High Millage Tire, Please Help

[DSR12004]

This summer I am going on a cross country trip on my sport bike. I came up with a list of tires that are supposed to be good for sport touring and long distance, I need some input on which tire would be better, which I could get the most millage out of?please give me your input / thoughts ?

Avon- Storm
Storm ST

Dunlop- Road Smart MT
D616 Hybrid Sport
Elite 3

Metzeler- Roadtec Z6 Interact
Roadtec Z6

Michelin- Pilot Road 2
Pilot Road

Pirelli- Angel ST E.M.S

Bridgestone- BT023

[Bjorn Toulouse]

Due to the lack of info regarding your specific bike, your general riding style, the anticipated load you will be packing and your route, I believe any of the mentioned tires would be a good choice.

Have a safe trip!


Rex

[Orson]

I've heard racers complain that Michelins are rock hard, so that may be a good thing for long distance riders  

[cognosticator]

Last year I put on the original Michelin Pilot Roads on my 2006 SV1000S and loaded it down for a 4,600 mile12 day ride across the USA.

I got 8,000 miles total out of them, so the PR2's should get even more.  I averaged 7200 miles on the PR's when running them to the mountains of N Ga and back,.

[Castaway]

I've used the Bridgestone 'sport touring' tires for years (the BT 023's predecessors), both for their supposed long life (I get about 8K out of 'em) and their low price. The web site says that they have 30% longer life than the 021s - that could be good if grip isn't lost.

[SuperHans]

Metzeler- Roadtec Z6
I've gone through several sets of these on both a FJR and FZ6 and have gotten good mileage out of them. My only complaint is they go from looking like you have some mileage left on them to seeing threads rather quick. This is a common complaint about these tires. If you have these on the bike and you think they are good for a few hundred more miles, they most likely are not. Good grip rain or shine

Michelin- Pilot Road 2
I'm on my first set and have been very happy with them so far. I've heard very good mileage reports but have yet to see for myself. They have been holding up well so far. Good grip wet or dry.

[county]

My experience on the xx has been with the OEM Dunlops and Pilot Roads....~10,000 miles outta each.  The Michelins are really good at high speeds in the rain (Personal experience).  The reason I went with the Michelins was some test in Great Britian where the Michelins rated good in the wet...among other things.

[CLAY]

On the B12, I got about 9-10K out of the original PR's, 9K out of a second PR, and I just put on a set of PR2's.  I have been happy with them- that said I had on a set of take-offs for most of the summer for commuting duty, and they sucked towards the end.  I was glad to get back on good rubber.

[texasaggie81]

I'm really liking the Angel rear tire on the VFR.  1000miles already, and looks brand new.  About to slap one on the front as I really like the handling characteristics as well.  Yes there may be stickier tires out there, but this one's great for my riding, and should last much longer.

[JIMLARCH]

Last year I put on the original Michelin Pilot Roads on my 2006 SV1000S and loaded it down for a 4,600 mile12 day ride across the USA.

I got 8,000 miles total out of them, so the PR2's should get even more.  I averaged 7200 miles on the PR's when running them to the mountains of N Ga and back,.

I had Michelin Roads on my SV1000.  I found they gripped well, and lasted better than the Dunlops and Bridgestone I had previously used.

[jfusaro]

I have Michelin PR2s I wear them edge to edge on the rear and almost edge to edge on the front.  I ride hard on twisty roads and the grip is much better I feel, then the Bridgestones that came with the bike the Bt021s, they were ok but around 2800 miles the fronts cupped badly and made the steering funny .  The Michelins seem to be wearing well, 4000 miles on them and they look they might go to 6 or 7000 miles.  I adjust the pressures based on what riding I plan to do as well, slightly lower than whats called for when alone and having fun, recommended pressure 2 up or touring.  And I do not see any signs of a flat spot developing on the rears they are wearing evenly

[The Shepherd]

Pilot Road 2, hands down.

[falconati]

I'm using PR2s on my Duc, and Pilot Powers on my Triple.

I think both are really hard, and don't have the grip in turns I would expect.  The PR2s are good when they're new, but fade after the first 4k miles

[Flyer]

I've had very good luck with the Avons (two sets). +/- 10K km. mileage, and outstanding in the wet (the Brits know rain).  
I'd buy them again.
OEM Bridgestones...not so good. Two sets, front cupping both times.
Currently running Pirellis and liking 'em.

[birdrunner]

My experience on the xx has been with the OEM Dunlops and Pilot Roads....~10,000 miles outta each.  The Michelins are really good at high speeds in the rain (Personal experience).  The reason I went with the Michelins was some test in Great Britian where the Michelins rated good in the wet...among other things.

 How do you do that???   I can't get more than 5000 miles out of any tire on my XX.

IMHO  Avons Storm 2, or Pilot Road 2,  but my next set may be the Pirelli's as they're on for a real sweet price right now.

[M.Brane]

 Got a PR2 on the back of the viffer with about 4K on it. It's been through a good mix of riding backroads, slab, and even a track day. Looks like I might get another 1K out of it if I lay off the slabbing. It's not flat-spotted, but it's definitely less round than it was originally.

 I've had a few minor slips with it on the road, and it started to feel a little greasy toward the end of my trackday sessions. Very predictable though. It lets you know when you're reaching the limit.

