Tire issue

[LeftCoastMan]

I have a pair of brand new tires sitting in my garage, awaiting placement on my bike. I just don't know when to do it, so I don't waste available tread life. My current tires, Metzler Z6, have about 1mm of tread life at the furthest inward tread wear indicator. A brand new Z6 has about 5 mm at the same point. Now, my simple math would indicate I have over 20% tread life still remaining, even though I have over 12,000 miles on the tire. I actually think there's over 20% life left, since the manufacturer would want some buffer between the TWI and actual tire failure.

 

Is my logic totally flawed? Or am I on the right track. I'm considering a 1500 mile trip this week, and I don't know what to do.

[Selden]

In my experience, the last 20% of the tread disappears faster than the first 20%. If you're planning a 1500 mile trip, new tires on the bike will be one less thing to worry about.

[Paul Mihalka]

Metzeler Z6 tires are famous to go from fairly worn to showing threads in a heartbeat. Some people don't like them because of that. Better put the new ones on before the trip.

[LeftCoastMan]

I'm cheap, so I was hoping for different answers. I keep reading where the Z6's go bad fast.

 

So are other tires like this? Do my new PR2's have a more consistent wear?

[Paul Mihalka]

On PR2 it is easier to judge wear because they have tread lines across the center of the tire. They also seem to give a little more miles than the Z6.

[moshe_levy]

While riding across country I checked my Z6s and had 1mm left, with 2-3 days left of riding after almost a month on the road. I thought I could make it, but

 

 

That's what I found in Wichita, Kansas, on Memorial Day, when everything was closed. All plans thrown off, and lots of extra expense incurred. Some states have asphalt which just eats through tires like no tomorrow. So, if you're cheap, consider how much putting a tire on at your convenience is now vs. a tow, squeezing your way into a packed dealership which may or may not have time to change your tire, which you will undoubtedly pay full price for - and get stuck with whatever they stock. It's not even a question - do it before you leave.

 

-MKL

[JayW]

That is amazing longevity out a Metzler, or any other brand for that matter. I am thrilled if I get half that many miles out of a rear tire.

 

Though I can definitely identify with your desire to glean every last revolution out of a tire, it is probably time to send that one to its reward if you have a long trip ahead of you.

 

Jay

[JayW]

Why couldn't you just wrap some duct tape around the perimeter of that tire and keep going?

[jaytee]

Definitely replace it... plus you will enjoy your trip al lthat much more having a new round tire profile

[Rinkydink]

Peace of mind is a wonderful thing in my book

[LeftCoastMan]

That is amazing longevity out a Metzler, or any other brand for that matter. I am thrilled if I get half that many miles out of a rear tire.

 

Though I can definitely identify with your desire to glean every last revolution out of a tire, it is probably time to send that one to its reward if you have a long trip ahead of you.

 

Jay

 

I have just under 13,000 miles on them really, now that I've checked my odometer. I think mileage is dependent upon so many factors that it's hard to make tire to tire comparisons. I don't drive hard, I never go two-up, and most of miles are on nicely paved roads. I don't break hard or take off hard. I probably do 25% twisties/75% slab. Tires are truly YMMV.

 

I think I could get 14,000 out of these tires, but I guess according to you guys, I'll feel better with new tires AND I've done better with my tires than most anyone else out there. Time to not be cheap.

 

[rideaway]

On my Dunlop Road Smarts the wear bars were just barley showing and 600 kilometers later the steel belt was exposed. Went back to Pilot road 2 as they last twice as long.

[flars]

And your answer is:

"...I have just under 13,000 miles ..."

"...I think I could get 14,000 out of these tires..."

"...I'm considering a 1500 mile trip this week..."

 

You would be 500 miles from home when the tires wear out.

[ed may]

So are the pr2's the tire of choice for the 06 rt?

[jaytee]

So are the pr2's the tire of choice for the 06 rt?

 

A lot of people on this board like them, but the only way to know for sure is to try a set and see what you think. There are certainly many worse tires out there.

 

JT

[JayW]

So are the pr2's the tire of choice for the 06 rt?

