You ask/you answer: What tyres should I use for a 4000-mile tour?

Michelin Road 3's

I'm on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's at the moment for my 600RR, over 2200 miles not a real sign of wear yet but on 1000cc + i'd use the Road 3's they'll last longer than most as tougher material touring tyre

I run Michelin Road Pilot 3 on a ZZR 1400 and highly recommend them, great grip on the sides and plenty of life in the centre after 4k.

My next favorites would be Metzeler Z6 Roadtec and Bridgestone BT021 tyres which run a very close 2nd. I have run these on the ZZr and a ZX10r through europe and got more than 6k out of them.

All of these tyres are outstanding in the wet which to be fair is what you really need in this country.