I Hate Tire Manufacturers

[Justin B.]

[rant mode]
I had the front tire on my '04 R1150RT develop "warts" on the tread surface and upon researching these particular Dunlop Sportmax D205 tires it seems they are a bias ply version which it appears has been discontinued.  Dunlop was no help concerning what would be their best tire to match up with my almost new rear tire - all they said was it's best not to mix and match so I would need to buy two tires.  Last time I ever give Dunlop any of my money!

Since I had to buy all new rubber I opted to go with a set of Z rated Michelin Pilot Road 3 tires for $299 and change.    They should be here this week...
[/rant mode]

[Bob_Roller]

My '02 oilhead came with Michelin Pilot Road tires, I'm currently on my second replacement set .

No issues with them in 45,000 miles .

The last rear tire lasted around 23,000 miles .

[Justin B.]

Everything I looked at gave them stellar reviews.  I'm just irritated at having to replace an almost new rear tire!

[Bob_Roller]

It seems odd to me that you had a bias ply tire on the bike .

[tvrla]

The last rear tire lasted around 23,000 miles .

 

Did I hear you right? 23K on a rear tire!!!???

[Bob_Roller]

I know it's hard to believe, the tire was installed around mid January, '07, replaced first week of June, '12 .

I think the mileage was 22,800 .

Only thing I did different, was run higher tire pressures, did the same to the front, but got the usual mileage out of it, around 13,000 miles .

It wasn't an old tire when it was installed, it was about 4 months old when I got it .

Probably never be able to duplicate it again !!!!!

[Justin B.]

Bob, it is apparently a "Cop thing" as the tire sticker in the radio box calls them out...

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Michelin PR3's... you have chosen wisely grasshopper.

and Bob, 23k on a rear?  How much do you weigh, about 27 pounds?  Holy Cow, I can't get much more than 6k on my oilheads before they begin to start cupping and I'm running about 40F/38R.  That's what most of the guys in the local BMW club are also running.  Amazing!

[nhmaf]

I used Dunlop 205s on my  Kawasaki Concours in the past, as they were among the few models available inthe proper size for my odd front wheel.   But, I was never happy with their lack of longevity, and have long given up on them, quite happy with my Avons now.  I have heard from numerous people who are running Michelin Pilots that they do last quite a long while - and they also stick pretty well too despite their longevity.

[Justin B.]

My tires got here over the weekend and I'm going to try installing them this week.  I bought on of the big "mount/demount" bars from No-Mar  after watching their YouTube videos.  Their tire changers are very similar to the HF changer I have so hopefully it will make the job "less vile"...