 

A lot of people on this board like them, but the only way to know for sure is to try a set and see what you think. There are certainly many worse tires out there.

 

JT

 

I agree. That is sort of like asking if XYZ oil is the lubricant of choice for the RT. There is no concensus. Only I can you give the definitive answer, but I'm not gonna 'cuz that would spoil the fun.

 

Jay

[NewBlue]

So are the pr2's the tire of choice for the 06 rt?

 

A lot of people on this board like them, but the only way to know for sure is to try a set and see what you think. There are certainly many worse tires out there.

 

JT

 

I agree. That is sort of like asking if XYZ oil is the lubricant of choice for the RT. There is no concensus. Only I can you give the definitive answer, but I'm not gonna 'cuz that would spoil the fun.

 

Jay

 

I want to know more about this XYZ oil, where do I get it? I must have this. Do you check the level the same way when using it? Is it synthetic? Is it Canbus compatable?

[JayW]

I want to know more about this XYZ oil, where do I get it? I must have this. Do you check the level the same way when using it? Is it synthetic? Is it Canbus compatable?

 

It is a supersynthetic extragalactic polymer, doubles your canbus output and the only oil that fully complies with the principles of reactive thermal concentricity. It is not available in stores, but if you act quickly it can be yours for 3 easy payments of $29.99, plus shipping & handling, tax, gratuity and tip. PM me your credit card number NOW and then wait. It's that easy!

 

Jay

[LeftCoastMan]

Just had a pair of PR2's place on my bike. Cost me $129 at the BMW dealer, not including the tires which I had purchased from the Motorcycle Superstore. Just put on 100 miles or so. Can't tell you anything about them yet.

 

[Bernie]

I rode a lot of miles with the Metzler Z-6 and really like them a lot.

I am on my first set of PR2 and they greatly improved the handling, much crisper and it turns "NOW", no delay.

But I don't think they will last any longer then the Z-6.

And after 7k miles, my front is almost down to the wear marks, while I routinely got 12-13K from front Z-6 tires.

My rear after 5k miles as maybe 1 mm left before the wear marks, so maybe it will last longer then rear Z-6 (6 to 8K miles).

But the handling improvements are worth it, and the price is about the same.

[notacop]

You are looking at 1mm of tire and you wanna go on the 3 flags? Dumb! If I see the wear bars I go get new rubber.Just mounted a PR2 on the rear. Scrubbed it in today. Lovely nice feel once I worn the release agent off. Oh, $170.00 mounted and balanced.OYE!

My Z6's never went past 6K miles so I only had one set. Phooey.

[LeftCoastMan]

You are looking at 1mm of tire and you wanna go on the 3 flags? Dumb! If I see the wear bars I go get new rubber.Just mounted a PR2 on the rear. Scrubbed it in today. Lovely nice feel once I worn the release agent off. Oh, $170.00 mounted and balanced.OYE!

My Z6's never went past 6K miles so I only had one set. Phooey.

 

If you want to add valuable information that is helpful to the community, go for it. Calling me dumb is frankly ignorant and arrogant. Please don't dislocate your shoulder patting yourself on the back because you believe your information is so useful.

[LeftCoastMan]

I rode a lot of miles with the Metzler Z-6 and really like them a lot.

I am on my first set of PR2 and they greatly improved the handling, much crisper and it turns "NOW", no delay.

But I don't think they will last any longer then the Z-6.

And after 7k miles, my front is almost down to the wear marks, while I routinely got 12-13K from front Z-6 tires.

My rear after 5k miles as maybe 1 mm left before the wear marks, so maybe it will last longer then rear Z-6 (6 to 8K miles).

But the handling improvements are worth it, and the price is about the same.

 

I have nothing but praise for the Z6 in handling and longevity. The only reason I'm dumping them for the PR2's is because of why I started this thread. Too many people keep saying they have 1-2 mm of tread at the TWI, and a couple of hundred miles later, they have cord showing. You should be able to ride a bike until it hits the wear bar. The PR2's have clearly wear bars that will be a great indicator of when to replace the tire.

[jaytee]

Just had a pair of PR2's place on my bike. Cost me $129 at the BMW dealer, not including the tires which I had purchased from the Motorcycle Superstore. Just put on 100 miles or so. Can't tell you anything about them yet.

