Forums > Maintenance > RT tire life = ?

That is about the same wear I get out of my 1200 GS tires.  I am getting myself equiped to change my own tires as we speak.  I should save about $110 a tire when I do my own. Kevin

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

Next to the oil controversy, tires are probably a close second.  There are other posts on this forum and the wear limits vary greatly.  I swear someone posted 15,000 miles on a set of Z6.

How you ride makes a huge difference in tire wear.  Hard accelerating, braking, and cornering eat up tires much more quickly.  I ride an 05 RT and I got 8000 miles out of my Z6 rear tire.  The front tire always has more meat on it but I change them at the same time.  I've never heard of a front wearing before the back.

I also change my own tires which is convenient (no appointment) and of course let's you maximize wear and saves mounting fees.

I tried the Pilot Roads, didn't care for them.  I tired the Conti Road Attacks, liked them a lot, but only got about 5000 miles out of them.  I'm staying with Z6 although I've heard good things about Avons.  Make certain the tire has a weight range that can carry the RT weight plus the weight you might pack on her.

You might find this to be an interesting read:

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/tirewear/index.html

Robo

I was somewhat taken aback by the same issue with my RT. Tires just didn't seem to go as far, and everyone that I talked to was surprised that I actually got almost 9k out of mine. They were getting closer to 6k.  The ABS braking is a little to blame. As I got more used to these powerful things I used them later and from higher speeds. So I was using my tires up by stopping harder and I really wasn't even really aware of it.

I also went to Bridgestone battlaxe from the Metzlers to get a tougher compound. I ride a lot of highway and reeely straight roads, so I could afford to give back some gummie qualities in leu of a few more miles.

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I will not make motorcycle sounds at work... I will not make motorcycle sounds at work...

Be glad you get 6K! I have the K1200GT and average 4500 miles on Z6s. They handle good but I switched to the the road pilot 2 which have dual compound so they are suppose to last longer. They handle even better. They rated the best in wet weather also. I have about 1000 miles on these and I am very pleased.

I think they wear out faster than on other bikes because the BMWs handle so well they are begging us to ride aggressively and that wears out the tires. I noticed the tires show wear right up to the rims!

I rode mainly Bridgestone Battlax on my '97 R1200C and never got more than 7k miles before the rear tire was worn down.  I usually got a couple more thousand miles out of the front tire.  The last pair of tires I rode for about 3k miles on that bike were Metzler Marathons.  I bought the Marathons mainly because they were reputed to last around 10k.  They weren't as sticky as the Bridgestones, but I lliked the handling characteristics.  As I remember, it took a few miles to warm them up before they reached their full potential, but they appeared to show very little wear.

I have tried several brands on my 2000RT, and so far I like the Bridgestone Battleaxe the best. I have about 5k on a set with decent tread left. The worst I've ran for wear are Pirelli Corsas. I only got about 4k out of them. I was complaining to a parts unlimited rep last summer and he tried to tell me that 5k was great wear on a bike tire. I guess that's great wear if you're a tire salesman.

Ok, so I probably shouldn't admit this, but I got over 10,000 on Continental Forces on Sophie (K1200GT).  I changed them just the most recent B4 Leakey Adventure, but they were not worn out.  Yes, I DO ride like an old woman, but then again, I are one!  The Forces were definitely not as sticky as the Metzlers(?) that were original equip on the bike, but I'm primarily a sight seer and don't ride hard as I like to look around more than go fast.  Most of those 10K+ miles were highway and to southern Alaska and back.  Yes, Sophie the GT is fine on dirt roads although her pilot is a little iffy.

Laissez le bon temps rouler, yall.

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jean

My front lasted 13,000 miles and had maybe 1,000 left according to the dealer.

I keep getting flats in the rear, so I ave not worn one out, although my current rear has 8,000 on it.

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No matter where you go, there you are....

IMHO I would venture to quess there are at least three issues that contribute to tire wear. Type of bike, how the bike is ridden and the type of road surface. I'm happy to get 6k out of my Z6Metz. I've never worn out the front tire. When the rear goes they are both replaced (excepet for once) 

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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW

I seem to recall that Force = Mass x Acceleration.  I think I learned that in early high school.  Several years later I learned how that applied to my own checkbook vis a vis tires.  Oh Well.

Laissez le bon temps rouler, yall.

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jean

Thanks for your input everyone, I guess 7400 miles a set is not abnormal.  I also mount my own tires with the help of my friends nomar setup and a Metzeler balancer.  Between us we have mounted a dozen sets in the past few years.  One thing I noticed this time was interesting, after mounting the wheels required the exact same weights and positions as the previous set of tires had.  That's gotta be a testament to Metzeler manufacturing consistency.  Great tires but that Euro price is killing me so I'll try the Bridgestones next time.  Thanks.

I noticed that the new BMW bikes are coming with bridgestone tires. Has any one out there ridden on them? How to they handle and wear?

I have an 04 RT. I have tried several different tires, but I am going back to Z-6 (see Robo post also). the Z-6 is, in my opinion, the best. I live near "The Dragon" and several mountain roads in East Tennessee. I get about 6000 on the rear and could get more out of the front, but always change them both. The rear may be worn more than you think as the wear marks on them are hard to see. RT's allow you to ride more aggresively, and with a lot of throttle on-off, particularly in lean, the rubber will wear. It is not the bike, just the riding. (I have a honda 600 CBR and get worse wear with a 100 pound lighter bike. Ride a bike on a track at track days and you will be replacing tires a LOT more often) Bridgestones were the WORST that I tried. Michelins close second to Z-6, but not as surefooted in 45 degree leans, squirly on exit throttle-on, not like the Z-6's sure grip. Good luck, and since you change your own tires you are already saving a little $$.

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If you're not leanin', you're learning

Oh yeah, one other weird thing is that I wore out the front tire before the rear.  That's a total first.  It was past the wear bars and going slick in the sides.  I do hunch forward in the saddle when riding aggressively through the canyon roads so maybe that did the front in.  Weird though.

Bill in Denver