TIRES?? What tires are everyone running on their FJR?

[SkooterG]

Well, as a third data point I have 13,000 miles on a front Shinko Raven and it is definitely NOT my preferred tires for twisties. I can do 80-90% of other tires buy they are not the most confidence inspiring leaned over. Still, that tire has a few thousand miles left so they definitely get the nod for long life. They are not bad in the twisties, just not as good as the Dunlop RS4 or Michelin PR4GT I would normally run.

The 45 mph bar shake gets noticeably worse as they age (as most tires do) but it is currently about the worst of any tire I have run. But I know there are several variables contributing to that.

I would probably run one again. Especially for boring interstate trips when trying to get somewhere.

 

[GPRIDER]

Well, as a third data point I have 13,000 miles on a front Shinko Raven and it is definitely NOT my preferred tires for twisties. I can do 80-90% of other tires buy they are not the most confidence inspiring leaned over. Still, that tire has a few thousand miles left so they definitely get the nod for long life. They are not bad in the twisties, just not as good as the Dunlop RS4 or Michelin PR4GT I would normally run.

The 45 mph bar shake gets noticeably worse as they age (as most tires do) but it is currently about the worst of any tire I have run. But I know there are several variables contributing to that.

I would probably run one again. Especially for boring interstate trips when trying to get somewhere.

So what kind of mileage are you getting out of the PR4GT's?

 

[RobF]

So what kind of mileage are you getting out of the PR4GT's?

I got about 9800 miles on a set a few years ago.

 

[GPRIDER]

I got about 9800 miles on a set a few years ago.

I got about 7,000 out of my first and probably last set of PR4s. I'd like to get at least 8k out of a set.

 

[Fred W]

Worth noting: The people that get the best mileage out of dual compound tires like Pilot Roads ride a lot of miles on highway, in a straight line. That hard center compound is made exactly for that. I was never able to get more than 7-8k miles out of a rear PR, but I don’t favor the slab, and ride predominantly on curvy back roads if there’s a choice.

When I have needed to run highway, I’ve been surprised at how long they will last especially if I add a few psi. Keep em cool and they’ll last really long.

 

[MotoMike]

PR4GTs: Riding 95% back roads, 5% slab I got 11,200 kms (6,720 miles) on the rear and 17,000 kms (10,200 miles) on the front. I could have pushed the rear another 500-1000 kms or so, but I changed them early because I wanted fresh tires front and back for a trip. I run my front tires at 41 psi and the rear tires at 43 psi.

I chose Dunlop Mutant as new tires for both the front and rear. My impression so far at about 500 kms: Just as good as the PR4GTs in the twisties and on the slab in dry conditions. Much better than the PR4s ever were on well-graded, hard packed gravel roads. I have yet to ride with them in the rain.

 

[harper]

Tires are for sissies. Real men just grit their teeth and ride on the rims.

 

[RossKean]

Tires are for sissies. Real men just grit their teeth and ride on the rims.

Come on now! At least use a couple of wraps of duct tape to protect the wheels. Anybody knows that much!

 

[Fred W]

PR4GTs: Riding 95% back roads, 5% slab I got 11,200 kms (6,720 miles) on the rear and 17,000 kms (10,200 miles) on the front. I could have pushed the rear another 500-1000 kms or so, but I changed them early because I wanted fresh tires front and back for a trip. I run my front tires at 41 psi and the rear tires at 43 psi.

I chose Dunlop Mutant as new tires for both the front and rear. My impression so far at about 500 kms: Just as good as the PR4GTs in the twisties and on the slab in dry conditions. Much better than the PR4s ever were on well-graded, hard packed gravel roads. I have yet to ride with them in the rain.

I’ll have to check out those Mutants. Here in Vermont it’s hard to ride anywhere without hitting a few unpaved roads. There are only 3 paved roads in the town that we live in, the rest are either class 3 (maintained, unpaved) or class 4 (unmaintained). We are 2 miles to the nearest pavement, so the bikes are never clean for very long. The biggest disadvantage is the winter snows become spring mud season.

 

[roger dodger]

We are 2 miles to the nearest pavement, so the bikes are never clean for very long. The biggest disadvantage is the winter snows become spring mud season.

Fred, Like we say in Minnesota ... " Sure it's cold and miserable sometimes , but that helps keep the riff-raff out"

Enjoy all 4 seasons! Life would be dull without them.

 

[Fred W]

Fred, Like we say in Minnesota ... " Sure it's cold and miserable sometimes , but that helps keep the riff-raff out"

Enjoy all 4 seasons! Life would be dull without them.

You are spot on there. Our little town here has a total population of 1200 residents. Unfortunately, we are close to some prime skiing (Killington and Okemo within 1/2 hour) and the foliage season brings the tour busses up from the congested south (like right now).

We already have plans to move back into NH when the grandkids don’t need watchin’.

 

[Fred W]

As an aside, this is the view from our
Hilltop retreat