[Ernie M]

I have installed a michelin gold standard on the front of my 09 650. I know others have done this also. The difference I notice is it seems to ride hard. I reduced tire pressure down to 28 lbs but the feeling is it's still too hard. I can learn to live with it but wondering if others have noticed this,, "Dave" Thanks Ernie

 

[Ken]

I have the Gold Standard on my front. Tire is rated for 33 PSI but I found that turn-in was too quick so I increased the pressure to 36 PSI and found turn-in to be like the OEM tire. I have been running the 36 PSI for about 3500 miles. I did not find the ride to be hard.

 

[Ernie M]

I've been running it at 28 psi ,maybe I should pump it up a bit. Thanks

 

[Dave_J]

I also run about 36 PSI. The front suspension on our Burgys are crap, IMHO. That said, I too do think it rides harder than the BattleAX OEM.

 

[Corvetteowner]

Isn't the michelin gold standard a bias ply?? They dont run as smoothly as the factory radial battlax

 

[Dave_J]

Isn't the michelin gold standard a bias ply?? They dont run as smoothly as the factory radial battlax

Yes it is. I have run them for over 19,000 miles EACH. I am on my 3rd. They ride, corner and stop as well as the RADIAL BattleAX, maybe better. And cost about half.
These are not my dads bias plys, we've come a long way baby.

And yes, I do run a Bias ply on front and a CAR radial on the rear with no bad handling or braking. Many of us do.

 

[Ernie M]

Thanks guys ,thats what I was looking for. I going to bump up the pressure a bit and try that.

 

[peelbrow]

The front suspension on our Burgys are crap.

Crap? +1 Never was a truer word spoken.

 

[Corvetteowner]

Isn't the michelin gold standard a bias ply?? They dont run as smoothly as the factory radial battlax

Yes it is. I have run them for over 19,000 miles EACH. I am on my 3rd. They ride, corner and stop as well as the RADIAL BattleAX, maybe better. And cost about half.
These are not my dads bias plys, we've come a long way baby.

And yes, I do run a Bias ply on front and a CAR radial on the rear with no bad handling or braking. Many of us do.

VERY glad to hear this as I just purchased a Michelin Gold for my 650 last week.. Have not installed it yet, but this is good info..
Dave--- What was your typical tread life for the Michelin Gold front??

 

[Dave_J]

The first front on my 03 went to about 20,000 miles. :shock: The second one was at about 14,000 when the 03 died, I then put it and the Potenza on the 08 and rode for about another 5,000 so another one lasted for 19,000 miles. It still was legal but I don't like riding on worn tires in heavy rain. I get about 15,000 from a BattleAX front.

 

[Corvetteowner]

Excellent Dave... thanks for the heads up... Previous owner of my 650 ran the stock Bridgestones very soft (appx 20psi) for 4000 miles.. I bought it with 4k on the clock and immediately pumped them to 38psi, but with 8000 miles currently on the odo, they are pretty well shot.. So the lesson here is-- Don't run them soft if you want them to last!!!

 

[Dave_J]

Now I must say, my mileage may be different than what you will get. I do not baby my bike. I corner harder than some. But I also ride 80 miles of superslab and get the center wear faster than some.

The rear Gold Standards lasted me about 8,000 to 10,000 each on two tires. I then went to the DARK and 40K+ miles. I have, between 3 Burgman 650's, about 110,000 miles of tire wear.

 

[Ernie M]

Wow, I'm impressed Dave. 3 Burgmans and 110k ,over 30k on each ? My 09 has now 12k and with all the neg I read about the cvt ,I don't trust it at all to last that long. Wish I did.

 

[Dave_J]

54K on my 03.
19K on my first 08, CRASHED.
36K now on my second 08.

I commute FULL YEAR in all weather 82 miles round trip for work.

I have lost all my log books of miles and maintenance on all my bikes of my life. I have owned about 11, long term borrowed about 6 and who knows how many more test rides over the years. I figure I am at over 1,000,000 miles on motorized two\three wheels. From Honda CB 160's, 305's, 750's, the Suzuki GT550's, GT750, GS750's...........

 

[Corvetteowner]

Wow, I'm impressed Dave. 3 Burgmans and 110k ,over 30k on each ? My 09 has now 12k and with all the neg I read about the cvt ,I don't trust it at all to last that long. Wish I did.

I wouldn't sweat it too much... You always hear about the very few negatives.. You rarely hear about the countless positives.. Just keep your fluids clean and periodically check your CVT stopper bolt (which takes all of 60 seconds)