 Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
I didn't think I was, but maybe so. It's new tire time again. I looked through past tire threads to get some opinions and I'm reading about guy getting 12,000 miles and 16 or even 19,000 miles. I've been riding for nearly 40 years and I don't think I've EVER gotten over 6,000 miles out of a tire. I spend the bucks for good tires, too. I always check my air pressure. I live in the mountains so the wear is spread out all across the tread. Not much straight line riding. I only got 3,000 miles out of my front Metzler before it was bald. No tread at all. I'm not replacing good tires, either. I ran a Bridgestone on the rear of my old Vulcan down to the fibers in 6,000 miles. I never do burnouts. Don't carry a passenger. I didn't THINK I was pushing them that hard. Maybe I have rubber termites. How do you guys get that kind of mileage. Velvet roadways? Any ideas/opinions?
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
put a car tire on 
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538 |
Yep your a tire Abuser!!  
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,403 Likes: 7
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,403 Likes: 7 |
Do it. I had similar issues with my R3 tyres. Have fun 
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
|
|
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I ride the hell outta mine. I do keep proper air pressure in them.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Same here. I'm going through rear tires lately like it's an 800 pound bike. I'm not hardly wearing the fronts but the rears are going at around 4 to 6 thousand maybe.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538 |
Sorry gotta ask Too much weight??  How much of this riding like hell on them is two-up or load down with heavy gear?? I Have 9000 miles on the stock Metzler (which sorry not a big fan of in the rain  )
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
One up. I'm about 175lb. Not much gear, saddlebags and windshield. I don't think I ride like hell. I really stay well within my personal envelope. I mean, my wife thinks I ride fast but she's been riding for 4 years and rides kinda slow in my book.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
I have only gone through 1 front tire so far, about 24,000 out of my front Lazertech. I am getting about 10,000 out of my rear IRC Wild Flare rear tire, I thought it was more but forgot about 1 tire change before.I ride well with in my envelope too but faster than many, Wendy also rides slow but I like her to be careful as she too has only been riding about 5 years. Road conditions and composition have quite a bit to do with tire wear. Don't confuse a good or expensive tire with a tire that lasts long. Many top notch tires wear very fast because they are made from a soft compound so they stick to the road very well. The IRC I run is an inexpensive tire that ,in my opinion, out performs the Metz wet and dry.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Damn. I just don't understand it. You guys DO leave shock waves in your wake, right?
Kidding. Maybe every tire I've bought over the past 40 years was defective.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
I should take a pic of that Lazertech, it isn't even completely bald yet.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
OK, this will sound stupid but I'm grasping at straws. Do you guys run your tires after they become 'slicks'? I've run them down to fibers before but not by choice (on a long trip). When the tread is pretty much gone I replace them. Same?
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
I was on a 14,000 mile 4 month trip when I was a youngster and bought a Cheng Sing (sp?) that I DID get a ton of miles out of because it was the cheapest thing in the shop. I think it was made out of some kind of metal. Did not grip the road at all. Scary.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538 |
Most of my riding is just riding to and from work and a little here and there I really don't get a chance to ride more not alot of curves around here but yea I gotta look into something diffrent I can't take them losing grip all the time in the rain 
Last edited by ToughLuck55; 09/11/2011 9:41 PM.
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
The center of my rear tires is usually slick from the slab but not so any cords are showing and as I stated above my front still had maybe 1/32 left after about 24,000 miles. I am not much for checking my tire pressure even though I know I should, I kinda treat that like I do oiling my chain. I have run tires so cords were showing and through to flat but not in recent years.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Wow. For me that would be like saying you got 300,000 miles out of a car tire. I guess I just ride a whole lot harder than I realized. I don't like group rides at all so I can only compare my riding to a couple of people I ride with (Kenny Roberts and Mike Hailwood).
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
|
|
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Road composition may be a factor. I've read that aggregate made of shell eats tires faster than sand, stone or gravel. I'm no expert but it sounds reasonable.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538 |
Sounds reasonable to me too, Location I guess plays a factor along with type of riding done!
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Am I A Tire Abuser?
Yes
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
 Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
I am a tire abuser. One level below the burnout/stunters, though. Just like gas mileage, the key seems to be your 0-60 time and the sustained speed you normally go on the highway. If you see 6000rpm 3 times on the way to 60, and normally cruise around at 80 or above, you shorten tire life and get mpg in the low 30's. But it's fun. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524 |
Quote:
Same here. I'm going through rear tires lately like it's an 800 pound bike. I'm not hardly wearing the fronts but the rears are going at around 4 to 6 thousand maybe.
4-6k. Holy cow! Riding two up? Not a thin built guy? Holding the front brake and smoking the tires?
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Quote:
Same here. I'm going through rear tires lately like it's an 800 pound bike. I'm not hardly wearing the fronts but the rears are going at around 4 to 6 thousand maybe.
4-6k. Holy cow! Riding two up? Not a thin built guy? Holding the front brake and smoking the tires?
What we are witnessing verbal evidence of is a 'stretch the throttle cable' syndrome. Seems the better the bike runs the more taut the throttle cables get.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
Quote:
I am a tire abuser. One level below the burnout/stunters, though.
Just like gas mileage, the key seems to be your 0-60
time and the sustained speed you normally go on the highway.
If you see 6000rpm 3 times on the way to 60, and normally
cruise around at 80 or above, you shorten tire life and get
mpg in the low 30's. But it's fun.
Sounds like the way I ride.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,382
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,382 |
I've got 40 thousand miles on Elvira and I'm on my 4th set of tires. I hope this new set of Metzelers last longer than the Bridgestones and Dunlops.
'06 TBA - Black, AI and Snorkel removed, K&N Drop In, Gutted Stock Pipes, 145/42, 2 turns out.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Oh, wait, I just found the 'levitation' gear. That explains everything.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
Helmets and leather are heavy so they make tires wear faster! 
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482 |
How far beyond slick is safe? Yes, dumb question, but my front is slick and I've committed to a few rides before the next paycheck. It's still got some sticky, just concerned about failure/ blow out. thoughts?
George
Freelance Observer
07 BA with 605's, engine dresser bars, and cheap saddle bags.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482 |
oh.. it's a metz lazer tech on the front.
George
Freelance Observer
07 BA with 605's, engine dresser bars, and cheap saddle bags.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
I have run them with nylon showing through.I would still replace it if it's bald.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
From the Book of DUH:
The rainier it is, the more unsaferer a bald tire is.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425 |
Quote:
I was on a 14,000 mile 4 month trip when I was a youngster and bought a Cheng Sing (sp?) that I DID get a ton of miles out of because it was the cheapest thing in the shop. I think it was made out of some kind of metal. Did not grip the road at all. Scary.
on my first bike I ran Cheng Sheng HI MAX and had great performance from them.
Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425 |
Has anyone run the Kendas that eddie sells? that is a brand I have heard MANY ppl say stay away from. currently running the Bridgestone S11R's
He!! Kenda and Cheng's are probably made in the same plant for all I know. The Cheng Hi Max looks like an old Dunlop pattern.
Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
|
|
OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
I have them on my mountain bike. No problems there.
|
|
|
Re: Am I A Tire Abuser?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,255 Likes: 64 |
Never ran Cheg Shin on the road but I did run them on my dirt bikes back in the day and those tires were really good even when the cops were chasing me on the road.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
|
|
