Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Front Tire

For some reason my stock front tire on my 2005 America (Bridgetone L303 3.5-18, 110 80-18) has worn out with only 6,500 miles on the bike. My back stock tire (Bridgestone G456 170/80-15) still has good tread on it and I see no reason to change it now. I called to order the Metzler/Lasertech ME330, 110/80-18) and they said one was a radial and one was bias and you shouldn't mix and match. Can anyone knowledgeable give me some guidance? I keep a pretty close eye on my tire pressure so I am not sure why the front tire has worn out prematurely. Thanks,Bob

6500 miles is probably 2000 miles more than I got on my OE tires... the rear one was gone at 4500 and the front was soon to follow.. If Metzler is what you're going for then you need the Lasertech... fitment guide

You can run Radial and Bias ply mixed on a motorcycle. The T 100 comes from the factory with a Radial (steel belted at that)on the rear a MEZ2 and the Bias Lasertech on the front.

My stock Bridgestones look great and I've got 9000 miles on the bike. I'm wondering if tire pressure or different road conditions could make such a difference. I check my tire pressure weekly and keep it at 32/36. I have a gravel drive, but other than that, ride on good roads.

I think thats the main factors Ramsound,Just replaced Wendys stock Bridgestone at about 7,500 miles. Her front tire wore unevenly for some reason I can't seem to find. That lead to the infamous front end wobble. Just put a new Michlin on the front that ran me $95. Funny I still have my stock Metz front on my SM at over 13,000 miles.Still has plenty of tread too. One thing I noticed that I didn't like about The Michlin is there was no little valve stem mark for balance.

My dealer's comment on uneven tire wear is that many people neglect checking tire pressure and run too low. He said many of the Triumphs they service come in with "cupping" on the front tire. This would lead to a bad ride and uneven wear. The dealer usually puts too much air in my tires although they said they are wearing very good. The only reason I can come up with is that I regularly check the pressure and usually end up adding a pound or two each week.

I check regularly as well but her tire still wore to the left side. I checked alignment , pressure regularly , wheel true , etc.. but center had most tread right had wear left was nearly bald. I think there was something with the manufacture of the tire itself. Even when I had to add air it wasn't more than a couple pounds 3 at most.

Thanks for the feedback. Most of my miles have been back roads in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. I too have long gravel drive but i take it real easy. Wear appears to be fairly even. I ordered a Metzler/Lasertech ME330, 110/80-18 for the front and will run the OE Bridgestone a bit longer. From what I gather that will be an OK.

I did the same thing, I ran the Metzler lazertech for about 8 months with the Bridgestone on the back. No problems.
I put the ME880 metzler on the back 1 week before the GA Rally. The metzler really grabs the road better in the corners.

Steve

I ran the stock tyres on the 03 till 6500 miles and the front was a little low on tread... I changed both front and back at that time.

I gave the tyres a check before fitting the new front wheel. I was hoping to reuse the front tyre as it was in good condition (to my completely untrained eye) nearly 7000 miles later. I was told I couldn't, as the steel band in it was probably buckled. At this point I was 4 days away from the MOT and was told the earliest they could get a new Metzler was gonna be mid July. 3 weeks away.

They suggested I didn't mix makes.

I went elsewhere. The new Metzler arrived the next day.

Ramsound, could be that straight line you run in year round,
You did say you're from FLA,right ?

Mike