Sunday, February 28, 2021

How long does a Motorcycle Tyre last?

That's an interesting question isn't it? If it isn't used that much and sits for a period of time just how long will it last and still be usable.

Back in 2014 I put a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Power 3 tyres on my R1 after we did the track day at Philip Island. It wasn't much longer after that I got my 2015 R1 and the older R1 sat idle in the garage with no use for 5 years due to being unregistered. So fast forward to 2020 and I re-registered the bike again. I used those tyres back in 2014-15 for about 1000kms or so. Then no use for 5 years.

Whilst out on the last 2 rides I had a few rear wheel slides mid corner. Did I hit gravel/oil or just coincidence that the tyres deteriorated to the point of no longer being usable? I cant be sure and with another ride coming up I don't think these tyres would have the distance in them to get another 2000kms.

So a cheap insurance policy is just to change them out for a new set so that's exactly what I did. 7 years and 7000kms from that last set of tyres, not bad.

I took the Bandit Rider/Geoff James route and went for a set of Michelin Pilot Road 5's. These should last me for another 7 years, haha. Gee the grooves in this tyre are huge, but its a slick on the edge..






12 comments:

  1. Good choice, yep, got them on my R1. Were fine for as hard as I could ride at a track day.

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  2. Hiya Steve,
    7000 km from a set of Power 3's is pretty impressive, especially from you ;-) . I hope that you enjoy the Road 5's, I certainly have. Mine are coming up for 9000 km and have kept their profile superbly. I always reckon that 10,000km from a set of sport touring tyres is good but I reckon I'll get a sight more from this set. The soft compound at the edges really do the biz and are fantastic in the wet.

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    1. Yeah I decided on these on your recommendation pal, so if they are no good I'll be sending you and invoice.
      Haha all kidding aside, I'm looking for longevity out of these, at least another 7 years....

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  3. I still haven't tried the 5's but love the 4's (or 2's if I can't get 4's). 3's don't last. Speaking to another Connie rider he prefers the 4's (in GT flavour) to the 5's as they last longer and offer the same performance - at least for our big beasties...

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    1. Oh I see, well then I'll let you know how they go. I got the standard front and a GT rear FYI.

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    2. A GT rear! Hmmm....you might want to drop your rear pressure slightly from what you usually do as the GT has a much heavier carcass construction which affects the footprint. For normal road riding, around 37-38 psi cold should be ok.

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    3. Thanks for the tip Geoff. I'll give that a try.

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  4. I tried the PR4 GT on the FJR. Superb in the wet. Unfortunately they did not last on the heavy bike. About 6500km, same as Angel GT's. I'm interesting to follow how they work for you on the R1.

    Bridgestone T31's have been my biggest surprise. Confidence inspiring like a sports tyre but good mileage. However bit pricey.

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    1. Warren,
      T31 is an excellent tyre but I was surprised how quickly it went out of shape on the Duke 790: https://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2019/07/t-time.html

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    2. That's the first time someone has said the PR4 haven't lasted. That FJR must be a porker.

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  5. i put one on the front of my xdiavel...great tyre....the Pirellis just kept chewing out

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