Tire life

23603 Views 96 Replies 33 Participants Last post by Ordinary Biker, 11 d ago

Spud

Discussion Starter · Aug 28, 2012

I would like to create a thread for users to assist in choosing tires. It would be nice to know how many miles you got on the tire before you replaced it, why you replaced it (i.e. puncture, change size, sumo kit, worn out, etc.), brand of tire, size of tire, and what you replaced it with and why. No need to report on partially used tires that you haven't replaced yet as that won't tell the whole story.

I know many people have logged a lot of miles and have changed tires several times. Their tire experience would be a good real life review of what we can expect from the tires we purchase.

Example is as follows:

Tire Replaced - Dunlop E3 Rear 200/50R-18
Mileage when replaced - 13,340
Reason - Tire almost worn out and didn't want to replace during a long road trip
Replaced with - Metzeler Marathon ME88 200/50R-18
Reason for choosing new tire - Excellent traction and wear with Metzelers on
previous bike (1998 Shadow Spirit)

Tire Replaced - Dunlop E3 Front 90/90-21
Mileage when replaced - 13,340
Reason - Tire almost worn out and didn't want to replace during a long road trip
Replaced with - Metzeler Marathon ME88 90/90-21
Reason for choosing new tire - Excellent traction and wear with Metzelers on
previous bike (1998 Shadow Spirit)

Reactions: 2

1 - 20 of 97 Posts

Exredninjaguy

· #2 · Aug 28, 2012

Tire Replaced - Dunlop E3 Both
Mileage when replaced - 9000
Reason - Tires shot, cords showing on rear
Replaced with - Dunlop E3 Both
Reason for choosing new tire - OEM

Tire Replaced - Dunlop E3 Both front and back (2nd set)
Mileage when replaced - 8800
Reason - Tire shot.
Replaced with - Metzeler ME 880 Marathons.
Reason for choosing new tire - Nicer ride, looks nicer on the bike. Want to see what mileage they will get.

Vray69

· #3 · Aug 28, 2012

Replaced rear OEM Dunlop E3
Mileage - 9000
Reason - puncture, but still had tread. Probably could have gotten another couple 1000 miles out of it.
Replaced with OEM Dunlop E3
Replaced free under tire and wheel extended warranty, so had to be OEM.

Replaced front OEM Dunlop E3
Mileage - 12500
Reason - wore out and "accidental" puncture
Replaced with OEM Dunlop E3
Replaced free under tire and wheel warranty. Had to be OEM replacement.

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Spud

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 1, 2012

Tire Replaced - Metzeler Marathon ME88 200/50R-18
Tire Mileage when replaced -7,054
Reason - Tire shot: tread completely gone and tread wear indicators no longer visible
Replaced with - Dunlop E3 Rear 200/50R-18
Reason for choosing new tire - Metzeler did not last as long as OEM Dunlop E3 so went back to stock

460brevill

· #5 · Oct 1, 2012

1st tire replaced;dunlop e3 200/50/18
milage; when replaced;600
reason;dont like dunlop
replaced with me880 metz 200/50/18
2nd tire replaced;me 880 metz 200/50/18
milage;when replaced 10,900
reason;wore out
replaced with me 880 metz 200/50/18
3rd tire replaced;me 880 metz 200/50/18
milage;22,500
reason;wore out
replaced with avon venom 240/40/18

Exredninjaguy

· #6 · Oct 2, 2012

How are you getting that kind of mileage from the Metz? I have had mine 5000 miles and I'm at 3/32. Never done a burnout, no out of the ordinary riding, check the air pressure every Sunday. I love the ride, but will not get another set. My crotch rocket very sticky Pirellis lasted THAT long.

460brevill

· #7 · Oct 2, 2012

Exredninjaguy said:
How are you getting that kind of mileage from the Metz? I have had mine 5000 miles and I'm at 3/32. Never done a burnout, no out of the ordinary riding, check the air pressure every Sunday. I love the ride, but will not get another set. My crotch rocket very sticky Pirellis lasted THAT long.

i dont ride the low side of the crown and the roads around here are in good shape.

