Pirelli Angel GT II sport-touring tires have been on the market for a few years, yet we haven’t tested them. So, I mounted a set on our Ultimate Motorcycling BMW R 1250 RS project bike, which is a perfect testing platform for the Angel GT II. Designed to balance longevity, quiet operation, and sporty handling, these tires aim to deliver a versatile ride for touring enthusiasts. After putting over 5000 miles on the 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear, here’s how they stack up.
The Angel GT II lives up to the sport touring promise. The tires handle like a sportbike tire while offering significantly better mileage. Throughout their life, the tires tracked precisely, cornered confidently right to the tread’s edge, and provided a smooth, stable ride across various speeds. Whether cruising highways or carving tight Southern California canyons, they inspired confidence.
Toward the end of their lifespan, around 4500 miles, I noticed a slight drop in grip and stability. The tires felt a bit vague and greasy in aggressive canyon riding, prompting me to swap them out at 5017 miles. While I could’ve squeezed another 500 miles out of them, I prioritized performance over pushing them further.
With me at the grips, sport touring tires typically last between 4500 and 6500 miles, depending on riding style and conditions. I got 5900 miles out of a pair of Continental ContiRoadAttack 4 tires, 4400 miles from the unique Dunlop Mutant rubber (likely due to its heavily siped design, though performance was stellar), and an impressive 6500 miles before replacing a set of Dunlop Roadsmart IV tires.
At 5017 miles, the Pirelli Angel GT II tires fall within my life expectancy for sport-touring rubber, though toward the lower end. Still, for riders like me who value cost-effectiveness, these tires are a win. Compared to sportbike tires, which I can burn out in 1200 miles and get a grip increase of about 15 percent, the Angel GT II’s longevity makes it a smart choice if you’re not all about edge grip. With tire swaps in Southern California costing $100–$125, stretching mileage without sacrificing performance is a priority for me.
Pirelli markets the Angel GT II as an evolution of its GT line, incorporating technology from its Diablo racing tires, particularly for wet conditions. The rear tire features a dual-compound tread designed for consistent wear and grip. While I couldn’t test them in the rain, a perk of SoCal’s dry climate, they handled impressively during hard braking and aggressive cornering on the hefty BMW R 1250 RS. All the while, the Angel GT II tires provided impressive grip and stability.
The tread design and contour promote even wear, which held for most of the tires’ lives. However, the final 500 miles showed a noticeable dip in performance, so once you start to feel that drop, don’t wait to replace the.
Action photography by Don Williams
Pirelli Angel GT II Tire Sizes
Front
- 120/60-17
- 120/70-17
- 120/70-19
Rear
- 150/70-17
- 160/60-17
- 170/60-17
- 180/55-17
- 190/50-17
- 190/55-17
Pirelli Angel GT II Sport-Touring Tires Review Photo Gallery
