| Author | Message | ||
     Daniii |
So I'm stopped at a light today, and a guy on a Harley behind me honks his horn, pulls alongside, and tells me I have cord showing on the rear tire! I head home, and sure enough, about a foot of cord is showing. I have 3500 miles on the bike. That seems like not many miles. What recommendations do you all have for something that will last a bit longer? Isn't a dual compound tire a good idea? (I do not race the bike). | ||
| Rogue_biker |
That is good mileage on a sport tire. On a powerful bike like the 1125R, I would expect it to last that long. I would be surprised if it went 4,000 miles. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso's are supposed to be a sport tire that has a much harder compound in the center so it lasts longer for street riders (it's dual compound at the rear). I've used this tire on my Firebolt 12R and it has lasted to 4k with both commuting and sport riding. Most single compound sport tires will last no more than 3k miles. | ||
| Buellrider66 |
Pirelli angels are a sport touring tire. Will give you longer life but they are a bit harder than most sport tires. It come down to what you are comfortable with and how you ride. Took these ona 3k trip and still have lots or rubber left. (Message edited by buellrider66 on December 31, 2010) | ||
| Brumbear |
I didn't get 2500 out of any of the corsa III's | ||
| Daniii |
We have been trying the Bridgestone dual compound on V-Rods with pretty good results. I was disappointed with the 6000 miles I was getting on the stock Dunflops on the V-Rod. Anyone have any experience with the Bridgestone? | ||
| D_adams |
7000 miles out of the BT-016's, I'm happy with them. If I didn't ride the slab so much, it might be a lot higher. The front lasts a bit longer, I think this one's got 10k on it or so and it's still in pretty decent shape. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I've got about 3k on the Michelin Pilot Road2CT's that are on my S2, and they look brand new. Dual compound, great grip, awesome wet traction (even in standing water, whoops). I HIGHLY recommend them; my CR will probably get a set once I wear out the CIII's and burn off the ContiMotion spare I have on the shelf... | ||
| Daggar |
I've got about 13k on my set of PR2s. I don't push the bike real hard though. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I run Conti Road Attacks on my 12R, and got 6.5k mi or so. No cords, but I have an extra set sittin, so I'm going to put them on before it gets dangerous. I like em because they are a taller rounded profile. Quick turn in, great side grip, and a big contact patch no matter what. I do a lot of straight line riding, as there are very few curved roads on my way to work. The main reason for changing my tires is cuz the HUGE flat spot on the rear. YMMV Great reviews on the new Conti Road Attack 2. | ||
| Buellmojo |
I agree with Ratbuell Pilot Road 2's are great tires in my opinion, 6K+ miles of mountain and highway riding with this set up on one of my bikes, it is a much heavier bike than the R or the CR too. The tires are starting to wear in the center now, I estimate somewhere around 8K miles before I will change them. The stock Qualifiers only lasted me less than 2K miles, cords showing in the rear, and the front was also trashed. I am no light weight either, so that dictates some of the tire wear for me too. The stock Corsa's on my 1125R only lasted somewhere around 3K miles for me, the Pilot Powers mounted on it now have lasted well over that, and still are showing some life in them. | ||
| Jules |
I guess it's just me who thinks it's wrong to have to be told by some kind stranger when your tires are dangerous - rather than the owner/operator taking responsibility for doing their "pre-flight" checks. I find it quite interesting that there are a number of posts on this same topic on here, it makes me wonder if it's an American "thing". If the cord is showing then in the UK it's reasonable to assume that the tires were illegal for quite some time prior to that. I managed 2500 miles from my first rear tire and was very happy with that, for a bike with this performance, ridden the way I like to ride that's an acceptable level of tire life. Of course I could potentially have managed to eek another 1000 miles out of the bike if I wasn't bothered about it representing a safety hazard to myself and those around me. | ||
| Dannybuell |
I have kept the air pressures at 36F/38R on my original Pirelli tires. The fronts are starting to look a little thin overall. The rear is not nearly as flat in the middle as you would expect for that kind of mileage. I have had Dunlop 207s on my S1 for 80K miles. There are 208s are on it now. The front tires always wear on the sides with an unworn center section. An end of life Dunlop always turned in quicker than a new one. The Pirelli front tire is wearing evenly on the CR, center and sides are about the same. When I got the CR with 39 miles, my first impression was that the Pirelli's were amazing especially compared to the 208s. Now as the Pirelli's end of life approaches I am amazed they both have worn remarkably evenly compared to my long term dunlop 207 and one time 208 experience. Daniii - What have your air pressures been? | ||
| Daniii |
Air pressures are per the book. When I got my annual inspection last October, the tech told me I wouldn't make it to the next inspection. The cord is only showing in one spot. The tire has to be in just the right position to see it. I was lucky that it showed when I stopped at the light, and that the HD rider behind me saw it and notified me. Lots of great info here. Thanks guys. | ||
| Zac4mac |
At the price of tires vs my paycheck, I ride to the cords. Weather/season has an influence tho, I'll go further in dry summertime than dicey wintertime. I've been thru a few rear tires at 26k, 5.5k-7k per rear mostly max press per manufacturer. I try to stay out of the throttle when vertical and ride for "smooth" when commuting. First front ran 19.9k, second was slick at 5k, on my 3rd front now. weird. I ran 207s and 208s on my Firebolt and thought they sucked. Then I put M3 Metzlers on and was certain the Dunlops sucked. Whatever makes you comfy and keeps you out of the ditches is a good tire. Z | ||
