| Author | Message | ||
     Tempest766 |
I tried using the "search" to find discussions about this but I ended up wading through too much irrelevant information. Anyway, since purchasing my 08 XT last summer I've put about 6000 miles on it. I bought it with 2000 on it. When I put the bike away last fall the tires were in very good shape. Just in the past few weeks it got nice enough to ride and I've done about 700 miles on the bike. For whatever reason the rear tire wear this season has been excessive. In three weeks of riding I'm showing the metal belts at one place on the tire. The side walls don't show much wear because I'm not into "twisties". Most of my riding is to visit friends and a lot is highway riding at 60 to 70mph. I want to find an "available" low-cost rear tire that gives a good mix of reasonable wear and traction. Road conditions here in western PA are a lot of rural two lane highways, and PA is not known for keeping up their roads: a lot of uneven pavement and crappy cold-patch jobs. I'm not racing the bike. So two questions: 1) thoughts on why I'm seeing such excessive wear in a short period of time, and 2) thoughts on brands and models that are cheap and readily available. | ||
| Crusty |
I tried a set of Continental Conti Motion tires on my Guzzi. So far, they stick well enough and are holding up well. I haven't tried them on my XT, but I see no reason that they wouldn't work well enough on it. | ||
| Tempest766 |
I should mention that I have used engine breaking to slow down more frequently than I should. I also had the tires overinflated by 2PSI because I usually had all three hard bags full of junk when I rode last season. this season I've been riding sans bags and didn't decrease the PSI to 34...I'm not totally convinced though that 2psi would make that much of a difference. Am I wrong? | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Check your pressures! Mine dropped to under 20 pounds while resting in the winter. Both bikes, both tires too! | ||
| Tempest766 |
As mentioned, (cold) they were a couple of pounds over pressure the whole time, and I just recently put them back to what the spec called for. I need a new tire. I will probably buy one online, remove the wheel, and have the dealer swap the rim and balance it, then I'll reinstall. The dealer wants way too much money to buy the tire there, and they always have a 5+ day waiting period for any real labor. Still soliciting opinions about brands/models though. | ||
| Someday |
I'm quite happy with the Pirelli Angles I have on my '08 Uly. They stick well and I get a little over 6,000 miles per set. I also buy my tires online and mount them myself. Competition Accessories seems to have the best prices. A side note. After my 1st set wore out quite fast I talked to the Pirelli rep at the NY M/C show. He asked what pressures I was running and I told him the recommended 34F/36R. He said way too low, try 38F/40R. I settled on 36F/38R and I'm pleased with the way they handle and are wearing. Just my .02$ | ||
| Teeps |
I got the best mileage from Shinko Raven 009 tires, just under 10k. IMO they meet your stated requirements, and they are relatively inexpensive. | ||
| Yjsrule |
6k is the most I've gotten out of a rear tire on the uly, 3k the least. I tried a pilot road 2 this time hoping for more. | ||
| Jphish |
Cheap may not be the most cost effective. I got 14,000 mi out of a rear PR2 (PR3's may be better - don't know) They are NOT a DS tire - but great crappy road tire. Given the torque the Uly has - I thought that was pretty amazing. | ||
| Xb1200rick |
+1 PR2CT I just put them on the uly . 2k miles so far and they still look like new. great grip wet and dry . | ||
| Ericcogdell |
I had Pilot Road 3 put on the front and rear tires. I like them much more than the D616. I got caught in a storm last week and I felt no hydro planning. They did as advertised in wet conditions. They cost a little more but all the reviews that I have read are great. Cost a little more but seems to be great tires. I hope to get the mileage that everyone is. Not endorsing this site but it is the cheapest place I found for both tires. http://www.compacc.com/p/Michelin-Pilot-Road-3-Tires-Z-Rated-Dual-Compound-Front-and-Rear-Tire-Package (Message edited by ericcogdell on March 24, 2012) | ||
| Tempest766 |
OK...after some comparisons I went ahead and ordered an original Michelin PR from Motorcycle Superstore. I'm expecting it here middle of this coming week so hopefully I won't be down for too long. Maybe I should head to the garage today to remove the wheel...after all, it is raining today. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Hey Don, this is a very timely post and you're just the guy that might have the right answer. When do you consider the Angels worn out? I'm mostly concerned about the two pairs of dimples near the centerline, can you still run them when those are gone? | ||
