My back tyre last 24840Km

[Marco]

Hello Lads

Just desided to to put it in here as it's beemer.
Tere has been a lot's of talking about how much one can get on his rear tyre and now it was my LT's turn to get new rubber

I got 24840Km on it.

Pictures will tell the tales

when i got the bike it has 15000Km, changed new back tyre on 18500Km on the meter and now again,,,

have to say it has done well considering that bike weights 420Km+me 120Km=Half of the Metric TON :wink:

Changed in Chiang mai Cockpit station on the Airport road just opposite f Honda Dealership.

 

[Azoulay]

Hi Frind Marco,

Up to th rop that's a good return on investement...

 

[brian66]

I am amazed that anyone would ride a bike that had a tyre in the condition shown in the photos.
A big heavy bike like that ridden in the hot temperatures of Thailand fitted with a tyre that has worn through so far the inner belts are showing is just asking for a sudden failure and deflation.
Even if the bike is being ridden sensibly and at relatively slow speeds the temperature and the pressure inside the tyre could increase enough to explode the tyre.
A tyre blow out on a motor cycle is a scary event and will usually end with the loss of control of the bike and a subsequent crash. I have experienced this before during my racing days on slick tyres that chunked and blew out. My slick tyres were almost new and not in the condition of the tyre as shown in the above post.
In my case, it is not worth the money saved to get an extra couple of thousand kilometers out of a tyre compared to the cost of repairing the bike and possible injuries to one self.
I am using Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SP soft compound tyres. I change my tyres once the tread depth is below 2mm.
Even slick tyres have wear holes to show when the useable surface area is gone.

 

[johngooding]

As I spent four years doing some research into new tyre rubber compounds, it is worth pointing out that there are at least 5 and maybe more rubbers with very different properties, contained in every motorcycle tyre.
The Wear layer is formulated of course for good wear and grip, a compromise, as they are not compatible properties which is why soft grippy race tyres do not last long, and hard wearing tyres do not grip so well. The road tyres most of us buy however have good wear and enough grip for most road conditions to exceed our confidence or ability.
Brian who is race track trained, buys a much softer grippier compound and is prepared to accept the shorter life.
On a motorcy tyre the wear area on the outer edges of the road contact profile may be a grippier compound which blends into the harder central compound. The sidewall compound is not good wearing, but has excellent flex behaviour and low hysteresis, or heat build up. Under these layers is a bonding layer that ties the wear layer to the fabric and steel (if present) reinforcement. Once one gets anywhere near the fabric it will wear very fast, it is not designed to touch the tarmac. Under the fabric is a butyl layer which has very low permeability, this there to prevent air loss. All these layers are generally fabricated and layed up by hand before the rubber is put in a big hot mould to vulcanise or cure it.
So apart from the legal tyre limits, which are not observed over here, one cannot go too far below the indicated wear marks before the tyre will start to wear down a lot faster. It also will not grip as well as the under layer does not have good wear or grip properties, just good bonding and stress transmission properties.
The top rubber is the most expensive and the maker does not put on a thicker layer than he has too.

 

[Franz]

Perfect info from an expert, thanks John !!
Marco, incredible the mileage you get on these. mine last only 6-6500 kms on the FJR and they wear mainly on the right hand side, might have to do with our shaftdrives though. Best ones were still the Pirelli Diablo Rosso's. Cheers, Franz

 

[monsterman]

The Rear Metzler Z6 on my Ducati S4 in Thailand has just expired at 13,966km, there is actually loads of tread still on the tyre ,probably another 5000km worth but it has swelled on one section near to where it was plugged by me after a puncture at about 3000km use and so its got to be replaced, but the previous Michelins Pilot Sport only lasted 8560km . The tyre has a hared workout over the last week getting 2700km on it at high speed on my run round thailand
I am replacing it with a Pirreli DiabloCorsa111 which is same as the Metzler and made in same factory.

 

[Franz]

On the FJR I used Pirelli Diablo Rosso both back and front and could get out approx. 6500kms on the backtyre and the front about 7000kms. Have perfect grip but wear more on the right side. Someone suggested that I'm a right turner; cannot be as I go into turns with similar speed both left and right. I suspect that this is more due to a not even weight distribution or might also come from the shaftdrive as I also have seen a similar uneven wear on Marco's K1200LT. Here's the worn Rosso's:

After the above set I changed to PIRELLI's Diablo Strada's, they lastet me around 7500kms but just today I changed back to Diablo Rosso as the grip of the Strada's isn't that good once ridden very hard.
On our recent trip to Nan I speeded a little more than I bargained for with Gerhard a fellow rider from TonyBkk's group and totally messed up the backtyre, not to talk about grinded-off highstand, exhaust fasteners and footpegs....... :lol: , but that was really enjoyable although more drifting than driving through these mountainturns.........
At anytime again.........
Cheers, Franz

