What's the typical OEM tire life?

[STnAV8R]

I've had my '04 a little over a year now and have 6800 miles on it... all rural and hwy, and I don't drive it very hard. Took it in to the dealer in Madison, WI yesterday because it's leaving puddles of antifreeze on my garage floor, and the service mgr tells me the tires both need replacing. There's about 1/16" remaining before the wear bars are exposed so I told him I'd leave them on a while yet, at least til spring.

6800 does not seem like many miles to get on a set of tires given my relatively easy use. What is everyone else getting?

[Titanrick]

I have over 12,000 on mine. Bought it in March.
Rick

[nm6r]

Nice try on STealer's part. You can expect around 10k on the rear tire if you are easy on it. Some riders are getting more. Some are getting less but ride harder. The front is able to get more but it's probably a good idea to replace it at the same time as the performance degrades even though the tread looks good.

The wear bars are an indicator. There are quite a few miles left in a tire when you hit the wear bars. A brand new Bridgestone BT020 (OEM version) has 8/32" (1/4") deep tread. At 6800 miles with 1/16" of tread depth, you should get about another 2200 miles which will take you to about 9000 miles.

YMMV

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[sherob]

I've got 8400 on my 020's and still going strong.... ;)

[vnsfxr]

I still don't know how you guys do it at 5k mine were turning into slicks on the sides and not much better down the center.

I will tell you the last bit goes fast so buy your tires early so you are not scrambling like I was. Now as soon as a new pair goes on I buy the next set.

[Muskoka]

On the first set of Bridgestone BT020 (OEM version) I was to get the following
( combined Hwy and spirited riding ):

Front - 12789 miles
Rear - 12639 miles

Bob

[mshihrer]

That's what I got out of my rear, thanks to some spikey pokey thingee that went thru it..

[Putt]

On my OEM 'stones I had 10.7 K on them and still not to the wear bars.
I just changed cause I had a longish trip coming up... Various people have
told me that when you get to the wear bars on the 'stones you have about 2k
miles left on them... I am running a Z6/ ME880 combo right now, and at the
same milage as the Bridgestones, I think the Bridgestones had more miles
left in them...

Putt..

[John Anthony]

13K and some change.

John

[Lake Cle Elum]

Have the OEM Bridgestones, now with 13,300. Rear should have been replaced a 1,000 ago, but I was on a trip. Front is good for another 2 or 3K.....

[Kennedy]

I am at 23000 KM right now or 14,000 miles and rear is not looking to bad yet. Can't explain that because to do like to give her some exersize in the corners.

[John-DownUnder]

My "OEM" Bridgestone 020 averaged 6,850 (Rear) and 11,800 (Front) The "replacement" coded 020s averaged 5,340 (Rear) and 10,430 (Front).
I am now running Metzeler Z6s.

[joema]

My OEM Bridgestone BT020 rear lasted about 4,900 mi to the wear bars.

After that Dunlop D220s (non OEM version) were at the cords after 3,300 mi (rear tire).

Now running OEM Bridgestones BT020s again.

I don't ride that hard or over rough surfaces.

[sokay]

In about 1k I'll have 12k for the second time on a set of 020's. I'll replace both tires then, though they'll probably have a legitimate 1k left. I believe that the kind of riding one does makes a terrific difference in tire life. I think the Interstate, for example, just melts the tires away. Similarly with habitual hard acceleration and braking. If I ride on the Interstate ever again, it will be due to some major foul-up in my trip planning. :)

[gryzz1325]

6k and the stock rear 020 was on the wear bars,front still OK. Could trip to Deal's Gap have anything to do with this???????:rolleyes:

[JReviere]

Speaking of OEM tires, what tires were delivered on the 03 year model? I just got an 03 with Metzlers on it.... don't know about miles on them.

JR

[gstanfield]

My 03 came with Dunlops on it, and they are still on it. I bought it used this year with 4,000 on it, and it has 8,500 now. The front is in need of replacing and the rear ain't far from it. I ride fairly hard, but don't have a lot of curves around here so I was expecting more. I think they wear much quicker riding two up than solo.

George

[MidLife]

Speaking of OEM tires, what tires were delivered on the 03 year model? I just got an 03 with Metzlers on it.... don't know about miles on them.