| Djohnk |
+1 on the Shinko Ravens. I put on both the front and rear tires for less than $200 to my door. For the price I figured why not give them a try? Anyway, I am very happy with them so far, and if you research them you will find most reviews are very positive. | ||
| Barkbuster |
I got 6000 out of my pr 2 and it had a bit more in it but changed out to Pirelli angels as i had an unused front and got the matching rear with the e construction,and had a trip to do in S.D. two up. The rear has about 3000 on it now but don`t seem to be wearing any better than the pr2. I liked the pr2 profile better, a little slower turning in but don`t stand up under braking like the Angels. Got a set of bridgstone bt023s to go on when the angels are done but it may take the rest of the summer to get em on because I gotta get my money out of the front angel with a 2nd rear . got the 23`s because they seem to be least expensive tire for now . | ||
| Johnboy777 |
I love my Diablo Strada rear. I've had two Syncs on the front. Great combo in the rain. http://www.compacc.com/p/Pirelli-Diablo-Strada-Ext ended-Mileage-Sport-Tires-Front My rear Diablo Strada has 7,000 miles and looks like it will go about 10,000. I plan to run the Angels next, as I think the Diablo Stradas were superseded by the Angels, so the Diablo Stradas may no longer be available. I run 40R/38F - per a email from Pirelli. ... | ||
| Ratbuell |
I also run 38/40 F/R on my 06 Uly. D616 tires, 3 bags, overloaded quite often. Higher pressures give better handling and tread life, in my experience. I have PR2's on my S2, and PR3's on my S1W. I run 36/38 on them and have 8k on the S2's set...and while it doesn't look "new", it still has a hell of a lot of life left. I just do too much dirt and crap on the Uly to put PR's on it - I like (need?) the thicker carcass on the 616. | ||
| Uly_man |
It seems like some basics are needed for tire and suspension setup with this bike. 1) As little as 2 PSI over/under tire pressure will effect the handling and wear on a Uly. This is because it HAS, no matter what people say, sports bike handling/suspension. Good tires and setup are all with this bike for road work. 2) Because only 2 PSI has an effect even a mild hot/cold day will change how the tires run/feel/wear. In other words if you set the tire pressures one day it may not be the same another. Thats bikes and normal. 3) Check your tire pressures cold on the day of use. I use 36/40 or 36/42, depending on the tire and I am 300IB ish. Please, please understand that a Uly has a frame and suspension system that makes many sports bikes seem crude. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
Quite a few people badmouthed the stradas. I personally had great luck with them on the XT. Other than they were nail magnets! Since their discontinuation, I did replace my last strada with the scorpion trail. This has been a great tire as well with a bit more dirt worthiness. It's not a Sync, but a better road tire for those of us that venture down a fire road a few times but spend 95% of our time on the highway. X2 on Motorcycle superstore. Discounts abound always as well as free shipping when you dig for it. | ||
| Closetbueller |
Tires are like riding gear,everyone has their own person favorites based upon the type of riding that they do. That being said, we have been very impressed with the tread life and handling on the PR2's. I have two pair on backup that were purchased on sale from Competition Accessories, a little over 500 for all 4 tires IIRC. | ||
| Griffmeister |
HOLY CRAP, did I read this right??? Just got the new Cycle Gear cat and saw the spring tire sale. Pirelli Diablo tires, you can buy just the rear for $184.99, or you can get both front and rear for $189.99 total. Makes me want to see how well the Diablo would work on the Uly. | ||
| Froggy |
Griff, those are the Diablo Supersport tires, not exactly something you would want on a Uly unless you are really beating the snot out of it or doing a trackday. The price is tempting though, but it will go to waste on a bike being ridden by an old man like you!  | ||
| Griffmeister |
Don't worry Froggy, your time will come. Nobody goes backwards in this world.  Yeah, just because a tire says 180/55/ZR-17 doesn't mean you can put it on. It's just that those dollar signs have a hypnotic effect, sort of like a deer and headlights.  | ||
| Discochris |
First set of Stradas were excellent. The second set went bald with 4500 on them. Switched to the Shinko's last year, and I'm really pleased. Wearing well, inexpensive, and they seem to handle just as well as the Pirelli's. I'll buy another set. |