 

[Marco]

Franz wrote: On the FJR I used Pirelli Diablo Rosso both back and front and could get out approx. 6500kms on the backtyre and the front about 7000kms. Have perfect grip but wear more on the right side. Someone suggested that I'm a right turner; cannot be as I go into turns with similar speed both left and right. I suspect that this is more due to a not even weight distribution or might also come from the shaftdrive as I also have seen a similar uneven wear on Marco's K1200LT. Here's the worn Rosso's:

After the above set I changed to PIRELLI's Diablo Strada's, they lastet me around 7500kms but just today I changed back to Diablo Rosso as the grip of the Strada's isn't that good once ridden very hard.
On our recent trip to Nan I speeded a little more than I bargained for with Gerhard a fellow rider from TonyBkk's group and totally messed up the backtyre, not to talk about grinded-off highstand, exhaust fasteners and footpegs....... :lol: , but that was really enjoyable although more drifting than driving through these mountainturns.........
At anytime again.........
Cheers, Franz

Franz
Funny that you mentioned of Right side wearing on tyres and i can say from my behave that i hate right turns and not fond of them at all and will enter with extra extra caution,dont ask me why but thas just not for me and yet y read tyrewas completely worn from right hand side.

Regarding oter comments mentioned about safety of that tyre and riding, i can assure to you that i'm one of the most slowest rider and will examn my tyres every time b4 riding and would never do anything foolishly and those worns where NOT in there that morning when i changed the tyre and bike was not riden at all exeptfrom the hotel to Cockpit.

now it's my front tyre turn to be changed and that is even better condition than rear tyre and have more milages in to it.

 

[Franz]

Marco, you and your Panzerwagen slow ??? :? Too much Chang already ?? :? It is amazing to drive behind Marco once he's not taking fotos every 3 minutes and see how quickly he moves the German Bus. :lol: . One thing's for sure, big bikes for BIIIIIIIIG GUYS...... .
Cheers, FR

 

[TonyBKK]

Franz wrote: One thing's for sure, big bikes for BIIIIIIIIG GUYS...... .
Cheers, FR

Oh yes!!! Ha ha ha ha!!!

 

[Franz]

Perfect Tony !!!!!!!!! I love it, just look at the concentration he still could muster, by the way, not the right footwork to drive this MAN truck !!!!!!!!! The two Gentlemen Frank and Trent on the right had it already hard to find their way eeh ?????? I enjoyed everybody's presence there so much I just ask for a 'one more time' !!!!!!!!! Cheers, Franz

 

[Not on a Yamaha]

I give my left arm for a rear tyre that lasts 24,xxx kms!

 

[Marco]

Not on a Yamaha wrote: I give my left arm for a rear tyre that lasts 24,xxx kms!

Is that in the cast or with out?? :wink:
because i dont need cast,,we running Pharmacy here, but arm will do just fine... :twisted:

 

[Not on a Yamaha]

Marco wrote: [quote quote=Not on a Yamaha]I give my left arm for a rear tyre that lasts 24,xxx kms!

Is that in the cast or with out?? :wink:
because i dont need cast,,we running Pharmacy here, but arm will do just fine... :twisted:
Yup, in the cast.

Fitted Pirelli Angels to my bike. Here's hoping for a 10,000 km back tyre!

 

[tonykiwi]

Franz
Funny that you mentioned of Right side wearing on tyres and i can say from my behave that i hate right turns and not fond of them at all and will enter with extra extra caution,dont ask me why but thas just not for me and yet y read tyrewas completely worn from right hand side.

As per Colins comment, my understanding is that in a country where you ride on the left hand side of the road, the wear is generally more in the right due to camber

T

 

[Marco]

tonykiwi wrote:

Franz
Funny that you mentioned of Right side wearing on tyres and i can say from my behave that i hate right turns and not fond of them at all and will enter with extra extra caution,dont ask me why but thas just not for me and yet y read tyrewas completely worn from right hand side.

As per Colins comment, my understanding is that in a country where you ride on the left hand side of the road, the wear is generally more in the right due to camber

T

Hi T

Thanx for that but that only apply to my reas tyre then as my front is worn equally :wink:

 

[feejer]

Marco,

I don't think those Z6 are load rated for the LT. If you're running the 160/70R17, they are 73W. About 70 kg under what is specified as you need the 79 load index on that big boy.

