosso 4's and none of them could order them in so going for the conti attack 4 on the back. Will let you know how it feels compared to the road 5 later in the week

 

Guys,

Thanks for all the suggestions and experiences, I've taken the plunge and ordered a set of Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE's from Watling Tyres and should be having them fitted this weekend. Once I've had a chance to bed them in I'll come back and give an update.

Cheers

Mark

 

Got the conti's scrubbed in and a 200km blast road the twisties. Hands down the best tyre I've used on a 690.

For the 2021 SMC I'd say:

1. Conti attack 4
2. Stock battleaxe S21
3. Michelin road 5

Without factoring mileage, the CRA4's make the road 5's feel terrible, and the S21's feel a little better than average.

Keen to see what you make of the Metzler's!

 

Got the conti's scrubbed in and a 200km blast road the twisties. Hands down the best tyre I've used on a 690.

For the 2021 SMC I'd say:

1. Conti attack 4
2. Stock battleaxe S21
3. Michelin road 5

Without factoring mileage, the CRA4's make the road 5's feel terrible, and the S21's feel a little better than average.

Keen to see what you make of the Metzler's!

Glad you're happy with your choice JamieT, I just hope I get the same feeling from the Metzelers

 

Well I've got about 150 miles on the Metzelers and the first ride today in heavy rain and I'm really impressed and pleased with my choice. Without doubt the most confidence that I've had in a set of tyres in the rain and the bike felt as planted as it does in the dry, apart from leaves and mush in the road. The other benefit I'm finding is the ride quality, the bike has always felt harsh on the front and doesn't respond to adjusting the clickers, the tyres have definitely improved things slightly. Hopefully if I get some decent mileage out of them that will be the icing on the cake.

Mark