Abnormal tyre wear?

[mr blackstock]

G'day,

I realise this topic may inflame a few, it is not intended to though.  I just replaced my front tyre on my FJ1100, I only got 12,500kms off her.  A BT45.  What are other Aussie riders using?  I figure to put the question here to get a good sample of the tyres available to Aussie riders.  I ride country roads, no gravel.  usually I ride everyday to work and back.  The tyre pressure I use is 34psi front, 36psi rear.

Anyone get better mileage than me?

Cheers, Gareth

[roverfj1200]

I would say that you have got great wear out of that tyre. I take it you have the 16" rear. That will limit tyre choice. I personally would run higher pressures to stop scalloping but if you are getting 12500lm out of a tyre you are doing well.

[ken65]

G'Day Mr Blackstock,
                             I have almost 13 000 k's on my Avons.  Theres still plenty of life left in them . I cant say how much though because
I don't know how to work out what  percentages that left, you know when you see a bike for sale and they say 55% left on the front and 40% on the rear.

My bike has a 17" front and a 16" rear.  I run the front at 36psi and the rear at 42 psi.  I don't ride very hard.   ken

[mr blackstock]

Thanks for the replies,

I know tyres can be very subjective, and everyone has their own experiences, but I was surprised when I added up my receipts.  I guess for the roads I ride 12,500 is o.k, but considering my car tyres give me 85,000kms @ $150 each, how much will I have to spend on a decent bike tyre?
I know one can spend $350 per tyre and they last 25,000kms, but that is almost the same cost as 2x BT45's @$160 each

Ken65 what sort of Avons are you running?

I seem to remember when I was a teenager that tyres lasted longer?.....

Cheers, Gareth

[FJmonkey]

I seem to remember when I was a teenager that tyres lasted longer?.....
Cheers, Gareth

I don't think we were driving that fast or as hard then....

[Andells1200]

G'day mr blackstock
I use the Wildflare by IRC, been using them for 5 years now. I don't do hi speed to often ( I would like to hang onto my licence ). As for klms I get I have never bothered to keep a record. All depends on how you ride as to how long tyres last but for $260 for front and rear ride away in this country I am not complaining

Cheers

[Urban_Legend]

G'day Mr Blackstock.

You will never get the same wear out of a bike tyre like you do with a car tyre. It is just the nature of the beast. Bike tyres wear faster. They need to be softer for cornering (Cars don't need to lean to go around a corner). On my old bike (although it was a lot new than my current FJ11 - 07 Trumpie Daytona) 5000km out of a set of rears and maybe 8000 for the fronts was a good run (at $320 rears and $250 front). Our crap aussie roads don't help either.

I have just got the FJ back on the road with a new set of BT45's so I hope they will last well. some of my fellow FJers in this area recommend the AVON's for the 16" rims. they may not last as long but I am told they are stickier.

Mark

[ken65]

heres a link to the tyres im running mr blackstock

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2443.msg19297#msg19297

[Alf]

....... I just replaced my front tyre on my FJ1100, I only got 12,500kms off her.  A BT45. 

Anyone get better mileage than me?

Cheers, Gareth

Hi, Gareth

Last BT45 front tyre fitted lasted 2.000 kms in my CBX 750, 30 kg lighter than my FJ. The StreetSmarts now fitted look like a little more, around 3.000 or 4.000 kms. The best front tyre duration, in my FJ, was 6.000 kms with Roadsmarts.... 12.500 kms "ONLY"? 

Regards

Alf

[mr blackstock]

G'day,

Judging from the posts it seems I am getting great mileage from my tyres, bite my tongue..  I guess I will keep using the BT45's for awhile.  Unfortunately I do mostly straight road riding in the country so sticky tyres are'nt needed too much.

Thanks for the responses, if I ever come across a super hard touring tyre for less than $180 rear I will let you know....

cheers, Gareth

[FJmonkey]

I sniped this from a past post from Capn Ron on his long haul tire choice. They seem to really last.

Capn Ron on August 07, 2014, 06:53:10 PM

Metzeler ME880 Marathons.  These are high mileage touring tires and have a very heavy carcass.  I got 12,000 miles out of the rear and 17,000 out of the front.  LOVE them for cross-country trips!

[mr blackstock]

G'day,

Thanks for the tip, I did a quick search and they seem not too much more in cost.  I also came across a front Shinko 712 for $100 new.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/preston/parts/new-shinko-712-motorcycle-tyres-to-suit-most-metric-cruisers/1040277142

and a rear tyre for $160
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/preston/parts/shinko-sr777-harley-davidson-metric-cruiser-motorcycle-tyres/1040276317

Looks like I will have to shop around...

Cheers, Guys

[roverfj1200]

One thing to remember when hearing the high mileage from the riders in the USA is their roads are not as tough on tires as OZ roads.

[Arnie]

One thing to remember when hearing the high mileage from the riders in the USA is their roads are not as tough on tires as OZ roads.

I think that all depends on where in the US you're talking about.  There are a lot more roads made from concrete with expansion strips in the US than anywhere I've been to in Oz, and many places have potholes big enough to swallow a LandRover (that's in both countries :-)  The biggest variance is probably the universality of ethanol in their fuel.

BTW  I got 16,000kms out of my last Mich PR2 160/60x17 rear on the FJ  and only 5,000kms on the Pirelli Diablo Russo Corsa 180/55x17 rear on my much lighter Aprilia Shiver 750. (The Aprilia is now wearing Michelin PR3s)

Arnie

[sebwiers]

Yeah, roads in the midwest and northeast USA are awful.  They are old, built by lowest bidders, and constantly subjected to heavy trucks, salt, plows, and freeze cycles.  Outside urban areas they are a bit better, but for a typical mix of riding, 5000 miles (8000km) is average.  I'm pretty sure the bike i just bought needs a new front, feal sqirmy whel leaned in.