If you ride mainly solo, probably OK. But if you are loaded down with a passenger, you're over the limit and could be trouble.

I had this problem with an out of town dealer that put the wrong tire on my LT after we had a puncture. I didn't know he did this until I got home and looked at it. Normally, I ran the BT-020 but he didnt have it so had to go Dunlop just to get us home.

 

[Marco]

Feejer

thats for that info and i'm runnig solo with light luggage always

but i just went to look my tyres and rear tyre is 72W.

So as i'm not a tyre specialist would you like to explain to me(and oter's who dont know) what is the real meaning behind that number.

 

[Auke]

Don't know for sure for motor bike tyres but when I needed new tyres for my truck it was explained to me that I could use tyres with a lower load rating than the original tyres fitted by Toyota simply as I did not use the truck to carry heavy weights.

Have a look at http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall where you will find some explanations of what the lettering and numbers on the sidewall of the tyres stand for.

 

[feejer]

Marco wrote: Feejer

thats for that info and i'm runnig solo with light luggage always

but i just went to look my tyres and rear tyre is 72W.

So as i'm not a tyre specialist would you like to explain to me(and oter's who dont know) what is the real meaning behind that number.

Marco,

Auke's chart explains it well and can see the 72 rating is more than 80 Kg under what is supposed to be on the bike. You have been running on the 72 rated tires and had no problems because you have not loaded it heavy along with a passenger. But if you were to do so and go on a long tour, I would hate to see you have a tire failure while underway due to overload, very dangerous.

This is what the US based LT site says is recommended:

"IMPORTANT NOTE: The LT is a HEAVY bike and requires special tires. Do not buy just any ME 880s or BT020s in the same size as your current tires. You must buy the LT specific tires with the following size/part info:

Metzeler ME 880
Front Tire: 120/70 B17 M/C 58V TL ME880 Marathon Front - 2.50 BAR
Rear Tire: 160/70 B17 M/C 79V Reinf. TL ME880 Marathon

Bridgestone BT020
Front Tire: 120/70R17 BT020 BW TL M 58V V 23.8 4.7 5 520lbs 42psi 3.50
Rear Tire: 160/70R17 BT020 BW TL M 79V V 25.9 6.1 8 963lbs 48psi 4.50
NOTE: These are the "V" rated tires. The "Z" rated tires are not load rated for the K1200LT!"

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq ... labletires

I noticed right away when the dealer put the wrong tire on. The 79 rated Bridgestones were always very solid and stable. The lower rated 73 Dunlops were terrible and the bike felt like it had a broken spine and all squirrely. I think you will find with the proper load rating and stiffer sidewall, your LT will handle so much better.

Try the BT020 Bridgestones if you can find them there, or the ME-880. The ME-880 is not as sticky, but over there in the hot roads/climate should be no problem to get them to working temp quickly.

 

[Marco]

feejer wrote: [quote quote=Marco]Feejer

thats for that info and i'm runnig solo with light luggage always

but i just went to look my tyres and rear tyre is 72W.

So as i'm not a tyre specialist would you like to explain to me(and oter's who dont know) what is the real meaning behind that number.

Marco,

Auke's chart explains it well and can see the 72 rating is more than 80 Kg under what is supposed to be on the bike. You have been running on the 72 rated tires and had no problems because you have not loaded it heavy along with a passenger. But if you were to do so and go on a long tour, I would hate to see you have a tire failure while underway due to overload, very dangerous.

This is what the US based LT site says is recommended:

"IMPORTANT NOTE: The LT is a HEAVY bike and requires special tires. Do not buy just any ME 880s or BT020s in the same size as your current tires. You must buy the LT specific tires with the following size/part info:

Metzeler ME 880
Front Tire: 120/70 B17 M/C 58V TL ME880 Marathon Front - 2.50 BAR
Rear Tire: 160/70 B17 M/C 79V Reinf. TL ME880 Marathon

Bridgestone BT020
Front Tire: 120/70R17 BT020 BW TL M 58V V 23.8 4.7 5 520lbs 42psi 3.50
Rear Tire: 160/70R17 BT020 BW TL M 79V V 25.9 6.1 8 963lbs 48psi 4.50
NOTE: These are the "V" rated tires. The "Z" rated tires are not load rated for the K1200LT!"

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq ... labletires

I noticed right away when the dealer put the wrong tire on. The 79 rated Bridgestones were always very solid and stable. The lower rated 73 Dunlops were terrible and the bike felt like it had a broken spine and all squirrely. I think you will find with the proper load rating and stiffer sidewall, your LT will handle so much better.

