Help With Tire Decision

[Uncle Hud]

petey, you ride so hard I can't believe you'd get 10,000 miles out of any brand of tires.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Interesting, with peoples poor mileage with tires. All are good per say when new, some just have drop off points that I don't like.

I have just arrived in sunny California from Houston on a pair of Battlax T30GT and they arrived here on the wear bars dead center completing their life to me at 10,712 miles front and back. I didn't realize they were long in the tooth when planning the trip just by looking at them, until I checked my last tire change and mileage....wow! Now, don't know what everyone else does to burn through a tire in less than 6k miles, but these tires were purchased almost two years ago when I made this very same trip Sept. 2014 from Houston-San Diego-Monterey-Las Vegas-Houston. That's some rough terrains out there.

The center has the most wear, the sides have deep tread still, and that just mean I didn't ride any hard curves I guess.

Anyways, I am going to the Battlax T30 Evo, putting them on tomorrow for the trip back.

Just want to try the Evo's to see the difference. I can say running the T30's they have a long slow drop off point, not just all at once....performance drop off.

Now...back to the regular scheduled experts.

 

[lee42lee]

Brodi your right and normally I would have "bit back" but I thought since this is their forum I would just let it go.

I have decided and just ordered a set of the Pirelli Angel GT A Spec tires. If I don't like them I will try something else next time.

Ignacio,

I did not ask nor expect anyone to do the research for me. I was just asking for opinions. Like I said I did try to look it up myself. I have used this forum for a lot of research before and after I bought my bike. This will make my 4th post so I think that shows I normally look it up instead of asking.

Below I have attached pictures of my current Battlax tires with less than 3,500 miles. This is the reason I am trying something different. Thanks again for everyones help.

https://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o577/lee42lee/20160416_193010.jpeg

https://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o577/lee42lee/20160416_193023.jpeg

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Brodi your right and normally I would have "bit back" but I thought since this is their forum I would just let it go.
I have decided and just ordered a set of the Pirelli Angel GT A Spec tires. If I don't like them I will try something else next time.

Ignacio,

I did not ask nor expect anyone to do the research for me. I was just asking for opinions. Like I said I did try to look it up myself. I have used this forum for a lot of research before and after I bought my bike. This will make my 4th post so I think that shows I normally look it up instead of asking.

Below I have attached pictures of my current Battlax tires with less than 3,500 miles. This is the reason I am trying something different. Thanks again for everyones help.

https://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o577/lee42lee/20160416_193010.jpeg

https://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o577/lee42lee/20160416_193023.jpeg

No sir, it is also YOUR forum.

Yeah, the question has been asked before, yeah the answers are already there, and no we don't have much patience for tire/oil/filter/air pressure questions that have been asked over and over.

BUT, you did get your answers even though you had to wade through some sarcasm to get them.

I will add that different parts of this country have different types and compositions of asphalt and the tire wear I experience in South Louisiana is not the same as the tire wear of an FJR in NW Arkansas. Of course, the location of the wear on the tire is also affected by how twisty the road is.

I think Brodie's advice is correct. Try a bunch of different brands and then you will know what is best for you. You can turn around and share that information the next time someone asks this same question. I can assure you, that will happen before you wear out your next set of tires.

Finally, because I too love sarcasm...

This is the best tire I can find for traction right now:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Won't that cup, just a little bit?

 

[Spud]

I love tire threads....one thing this bike does is eat tires. Here's a cut-n-paste from a thread i started last fall:

I was looking through my records and here's some mileage reports off tires I've run. With the exception of the POS stock Bridgestone O21's, every set I've pulled has still had a good front tire but the back is gone. I usually replace them by the set. I generally run them down near to the cords, although some sets I've pulled early when I've had long trips lined up.

Bridgestone BT 023GT Three sets, pulled at 7185 miles (totally done with steel belts showing), 6770 miles, 7100 miles. Loved these tires. Cheap, handled well, lasted. Too bad they "upgraded" to the T30s.

Michelin PR 2 One set, pulled at 5,865, still had at least 1000 in them but with the the howling and handling as they wore out I was happy to pull them.

