Tyre Longevity

[SKID]

For those who haven't met me I own and ride a blue F800ST and after 9,000 miles I'm looking to get my rear tyre changed and just wondered how far other people have managed to get a tyre to last.

I've been quite fortunate with this tyre and have had a screw embedded in the tyre but luckily it hadn't punctured it.

My previous bike had several punctures so I hadn't ever done as many miles on the one tyre.

The wear markers are still a way off but I'm starting to get paranoid after having an in-line slide about a week ago when pulling up to a set of lights.

The only thing is though I need to have the front replaced as well because the Michelin Pilot Road tyres the bike came fitted with are now obsolete and have been replaced by Road 2's. I have always preferred Bridgestones and will have a new pair of BT020's fitted this coming Saturday.

[stainman]

Got 5600 out of Conti Attack rear.

[SKID]

Would you put that down to being hard on 'twist stick' or the sports can?

After I fitted a race can to my last bike my tyres seemed to wear out quite quickly and I'm pretty smooth on the gas too.

[stainman]

I think they are fairly soft. I am not too hard on the throttle. The can could make a difference cos you get a big boost at 4000 rpm or so. I will try something else next time ,I hear the Dunlops are meant to be good.

[SKID]

I'd go for the Road 2's if Bridgestone weren't available but I got on really well with them and not only that they're £80 cheaper per pair.

You'd be keeping business local if you got Dunlops

[Dunny]

For those who haven't met me I own and ride a blue F800ST and after 9,000 miles I'm looking to get my rear tyre changed and just wondered how far other people have managed to get a tyre to last

I could tell you , but I'm pretty sure you dont want to hear my answer.

[SKID]

I could tell you , but I'm pretty sure you dont want to hear my answer.

I bet your tyres have still got the glue from the stickers on them.

[Dunny]

no, but they've still got the full compliment of all those sticky up rubbery bits.

[SKID]

no, but they've still got the full compliment of all those sticky up rubbery bits.

I was going to say that too but couldn't think of what the 'sticky up rubber bits' are called.

I've always referred to them and the area of the tyres they are on as the 'Chicken Strips' as you're 'Chicken' if you don't get'em worn off.

[Superduper]

i have the pilot 2s i think they are called. and my first one was at about 9000 miles or so, and it was about due for a change, but i got into an accident so it had to be changed anyway. i would probably change my next one, depending, at about 7000 or so maybe.

[SKID]

So are you saying that your old tyre was that worn that it caused you to wreck and that you wouldn't leave it that far again?

[Roadpizza]

The Bridgestone BT020"s were my choice for the ST 2 I had. I liked the feel of them and they got decent mileage. I think they are a great choice. Very good in the rain too, IMO.

[twotone]

Skid,

I would highly recommend the Pilot Road 2, as I have had the best experience out of these tyres period, even if dearer, they just did everything right to the last mm of tyre life + they wore round in heavy touring boring roads, hence still felt good going around corners when near worn out.

If you like a bit of fun on the corners then complement the rear PR2 with a Pilot power 2CT front, you'll be laughing in your helmet every time you hoon through the twisties.

just did 400KLMs yesterday south of Sydney, no cops on the road so had a lot of fun

[kismetcapitan]

no, but they've still got the full compliment of all those sticky up rubbery bits.

that is classic

[Pat H]

The Bridgestone BT020"s were my choice for the ST 2 I had. I liked the feel of them and they got decent mileage. I think they are a great choice. Very good in the rain too, IMO.

Yes I have Bridgestones front and back and have moved onto the harder 021s rather than the 010s it came with.

[SKID]

Yes I have Bridgestones front and back and have moved onto the harder 021s rather than the 010s it came with.

I'd heard adverse comments about the BT021's so have opted to go for 'The Devil I Know' in the BT020's.

Twotone:

Correct me if I'm wrong but I have always had the strong belief that you should run tyres in pairs i.e. PR2's front and back?

Maybe I'd try it out if the roads here in the UK were warmer and dryer.

[Pancho]

The original Dunlops: 5500km; Bridgestone 012: 5000km; Bridgestone 021, 5000km so far and like new....

[SKID]

So judging by what other people are getting my 9,000 miles is pretty good?

The front'll go plenty more miles but I'm having to replace the pair.

[xspencex]

So judging by what other people are getting my 9,000 miles is pretty good?

The front'll go plenty more miles but I'm having to replace the pair.

Holy sh#t I've only managed 4000miles on Metz. Got given a set of Avon Storm ST's for free so looking to try them out next week.

[twotone]

I'd heard adverse comments about the BT021's so have opted to go for 'The Devil I Know' in the BT020's.

Twotone:

Correct me if I'm wrong but I have always had the strong belief that you should run tyres in pairs i.e. PR2's front and back?

Maybe I'd try it out if the roads here in the UK were warmer and dryer.

Hi Skid,

There are a few things to consider when replacing original tyres:

1. OEM tyres will almost certainly out perform the exact replacement from any tyre retailer.

2. Generally when tyres wear the front goes pointy and the back goes flatter hence the profile changes and so does the riding feel.

