FWIW, I have some personal tire wear info that may be helpful. In the past three years I have gone on tours ranging from 4400 miles to nearly 5800 miles. I mounted a new set of tires before each trip. Here are my findings:
2006 - Avon Azaros, trip from Chicago to Colorado Rockies. 4400 total miles, approx. 50% highway, 50% two lane twisties. Tires had a bit of life left but handling had dropped off noticeably.
2007 - Avon Storms, same basic trip as above. Rear tire was worn past wear bars and front was cupped to the point of vibrating. Handling was seriously affected.
2008 - Dunlop Roadsmarts, trip from Chicago to South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Almost 5800 total miles, approx. 60% highway, 40% two lane twisties. More high speed (80+ mph) riding than Colorado trips. Rear tire not quite at wear bars, front looks pretty good with no noticeable cupping. Handling fell off a bit around 4500 miles but not nearly to the degree as the Avons, especially the Storms. Tires seemed at least as sticky as the Avons. Handling was very neutral. Seemed to be more linear than the Avons. The Avons seemed to turn in quicker than the Dunlops. Rear seems to be a bit less rounded than the Avons. I usually had just a tiny chicken strip on the Avons despite occasionally scraping the pegs. The Roadsmarts had no chicken strips under similar riding.
All riding was done 2-up fully loaded. I weigh about 225 and my wife is about 120. Tire pressures were 42 psi rear, 40 psi front.
I hope this helps....................
Joe