Avon Storm II Ultra: Two sets, pulled at 5990 and 6200. I kept the front on the second set and ran it for 7020 miles, and it still had some life. Liked these tires, expensive but each time got with a rebate. Mine balanced OK, others have had issues with Avon quality control. I'd do them again.

Pirelli Angel GT: One set, nice tires. Handling is good, 8297 miles, the mileage champ for me so far. Pricey, but probably worth it.

Bridgestone T30 GT: One set, pulled them early at 4084 miles as I had a 3K trip to Canada, and knew they wouldn't make it. I don't think they handle as good as or last as long as their predecessor, the 023GT, but they are priced right.

Dunlop RoadSmart II: These tires used to be priced up there, recently they've dropped so I tried them. Currently on the bike with 6929 miles. I think they probably would have another 1000 to go but the back is getting pretty square. I really like these tires a lot. They are sticky and feel very smooth, I've run the rear to the edge and they feel great. They've started to howl in corners as they're wearing out. I'm ordering another set--$239 w/free shipping right now on E-Bay (Chaparral Motorsports).

UPDATE: The RSII's made it almost as far as the Angel GT's (they went 8100). I've got a set waiting to put on. Got a budget Avon on the back and take off old GT23'stone on the front right now--this time of year around here you just need tread--handling isn't an issue as roads are covered in sand and gravel from winter, so going fast in corners isn't an option no matter what you run.

 

[Uncle Hud]

<no value added>

 

[mcatrophy]

<no added value>

But Uncle, it's Friday. Who "adds value" on a Friday?

 

[rushes]

I like my tires like I like my women.

Round and black....

 

[Spud]

I like my tires like I like my women.Round and black....

I like my tires like I like my women.

Round and black.... hot and squealing......then smoking afterward...

 

[FJR-Pilot]

I like the T30 GT's ... for me they grip very well in dry or wet, wear evenly, and they are priced right ($245 a pair). But I never get more than about 5,000 or 6,000 on a set of any tire I've ever tried b/c I just ride too damned hard I guess.

Just went to order a new set of T30 GT's and noticed Bridgestone has come out with an "EVO" variant of the T30 claiming "improvements to the straight-line stability" a larger contact patch area with improved wet grip.

 

[BigOgre]

Aww Hell. A post about tires comes with all sorts of dangers but seeing as I've been shopping, here goes.

Not sure if there's a better place for this review about Roadsmart IIIs but this seemed as good as any.

As for my current choice, I think I'll stay with my same happy set-up (T-30 Evo front, PR4 rear) but this time non-GTs. Occasionally I thought the ride a little harsh and wondering if the GT version contributed to this. I'm also aware how mcatrophy advocates for lower pressures but . . . .

 

[Bugnatr]

Michelin PR2's are still the best bang for the buck and don't give me that "they don't grip well crap"

Been through many, many sets on the FJR, FZ6,a very healthy FZ1 and now my hot rod Katoom including 3 track days. Never ever had any grip issues but then again I'm old and slow....

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Can't go wrong with any PR's. I've never regretted he extra money I've spent on the many sets of 3's and 4's. But I never felt undergunned with PR2's. Mileage on the PR4GT's is like ******* witchcraft, but my GT rear felt Kandahar as it neared the end of it's life span. I have yet to wear out the front and I'd normally be over halfway through the next ride by now.

 

[s.ga.rider]

Im riding on avon storm xm's. My new favorite tire. I have around 12k miles on them and plenty of tread left.

 

[Fred W]

What I need to know is: What does Kandahar feel like exactly?

I'd like to know in case I am ever so unlucky as to experience it.

 

[Mr Bill]

What I need to know is: What does Kandahar feel like exactly? I'd like to know in case I am ever so unlucky as to experience it.

Just like riding in Boston. You know everyone is trying to take you out

 

[steveoreno]

What I need to know is: What does Kandahar feel like exactly? I'd like to know in case I am ever so unlucky as to experience it.

Just like riding in Boston. You know everyone is trying to take you out

Sounds like traffic on the Houston expressway! I just put a set of Pirelli Angel GT's on my 13 last week but I have had Avon Storms, PR3's and PR4's on my bikes. The Avons were the best tires I ever had for rainy conditions but were prone to cupping. I like the PR-3's better than the 4's. You can't go wrong with any of the better manufacturer's sport-touring tires.