I need a new front tire already

[trekguy]

at 5800 miles, it is cupped and worn down almost to the wear bars. My dealer can sell me a new Feel Free tire for $150 plus installation. I am hesitant to purchase another Metzler tire due to the poor wear of this one.
Any suggestions on a longer wearing brand?

The rear tire has 50% tread left.

 

[JaimeC]

My experience has been that the Metzelers are one of the longest wearing tires you can buy (I routinely get 20K out of the ME880s on my K1200LT, a bike known to be hard on tires). Were you checking your inflation pressures regularly and were they up to spec?

 

[Xian Forbes]

You might give Heidenau Tires a try. The US importer is a friend of mine and he has looked at my bike and he has tires that will fit. They are a German product and seem to offer a high quality and long lasting product. The guys on dual sport bikes especially report of very long lasting wear and good performance out of Heidenau.

 

[trekguy]

I was CHECKING inflation with the info button, (around 29 to 32) but never added any air. I did find out those Feel Free tires are Z-speed rated. Why? I think I will replace it with H-speed rating, which should also soften the ride. I never ride 2 up, and weigh 167.

 

[JaimeC]

FWIW, the TPM readings didn't match what my tried-and-proven air pressure gauge was telling me.

"Trust, but verify..."

 

[justscootin]

the TPM readings didn't match what my tried-and-proven air pressure gauge was telling me.

"Trust, but verify..."

I have also found the TPM units do not match my trusty tire pressure gauge. I have found the TPM are usually low by anywhere from 2-4 pounds light.

I have also found it will change from one day to the next.

 

[justscootin]

at 5800 miles, it is cupped and worn down almost to the wear bars. My dealer can sell me a new Feel Free tire for $150 plus installation. I am hesitant to purchase another Metzler tire due to the poor wear of this one.
Any suggestions on a longer wearing brand?

The rear tire has 50% tread left.

When I replace my tires i was thinking of these tires with the duel compound. Any ideas or comments. The concern I have is the tread pattern

Michelin Pilot Power Pure SC Rear Tire - Mobile Motorcycle Superstore

Michelin Pilot Power Pure SC Front Tire - Mobile Motorcycle Superstore

 

[bill steele]

5800 miles isn't great but it is in the realm of tire wear for motorcycle, I have a pair of Michelin city grips on another bike I own (Gilera fuoco Mp3 500) I believe they are the same compound as the pilot power pure sc after 1500 miles I can't see any wear at all on the tires they still have quite a few tire tits left on them. the tires are a nice smooth tire and have good grip on a wet road so far so good.

 

[trekguy]

My previous scooter was a piaggio np3 500 and I had 18000 miles on the original front tires!

 

[JaimeC]

My TMAX ALMOST made it to 10,000 miles. Tire wear was weird... the center of the front tire looked new, but the sides were worn to the wear bars... it almost had a triangular shape. The rear tire wore normally (more in the center than the sides). Guess that came from hard cornering; the TMAX did feel as though it was "pushing" the front when the pace picked up.

I have less than 2,000 miles on the C650GT but so far tire wear appears to be normal. The TMAX OEM tires were Bridgestone Battleax and I replaced them with the Metzeler FeelFrees. Didn't have it long enough after the tire change, however, to gauge their wear compared to the Bridgestones. I SUSPECT the Metzelers would've lasted longer as they were more "touring oriented" than the sporting Bridgestones but I'll never know. I certainly didn't lack for grip or handling after the switch.

 

[bill steele]

So I was out on the BMW today slow turns felt strange checked the tires and have wear on both sides and a raised middle the center line is fading quick and I only have 4300 miles on the bike the rear tire looks like it will get another 3000 miles out of it But if I am going to get new tires I will get front and rear at the same time don't want to have to go back for a tire change before the front wears out I may go with the Pirellis or the Michelin tires. The Pirellis are a softer compound and very stickey and will wear faster than the Michelin I believe but they really stick to the road.

 

[trekguy]

I am thinking of going with the Metzeler FF again, only this time with an H speed rating.

 

[bill steele]

Mine are the H rated tires so I don't think they will be any better than what the Z tires have done

 

[bill steele]

My previous scooter was a piaggio np3 500 and I had 18000 miles on the original front tires![/QU
Your Mp3 500 with the Piaggio badge was a Gilera Fuoco Piaggio owns Gilera among other motorcycle co. Just though I would let you know

 

[trekguy]

Thanks for the information... the Gilera brand of bikes are not sold over here in the States. Also, I am thinking the FF tires with Z speed rating would have a stiffer sidewall (thus a harsh ride) so that is why I am trying an H speed rated tire; same brand. Are you saying your C650GT came with H-rated FF Metzeler tires from the factory?

 

[JaimeC]

A "Z" rated tire makes no sense for a vehicle that can barely hit 110 mph and is not likely to run at that speed for a sustained length of time. In fact, even an "H" rated tire would be overkill, but no one makes "S" rated tires anymore.

 

[bill steele]

yes my650 gt came with the H rated tires, I'm use to tires wearing quickly but 4300 miles is crazy and I wasn't really driving the bike hard.

 

[trekguy]

The sidewall of my front tire is 120/70/ZR15

 

[justscootin]

The sidewall of my front tire is 120/70/ZR15

My tire is a 120/70 R15 M/C 56H

I think you are reading your tire wrong as from the factory why would they send your scooter with a different tire than the rest of ours

 

[trekguy]

I got that Z speed rating from BMW Motorrad USA websight under specs for the C650 GT.
When I got off my ass to look at the sidewall numbers on my own bike, they read, just like yours, 120/70/R15 M/C56H. I stand corrected!
So, what speed rating are those tires, not that it makes much difference on a scooter?