Tire question

[LarryS]

Hi Gang!

I've put 7500 miles on a pair of Metzeler Sportec M3's. They are down to the wear indicators so I'm replacing them. I'm going with michelin pilot. My question is this. Is that about all I can expect out of a sport bike tire, about 8k miles?

Cheers

[mnhoulden]

I got 8700 miles out of my stock PP's, then bought some Bridgestone 021's and got the same mileage? A friend of mine got the PP2CT's and has 9000 miles on them and barely a flat spot!?! Hard to say which tyre is best.
If you want mileage get the PP2CT's for a little more dosh.
Cheers,
Mark

[Ride.]

I'm surprised you got that much!

[joe tabler]

Originally Posted by Ride.

I'm surprised you got that much!

We stiil build trucks that get 12-15 miles to the gallon? Why are we making tires for bikes that only last 5-7 thousand miles? Break pads only last 5-7 thousand. It seems like poor manufacturing or inproper design for road bikes. I understand race bikes go through parts this fast. Why hasn't anyone designed longer last parts for the regular riders that ride on the street and don't have a factory sponsor?

[Catenaccio]

I've only managed 6K on both Avons STs and Michelin Roads. You've done well keeping the same skins for so many miles. I burn through mine in the center because the 5 turns we have in the county only come up twice a day for me - to and from work. And to get where there are serious twisties is a 1/2 day ride.

[Ride.]

Originally Posted by joe tabler

We stiil build trucks that get 12-15 miles to the gallon? Why are we making tires for bikes that only last 5-7 thousand miles? Break pads only last 5-7 thousand. It seems like poor manufacturing or inproper design for road bikes. I understand race bikes go through parts this fast. Why hasn't anyone designed longer last parts for the regular riders that ride on the street and don't have a factory sponsor?

I don't make tires, I only use them.

There are tires that will last over 8K miles. They are touring tires, which sacrifice grip for longevity. However, none of the tires mentioned in this thread are any such tire. Nor is the stock Metzeler M3.

[S3Partisan]

I've never got more than about 3500 out of a standard Pilot Power rear, having said that just about every rear I have replaced through puncture (4).
I had a new PP2CT front fitted two weeks ago with about 6000 miles on it from the last change, it was on the wear marks. Now front and rear are PP2CT, I was told to expect slightly better mileage from the 2CTs.

9000 on a PAIR of stock PP's is impressive. Must be very frugal with the throttle.

[TripleZ]

4300 miles on my PP2CTs. But I weigh 255 lbs. THAT does make a difference. I also ride relatively hard, so the edges are done as well. I will be replacing the pair this spring.

I had Dunlops on my previous bike, not bad grip and 6000 miles of wear. Avon's as another pair, but I didnt like the grip as much. When cold it was slippery at 1/2 lean and greasy at full lean.

The Pilot Powers 2CT are my favorite to date.

[mnhoulden]

Originally Posted by S3Partisan

I've never got more than about 3500 out of a standard Pilot Power rear, having said that just about every rear I have replaced through puncture (4).
I had a new PP2CT front fitted two weeks ago with about 6000 miles on it from the last change, it was on the wear marks. Now front and rear are PP2CT, I was told to expect slightly better mileage from the 2CTs.

9000 on a PAIR of stock PP's is impressive. Must be very frugal with the throttle.

That being said, I did have a pretty wicked flat spot by 8700! Got a flat and bought new tyres! I've read that the dual compound tyres are fairly comparable to the PP's. And on a side note I only run nitrogen in my tyres, whether that changes anythng I'm not sure. On my BT021's I actually wore out the front tyre first!?! I know that the progression of a rider does account for some wear.
Just my 2 bits.
Cheers,
Mark

[Bohdan]

Originally Posted by joe tabler

We stiil build trucks that get 12-15 miles to the gallon? Why are we making tires for bikes that only last 5-7 thousand miles? Break pads only last 5-7 thousand. It seems like poor manufacturing or inproper design for road bikes. I understand race bikes go through parts this fast. Why hasn't anyone designed longer last parts for the regular riders that ride on the street and don't have a factory sponsor?

Well, look at the motorcycle tire shape, hence the size and shape of contact patch. Car tire is flat, so contact patch goes all the way across tire. Bike tire is rounded to allow lean and turn, so contact patch is reduced to narrow spot in the center, moving to sides when you lean. So you have about 4..5:1 increased pressure and wear. Add to this much higher power delivery to this spot (you ride 110 hp bike, and all this goes to this one spot on single rear tire), and fact that bike tires are stickier than car's (you lean to turn, it better hold and not slide). High performance car tires last 10-25k miles (depends on driver)... So you still wonder why?

My first set of PPs lasted 6k, I pushed it and at 6.5k had threads showing in the center (it happened when I went for Dragon, and I had to ride like that all the way back home). I have changed to PP2CT front/PR2CT rear. At 12.5k (6k on new set) it looks like I still have a lot of tire left, and I don't feel like I have sacrificed grip.
One other factor for longevity - it depends on the surfaces you ride on. I don't ride many concrete roads, and tarmac here is smooth, not very abrasive like in some places.