Done with Bridgestones!!

[Rob L]

I attended the MOA rally last week and figured that my tires were good for several thousand more miles. I have gotten over 10k miles out of Metzlers and Mischelins in the past and these Bridgstones only had 5000 miles on them. I arrived home with this rear tire after less than 7k miles total I am going back to Metzlers, in fact I am going to try a set of 880s in the hope to squeeze a few more miles out of a set of tires

[Tominator]

Tires perform differently on every application. I still prefer the ME088 Marathons on my 03 RT....but heh, tires are like religion.....Everybody has their own opinion

 

Cheers

Tomas

[philbytx]

Looks like lots of slabbing on those tyres mate

Anyhoo, the ME880's should give you better wear. I got 6k out of the set of OE D205's when I lived in IL and 8k out of a set of ME800's after we moved to TX. The chip/seal roads in TX are way harder on tyres than the concrete and tarmac in IL, so hopefully you should get better than 8k, provided you haven't got a twitchy right wrist .

[Rob L]

Won't comment on religion.......here.

The tires, however, are not a matter of opinion in my case, I have hard evidence that these did not hold up and therefore I will not purchase another set. I posted this to inform other people of my findings and they may choose to find out for themselves or can believe what I related and try a different tire. I will post the results of the 880s after I wear them out.....hopefully not in the near future

[BUSTED]

How much air pressure did you run in that tire?

[Mr. Frank]

That's a little surprising, Rob. Bridgestones are known for pretty good life. Could it be that 150 HP motor attached to your right hand?

 

I've had good rear tire wear with the Michelin Pilot Road and the Avon Azaro and Avon Storm. The new Michelin Pilot Road 2 is due out in September. That is a dual compound tire designed for higher mileage in the center.

[Mr. Frank]

Sorry, Rob. I had you mixed up with a Rob who has a K1200GT.

[Rob L]

40 PSI front and rear, same as other tires that I have used.

[Rob L]

Could it be that 150 HP motor attached to your right hand?

 

From an 04 RT?? Don't I wish

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Rob,

What kind of Bridgestone was it? They make a number of flavors and they have very different compounds, there are also different load ratings within the very same model designation. Your bike should have had a BT-020 on it, I would have to go to the web site to get the proper model designation. Every chance that you wound up with a generic tire and it was not properly load rated for your RT. FWIW, I have a set of BT-014's on my Blackbird right now and I'm pretty pleased with them. Only 4K on the rear but it is showing every sign that it will go about the same 8K as I got out of the Pilot Road it replaced. Yeah, the BB is about 100 lbs lighter than an RT but it also makes about 60 more HP so it should pretty well even out.

[philbytx]

Yeah, the BB is about 100 lbs lighter than an RT but it also makes about 60 more HP so it should pretty well even out

 

Only if you have a weak right wrist Ed

[Kurt Snyder]

I installed a new front Bridgestone BT-021 last night. The first front BT-021 lasted 2700 miles riding hard in the corners. The BT-021s are the best handling tire I've had on the bike. My tire seliection is limited by the 18 in rear. The rear is still looks good. I never got more than 5000 miles with the Z6.

 

Kurt

R1100RSL

[RTCHIEF]

What is the manufacture date on the tires? Wear pattern is typical for classic over-inflation. JON

[CoarsegoldKid]

I think you're lacking corners to erase some of the sides of those B020s. However, I feel your pain at only getting 5K miles out of them. That's all I could do to front and rear of my R12RT. The sides of my tires were gone and the centers were still showing miles to spare. Different riding conditions for sure where I live, straight roads are hard to fine

I figure that if the tire sticks then that's all I can ask of it. I hear guys getting 10K or more and all I can say is they must be straight up touring tires. Not bad, just not for me!

[Rob L]

I used an 020

[Rob L]

I think you're lacking corners to erase some of the sides of those B020s. However, I feel your pain at only getting 5K miles out of them. That's all I could do to front and rear of my R12RT. The sides of my tires were gone and the centers were still showing miles to spare. Different riding conditions for sure where I live, straight roads are hard to fine

I figure that if the tire sticks then that's all I can ask of it. I hear guys getting 10K or more and all I can say is they must be straight up touring tires. Not bad, just not for me!