JR

Dunlops on my 03 (6200 miles).

How many miles on your new ride?

[LDMike]

I'm not doing anything special except checking air pressures regularly, but I got 16K out of the original 020s before I changed them this past winter (another set of 020s). Got 14K out of the rear and 18K out of the front and this included 2 IBA rides, a trip to Omaha for the National Meeting and 2 rallys. I only really changed the rear because I was going on a LD vacation and didn't want tire trouble.

Usually run 38/42 for solo, 40/42 for full up.

LDMike
Milwaukee

[JReviere]

Dunlops on my 03 (6200 miles).

How many miles on your new ride?


Fifteen thousand

JR

[jackpine savage]

I've had my '04 a little over a year now and have 6800 miles on it... all rural and hwy, and I don't drive it very hard. Took it in to the dealer in Madison, WI yesterday because it's leaving puddles of antifreeze on my garage floor, and the service mgr tells me the tires both need replacing. There's about 1/16" remaining before the wear bars are exposed so I told him I'd leave them on a while yet, at least til spring.

6800 does not seem like many miles to get on a set of tires given my relatively easy use. What is everyone else getting?


Are you AV8R from the tractorpoint board? If so, it's a small world. I guess it's not surprising to see that you would have some of the same interests as me (shortmagnum over there). Do you now have your Harleys as well as an ST1300?

I'm asking these questions with the assumption that you are who I think you are. :confused:

I got just under 8K out of each of the first two sets of BT020s. If you want good tire mileage and you don't need to grind the footpegs regularly I would suggest a Metzler ME880 for the rear. It's known as a goldwing tire but it seems sticky enough. I've got almost 4K on one and I can't see much or any wear. At 4K the 020s looked almost worn out.
David

[nurseBob]

I just replaced the OEM Dunlops on my '05 at 15970. There was a fair amount of cupping on the front which would lead to considerable low-speed head-shake if I took my hands off the handlebars.
Trying the Metzler Z6s now; only 1800 on them, so it's still hard to evaluate. The one major change I've seen is a drop in gas mileage, but the 16K service was done at the same time, so I don't really know what to attribute the change to...

[NormanPCN]

Hearing all these high mileages makes me want to cry. 7K is pretty good for me on the rear. At that point the fronts are nearly worn on the sides and hence have a very pointy profile. I change both tires since why waste the great feel of new rubber on one end with old junk on the other end. I had the D220's stock. Hated the front and got rid of the tires early. Had three sets of Avons. One set of Z6/880 and currently on fresh Z6 rubber.

[LandRover]

This is one question that has always made me wonder: what is considered "worn out"? Some folks might wait till the cords come through, then declare the tires done, others may go till the tire gets "dirty", then decise it's shot at that point. I know, bit of an exaggeration, but hopefully you guys get my point. Without a difinitive marker, it's difficult, at best, to answer this question.

I use till the tires start to "feel" funny. Wear bars notwithstanding, I usually get 11 to 13K out of the rears (on all the bikes I've owned), and 14k or so out of the fronts. YMMV

[Bones]

I got something over 8000 miles on my OEM Bridgestones and only about 6000 miles on the Metzeler Z6's I replaced them with. I currently have 5000+ on a set Michelin Pilot Roads and they look like they'll outlast the 'stones and the Z6's.

It floors me how many miles some guys get out of tires. All I can say is I love the winding back roads of New England and if they wear out my tires, at least I'm smiling along the way.

Your mileage may vary seems to really be the best description here. I'd never let them wear down until the cord is showing. There's too much riding on your tires (to coin a phrase).

[STnAV8R]

Are you AV8R from the tractorpoint board? If so, it's a small world. I guess it's not surprising to see that you would have some of the same interests as me (shortmagnum over there). Do you now have your Harleys as well as an ST1300?

I'm asking these questions with the assumption that you are who I think you are. :confused:

I got just under 8K out of each of the first two sets of BT020s. If you want good tire mileage and you don't need to grind the footpegs regularly I would suggest a Metzler ME880 for the rear. It's known as a goldwing tire but it seems sticky enough. I've got almost 4K on one and I can't see much or any wear. At 4K the 020s looked almost worn out.
David

Not me, though I do have a tractor I never heard of the tractorpoint board. Don't have a Harley or short magnum either, but I do load and shoot a lot of 44 mag.

