Is there a Correlation Between MPG and Tire Mileage?

[Spud]

I've wondered this before (ear plugs and no music in the middle of nowhere sends my mind all over....)

So, if I go 90 mph into a 25 mph headwind for 150 miles until I'm about out of gas, on a straight flat road, averaging 30 mpg, did I just take more rubber off the rear tire than if I went 60 mph with the wind at my back for the same distance, averaging 45mpg or more on the same straight flat road?

I would think it's the case--the rear tire is 'pushing' more than rolling. (?)

Another scenario--no wind at all. 100mph vs 55 mph. You are pushing a lot more air at high speed, so more drag = more rubber scrubbed off for the same distance (?)

 

[Big Sky]

High speed means low mpg and short tire life.

 

[fjrob1300]

That's some deep thinking. on the other hand I ride until I need fuel and/ or need tires.

 

[roger dodger]

Spud, If you ride in the rain do you lose less rubber because of the cooling, cushioning effect of the water?

If you ride in the cold do you lose less rubber because of the lower heat build-up in the tire?

If you ride all downhill (or tailwind) do you lose less rubber because less friction is used to move the bike?

I think the answer to all of these is yes! But it is a minimal effect, and much LESS FUN than riding hard, on a warm, dry road!

 

[Fred W]

Roger that. Heat is enemy #1 to tires. Anything that you do that increases heat will reduce the tire's life

But heat is a seductive temptress (you knew that heat was a female didn't you?) She urges you to go faster, lean harder, and run your tires a tad softer so you can go even faster while leaning even further.

And then she wears you out and leaves you forking over more hundred dolla bills for another go around.

And you will... because you like it.

 

[supertankerm60a3]

Heat is the biggest problem for tires. Speed creates heat. All things being equal, any tire will wear less in the cold of winter. The other issue is the un-noticed violence with which the tread surface slams into the road surface. The faster the impact, the more force there is.

 

[bigjohnsd]

I've got to think that tire wear is directly proportional to how hard you push the bike, either while exhubarantly accelerating or cornering. Both require more throttle. Thus more gas.

I'd wager that as gas mileage goes down, tire mileage goes down and vice versa. Can't envision a life of the tire scenario where fuel mileage would go up as tire mileage went down.

 

[TomInPA]

Heat is the biggest problem for tires. Speed creates heat. All things being equal, any tire will wear less in the cold of winter. The other issue is the un-noticed violence with which the tread surface slams into the road surface. The faster the impact, the more force there is.

Not not only is there a speed correlation to tire wear, but perhaps a geographic one, with riders in the south and west wearing out tires faster than those in the northeast. I'm surprised a Canadian ever has to change tires.

 

[Bounce]

You should conduct research. Let us know.

But don't hijack a thread when you post your findings.

 

[gotfz1]

Most DOT rubber is designed to get up to operating range fast. Gassing, heat cycles, cockles, mussels... If rider A and rider B cover the same distance and all else being equal rider A's tires fully cycle three times... What about the guy that coasts to every stop to save his back tire? Inquiring minds....

 

[Spud]

Obviously thinks like hard acceleration, deceleration, corning etc. take off more rubber. Maybe a better scenario I'm thinking of would be:

You ride the same road at 70mph steady speed. One day, no wind, 42mpg. The next day, 30mph headwind, 32mpg. I'd think the front doesn't care, but the back tire is wearing off more---you've got more throttle and the bike is 'pushing' a lot more... inane topic I know, but heading into big winds with the throttle really twisted, I've always wondered if that's yet another increased cost, besides burning a lot more gas..

 

[wheatonFJR]

I used to ride fast...but since it got such poor gas mileage, I go REALLY slow in the curves now. I hate it, but now my mpg is great.

Gonna sell the bike though, the FJR just isn't fun anymore.

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j/k-as if it wasn't obvious.

 

[gazza]

Don't leave out tire pressures. Big implications I reckon.

Gazza

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I always run at or just over recommended pressures. Avg 42mpg. Factory tires will be ready for replacement at 8500 miles at the latest. My commuter runs are, shall we say, spirited. But I also spend time in traffic for long periods at times which turns my bike into an easy-bake oven for my tires, which can't be good either. So I'm figuring 2 sets a year will be normal.