 

I'm sure you will like them. They do keep their shape better than most tires and so have quite a bit better handling IMHO half-way through their life than most.

 

Scrub 'em in and have fun!

 

JT

[lvnvbiker]

I ran a few sets of the Z6s on my RT with no compliants myself. The last set I had got just under 11000 miles out of the rear with some left before the wear bars, but the front cupped so badly that it was IMO unsafe so I went with a set of Dunlop Roadsmarts which I loved. I went to the local shop looking for Pilot Roads 1's or 2's but they were out of the 180 rears in both due to the being on sale, but they had Road Smarts and they gave me a set for the PR sale price so on they went.

Orangemarlin I'm used to be alot like you in the respect that I wanted to wring every last yard out of a set of shoes, cause I'm a frugal type also. I have loosened up some lately though due to seeing a few misshaps that friends have had, like getting stranded on the side of the highway with a flat rear while pushing to get home on a marginal tire and one pushing the front and going down due to slick pavement and an idiot cager making a left from the right lane on a very near the wear bar front. (The guy that went down is an AMA card carrying endurance racer and the tire was a race take off on his gixer 600...) Piece of mind, and good tread makes a pretty good arguement in this case and the Z6s do seem to go from OK to Oh S**t astoundingly fast at the end of thier life span... Oh by the way, have a great trip either way you decide to go and take time to snap some ride report worthy pics so guys like me that can't get away due to work or school can live vicariously through you would ya?

[NewBlue]

I see three choices.

 

1)Mount the new tires before you leave.

 

2)Mount the new tires before you leave, put the old one back on when you return and finish the remainder local.

 

3)Plan on stopping by dealer when you're on the trip and have a new tire installed.

 

1) would be my choice

2) is ok if you mount your own tires, not for me.

3) since you already have a set of tires this one would be a waste

 

I'd go with 1, have a safe trip.

[LeftCoastMan]

I did #1. Unfortunately, my trip this weekend got cancelled because my alma mater decided to lose in the NCAA's to a crap team from flyover country. I wish I went to Duke.

 

I'm going to ride a couple of hundred miles this weekend to do the "scrubbing" of the tires. I can't wait! And since I don't have to waste my weekend watching the NCAA's, I'll have the time.

 

 

[LeftCoastMan]

Orangemarlin I'm used to be alot like you in the respect that I wanted to wring every last yard out of a set of shoes, cause I'm a frugal type also. I have loosened up some lately though due to seeing a few misshaps that friends have had, like getting stranded on the side of the highway with a flat rear while pushing to get home on a marginal tire and one pushing the front and going down due to slick pavement and an idiot cager making a left from the right lane on a very near the wear bar front. (The guy that went down is an AMA card carrying endurance racer and the tire was a race take off on his gixer 600...) Piece of mind, and good tread makes a pretty good arguement in this case and the Z6s do seem to go from OK to Oh S**t astoundingly fast at the end of thier life span... Oh by the way, have a great trip either way you decide to go and take time to snap some ride report worthy pics so guys like me that can't get away due to work or school can live vicariously through you would ya?

 

I'll take photos on my long trip, this summer and spring. I actually have a website set up to do it.

 

My weekend trip is cancelled because Syracuse decided to play like the Our Lady of Sorrow's JV team, and Butler decided to play like...never mind I can't give Butler any credit whatsoever. Anyways, I would have worn out the Z6's, but I was preparing the trip to Salt Lake City, so I had the new PS2's mounted.

 

Yeah, I am cheap. But when I was getting my tires changed, I sat on the '10 RT. I almost pulled out the checkbook.

 

 

[Bernie]

I rode 140K miles on Z-6 tires.

I rode several sets till the the white cords was visible

.

You will get a warning from the tire.

In the center it will look like someone has used a file on the rubber. It will start to peelup.

Then you have maybe 200 to 500 miles before the cords show through.

[LeftCoastMan]

140K miles?

[NewBlue]

140K miles?

 

Must run it on the center stand, a lot

[Bernie]

Yes, of course on one tire.