 

I live in Indiana.......what are corners

most of my riding is slab and the MEZ4s and Mischelins never looked this bad

[David]

I used an 020

 

There's your problem. They're well known as tires from hell, but not all Bridgestones are.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Yeah, the BB is about 100 lbs lighter than an RT but it also makes about 60 more HP so it should pretty well even out

 

Only if you have a weak right wrist Ed

 

Moi? Probably not. At least not on this bike, too much fun to be had. The ton comes up right after the 2-3 shift and then things really start to get interesting.

[arbee]

Hang your head in shame

A worn out tyre still with active chicken strips

[Rob L]

Hang your head in shame

A worn out tyre still with active chicken strips

 

Show me yours.......

[Lone_RT_rider]

Hang your head in shame

A worn out tyre still with active chicken strips

 

Nothing to be ashamed of there! When you live in the "Middle" area of the United States, the only real corners are on the exit ramps (or clover leafs) of the Interstate. It's just a fact of life unfortunately.

 

Shawn

Michigander, born and raised.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Applies to the bottom, right corner as well. I can find some sweepers and one or two decent on/off ramps but that is about it. The tastiest bit of road around me goes right through the city of West Palm Beach, has a 30 mph speed limit and lots of cops. Plus the darn thing is only a couple of miles long. I do get out early on a Sunday morning and terrorize the neighborhood now and then.

[Kraynak]

Damm 7k, I'm lucky to get 3k out of my sport tires. I just changed to Avon Storms in the rear. I will be very happy to get 5k let alone 7k.

[Parrothead]

I beg to differ with the 020. I run the 020 on the rear of my 96RT and, depending on how I ride, get anywhere between 20K and 25K miles per tire. Mind you, I am not a speed freak, don't do knee bends, and not interested in going from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds............but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. I weigh 155 lbs, my co pilot at 120 lbs. Most rides are commuter, within the city, but the highway does make up a good 60% of my ride. We all know the harded you push a tire, the sooner it will be replaced....Period! I have slowed it down quite a bit after losing some good friends, and I enjoy replacing tires every 3 years instead of every year. just my $ .02

[T__]

Damm 7k, I'm lucky to get 3k out of my sport tires. I just changed to Avon Storms in the rear. I will be very happy to get 5k let alone 7k.

 

Stephen, I was thinking the same thing.. If I could get 7K out of a set of tires (well the front anyhow) I would be beside myself..

 

Twisty

[keithb]

The first set of 020's that came on the bike lasted 7K miles (I bought the bike w/4K miles on it). The second set of 020's lasted 5.5K miles. Avon Vipers lasted about 4K miles. Z6's which were terrible on the bike lasted 5.8K miles(never again). Now I have a set of Avon Storms on it.The next set of tires will absolutely be ME880's. Pressure was at 38F/40-42 Rear. All of these tires have been purchased in the last 18 months (except for the original set of course). I need a tire that is going to get better mileage and from I hear the ME880 is that tire. Geez I can only hope.

[fatbob]

Keith:

I run the bias ply ME 880's that belong on an LT on my RT. I get 12K front and 7-8K rear. Most of our riding in Wyoming is slabbing on limestone chip sealed roads, very hard on the middle of the tires! I have not done better than 6K front/rear with any of the Z-rated radials.

I like the ME 880 a lot. I have not tried the radial version though.

 

Bob

[Rob L]

I installed a set of radial ME880s last night. When the monsoon stops, I'll break them in! I will post results of wear in a few months.

[Beemr69]

20 t0 25 K Parrothead what do you run tank to tank on the center stand

[Parrothead]

Beemr69,

 

Actually, I lift the rear of the bike and run behind it . And remember, speed kills. My friends six feet under remind me of that everyday I'm on the bike.......

[keithb]

Bob

When the Avons expire I plan on running the radial ME880's. I have to use the 170/60/17 for the rear because Metzeler does not make the 180/55/17 yet. All I know is I need better mileage from a set of tires. So far Ruby is addicted to rubber and I have to break her habit. Hopefully the ME880's will reduce her appetite and give my wallet some relief. Oh BTW, Avon recommended air pressure of 36F/42R for my bike and 2 additional lbs. in each tire if there was a passenger or luggage added for a trip.

 

Rob I look forward to hearing what you have to say about the ME880's.

[outpost22]

Yep, made the switch to M880's from the Z6. I too am tired of under 6K out of a Z6. Hope this 880 does the job. So far so good.