I need to change the tires on my KTM 390 Duke and Michelin Pilot Street are more expensive than Continental ContiRoadAttack. Is it really worth paying the difference for safety or is it just marketing?
After 21 years working with my hands and riding quite a bit, I'd say both are solid but Michelin grips better when your hands are sweaty or when it starts raining - I've got pretty good confidence in them. Continental isn't crap by any means, it's just that on a Duke where you're probably gonna have some fun, the extra grip you get with Michelin really makes a difference, especially in corners or emergency braking.
Both brands are solid and you can ride confidently with Continental tires on a Duke 390. The Michelin Pilot Street might have a slight edge in terms of grip and durability, but it's not a revolutionary difference that really justifies the extra cost if you're mostly doing calm road riding. If you're doing a lot of aggressive cornering or regular sporty rides, then yeah the extra money for Michelin shows in the feel, but otherwise the ContiRoadAttack will give you good safety without breaking the bank.
I'm not an expert in motorcycle tires, but from my experience as an electrician I learned not to trust the cheapest price - there's usually a reason for it. That said, I'd say you check out real reviews specifically for your 390 Duke because both brands are solid, and it's really your grip in corners/rain that matters, not just the name.
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