Rapid Tyre Wear

Looked at my rear tyre today close up - - looks very worn in the middle - suspiciously nearly illegal! 3300 miles since new in September. The front tyre looks as new. Since the 1st service I have not been that good at checking them but was stunned today when I saw the wear. The back tyre was 32.5 when I checked it instead of 36. The front was correct. Now I understand that underinflation wears the outside rather than the middle but mine is worn in the middle. I expected about 10k from cruiser tyres I must confess. Will take in for inspection on Monday. Wonder if there is a fault with the tyre or is it just down to me? What a bummer! Have reinflated to 36 - possible there is air loss I suppose. Looks as though this is going to cost me!!

Bloody Hell Bluesman your riding a Cruiser not a Frigging Scooter, you don't hang around with a load of 16 year olds skidding at every street corner do you

About 10k seems to be the normal point at which people start looking at changing the rear, thats strange

The Intruder wrote:

Bloody Hell Bluesman your riding a Cruiser not a Frigging Scooter, you don't hang around with a load of 16 year olds skidding at every street corner do you

About 10k seems to be the normal point at which people start looking at changing the rear, thats strange

Well I don't hang about - that's true! But nevertheless I would have expected more. Perhaps I need better tyres for my style of riding. Pirelli MT66 and Avon Venom seem to come up for the 800 a lot but not sure if they're done in tubes too. I know some guys put 180's on but don't know about that. Anyway will keep you posted when I have had them checked. Perhaps I ought to use the Bandit when I'm feeling frisky and calm down a bit on the Cruiser (fat chance!)

Wow, that's a real quick trip thru a tire!. Rule of thumb for most the crew I generally ride with is full pressure in the tire. eg: Honda recommends tire pressure in the 30's for the Goldwing (around 36 pounds I think) The tire rating says 40. We ride 40. Tires last longer and don't scallop the rear as badly as lower pressure lets it. I ride tires the same way for the Boulevard, whatever the inflation rating. I don't say it's the correct way to do things, but it works for me.

Our riding season begins any time now as soon as it warms up. Glad to finallly say there's not a snowball in sight! Temps are around -2 + +5 as a daily average now....not long before the 20's get here. Our riding season is generally April to the end of October. How about yours?

I think, I was thinking along the same lines as you. A tire that is higher inflated will usually be a little less wearing for the guys that accelerate hard from stand still.

Good advice guys on keeping up the pressure. I must keep checking more regularly. I do use a lot of throttle in the 1st 3 gears which prob explains the wear somewhat. I ride my Bandit in a similar fashion but that seems much more forgiving. I might be a bit over reacting to the tread wear on the IRC's on the Intruder but the middle of the tyre is down to the wear marks wheras the outside looks as new. Any way I'll pop into the dealer tomorrow and report back. As regards the riding season - March to October would seem popular but I ride all year only staying in when there is any chance of ice or constant Of course the chrome on the Intruder means days as a rule, so 2 bikes are useful.

It's official - just got back from the dealer - tyre needs replacing asap (had two independent assessments - same diagnosis. Have gone for a Pirelli MT66 which will be fitted on Thursday. £78.19 from M&P + £35 fitting (apparently the shaft has to be disconnected) The Suzuki dealer wanted £140 for a Bridgestone fitted but I'm going with the Pirelli. Guy said the original tyres are soft and don't last long but I'm sure my riding has something to do with it!! Wow , that's a bill I did not expect and I will need a service when I reach 4000 miles (3,300 miles now so won't be long) - expensive game this Anyway I will keep the tyre pumped up and see how this one goes. Bluesman's got the blues. Mind you, had a great blast through Swansea today on the best bike in town so that cheered me up

Bloody hell I bet you have got the blues as well, routine maintenance and replacements really do hurt the pocket.
If you were spending the cash on aftermarket parts then it would leave your pocket so much easier.
You do realise that the first service is the only one that has to be done at the “Stealers” after that you could do it all yourself. Just make sure you keep the receipts for parts and a record of what’s done and when
Very good tire, a mate of mine swears by those. You will definitely get over 10k out of that tire, good grip for the wet, kinda looks like a car tire.