Front tire sorrows….

[MarkC_AZ]

Hi Folks,

Couple of questions;


1. I have a 2008 Rocket III (purchased in April), it has 7k miles on it. I just got back from a 2k mile ride and the front tire is bald with threads showing through! It is the original tire with just the 7k miles on it. Any idea what would cause this? Doesn't seem like a lot of miles for a front tire.


2. What would be the best tire to put on the front to replace the worn one? I am thinking Avon Cobra as I have one of those on the back and it seems to work well.


Thanks for your help,

Mark

 

[RidinSunshine]

Mark, the pros here will probably give you a better answer. But mileage on tires depends some on the style of riding. But the stock rear tires I am thinking average about 8,000 miles on them. Seems like the stock front tires get a bit more distance on them. There is a thread that TXRIIIrider started where he lists a bunch of competitor quotes and I think he lists the part number, pricing along with the webpage for them. I can't help much on that cause I do the female thing and let my honey take care of the headache of tire replacement.
RS

 

[PolarisJay13]

I got about the same out of my front tire. It really wears quick when you put new rubber on the rear as well. I went with the stock Metzeler on the front, but for the rear I went Darkside, and I will not go back. The bike handles near exactly the same dry, and better when wet. I don't expect my front to get me much more than 6-7K, but I can deal with that since you can find them on ebay for about 120-170 if you look hard enough. I got my rear for 99 shipped. Sure beats 500, for both, not installed that buying from a dealer or internet site would charge....hope that helps.

 

[HeR3tic]

Mark, the pros here will probably give you a better answer. But mileage on tires depends some on the style of riding. But the stock rear tires I am thinking average about 8,000 miles on them. Seems like the stock front tires get a bit more distance on them. There is a thread that TXRIIIrider started where he lists a bunch of competitor quotes and I think he lists the part number, pricing along with the webpage for them. I can't help much on that cause I do the female thing and let my honey take... of the headache of re replacement.
RS

oh sure...put it on the ole man to decide.
I rode a stock metz for 13, x2. I currently run a Dunlop Elite for nearly 3/4 of that and I'm having excellent results. I doubt I'll will return to a metz,

 

[KingOfFleece]

I ride my R3 hard. Lots of higher speeds and leaned way over every chance I get. 8K out of the front and it was shot.

 

[RidinSunshine]

oh sure...put it on the ole man to decide.

Yeh, but the ole man likes the payment

 

[GPMAZ]

I have a bit over 8K on a set of Avon Cobras. They still seem to have some mileage left. The heat and roads in Arizona tend to eat tires, especially if you run at higher speeds.

Except for the occasional puncture I've never changed only one tire. I don't think I'd ever consider mixing brands. I really enjoy the feel of a new set of tires, and don't want to deal with the hassle of doubling the trips to change the front and rear independently. The cost of tossing a front tire that may have a couple of thousand miles left on it seems like a no brainer to me. I put too much faith in those little contact patches to risk running a worn tire, or experiment with mixing and matching.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

[Hank in Albuq]

RE: Front Tire Sorrows

HeR3etic; what kind of mileage do you get out of your Dunlops? I average 20k out of the Elite 3's on my other bike (A Kawasaki Voyager that weighs about the same as the 'FBG') It seems to me that the ME88's should give better mileage than we're getting.
Of course, if you Insist on leaving a 'calling card' on the pavement when you take off, that will affect it! I'm going to do some more research on this and post my findings later. Everyone have a Nice Weekend!!

Kick the Tires, Light the Fires, and HANG ON!!

Hank in Albuquerque

 

[rider]

I got just under 12,000 miles on my original tires on my classic. Threads showing on rear and wear bars on front. Tire pressure is extremely important for long wear.

 

[TxRIIIRider]

I will have about 15,000 on my Avon Cobras after my trip to Hot Springs, AR next week. The front tire is almost down to the wear bars, and the rear tire has squared off in the center, but not nearly as pronounced as the Metzelers do! I can still roll it into sweepers with no problems..