[2005c6]

I had to replace my rear at 6800 miles because I got a nail in it. I think it would have easily made 10,000. I replaced the front at the same time to match the tires. The front probably was no more than 1/2 worn. I kind or regret replacing it. I put Metzler Z6's on it. The rear is fine (I rode for two weeks with just the rear because the front was backordred).

After putting the front Z6 on, I notice it is a lot more "nervous" at higher speeds. Unless the road is completely smooth, it wants to move around a little. Not dangerously, but it's noticable. I've had it to about 130mph, and it just gets a little nervous feeling. Anyone else with Z6's notice this?

[vnsfxr]

This is one question that has always made me wonder: what is considered "worn out"? Some folks might wait till the cords come through, then declare the tires done, others may go till the tire gets "dirty", then decise it's shot at that point. I know, bit of an exaggeration, but hopefully you guys get my point. Without a difinitive marker, it's difficult, at best, to answer this question.
YMMV

For me if I got more slick than tread. It's time to change.

I don't do much Super Slab so the sides always go bald first.

[nurseBob]

Hearing all these high mileages makes me want to cry.
Would I be correct in guessing you don't do a "super-slab" straight-line commute? I seem to remember a post where you said your whole reason for getting on the bike was to challenge the twisties! I'm jealous too... I get high miles, but they're mostly just going straight down the road...:(

[NormanPCN]

Would I be correct in guessing you don't do a "super-slab" straight-line commute?

I walk to work so my bike and car just sit during the week. Car gets used for shopping/errands. Bike is for weekend joyrides and backcountry tours. Local joyrides are all mountain/canyon twists. In some directions I have no choice but to do some slab in at least one direction. In others I can arrange a 220+ mile route with all twists and an occasional straight of a handfull of miles. I count myself lucky as to where I live.

[jackpine savage]

Not me, though I do have a tractor I never heard of the tractorpoint board. Don't have a Harley or short magnum either, but I do load and shoot a lot of 44 mag.


Ok, I get it. AV8R actually says something and could be a common name. Good to meet you anyway. Maybe you'll get a chance to use that 44 on the lowlife who stole your ST. I hope everything works out for you on that deal. :04biker:

David

[newbornst1300]

I still don't know how you guys do it at 5k mine were turning into slicks on the sides and not much better down the center.

Same here . My dunlops were toast after 5k as well. Went to ME Z6/880 and they are holding up well so far.

Chris

[MadMan2945]

I still have the original B'stones with 11,200 miles on my 03 ST. Just slightly above the wear bars on rear and front tire looks fine. Will replace them in the spring, expect to ride on an off this winter on nice days for another 2-3K miles. This seems typical of B'stone wear. I ride agressive 1 up (most of the time) and fairly agressively 2 up occasionally. Here in the pacific nortwest it is cool most of the time, so tires probably last longer. Tempeture along with proper inflation have a lot to do with tire longevity.
R,
Madman:03biker:

[OldSuperSport]

I've pretty much finished my riding for the year and put 8500 miles on the original tires on my '04 this year (bought new in Jan '05). Rear is worn out, with heavy feathering on the left side and pretty bald but no cords showing yet. Center is on the wear bars. Front still looks good however.

I go 250# and my wife at 150# is on the back 50% of the time. I commuted 50 miles daily this year and went for nightly fun rides. I think our combined weight and the fact that 90% of rural Ohio roads are highly crowned "chip and seal" just eats tires up especially on the left side of the rear. The rear tire was feathered at 5000.

Chip and seal is like a pea size limestone covered with tar, and allowed to compress/cook by the sun and traffic, and its pretty rough.

[newbornst1300]

I think our combined weight and the fact that 90% of rural Ohio roads are highly crowned "chip and seal" just eats tires up especially on the left side of the rear. The rear tire was feathered at 5000.

Chip and seal is like a pea size limestone covered with tar, and allowed to compress/cook by the sun and traffic, and its pretty rough.