Reactions: 1

Exredninjaguy

· #8 · Oct 2, 2012

I stay away from the middle half of the lane myself. Roads out here in the boonies are crowned alot, so I stay right. Still, thats great you get that kind of mileage out of your tires.

460brevill

· #9 · Oct 2, 2012

how much air are you running,i dropped to 38lbs.

Exredninjaguy

· #10 · Oct 2, 2012

38 exactly. I love the ride I get from these, and I remember you telling me that I'd get less mileage out of these, but I never thought it would be SO much less. I can't afford two sets of tires per summer, and I'm not willing to ride less lol

taffyspop

· #11 · Oct 2, 2012

Got 17,800 on my original front Dun Elite 3. Had 16,200 on my original Dun rear and still had lots of thread left, but picked up a nail. Replaced both front and rear with the OEM Duns. Had no reason to change brands with mileage like that...

stickman

· #12 · Oct 6, 2012

I got 20,000 miles on the first set of original tires. Worn out!

Currently on my second set which is the Dunlop Elite 3 series.

20,000 miles on front tire and 26,000 on the rear tire. I do a lot of highway traveling.

Does anyone have a favorite tire website they buy from? I'm looking at the Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories – PhatPerfomanceParts.com website and they have the rear tire for $221.00 and looks like free shipping.

Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

GDUBB

· #13 · Oct 6, 2012

I'm still on the original tires at 18,000 miles. Roads here in SC are in pretty good shape. No spinning tires, run Honda recommended pressure. Just rode the Tail last weekend with it raining off and on, no troubles.
GP

Reactions: 1

Exredninjaguy

· #14 · Oct 6, 2012

I can't believe the mileage you guys are getting! Pa roads must suck even worse than I thought.

Reactions: 2

Sludge

· #15 · Oct 6, 2012

17,000 + miles on my original tires
I have a pretty good flat spot on the rear and tread is about a 3/16ths deep.
a few more rides then it is going into storage for the winter will be getting a new set for next year!

Reactions: 1

thenewaftermath

· #16 · Feb 20, 2013

Dunlop e3 rear 200/50-18. 7,800 miles in it. Smooth As babies butt on the shaft side and around 1/32 on the right side. Center tread is not bad 4/32. I haven't figure it out but my bike wears the tire horribly uneven. Always keep air pressure around 38-39psi. Ether our roads around here Suck or I ride a lot of left hand corner roads! Any one else have there tire wear really bad on the shaft side?

Señor Gar

· #17 · Feb 20, 2013

thenewaftermath said:
Ether our roads around here Suck or I ride a lot of left hand corner roads!

Must be hard to find your way home

.

Reactions: 1

thenewaftermath

· #18 · Feb 20, 2013

Señor Gar said:
Must be hard to find your way home .

LOL... I do have this river run that takes me almost all the way around the county with a lot of left hand turns. Also I could be that i subconsciously ride harder in and out of left hand turns/ non pipe side. I always could drag peg on my KZ on the left but not the right .

Reactions: 1

Pantera

· #19 · Aug 13, 2013

stickman said:
I got 20,000 miles on the first set of original tires. Worn out!

Currently on my second set which is the Dunlop Elite 3 series.

20,000 miles on front tire and 26,000 on the rear tire. I do a lot of highway traveling.

Does anyone have a favorite tire website they buy from? I'm looking at the Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories – PhatPerfomanceParts.com website and they have the rear tire for $221.00 and looks like free shipping.

Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Damn impressive mileage out of those tires.

Reactions: 1

Cooperj

· #20 · Sep 9, 2013

I am just replacing mine within the next week as the front tire is pretty dead at 14,5XX. Not bad in my opinion.

I have ordered the Metzelers as I hear that they have better grip and last longer.

Do you guys find that to be true? They definitely are expensive. I am in PA near Philly and most of the roads just suck lol.

1 - 20 of 97 Posts