3. manufacturers would like you to buy thier products in pairs.
Even though the profile is a little different between PR2 and PP 2CT it' no biggie in the long run, and you'll get more confidence and feel in every corner hence more fun.

4. long milage is desirable but should not be gained at the cost of good performance during second half of tyre life. (one reason why I gave up on Bridgestone)

5. the new generation Sports Touring tyres, eg; Michelin, are a revolution, After trying many tyres over the last 3.5 years and 80,000 KLMs in touring mode I can testify that the PR2s are a leap forward in all round performance.

Unfortunately there was no stock to replace mine in OZ before my trip to Phillip Island, so I've got a new gen' Dunlop ST tyre the "Roadsmart" on the back, and by accounts from jouno's it's a good thing and some have even claimed it better than PR2.

Hope this info helps.

Ride safe & don't skid

[twotone]

Holy sh#t I've only managed 4000miles on Metz. Got given a set of Avon Storm ST's for free so looking to try them out next week.

A good friend of mine tried the Avon Azzaro's and I tried the Storm, we both had bad experiences with these tyres, mine only lasting 6.5K klms and badly behaving towards the end of cycle. They may be free, but they may also be a bad experience. that's my opinion.

[stainman]

Twotone let us know how you get on with the Dunlop's please.

[twotone]

Twotone let us know how you get on with the Dunlop's please.

Will do Bro' did 400Klms scrubbing in on Sunday and about to do 3,000 by end of next Tuesday, should be a good initial test?

[stainman]

Have fun.

[Frevrod]

Dunlop 220STs on mine. First rear lasted 6000 miles and the front was changed at 11000. The current rear has done almost 6000 and seems to have a fair bit left yet.

I've got another new Dunlop ready fitted to my spare and when that's finished I'll probably try Pilot Road 2s

[noj]

Running Conti Attacks - 3rd rear, 2nd front - will try the Pilot Road 2's at the first opportunity when both tyres need replacing at the same time.

Seem to squeeze about 6500 (miles) out of a rear, but with the nature of my commute this means they go square and it's when I reach the point that I can't corner slowly any more without falling off the edge that they get changed - think a bit over 5000 is probably more appropriate...

Can't remember the mileage for the front though - but with luck they'll both be dead at around the same point this time?

Covered a bit under 15,000 miles so far on the S (and a few thousand on different loan bikes while it's been at the dealers)

[Dieter]

Got 6500kms from the rear Dunlop before it was through to the steel belt, front wasn't much better, have replaced them with a Michelin Pilot Road 2 on the rear and a Michelin Pilot Sport on the front, am very happy with them and am now grinding the right side of the centre stand.
Apart from having problems in sourcing a front PR2 I had some trouble understanding the logic of putting a dual compound on the front as I never wear out the centre of the tyre.
I'll be sticking to to Michelins when the current set wears out.

[steve n rose]

I've still got the original Pilot Roads on mine with 13000kms on them, Bit of a flat section from the touring but still heaps of tread depth and they still hold on well. Mind you I don't do much extreme riding. As far as chicken strips go, I've only got to scruffing the top of the michelin man's head and the rotation arrows. Had a loan ST with same kms as mine but with Metzelers and was scared s$%tless in the wet, so I'll be sticking to the Michies.

[holyroller]

Jeez,

I got 4000 miles from my OE BT014

5000 so far from the BT 021 and lookes good for another 3 or 4000 miles

I think there was a fault with the first one though as it only wore out in the centre.

[SKID]

Oh well bye-bye to the old worn PR and welcome BT020's.

Luckily roads were warm and dry today and managed to give them a bit of an airing but nowhere near the bedding in they really need.

So far they feel great but I've not really turned the wick up and lent it over yet.

I had the tyre changed 'loose wheel' and this was my first time playing with tools on this bike and OMG the wheels are so easy to take off.

A WORD TO THE WISE, BE CAREFULL AND MAKE SURE THE SILENCER IS WELL AWAY FROM THE TYRE BEFORE YOU TIGHTEN EVERYTHING UP AND TAKE IT OUT ON THE ROAD.

I luckily spotted that my tyre was nearly touching the can and readjusted it but if I hadn't been so luck who knows what might have happened? Ruined can, badly worn side wall or big off at worst.

[Will]

I checked my rear tyre today at 2700 miles and it looks like a new tyre will be needed at 4000 miles. OEM are Metzeler Sportec M1. Any advice based on experience for longer tyre life very welcome.

[twotone]

I checked my rear tyre today at 2700 miles and it looks like a new tyre will be needed at 4000 miles. OEM are Metzeler Sportec M1. Any advice based on experience for longer tyre life very welcome.

Will, read from start of thread

[Will]

Will, read from start of thread

Thanks Twotone, I've done as you suggested.
I'll try the Pilot Road 2's when needed. I have a spare set of wheels shod with new tyres for my K75S, so at holiday times I don't have to worry whether the current tyres on the bike will last for a 2500/3000 mile tour, I just put the other wheels on before I go.

[Pat H]

Just realised how much better my Bridgestones are wearing since going from 014 to 021s
The back was changed at 6,500 miles (and was really due a good 500 before that)
The new back has now done 7000 miles and still looks great. I expect to get 10K out of it.
Bearing in mind that the first one was used mainly during running in!

