Various tire brands' length of life...

[cyrano138]

Sorry if this has been done -- I haven't been on the forums in quite a while. Anyway, thought it might be a good idea to post our experiences with our tires since there seems to be a lot of interest in which kind to buy. This way people can just compare the data from other riders instead of sifting through mounds of subjective recommendations.

I had the Metzlers on mine, mostly highway riding and interstate riding, no winter (SW Florida). I ride pretty aggressively.

At any rate, I'm calling the rear at 12500. Probably should have called this a bit earlier:

 

[MZ5]

Good call. Maybe even 11,000 - 11,500 would be a good point to 'call' it?

Looking forward to other replies.

 

[bamamate]

Metzler Z8 at 6500

 

[Phil X]

Wow. No longer wondering about many complaints about the Z8 not working reliably at wet conditions.

My latest Z8 had to get exchanged after riding 6150 kilometers, center tread pattern still being visible.
It would BTW be very expensive over here to get cought with tires worn out as those displayed at top. Would be cheaper to get a new set in time.

 

[Chestnut]

The two above posts show how much variation there will be even in the same model tire. FWIW, metzler z8 changed at 8k, still life in it. Avon storm 2: 9k, changed out when it hit the wear bar (don't you guys look at your tires?)

 

[Craig92DA9]

I had the metzler Z8's. I noticed I was at minnimum tread depth just to the right of center and below by a little just to the left of center at 4800 miles and had pr3's mounted by 5200 miles. Just hit 6000 miles, hoping for at least 7k out of the michelins.. We'll see.

 

[searsboy]

I mean no offense here, but gotta agree with Chestnut and wonder why some of you aren't watching your tires more closely.
I just swapped my stock Z8's for PR3's @ 8000 miles. There was some tread left, but I don't take chances on tires.
Absolutely love the Michellins. I find them quieter than the Z8's and the bike handles so much better with new rubber!

 

[Beemerphile]

Z8's dead in 5,500 miles. Pirelli MT-60's dead in 1,800 miles. Michelin PR3's... don't know yet. I am hard on tires, but these numbers, so far, are worse than I am accustomed to.

 

[n30r3l0ad3d]

I would say something to the effect of the Z8 tires, but last time I did I was met with some friction.

 

[Old Can Ride]

I got 12,000 on first set of Bridgestone 023 OEM stock. I currently have over 8,000 on current second set of Bridgestone 023, and looks like they will go around 12,000 again

 

[StratTuner]

I'm going with Continental "motion" tires next time. Good reviews all around and not very expensive!

front 120/70 17 $80 Continental Motion
rear 160/60 17 $115 Continental Motion
Total for two = $195

not sure what it would cost to have Cycle Gear (or anyone else) to mount and balance... maybe another $100?
Don't take anyone's word for recommendation. Read as many reviews as you can find.

 

[bamamate]

Mine scared the crap out of me. I inspect with every chain lube and do a quick look at what is visible before most rides. Spin the tire 90 degrees and it is full rubber. I had a hard time reading the Z8s since they don't have tread down the center and I'm use to reading car tires not motorcycle tires.

 

[MZ5]

Z8's dead in 5,500 miles. Pirelli MT-60's dead in 1,800 miles. Michelin PR3's... don't know yet. I am hard on tires, but these numbers, so far, are worse than I am accustomed to.

Holy guacamole, Batman! That's ...not good tire life!

My stock Metzelers have 9100 on them, and are not near the wear bars. However, I'm a commuter, and since the wear bars are only partway toward the edges of the tires, they're not a great deal of help to me.

 

[jdmitchell]

I'm going with Continental "motion" tires next time. Good reviews all around and not very expensive!

front 120/70 17 $80 Continental Motion
rear 160/60 17 $115 Continental Motion
Total for two = $195

not sure what it would cost to have Cycle Gear (or anyone else) to mount and balance... maybe another $100?
Don't take anyone's word for recommendation. Read as many reviews as you can find.

I can tell you that they won't last as long as the stock Bridgestones. I have a buddy that ran them on his C14 to save a few bucks and he shagged the rear in one weekend of hard riding down in Arkansas (no burnouts, just enjoying the awesome camber built into the corners). Same guy ran a Bridgestone 023 for 3 full trips down to Arkansas and even had enough left to make the 300 mile trip home after the third time. I have always had good luck with Michelins. I love the Pilot Road 2 and am thinking about going to them when I wear out my stockers (if I can find the stock size for the rear).

 

[Beemerphile]

Holy guacamole, Batman! That's ...not good tire life!

My stock Metzelers have 9100 on them, and are not near the wear bars. However, I'm a commuter, and since the wear bars are only partway toward the edges of the tires, they're not a great deal of help to me.

The wear bars are useless where they are placed on the Z8's. I am hard on tires. I especially brake and corner hard. I am not a good data point for tire mileage.

 

[ketomaine]

are all you guys just running street tires??

 

[Rocker66]

The tyres at the top would certainly lead to a fine here if stopped by the police and/or could invalidate your insurance in the case of an accident. More importantly the other cost of riding with tyres that worn could be your life

 

[StratTuner]

are all you guys just running street tires??

I can't speak for everyone, but Yes. I treat my NC700x as a cruiser. I'll go on a dirt road, but only if it's graded and hard packed.

 

[Chestnut]

are all you guys just running street tires??

So far. Next set will probably be knobbyish. Hoping to kick around in the desert this winter. Assuming I can afford crash bars and skid plate.

 

[L.B.S.]

The two above posts show how much variation there will be even in the same model tire. FWIW, metzler z8 changed at 8k, still life in it. Avon storm 2: 9k, changed out when it hit the wear bar (don't you guys look at your tires?)

While the Z8's are better in the wear checking than the previous Z6's, IMHO they still suck for trying to estimate their wear. For me, anyway. (I got rid of them as soon as I possibly could, and I have more confidence in my TKC80's than I did in those horrible things...)

The Z6 on my BMW looked virtually brand new in the morning, not even a really discernible flat spot in the centre, and then about 2 hours later:



Look at all the tread left in the closest grooves! They looked the same at that point, as they did when brand new. For the life of me, I could not tell it was worn that bad visually. I accept personal fault based on the mileage of the tire (11,800 miles) but I've never been one to need to replace a tire on an accumulated mile figure, while the tire itself looked/acted just fine.