Having ridden the Monster on the standard Pirelli tyres for a year I have now changed to Michelin Power RS and my first impression after about 200 miles on wet greasy roads is "WOW". The grip is unbelievable, even in these winter conditions, right from the first ride and after just a few miles the grip was exceptional and I was able to push the bike just as if I was on mid-worn tyres. This was my first year on Pirelli's and I just couldn't get on with them, I had always used Michelin tyres on my previous sports bikes (Pilot Sport & Pilot Power) as they always provided exceptional levels of grip in all conditions and so I wanted to try these on the Monster. Of course tyres are always going to be a personal choice, but I'm happy with the switch, not only do they offer exceptional levels of grip, they also have improved the handling, especially in bends and corners. I can't wait until the good weather is back and I can clock up some serious miles on them.
I’ve done the same on the 1299, and within two days of fitting tried them around Silverstone. Best all round tyre on the market at the mo. Was always apprehensive in the wet on the Pirelli’s but the RS are fine in the wet.
I’ve done the same on the 1299, and within two days of fitting tried them around Silverstone. Best all round tyre on the market at the mo. Was always apprehensive in the wet on the Pirelli’s but the RS are fine in the wet.
Which Pirellis are standard on the Monster? The older Michelin (Pilot 3 I think ?) that Vale had on her Monster when we met were very good in the dodgy UK road conditions for sure. I had Supercorsas on my old R1 though the winter and you had to drive them really hard to get heat into them otherwise they were terrible.
The standard tyres were Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2's, which never felt grippy enough, I then tried Rosso Corsa's which were good in the dry but not in the wet. These Power RS tyres are super grippy in these winter conditions and so I can only imagine they'll be even better in the dry. They seem to heat up a lot quicker than the Pirelli's and hold the heat longer too.
The michelins definitely warm up quicker and the front tyre is a much better profile. Turns much better I always thought the front end felt weird in my bike with the Pirelli’s
This is the next tyre for me on my list to try....whatever bike wears its tyres out first gets them...
Totally agree, I was always cautious when in bends with the Pirelli's and so never pushed as hard as I wanted to. As I've said these Michelins offer so much grip in poor road conditions so I'm sure they'll be great in the dry.
Been using the power rs most of this year. I never got on with the standard Pirelli and they didn't last very long 900 mile from the rear. The power rs has lasted close to 1600 which is a lot for me but grip, turn in and predictabiliy is very good. Id say there just a tad better than sportsmart2 and m7rr.
Great Tyre i have them on my Ducati 1098R which i use for the road when i can be bothered to ride it lol. And on m Yamaha R1M Track bike which I've done lots and lots of Trackdays on they are brilliant
My monster 1100 evo had diablo rosso 2s on when I bought it,always seemed to understeer into corners,swapped them for Michelin pr3s,totally transformed the front
To be honest I can’t really fault the Pirelli’s. Done 2000 miles on mine and they look hardly worn. I don’t ride carefully but I try to be smooth. I always replace my factory fit tyres with Pilot power and usually find they improve everything. I’m waiting till September to do this on the Monster as I’m taking her on a 10 day tour of Spain and want good rubber for the trip.
By way of an update on the RS Tyres, I managed to get out on a couple of dry, but chilly, days and test them on dry, reasonably clean roads and I'm still very impressed with them. When I looked back at my GoPro footage I was cornering on average, about 10mph faster than with the Pirelli's, on one of my usual routes, . The grip on cornering and under breaking just instills much more confidence, for me any way.
