[Jeff_MdR]

I'm a bit miffed that I need to replace my 650s OEM rear tire at 5500 miles. Then I thought about how I clocked the miles - 85% were 2-Up touring, with luggage under the seat and in soft-sided saddlebags. Of these miles, 80% were on secondary roads (many miles of less-than-pristine pavement, bumps and patches); lots of curves and twisties; Sierra foothills and passes (serious climbing/descending, tight hairpins). So I'm thinking, with the added weight (about 320 lbs. 2 riders + luggage), the weight distribution (50% of it behind me), and more abrasive pavement, 5500 is probably not too bad.

Can someone with a similar riding profile give me a sanity check?

I happen to like the OEM's (but have never ridden on another tire), but Is there a tire out there that can give better mileage?

 

[Mike337]

I was really disappointed when mine went bald, about 6500 miles, seriously, when is it un-safe for a rain shower? 3000miles?
That dark side thing looks good right now, but I bought a mc tire again, so all will be good, for a little while.....

 

[erv77]

tires

i have 9500 miles on my original rear tire and still have tread left, although i am going to get a new one next week when i will look at a 2013, 1 am almost afraid to look at one, afraid i will want a new bike instead of just a tire:wink:
erv

 

[Aladinbama]

I've got a 400, but I once got 2800 out of a Michelin SC before it was completely worn out. Of course it was summer so the issue,or part of it anyway, was HEAT, HEAT, and more HEAT. The most I've gotten out of a rear is 8,000.

 

[Steve D UK]

I got just 4500 out of my rear tyre.

 

[v8eyedoc]

I have about 5,400 miles on both of my tires......and.......both still look brand new........!!!

 

[Ralph M]

14/15000 from a front oem, rear did 7500 miles and a Michelin SC 5500 this on a 400
the Michelin ran a lot cooler but wore out quicker, slow into corners then accelerating
round and out of them helps even the tyre ware up a bit and keeping to the bits of
road that the actual car tyres run on not the strip in the middle that over here at least
tends to be rougher.

 

[Scootereno]

Weight plays a huge a huge factor! It will increase the friction and heat build up and accelerate wear. Road surfaces can also play a huge factor as well. But all in all the rear tire will last 1/2 as long as the front tire and that has been true for every bike I have ever owned.

 

[Derrill]

My riding style is and weight is similar to yours, I got 5500 miles from OEM.
Went the ct rout after 2500 miles I am still happy.

 

[Mike337]

They have to be terribly soft!? I can gas it from a near stop and when the sun is in favor of the street, it looks like I left a 30' long black mark!

 

[marksbike]

Gee, must be doing something right! I just turned 10,000 miles on our 2008 400 and although the rear tire is getting thin I still got thread left. Just bought a new set of Hoops from Motorcycle Super store ($151.00 delivered) and will change them in a few weeks when the rain stops. Mark C.

 

[Mike337]

^^^ Thread left down the middle? Wear bars?

 

[bigfoot]

Alignment, air pressure, properly speed balanced, load (I weigh 300 pounds), surface heat, and road composition all effect your tires longevity.

Depending on what part of the country I was touring, I got between 6,500-8,000 miles per rear tire. My yearly trips to Key West Florida on my Burgman were very detrimental to tire longevity.

I always changed out the front tire at the same time for improved handling characteristics.

I always use a high quality tire gauge ($40 from Summit Racing), adhered to manufacturers recommended tire pressures, and kept my rear shocks in their stiffest position.

I've been averaging over 16,000 miles on my Victory Vision's rear tires so long distance trips are no longer a problem.

 

[Mike337]

I'll bet that each " batch" of tires from the same manufacturer would very greatly in longevity more then road condition. Has anyone used the same tire twice and got the same amount of miles out of them?

 

[Buffalo]

I'll bet that each " batch" of tires from the same manufacturer would very greatly in longevity more then road condition. Has anyone used the same tire twice and got the same amount of miles out of them?

I've run multiple Michelin Pilot Sports on the back of my 650 and I've got 6,500 to 7,000 miles out of all of them except the one that got hole in it and had to be replaced early.

 

[Jeff_MdR]

Buff - why do you prefer the Michelin over the OEM? I might be ready to try something different.

 

[Buffalo]

I just like the way it feels when I pitch into a corner. I pair the Michelin on the back with the OEM on the front as I find the Michelin front tire to twitchy feeling.

 

[Chérie]

Me run exact same as Buffalo Bstone front, Michelin Pilot rear, get approx. 5000 to 6000 mile on rear, approx. double that mile on Bstone front. Me also prefer Michelin in twisty and when leaning on side, Michelin also softer and give bit more confort ride, on wet surface find Michelin rear tire stick better than rear Bstone. Find Michelin also stick better to pavement in very hot weather.

 

[Gbjbany]

I travel the same roads, but never went 2 up, I got about 8k out of my rear on the 650 , front was still going strong at 10k, I'm riding a different bike new larger wheels and some people get 3-4k out of tires others get 10-12k , I'm on 8k with my oem tires on the FJR , same roads, riding pretty much the same, I'm hoping to get 10k out them. We'll see

 

[cactuspwr]

got 11 000 miles on my OEM rear tire. Use the proper air pressure and I,m more a light welterweight kind of guy. My riding is on straigth line without a too much acceleration/deceleration and braking. I dont' speed above 70 mph. All this help me to achieve the most mileage from my rear tire.


Remember, this is not a car tire and on some other bike, 5-8 000 miles is the max you can get from your rear tire.