Time for some new Stones

[mdisher]

I ordererd up a set of Avon Storms about a month ago, but the weathers been too crappy/cold to work on the bike or anything. I knew I needed tires, just didn't know how bad.

No cords were showing when I took the FJR out for the first ride since Jan 1. I commuted to work, took a lunch ride then came home. I always look at the tires before I ride and was a little shocked to see this when I took the tires off to replace them today.

7700 hundred miles on the original Metz, I guess that's not too bad, but they were probably done about 2000 miles ago given the way it looks now.

 

[boogahboogah]

Dayem, youse one lucky son-of-a-gun! Looks like the least little road blip could have caused that puppy to lose air. 7700 huh... I must be a fraidy cat rider, I got 11K out my Z4 Metz and 12+ off of the Avon Azarros...

 

[MotorSWATCop]

The edges look good! Ride in circles!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Although I didn't take the OEM Metzler that far, this is a good wake up to old and new alike. The Metzler Z6 rear does not provide any warning when you are about to cords. I had a similar situation on mine at 6800 miles.

I was planning a 500 mile trip last summer when I noticed a strange "look" on the rear tire. After running the bike on my slightly dusty garage floor, I could see the cord pattern showing through the rubber. The tire still "looked" OK but the middle was gone. Closer inspection also revealed a couple small cuts all the way to the cord with less than 1/32" of rubber remaining. Now mind you, this was Wednesday night before the aforementioned trip. :dribble:

Moral of the story, keep a close eye on the rear Z6 and change it when it flattens out in the middle.

--G

 

[racer157]

Something to think about. We have all had this happen one time or another. The tire looks like it has another thousand miles in it but low and behold we stop a short time later only to see what you have in your pic. I was told buy some of the tire guys at the race track years ago that when the tires are made the rubber near the carcass cures harder than the outer rubber . basically you have less traction as the tire wears out thus the accelerated wear the last couple of hundred miles. Sure glad to see you caught it in time.

 

[Toecutter]

That's a wear pattern typical of tires that don't have tread grooves across the middle, and the reason I'll be switching to Avon Storm for my rear tire, after having the Pirelli Diablo Strada do the same thing. It did hit the wear indicator near the center about 200 miles before it started to show cords, but I found it was just too much work keeping that close an eye on it, and I'm hoping to get a little more life expectancy from the Avon than the 6700 miles I got out of the Pirelli. Other than that, the Pirelli was a great tire and I'll be keeping one on the front, at least for now.

 

[squeezer]

That's a wear pattern typical of tires that don't have tread grooves across the middle, (snip)

Yeah, and I've been nailed the same way with Metzeler -- tire looks fine, and a few miles later cords are showing. And I was a few hundred miles away from home on a Sunday morning. At least the cords are very strong -- I limped it home. Took the fun out of that ride, though.

It's pretty tough to catch it even if you're paying attention to the wear indicators instead of just the general look of the tire.

I have the Pilot Roads on there now, which also have treads across the middle, though I'll probably try the Avons next time just to try something different.

 

[War Machine]

I have the Pilot Roads on there now, which also have treads across the middle, though I'll probably try the Avons next time just to try something different.

I have the OEM Bridgstones BT020's on my 06. Although I've never been a big fan of Bridgestones I must admit that after 6,000+ miles the tires appear to have plenty of meat & have worn evenly. That is saying something cause I tend to ride aggressively a good portion of the time. They also are excellent in the rain.

My question to my forum buddies is I've read all about the Metzlers, Avon's, Michelin & Pirelli's, What surprises me I never saw an opinion on Dunlops D220. Has anyone tried these on an FJR? Or should I stick with what worked & replace with new BT021's when they come out?

 

[SkooterG]

That's a wear pattern typical of tires that don't have tread grooves across the middle, and the reason I'll be switching to Avon Storm for my rear tire, after having the Pirelli Diablo Strada do the same thing.

+1

This is common problem seen time and time again with the Pirellis and Metzlers. Cords showing with no warning.

Here's what my rear Pirelli looked like:

I have one fresh rear Pirelli that I already have that I will use, and after that no more for me.

 

[Mike-H]

I have the Pilot Roads on there now, which also have treads across the middle, though I'll probably try the Avons next time just to try something different.

I have the OEM Bridgstones BT020's on my 06. Although I've never been a big fan of Bridgestones I must admit that after 6,000+ miles the tires appear to have plenty of meat & have worn evenly. That is saying something cause I tend to ride aggressively a good portion of the time. They also are excellent in the rain.

My question to my forum buddies is I've read all about the Metzlers, Avon's, Michelin & Pirelli's, What surprises me I never saw an opinion on Dunlops D220. Has anyone tried these on an FJR? Or should I stick with what worked & replace with new BT021's when they come out?

I don't know about the Dunflops.....but the BT21's have been out up here since Dec...... reports say they are another step up over the originals for wear & stick....they changed the pattern on the front to alleviate the cupping that happened on the 20's....just FYI....

