I like Dunlops and was keen on trying the Qualifier 2, but I called the bike shop where I get my bike stuff from the other day (realising the middle of the rear tyre was almost gone) and asked what they had in stock in a 170 rear. They probably won't get any more stock in until after Xmas, and the tyre they had in the size was a Pilot Road 3, so that's just gone on the rear.
I'll see how it goes. I put a PR2 on the back of the Street Triple a couple of years back, and handling and durability were good, but on a light bike at least, I didn't think the edge grip was any better then the OEM Qualifier, and the feel not as good.
Most likely the progress made from the PR2 to the 3 comes into play, and the VFR is heavier than the little 675. I suspect that the PR3 would last better than the Q2, and all these tyres are on a different planet to the non-radial 130 rears some of us were raised on, riding big Japan Inc fours back in the early Eighties.
The rear that just came off was a tired BT 014 with most of the side tread still left, probably from the commuting done by the previous owner. Compared to the 014 at the standard 42ish psi (I haven't checked the new one's pressure yet), the ride quality of the fresh PR3 is immediately and quite noticably sweeter - almost as though a better quality rear shock had just been fitted. I guess that if it's a lighter tyre as claimed, then the rear end losing some unsprung weight could well be helping the suspension compliance.
That might not be completely fair, given the unknown age of the old Bridgestone and the flattenedness (the bike was still steering nicely), but the maker's claims and some of the testimonials here and elsewhere line up with what I've noticed right away in the first few km. The steering's obviously better, thanks to the new profile not having a flat spot in the middle, not to mention the fact that the rear ride height has likely gained a few mm with the new tread.
So far, so good. The new tyre feel, and especially for the first time on this bike that came to me with a tired set, is one of life's great pleasures for me. Knowing there's plenty of miles/km ahead (depending on where the tyre was made), to be ridden on a new tyre that's a generation (or maybe two) ahead of the last one, along with the clear improvement to the whole ride, is always a treat.
The front Bridgestone BT 054 is on the way down, but is evenly worn, so that can stay on for while longer since it seems to be behaving well enough. Like the rear, I don't know how old (and possibly hardened/tired in the carcass) it is, but grip and handling seem workmanlike. I don't think it's a top shelf model, and I definitely want something very grippy on the front when I change it. That said, I've touched a foot down here and there around town without meaning to test the grip, so it's decent for sure. The trouble is, I don't really want to explore closer to where the limit might be until I get a new front as well, so that I can be dealing with higher spec, newer compound/construction and a more known quantity. I also don't really know the 054's form in the wet either, so I'll hold off a bit (or try to, with the new rear PR3 urging me on, my ever-growing familiarity with the 4th Gen, and my steadily returning bike Mojo after two years bikeless) until a top notch new front goes on. I love fanging in the rain, so long as I'm not freezing cold.
Best tire/tyre for the VFR? Who knows, but it's surely hard to go wrong with any of the higher performance recent tyres from the usual suspects, so long as the model matches the usage/bike/rider triangle, so I'm just going to enjoy the new PR3 anyway. While I'd still prefer the Q2 for pushing the limits in the twisties (but having not yet tried newer than the the OEM Triumph Qualifier), my plans to do more travel rides on the VFR probably means enough necessary straight roads in the mix to make the PR3 an ideal choice.
In the meantime, I'll have to decide on what will go on the front next...
