Model: Michelin Road 5
Info: http://www.roadguide.co.nz/products/187-miche-
lin_road/11441-michelin_road_5_tyre_sport_tou.aspx
Price: Front 120/70-17 $239, rear 180/55-17 $349
FITTING
So, the MT-07 was booked in first
thing on the Monday morning for a
few suspension adjustments, as well as
fitting the new tyres. I got the call around
10am from the workshop to say the
MT07 was ready to go.
After riding the bike down SH2 to work,
I didn’t really have much to say about
the tyres, as that first initial ride was only
20-odd kilometres. Sure, they fell into
corners more easily, but given the tyres
were brand new, I wasn’t interested in
wailing on them too soon. That evening I
got my first proper ride, while still being
very gentle.
Tuesday morning I woke early, eager
to get out on the bike and get a feel for
the new hoops. Leaving home at 7:40am
I rode my 21km commute to work and,
even at this early stage, I was starting to
get an insight as to why so many people
on the NZ MT Owners Facebook page
rave about the R5s.
But... as I was lane splitting down the
Petone on-ramp, I went a little wider
than I would usually, and as I did the
thought went through my head that this
section of the road is where people on
motorcycles pick up nails and screws in
their tyres… but this has never happened
to me so I was sure there was nothing to
worry about. I carried on to work, parked
up in the garage, and left the bike there
for the day.
KIWI RIDER 31