Sport Touring rubber

[sixpack577]

So mounted and balanced that has to be a $700 tire change...that's awful.
I'm glad I do my own tires, but the prices on most any brand has gotten alot higher in the last few years...over the years I never even stopped to think about tires becoming so expensive.

 

[sixpack577]

I used to buy extra tires when I could afford too, but I always had more parts to buy with that tire money, so I stopped.
I think I'll buy a few extras when I can to put on the shelf, as they'll last a few years and probably save me quite a bit doing that.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

I used to buy extra tires when I could afford too, but I always had more parts to buy with that tire money, so I stopped.
I think I'll buy a few extras when I can to put on the shelf, as they'll last a few years and probably save me quite a bit doing that.

I think Tim (Pashnit) buys in bulk due to his business wearing them out during his touring season.

Come to think about it, they’re never gonna be cheaper.

 

[pashnit]

I think Tim (Pashnit) buys in bulk due to his business wearing them out during his touring season.

Come to think about it, they’re never gonna be cheaper.

I don't buy them in bulk. That gets expensive. Although I do have a friend that does that and will have 8 or 10 tires sitting around his house. He has 7 bikes in the garage and rides all of them. I'm buying tires every 3 to 4 months and like to have a spare set sitting here in the garage.
I put this set of Michelin on in late April and I'll get just one more ride out of them.

This set of Michelin T32s lasted May 1 to mid-August. Not bad.

I've got 5400 miles on the current set since May 1 and I can get another easy 1000 miles out of them. Doing a 5-day ride through Oregon end of this month so I'll put on a new set end of this month.

I bought this today:

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

“Michelin” T32? BTW I’ve bought a few tires on Amazon that came from Chaparral and oddly, they were cheaper thru Amazon than they were direct from Chaparral.

If the Conti I just put on the Kawasaki gives good service I’ll put one on the Busa. The savings is remarkable, just about half price.

 

[BigBSBusa]

“Michelin” T32? BTW I’ve bought a few tires on Amazon that came from Chaparral and oddly, they were cheaper thru Amazon than they were direct from Chaparral.

If the Conti I just put on the Kawasaki gives good service I’ll put one on the Busa. The savings is remarkable, just about half price.

View attachment 1686311

I tried to buy a set from these folks, but they didn't have the 190/55 rear in stock.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

Funny, in the Conti the 50 series seems to be a rarity but the 190/55s are plentiful.

 

[sixpack577]

Funny, in the Conti the 50 series seems to be a rarity but the 190/55s are plentiful.

I've noticed that with several tire brands and suppliers.
I think that's because alot of sport/sport touring bikes have came with 55's instead of 50's in recent years, as well as there always being a demand/sales for 55's when alot of bikes still came with the 50's.

 

[bigoltool]

Maybe not cutting edge, but this is a comparative bargain. Pirelli Angel GT combo. $239.96

Amazon.com

 

[BlueBacon]

I had to replace my rear tire (Road 5) early due to an unexpected hole, and I had to buy a Road 6 (190/50/17). Cost $288+$25 install at Cyclegear in September 2023. No issues, but I usually add 5 PSI every two or so weeks to keep them around 42PSI. Probably less than 8k miles on the front and maybe 3k on the rear. Majority of all my riding is dry and upright...every turn on my 40mile commute is at a stop light/sign.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

Why 42? After an hour or so it’s up to 45+ as the tire heats up. Most run 38R and 36F or thereabouts.

 

[BlueBacon]

Why 42? After an hour or so it’s up to 45+ as the tire heats up. Most run 38R and 36F or thereabouts.

Suzuki sticker says 42 cold and the tire says max load blahblahblah at 42 cold. I aim to keep it just above 40 on both.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

Suzuki sticker says 42 cold and the tire says max load blahblahblah at 42 cold. I aim to keep it just above 40 on both.

Right, that’s the maximum psi for the tire, not a recommended psi. The tires will wear out prematurely, particularly the center strip.

 

[BlueBacon]

Right, that’s the maximum psi for the tire, not a recommended psi. The tires will wear out prematurely, particularly the center strip.

Yeah, that is true. Suzuki recommends 42, but that's based on the original tire.
I don't like the feel of the tires in the mid 30's, but I figured I was far enough below the max tire threshold not to worry about the tires at 42...I'm below 180lbs with gear so that's 50+lbs under the max tire weight rating.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

I don’t think Suzuki is recommending anything. Does it make sense that they’re ‘recommending’ 42 psi no matter what the weight is, front or rear solo or dual riders? What’s the point if it’s the same? They’re merely stating what the maximum psi rating is for tires on their bike. That’s my interpretation of that sticker and my 82,000+ miles of experience riding that bike.

Tires gain pressure when warm. Starting at 42 means they’re gaining 2-3-4 psi as you ride.

 

[Solyom]

I don’t think Suzuki is recommending anything. Does it make sense that they’re ‘recommending’ 42 psi no matter what the weight is, front or rear solo or dual riders? What’s the point if it’s the same? They’re merely stating what the maximum psi rating is for tires on their bike. That’s my interpretation of that sticker and my 82,000+ miles of experience riding that bike.

Tires gain pressure when warm. Starting at 42 means they’re gaining 2-3-4 psi as you ride.

I'm using the bike with 34 psi front/rear based on the tyre pressure thread and based on my previous experience. It was more or less my go to on the previous bike as well, actually a bit lower as the bike was a bit lighter. The TC led only blinks when I use a bit more throttle out of the corner (so with partially tilted bike) and in straights it gives me the LF blinking only, so it has traction. I personally think 2.9 is only for hypermiling. I currently have 4k kms in the OEM tyres and still counting. After 3500 kms I started to feel - when I checked with hands - the center of the rear is loosing its original rounded shape, but it is hardly can be seen when you look at it. I think it can be still reset if I do a full track day on a short circuit or some mountain trips with twisties only back and forth.