Try the BT020 Bridgestones if you can find them there, or the ME-880. The ME-880 is not as sticky, but over there in the hot roads/climate should be no problem to get them to working temp quickly.
WOW Thanx for Auke & Feejer

talking about broken spine,, ones i got a road i had that feeling right away in the higher speed, BUT they put Metzeler Roadtec Z6 170/60/ZR17 MC
and in font i Have worn original 120/70/17 marathon

110Km'h, im riding like with cooked Spaketti, not comfrtable at all, BUT i thought that might be because new 60 serie on back and 70 serie in front,,what ya think?

 

[TonyBKK]

Marco wrote:

WOW Thanx for Auke & Feejer

talking about broken spine,, ones i got a road i had that feeling right away in the higher speed, BUT they put Metzeler Roadtec Z6 170/60/ZR17 MC
and in font i Have worn original 120/70/17 marathon

110Km'h, im riding like with cooked Spaketti, not comfrtable at all, BUT i thought that might be because new 60 serie on back and 70 serie in front,,what ya think?

Wow... scary to think how fast you'll be with proper tires! :shock:
Take it easy my man! Ride On and Happy Trails!
Tony

 

[feejer]

Marco wrote: [quote quote=feejer][quote quote=Marco]Feejer

thats for that info and i'm runnig solo with light luggage always

but i just went to look my tyres and rear tyre is 72W.

So as i'm not a tyre specialist would you like to explain to me(and oter's who dont know) what is the real meaning behind that number.

Marco,

Auke's chart explains it well and can see the 72 rating is more than 80 Kg under what is supposed to be on the bike. You have been running on the 72 rated tires and had no problems because you have not loaded it heavy along with a passenger. But if you were to do so and go on a long tour, I would hate to see you have a tire failure while underway due to overload, very dangerous.

This is what the US based LT site says is recommended:

"IMPORTANT NOTE: The LT is a HEAVY bike and requires special tires. Do not buy just any ME 880s or BT020s in the same size as your current tires. You must buy the LT specific tires with the following size/part info:

Metzeler ME 880
Front Tire: 120/70 B17 M/C 58V TL ME880 Marathon Front - 2.50 BAR
Rear Tire: 160/70 B17 M/C 79V Reinf. TL ME880 Marathon

Bridgestone BT020
Front Tire: 120/70R17 BT020 BW TL M 58V V 23.8 4.7 5 520lbs 42psi 3.50
Rear Tire: 160/70R17 BT020 BW TL M 79V V 25.9 6.1 8 963lbs 48psi 4.50
NOTE: These are the "V" rated tires. The "Z" rated tires are not load rated for the K1200LT!"

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq ... labletires

I noticed right away when the dealer put the wrong tire on. The 79 rated Bridgestones were always very solid and stable. The lower rated 73 Dunlops were terrible and the bike felt like it had a broken spine and all squirrely. I think you will find with the proper load rating and stiffer sidewall, your LT will handle so much better.

Try the BT020 Bridgestones if you can find them there, or the ME-880. The ME-880 is not as sticky, but over there in the hot roads/climate should be no problem to get them to working temp quickly.
WOW Thanx for Auke & Feejer

talking about broken spine,, ones i got a road i had that feeling right away in the higher speed, BUT they put Metzeler Roadtec Z6 170/60/ZR17 MC
and in font i Have worn original 120/70/17 marathon

110Km'h, im riding like with cooked Spaketti, not comfrtable at all, BUT i thought that might be because new 60 serie on back and 70 serie in front,,what ya think?
That new 170/60/17 is about 20mm smaller in dia than your old 160/70/17 (if that's what you had on there) and therefore spinning faster. I'm surprised you are not getting an ABS fault light due to front/back speed mismatch to the ABS computer.

Also, I'm almost certain that Z6 is a radial. You may have a bias ply Marathon on the front. Mixing a bias and a radial on the same bike is bad news and can cause all kinds of strange handling on any bike. Even more so on a monster like the LT.

Do what you can to get the proper Marathon back on there to match the front ASAP. The Z6 is a light sportbike tyre and is totally outmatched on that LT.

 

[Marco]

Feejer

As i just changed rear tyre and i need NEW front, i been thiking to get NEW same 120/60/17 to front as well, same tyre and hope that i get balance back.

No ABS warning light at all so far

 

[TonyBKK]

Marco wrote: Feejer

No ABS warning light at all so far

Don't you know the SSR motto, penned by BakerBoy?

"YOU BRAKE, YOU LOSE"

Mr. "Not on a Yamaha" forgot this important rule and bowled his Street Triple down the road to the tune of over 200,000 Baht in damage and a busted wrist...

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Ride On!

Tony