 

[twowheelnut]

Jebus, do you guys ever lean into a corner?

Bunch'a in'erstate sissy-boys!

:****:

 

[Mike-H]

Jebus, do you guys ever lean into a corner?

Bunch'a in'erstate sissy-boys!

:****:

Hey twn....skoots your buddy...maybe you should take him out to a parking lot & show him it can be done without falling off...(leaning that is)... :lol: ....

 

[twowheelnut]

That's a wear pattern typical of tires that don't have tread grooves across the middle, and the reason I'll be switching to Avon Storm for my rear tire...

Erm, I'm saddened to report that with a little over 4,500 miles on my Storms, it doesn't look like the rear will be going much past the 6 - 6.5k mark. They are wearing remarkably even and the flat center section is just beginning to become visible. The front, however, is as new with very little wear, no cupping or beveling at this point. Keep in mind that for most of those miles, the bike has been sans luggage and other burdensome weight, about equal amounts of California slab and twisties and cooler winter temps.

I still may stay with this tire, just for the grip and oh, so creamy ride, but it looks like the ratio will be 2-3 rears for every front. A $$$ savings that might just prove rational vs. the 1:1 swap of other brands that I've experienced.

 

[FJR_pig]

My question to my forum buddies is I've read all about the Metzlers, Avon's, Michelin & Pirelli's, What surprises me I never saw an opinion on Dunlops D220. Has anyone tried these on an FJR?

My first couple of years on the bike at work, I used to run Dunlops. I found their tires getting softer and softer over time and tire generations. We began changing tires all the time due to nails, tacks and staples we'd pick up on the road that were punching thru. Our entire unit switched to Bridgestones and we never had another issue. Saved us lots o'money, too. I am very hesitant to ride with Dunlops as a result, albeit, I don't ride my FJR on the shoulder like I did at work...

 

[Inlaw1]

I don't know how you guys do it. I milked 4700 out of the first rear which was a Z6 (which, BTW, did the same as the ones described in this thread. No warning, just cord). About 6500 out of the front.

I've got 3300 on the second tire, an 020 and it's ready to change. Looks like I might do two rears to one front with the 020's. These are with daily commute miles and not just weekend Hill Country thrashing miles.

I can't fathom 6-10K plus out of a rear, any rear and can't figger how you guys, especially anyone that says they ride aggressively, do it. :angry:

 

[FJR_pig]

I've got 3300 on the second tire, an 020 and it's ready to change.

Holy cow, is it because the pavement is hotter down there or something? I've got almost 4K on my front and rear right now and they still look almost new...

 

[War Machine]

I don't know how you guys do it. I milked 4700 out of the first rear which was a Z6 (which, BTW, did the same as the ones described in this thread. No warning, just cord). About 6500 out of the front.
I've got 3300 on the second tire, an 020 and it's ready to change. Looks like I might do two rears to one front with the 020's. These are with daily commute miles and not just weekend Hill Country thrashing miles.

I can't fathom 6-10K plus out of a rear, any rear and can't figger how you guys, especially anyone that says they ride aggressively, do it. :angry:

I commute every day in NYC rush hour traffic. Although my commute is only 30 miles, there is a lot of quick acceleration & braking & not alot of twisties.

On the weekend we ride exclusively in Northwest New Jersey, Upstate New York, Conneticut & Vermont where we push ourselves on some of the best twisties in the North East. Those rides are always a couple of hundred miles each.

To top it off I'm no lightweight either @ 265 lbs. Maybe it has as much to do with tire pressure as it is with the tire brand itself. The 020's call for a max of 42 lbs & I generally ride them at 40lbs.

Like I said in my previous post I was no fan of Bridgestones before, but after my first set on my 06 I just might have to use common sense & replace with 021's. Especially since they worked so well for me & after seeing the posted results of the Z6's, Pirelli's, etc. IMHO

 

[VMax_03]

That's a wear pattern typical of tires that don't have tread grooves across the middle, and the reason I'll be switching to Avon Storm for my rear tire...

Erm, I'm saddened to report that with a little over 4,500 miles on my Storms, it doesn't look like the rear will be going much past the 6 - 6.5k mark. They are wearing remarkably even and the flat center section is just beginning to become visible. The front, however, is as new with very little wear, no cupping or beveling at this point. Keep in mind that for most of those miles, the bike has been sans luggage and other burdensome weight, about equal amounts of California slab and twisties and cooler winter temps.

I still may stay with this tire, just for the grip and oh, so creamy ride, but it looks like the ratio will be 2-3 rears for every front. A $$$ savings that might just prove rational vs. the 1:1 swap of other brands that I've experienced.

Where's the best place to buy Avons?

TIA

JW

 

[mdisher]

Where's the best place to buy Avons?TIA

JW

I ordered mine from SWMoto

Tire Express is about ~40 miles up the road from me but with free shipping for 2 or more tires from SWMoto, they were delivered, saving me a trip.

-MD