T30 tire wear - need help

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Apr 6, 2014
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Potton Quebec Canada
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st1100 2002
Purchased 2 brand new t30 tires, have ridden approx 5000 km (kilometres/Canada). Just came back from a road trip to New Brunswick and the tires are worn flat in centre about 1.5 inches. I have them at 38 lbs pressure. The wife and I and luggage approx 370 lbs. Any idea as to why this occurred and how to remedy it. I do have balancing beads in them.
 

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Joe
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I would do 42 to 44 for 2 up riding.
 

dduelin

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In addition to minimum 40/42 psi look at the tire sidewalls and make sure the tires are T30GTs. The GT spec is used for bikes exceeding 250 kg.
 
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Depending on the kind of riding you do, you will get more or less of this. Its called chicken striping. It comes from riding mostly straight or gently curving superhighways - the center of the tire wears because you are not leaned over. Do your riding in TN or WVa or Va or Colorado and you will be leaning the bike over more than riding upright. That will give you more even wear.

I agree your tire pressure sounds too low. My owner's manual (2010 ST1300) calls for 42 front and rear (cold pressure). For 2 up riding, you might up your preload, too. I'm not sure what the specs for an 1100 are - you might google that - but the bikes are pretty similar. Most of the tire manufacturers will give a recommended tire pressure for different bikes if you cannot find what Honda suggests.
 
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In addition to minimum 40/42 psi look at the tire sidewalls and make sure the tires are T30GTs. The GT spec is used for bikes exceeding 250 kg.
The stock 1100 rear tire size of 160/70-17 is only available in the non-GT version.

However, when I double checked that on Revzilla, I noticed that the 160/70 non-GT version has a 73W weight/speed rating, while the 170/60 GT version has only a 72W rating, meaning its technically a lower weight range rating. What's up with that?
 

dduelin

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The stock 1100 rear tire size of 160/70-17 is only available in the non-GT version.

However, when I double checked that on Revzilla, I noticed that the 160/70 non-GT version has a 73W weight/speed rating, while the 170/60 GT version has only a 72W rating, meaning its technically a lower weight range rating. What's up with that?
The load rating on a tire is independent of the GT spec as odd as that sounds. GT versions are said by the manufacturers to be suited for heavier motorcycles and give higher mileage not higher weight ratings. My guess is the rubber compound or some aspect of construction lends itself to longer wear. Honestly I did not see the OP was on a ST1100 and am not familiar with the tire sizes.
 
OP
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Thank you all, I appreciate all the advice I get from this site. What if I put 42 front and 44 in rear... Will my tires round out again. Unfortunately we did have to slab ride quite a bit once we crossed over to New Brunswick to reach our destination.
 
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I spoke to the Bridgestone tech guy at MotoGP Indy this year about T30 tire wear. First thing he said when riding loaded run your tires at the max pressure on the tire side wall. Also there are many variables that produce tire wear. As mentioned above there is that a GT tire for the ST1100 but both the GT and non have the same weight rating.

The flat spots center to sides will be normal on dual compound tires such as the T30 rear. The front is not dual compound.


Will my tires round out again.
Don't worry about it. Put them at 42 F/R and run them. I have had several sets of these and the mileage will also very 9000 miles on my ST1100 and 6000 miles on the rear and 9000 miles on the front on my ST1300.
 
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t30s don't last period
I got about 3,500 mi out of a rear T30 GT on my ST1300 at 42 psi solo.
About the same as I got out of a 020 or a 023GT. They handle well, just don't last, at least not for me. They are also a PAIN to mount/dismount, like other Bridgestones.
 
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x2 on the GT version as well as the higher pressure.
AMAZES me how all over the board mileage is on these tires. It must be the road surface and camber differences on these soft tires that yield such differences (besides riding styles).

I LOVE my front T30....3rd one and each of the 1st 2 got 10,000-10,750 Mi....although 1st 6,500 had pest performance. Now the rear (tire that is)... is another story. Almost a " you get what you pay for" issue. 6,500 miles for about $115 or go with a PR4 and get 10,000 for about $175. 50% more life for 50% more price. If they ever get the GT rear right Bridgestone will be smiling all the way to the bank.
 
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Delmar, The wear on your tires is normal and to be expected if you have spent a lot of miles on basically straight roads. Increasing your pressures is a good idea as others have suggested, but higher pressures will not prevent this sort of wear, nor will it correct it. Your tires are simply wearing where they spend the majority of the time in contact with the road. It's normal if you aren't riding twisties most of the time, and a loaded bike will wear flat in the center even more so. Don't worry about it, just enjoy the ride and wear out those tires, even if it is only in the center!

Garry
 
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Delmar, The wear on your tires is normal and to be expected if you have spent a lot of miles on basically straight roads. Increasing your pressures is a good idea as others have suggested, but higher pressures will not prevent this sort of wear, nor will it correct it. Your tires are simply wearing where they spend the majority of the time in contact with the road. It's normal if you aren't riding twisties most of the time, and a loaded bike will wear flat in the center even more so. Don't worry about it, just enjoy the ride and wear out those tires, even if it is only in the center!

Garry
+1. I would add that the tire, front or rear, needs to be changed as soon as the tread is at the wear bar anywhere on the tire, if not before.
Kinda like what Andy Rooney said comparing life to a roll of toilet paper, the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
 
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For those who don't already know, the difference between the GT and non GT is the way the tire is built. The GT uses a hybrid tire construction between radial and bias ply, whereas the non GT uses standard radial, which accelerates wear on heavy bikes.

Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk
 
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The GT uses a hybrid tire construction between radial and bias ply, whereas the non GT uses standard radial, which accelerates wear on heavy bikes.
I've used both bias and radials on my ST1100 over the years and didn't notice any inherent differences in wear due to construction type, I've never heard of this before.
 
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I've used both bias and radials on my ST1100 over the years and didn't notice any inherent differences in wear due to construction type, I've never heard of this before.
The info about the GT is on Bridgestones website. I didn't know this either, but apparently bias ply tires are supposed to be able to absorb stresses better and last longer due to there construction, but aren't as good at providing a compliant ride and for heat buildup at speed. How know. They all used to be bias ply at one point, but for some reason or another that changed.
 
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Just checked the tyres because there's some good new year sales offers here at the minute, I have just over 10,000 miles on the T30 GT front, it's not even half worn,looks like it will last another rear.
The GT rear isn't available in ST1100 size so I only got 6000 miles from the standard T30 rear, have a BT023 on there now for 4000 miles, looks to be wearing a lot better than the T30 did,might last another 4000 by the looks of it.

Similar story on my Vfr, 5,500 miles now on a set of T30's, front is scalloping slightly,but not too worn, rear is at the wear bars in the centre, might try a set of PR4's on her next time.
 
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