| No_rice |
id be happy to make it 3500 on tires! | ||
| Gunut75 |
id be happy to make it 3500 on tires! .....Tim, I'd be AMAZED (like, call Guiness and sh1t) if you got 3500 out of any tires too!  Happy new year! | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
another for the angel i have one with i think about 2500 on it and still have a lot of life left in it. gotta be a little more cautious when it's cold out as it doesn't have the same traction as the pure sport type of tire will | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Yup, you need to get a tire like a Dunlop Q2 that has a harder compound in the center for long lasting durability and soft rubber on the sides for grip. Got mine online from www.motorcycle-superstore.com It only took a few days to get here and it was cheaper then going to a motorcycle shop. | ||
| Chameleon |
I hated the Michelin Pilot Road 2CTs. Wet grip was lacking compared to the Metzeler Z6 I had been running before. Switched back to the Z6s. I got a little more miles out of the 2CTs, but it wasn't worth it to me after nearly crashing with my wife on the back due to the lack of wet grip. We were cruising straight at 38 mph in a 35 mph zone on a wet road which was off camber and the rear starts stepping out. We both thought we were gonna crash and put our feet out, then the bike straightened out and we nearly high-sided. I've averaged over 11k miles on a Z6 rear including lots of rapid acceleration, high speeds, wheelies, etc. | ||
| Chameleon |
By the way, I agree with Zac4mac. I get all I can out of my tires. These are my last 3 Metzeler Z6 rears. On my way back from Death Valley  Just due to a lot of commuting  After getting home from another trip to Southern California  | ||
| Buellmojo |
Yes I too try and get the most out of my tire life...Chameleon, that might be pushing it a bit in the photos...LOL!!! | ||
| Jdugger |
3500 miles is really something from one of these sport tires. When I used to ride in Arkansas a lot, 1000-1200 was the normal from tires like the PP2CT, Corsa III, etc., and that was across a range of relatively quick riders on a wide selection of hardware from R1s, to Twins, to a 690 Motard, and so on. Almost everyone in the group got about the same mileage from these street/track day tires, regardless of bike. I really think it comes down to corner speed and type of riding. Mostly straight highway riding doesn't stress the tire much. Faster cornering in the twisties does. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Sorry guys, but riding on cord is big time STUPID! A sharp stone would cut through that thin layer that your life is literally riding on. And the crash damage/hospital bills will far exceed the cost of a new tire. Figure the cost per mile of a tire and that last 500 miles you went for will be pretty cheap. You know this is not a cheap hobby so get real. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Duphuckincati +1 | ||
| Buellmojo |
I cannot say I never have ridden on cords, but I do try and change the tires before any of the cords become noticeably showing, just before though...Not the smartest I know, but sometimes it happens that way. | ||
| Pattio |
There's a big difference between the way we look at vehicle condition in the US vs in other countries. I used to work with a mechanic from England, and he was constantly showing me things that would barely be a 'note' here and would be seriously illegal there. I wouldn't relish having to keep up with the higher standards, but I can't deny the wisdom of it. I replaced my rear tire before my last long trip, because I knew it had a good chance of reaching its end-of-life phase before I got home. I tend to get tunnel vision and hammer on the way home from a long trip, and knew I didn't want to see cords, or have to be too 'mindful' of that factor at that time. 'Wasting' tire or 'buying' peace-of-mind, call it what one will. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
The only way I really see a safety issue with running a tire until the cords start to show is in wet weather, where the lack of tread might compromise traction. Then again, I dial it back in the rain a lot anyway. My Corsa III rear was corded in 2200 miles. My PP 2CTs have at least that much on them and look nearly new. Well, that might be an exaggeration, but they're not noticeably worn in the center. | ||
| Nm5150 |
5700 miles mostly in the Ozarks,Virginia and west Virginia.Third rear and second front Corsa IIIs.In NV now.Straight and flat and the cords will be showing soon on the rear.It kills me not to use the whole tire  Happy New Year! | ||
| Duphuckincati |
To all the cord-riders, after your tire is off the wheel, have you ever felt just how little and flimsy material is there? If you have and are still comfortable riding on that then you are either braver or dumber than I am. | ||
| Jules |
The only way I really see a safety issue with running a tire until the cords start to show is in wet weather, where the lack of tread might compromise traction. Unfortunately that's a reasonably common misconception that the only issue is a lack of grip. In reality the cording affords little/no abrasion/penetration resistance so even tiny stones can cut the cord and potentially result in a blow out. As was posted previously, take the time to feel exactly how thin/flimsy that corded area is. I know it's a personal choice just how you balance cost/risk and as long as you're riding alone I absolutely support your right to do that. Spotting a guy riding on cords at a rally in the UK once I approached him to inform him (just in case he hadn't noticed) his response was to tell me to "f*ck off and mind your own business", even though I genuinely did just say "just in case you hadn't noticed but your rear tire is down to the cords". I promise i didn't hit him for riding on cords... I hit him for being a bloody rude tw*t. |
