Poor Rear Mileage, Another Tire Post

[Guest]

Hi all,

Time for a new rear tire on my 78' GS750. I've had a D404 and a Shinko 230 on the rear. I got a little over 4,000 miles on the 404 and it's looking about the same for the Shinko 230 I have on there now. I hear reviews of goldwind riders getting 10k miles out of a 230 but I'm just not seeing it on my 750. I would say my riding is a mix of cruising and sport riding, somewhere between the two. I would really like to see a little more mileage out of the rear tire. I was considering the Michelin Commander II for my next set. I see at one point they made them in a 110/90/18 but I can't seem to find anyone that has one available. Any other suggestions for tires? I would favor longer life over grip, but it is hard to argue with the Shinko 230 given the cost. Any other tips for increasing the mileage out of a rear tire?

 

[Big T]

Make sure you inflate the tire to the tire manufacturers recommendation

32-35 lbs, typically

 

[bwringer]

The Shinkos are simply not a high mileage tire. A fantastic tire for the money, but not for high mileage.

The tire the GW people are using may have the same number on the side, but it is definitely not the same tire.


Anyhoo, I've done the testing and done the math, and I do know that I reliably get double the mileage on my GS from the Avon AM26 RoadRider vs. the Shinko (230 or 712; either Shinko seems to last about the same to me). The Dunlop 404 is a low-mileage tire as well, and in my experience turns evil as it wears. The Pirelli Sport Demon is very sticky but short-lived.


The Dunlop Elite III is probably the vintage mile champ, but it doesn't come in your size.


The Bridgestone BT45 and the Continental TKV12 are also worth a look; not sure where they stack up vs. the Avon RoadRider as far as mileage, but they are high-quality buns.




Also, just FYI someone will be along shortly to complain that Avon RoadRiders crack and will kill you and your children, curve your spine, and lose the war.

Let's just say that YMMV; I've installed and worn out dozens and dozens of Avon RoadRiders on my bikes and other people's bikes and never once seen a crack. Take that as you will.

 

[Steve]

The Dunlop Elite III is probably the vintage mile champ, but it doesn't come in your size.

For what it's worth, the E3 has been discontinued and replaced by the E4. That's not available in your size, either.

Side note: I had three sets of E3 tires on my Wing. Two sets went over 23,000 miles before they got changed. The third set was well on its way to about 23,000, but I was headed to Mobile, Alabama for a month and they already had almost 21,000, so I changed them early.

Because the expected longevity of most tires was approaching our expected mileage on our "Little Ride" last year, I approached this from another direction. I did not want to change tires on the trip, so I fitted Dunlop E4 tires. The front tires were no problem, but the rear is not available in a 17" size. They do have a 16" size, so I acquired 16" rims for the two bikes that had 17s and ordered three 16" rear tires.

Yes, it's a little shorter than the Shinko 230 in a 130/90-17 size and adds about 200 RPM at highway speeds, but have not noticed much in the way of any other differences. My wife and I have only put on about 2500 miles, my son had a few more miles on his bike, due to a side trip, will have to measure the tires to see how much they have worn.

.

 

[Guest]

I would favor longer life over grip, but it is hard to argue with the Shinko 230 given the cost. Any other tips for increasing the mileage out of a rear tire?

I have 9600km on a 230 on my 1100E. It is pretty shagged at this point, though. The #1 tip is to run higher air pressures. I run ~38psi and it noticeably increases tire life over 35psi with the 230. No noticeable effect on traction or handling that I can tell. The max pressure on the tire wall is 42psi, so you can run higher than my 38psi setting if you want and I expect it will improve life some more. Also note that two up riding and/or luggage and other extra weight will significantly affect mileage. I weigh 190lb without gear and mostly ride solo. If you're a lot bigger than me or ride two up a lot you won't see the same mileage as I do.


Mark

 

[gustovh]

I am running a pair of 230s on my 1100L at this time, and expect to get around 5000 miles out of the rear. Double that out of the front, and for $170 mounted, balanced, I can live with that.

Some would tell you that I like to ride fast.........I like the way lthat they stick to the road at speed, they are H rated and the fore softer than say a ME 880.

V

 

[kerrfunk]

The Dunlop 404 is a low-mileage tire as well, and in my experience turns evil as it wears.

I just noticed that evil today. You are right! I had this D404 130/90-16 for 6500 miles (less than two years) and my next ride will be to the shop!

 

[Brendan W]

I run Conti. Tkv 12 or whatever and now the latest version. I get about 5-6000.
There was some evil rubber on it when I bought it and the day I put the Conti on was so much better.
I would never trade that feeling for mileage.

 

[kerrfunk]

How about Michelin Commander II, or Bridgestone Battlax BT45?

 

[Steve]

Not sure about the Battlax, but the Commander II is only available in a 16" rear tire.

.

 

[kerrfunk]

The Commander II has great reviews.
My threadbare Dunlop 404 is 130/90-16 67H

 

[Steve]

Wingsconsin has one on his 850L and likes it. I considered one for our bikes before our "Little Ride" this past summer, but weren't sure about longevity, so we went with the Dunlop Elite 4.

Just before my son took his bike to Flori-duh last week, we checked things over, including tread depth. He has put on about 5500 miles, there is still 7/32" of tread left.

.