[Marko]

Just passed 12k miles on the front.
Back tyre was replaced at 10k due to screw picked up in road [but still had some life in it, well impressed].
So front still on Metzeler Roadtec, new back to match.

[SKID]

My front had loads more miles left in it but as I couldn't get a new PR rear to match the old front then both had to go.

BT020's are my favourite tyre so far and I trust them implicitly in all conditions.

I probably could've done 1k more on the old rear bringing it up to a little over 10k but the PR seemed to drop in performance the closer it got to the wear makers.

[xspencex]

Just changed by Metz for a pair of Avon Storms after 4500 miles. I know there are a few questionmarks over the Avon's but so far I have to say they are far exceeding expectations... I got them free so I thought I'd just run them for a while and change if they were bad but I have to say they are far better than the Metz M1's I had on previously. Far smoother, gripper in the wet and a better feel, meaning I can lean further over in full confidence where with eth Metz I thought the grip wasn't consistent.

[Ajax]

What IS this thread about? Money?

What the hell has money got to do with it?

How long tyres last?

Who cares how long they last –provided they give us the grip we need.

It would be much more useful to have rider’s experience/evaluation of GRIP; on various tyres and in varying conditions. As prosaic as it may be, grip is all that stands between us and Valhalla.

[SKID]

Read back Ajax, this is a review.

The only mention of cost so far has been how much cheaper replacement tyres are compared to others.

In my case I could've got another 1,000 miles out of the rear and if it were a money issue I would've searched for a Michelin PR rear to match the existing front..........I had a pair fitted which cost a lot more than just the rear, the reason.............

I wasn't getting the grip I got when they had more tread and I preferred Bridgestones on my previous bikes as they gave better grip, wet or dry which I never felt I got from the stock PR tyres.

END OF REVIEW

[holyroller]

What IS this thread about? Money?

What the hell has money got to do with it?

How long tyres last?

Who cares how long they last –provided they give us the grip we need.

It would be much more useful to have rider’s experience/evaluation of GRIP; on various tyres and in varying conditions. As prosaic as it may be, grip is all that stands between us and Valhalla.

You joined a forum to say that?

[Rob]

You joined a forum to say that?

I personally am rather into the topic of this thread.

[gonsa]

Metzeler Roadtec Z6 are the best!

[Ynsinuator]

Best tyre for home to work driving......

Advise me.... STAT ! (please)

[SKID]

Best tyre for home to work driving......

Advise me.... STAT ! (please)

Any dual compound is good for any use but it depends on how for home to work is.

We riders vary in our selection of rubber.

Post how you ride and we'll all tell you different but the advise should help if you're stuck what to get.

STAT! Why such an emergency (are you a medic?)

[Donkes]

Best tyre for home to work driving......

Advise me.... STAT ! (please)

I use the Bridgestones on my R1200RT and get 10,000 miles. However at 9,000 miles I change them and they have been great. I do the kind of riding you do plus a bit more.

[holyroller]

Best tyre for home to work driving......

Advise me.... STAT ! (please)

BT 021 SIR !

[SKID]

BT 020's as previously posted.

I had a pal who is an agent for Bridgestone and said that the 021's having wear problems but varies between bike and riding style.

[Pat H]

I'm on 021s and they've been great so far. Already had more out of this rear than the original 014 and looks like a good few thousand more to go.
I hope to get 11K milesout of the rear and 18K miles out of the front.
That will be very close to what I used to achieve on my CBR which indicates it's rider style that has a lot to do with tyre life.

[Ynsinuator]

Any dual compound is good for any use but it depends on how for home to work is.

We riders vary in our selection of rubber.

Post how you ride and we'll all tell you different but the advise should help if you're stuck what to get.

STAT! Why such an emergency (are you a medic?)

no i'm not a medic - i'm a cop, motorcop to be exact (at work FJR)

just seemed funny to put it like that )

the bridgestones looked the most promising to me anybody got some prices? here at my beemerdealer they cost 214 euro's + 21% VAT

my driving stile is as follows - play by the rules most of the time sometimes get into a corner a little faster

i can do the fun stuff with the bike from work

[SKID]

On my previous bike I had two sets of Michelin Pilot's but was convinced by a pal that I should give Bridgestones a go.

After a short time to warm up they're at a good enough temperature to have the confidence to tip it in at a steady speed. I didn't even have this confidence with the newer Pilot Road's this bike came with.

All weathers, all conditions and I'm grinning all the way to and from work and I don't get that but cheek clenching thing when you feel the tyres give way a little bit when taking a bend or tight roundabout.

My journey each way to work is no more than 15 miles but is fast and twisty.

If you occasionally push the front as I do then a good dual compound like the BT020/021's will suit you.

Others will object to my comments and claim that the PR2's also give this confidence but from my experience the Bridgestones win as even before I'd properly scrubbed them in I had more confidence than I eve had with the Michelin's.

I had a loan bike with ContiSports and found that these tyres let the bike slide whilst in a corner either when breaking or throttling on (nearly high-sided at a roundabout).