[st2sam]

I like the Pirelli Angel ST's, on my second set, reasonably priced and handling stays consistant until bald.
I got almost 4,000mi. outta the last set and I ride a heavy C14 very aggressively. I have a friend who just put a set on his R1 and so far he loves them.....

[Rampant]

I realize we have a lot more sport-bike type guys here, but the mileages I am seeing seem LOW to me.

I come from cruiser-land where it is possible to get 15-20k out of  a rear touring tire.  I heard really good things about the Elite 3 in that regard so that is what I put on my cruiser when I changed tires.  I didn't own the bike long enough after that to test myself though.

But seriously... 4-8k for a touring tire??? what do you guys get for a normal tire... 2k?  That would be changing tires every month or so during riding season.  That's nuts!

[Dirty Swede]

http://www.zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=8440C675-1372-66AE-3B74400EFE77D4F4

This helped me pick tires!

[reppans]

I realize we have a lot more sport-bike type guys here, but the mileages I am seeing seem LOW to me.

I come from cruiser-land where it is possible to get 15-20k out of  a rear touring tire.  

But seriously... 4-8k for a touring tire??? what do you guys get for a normal tire... 2k?  That would be changing tires every month or so during riding season.  That's nuts!

Funny thing that...

I just moved over to a cruiser-engined sport bike (well sort of, HD XR) and have never roasted tires as badly as I now. PR2 done in 4.7k, Z6 done in 2.1k (note Z6 was run in the Smokey Mtns) .... Sides worn out before the centers!  These cruiser engines just have too much low/mid-range torque.  Also, I don't know if I'd put these tires in the Touring category - the sides can be pretty soft on the dual compounds.
 
Finally invested in a tire changer.

[Rampant]

WOW.  Those are some crazy mileage numbers.  Going through tires that fast would bankrupt me.  I demand 8-10k a set minimum.  Otherwise I just don't respect the tire or the manufacturer.  If a car tire can get 60k, 10k seems VERY little to ask.  If I can't get that at minimum I am going darkside.

Try the Elite 3s.  

http://motorcycletirereviews.com/38-1-dunlopelite3.html

Some of those people are getting about 20k on their tires.  Which, for a touring tire, is what I would DEMAND from a manufacturer.  Sadly, with MC tires I probably wouldn't get it.    

[jfusaro]

The tires mentioned at the top of the post are sport touring tires and are a combinations of grip and longevity, but give you you decent grip.  If your looking for mileage stick with a touring tire, your riding style and expectations of mileage will determine the type of tire you choose, but watch how you push them

[Mac]

I use metzler tires in my ST1300.
AZ6 up front and a ME880 in the back.
I average around 12000 miles for the rear. I've had good grip at all lean angles and despite romping on the throttle from time to time have not had the rear loose traction.

[ianbh]

WOW.  Those are some crazy mileage numbers.  Going through tires that fast would bankrupt me.  I demand 8-10k a set minimum.  Otherwise I just don't respect the tire or the manufacturer.  If a car tire can get 60k, 10k seems VERY little to ask.  If I can't get that at minimum I am going darkside.

Yokohama 205 50 17 on my FJR, $140.  16,000 miles, 30% tread left.  Ian, Iowa

[cognosticator]

I like the Pirelli Angel ST's, on my second set, reasonably priced and handling stays consistant until bald.
I got almost 4,000mi. outta the last set and I ride a heavy C14 very aggressively. I have a friend who just put a set on his R1 and so far he loves them.....

   I just ordered a set for my C14 and was hoping to get 7k out of them.  I guess time will tell.  I got 7k from the original PR on my SV1000S.  I may be in for a rude awakening  

[buls4evr]

 A big issue here is speed rating. some of these hi-miles touring tires have big load ratings without the speed ratings that you need for the big STs. I would not put an 880 Marathon on my BMW RS, on an FJR or new C-14 as they have an odd profile and are just too hard compound. This is the SPORT TOURING Net, Not the Gee can I get 16K on my tires net. Performance with a reasonable expectation of mileage should be more the norm. You have to pay to play in this world. The best my BMW has ever done on any tire is 8K on Avon Storms, but I can tell you that the PR2s that I have on right now will top that by a little.

[Wanderer]

WOW.  Those are some crazy mileage numbers.  Going through tires that fast would bankrupt me.  I demand 8-10k a set minimum.  Otherwise I just don't respect the tire or the manufacturer.  If a car tire can get 60k, 10k seems VERY little to ask.  If I can't get that at minimum I am going darkside.

Try the Elite 3s.  

http://motorcycletirereviews.com/38-1-dunlopelite3.html

Some of those people are getting about 20k on their tires.  Which, for a touring tire, is what I would DEMAND from a manufacturer.  Sadly, with MC tires I probably wouldn't get it.    

Didn't you just buy an FJR?  Better get used to new rubber at least every 10k. if you're lucky you'll get 10k.  I ride consciously smooth on some of the least abusive pavement in all of North America and can't get 10k on a rear. Some guys back east who like to ride aggressively on larger aggregate roadways get 4-5k.

Yokohama 205 50 17 on my FJR, $140.  16,000 miles, 30% tread left.  Ian, Iowa

coughcoughCARTIREcoughcough  

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Pending a ride on a darksider's bike later this summer I expect that I'll join the collective as well.