We have a lot of those chip'n'dip roads up here too and they are definately rough on tires. We do a lot of riding two up as well.

[NormanPCN]

I must be the winner here. I've gotten as few as 3,400 miles on a set of Dunlops to as many as 5,000 on a rear Avon. The rest were in between. :04biker:

That takes the prize. I have heard of one or two others who got the 6-7K I typically got on the Avons.

[jsg999]

Just took my 04 in for 8000 mile service. The dealer told me ABS models typically show more tire wear. Tread looks good, but the rear tire shows significant cupping. I could probably get another 1000 miles, but I plan to take a long trip over the holidays, and don't want to take any chances.

[Rolling Thunder]

I am just shy of 6,000 miles on my '05 and at the wear bars on the original equipment Bridgestones, both front and rear - so, the wear is even front and back. I do downshift and use engine compression to brake, but that has not made the rear wear faster than the front. Very religious on the tire pressure , also - 42/42. We have excellent roads in Texas (where most of the miles were put on).
So how are you guys getting 10,000+ miles? :confused:

[pmorritt]

FYI Went to the Auto Show in San Francisco yesterday. Honda had the '06 St and GL. The Black St had Dunlap D220's.

[Gug]

I had put 13000 on mine and I was probably 1-2K from the wear bars. I had it replaced. The front could have gone another 3-5K, but I replaced it as well. Put the original Bridgstones back on it.

The reason for getting such high mileage problably is I don't run the bike hard. I rarely run it past 3K when shifting (that makes me think of another post), I don't downshift or at least rarely again (it's cheaper and easier to replace the brake pads than it is the tires). Downshifting as well as twistys will eat up tires.

My $.02
Dennis

[CrashTestDanny]

I've had my '04 a little over a year now and have 6800 miles on it... all rural and hwy, and I don't drive it very hard. Took it in to the dealer in Madison, WI yesterday because it's leaving puddles of antifreeze on my garage floor, and the service mgr tells me the tires both need replacing. There's about 1/16" remaining before the wear bars are exposed so I told him I'd leave them on a while yet, at least til spring.

6800 does not seem like many miles to get on a set of tires given my relatively easy use. What is everyone else getting?

Replaced my OEM Dunlop 220s with Z6s at 8500 miles due to cupping. I still had about 40% tread life, but the cupping was really making it slippery in the tunrs.

[ErnieCopp]

I have an '04 with ~5300 miles on it and the rear Bridgestone OEM tire is starting to show wear bars just left of centerline and severe scalloping of the front side of the rain sipes just out of centerline both sides. I do ride hard and like to power hard through turns when I have the road surface to support it. Scalloping seems to correspond with high lean angle rather than power or braking.

Front tire looks good all around and probably has a couple more thousand miles left.

Recommendations for replacement? I am impressed with the good grip of the OEMs and would not want to give up grip for more mileage. But if I can get both, why not !

Thanks,
Ernie

[JReviere]

I've got Metzler (something or other) on now. No idea how much mileage on them. They were on when I got the bike. But, I'm always looking for information for "next time". Thanx to all for their input in this thread. I do wonder if there's a consensus as to what yields the best mileage. I do not ride aggressively, nor do I run very fast most of the time. In the past, on ST1100, I consistantly got excellent logivity out of Bridgestone Excedras. I don't see them listed for ST1300 in the Dennis Kirk catalog I have. For an "old low and slow" non-aggressive rider what would be the best bet for long milage when I do need to make a change.

JR
STOC 394

[Bones]

I have an '04 with ~5300 miles on it and the rear Bridgestone OEM tire is starting to show wear bars just left of centerline and severe scalloping of the front side of the rain sipes just out of centerline both sides. I do ride hard and like to power hard through turns when I have the road surface to support it. Scalloping seems to correspond with high lean angle rather than power or braking.

Front tire looks good all around and probably has a couple more thousand miles left.

Recommendations for replacement? I am impressed with the good grip of the OEMs and would not want to give up grip for more mileage. But if I can get both, why not !

Thanks,
Ernie

Ernie, here are two points of view (including mine) on Michelin Pilot Roads for the ST1300.

Bones

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6913&page=2&highlight=pilot+roads+review

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6372&highlight=pilot+roads+review