GSA Tyre Wear?

[PhilBolton]

My new GSA is seriously wearing its front tyre.
If you remember Dunlop? Triangulars from years ago, then that is what it looks like now at 3200 miles.
Tried to photograph it, but the photo doesn't really show the wear pattern.
It has worn on the sides far more than than the centre, such that I can feel the profile "falling" into a turn

I got it new in late March, having previously run an '07 GS for two years and 33000 miles.
Front tyres on the GS wore fairly evenly and lasted longer than a back tyre, with say, 7000+ miles for a back.
I had Metz Tourance on the GS, and my GSA came with Tourance EXP, which I suppose is just an updated Tourance.
I had cast wheels on my GS, and have got wire wheels on the GSA.
My riding style has not changed between the bikes, and I don't use motorways.
And before anyone asks! Yes! the tyre pressures are correct, according to the computer anyway.
The rear tyre looks to be wearing normally.

I would say that this front will be useless at 5000 miles, which is useless!

Now, I know that the OE tyres from the factories are not always exactly the same as the ones we subsequently buy, the factory buying enough to be able to specify a tyre with characteristics more suited to the bike.
Do BMW do this?
So will the wear of subsequent tyres be different?
Is the big tank and other stuff on the GSA putting more weight on the front with consequent higher wear?
Is it a GSA trait?
Do "they all do that sir!"

GSA riders - your experience, please.

Phil

 

[smartrider]

I have an 09 gsa with tourance exp. It has done almost 6,000 miles and the tread is wearing evenly Front and Rear. The front has an even 3mm tread in the centre and the sides, so not having the same problems as you.
BUT my front is developing cracks between the tread blocks Only tiny but they are all around the tyre.
I have sent pics to metzler and am waiting ror a response.

 

[Slowdown]

If you're wearing the edges more than the centre then perhaps you should ride slower?

BUT my front is developing cracks between the tread blocks Only tiny but they are all around the tyre.

Mine do that - Tourance and Avon Azaro's - I just assumed 'they all do that'

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I think the EXP`s have wear issue`s and are nowhere near as good as the originals.

I don`t generally check mileage as I change them when I need to but front tyre wear has always been good and even on my GSA. I reckon 2 backs to one front as a guide so that would be about 10k.

Try some original Tourances or any of the other tried and tested tyres Battlewings/trail Attacks etc to see if you have the same issue. You`ll probably find it goes away so treat her to a new set for summer

As far as I know, GSA`s don`t have an issue with tyre wear.

 

[PhilBolton]

HHmmm! What sort of roads do you ride Smartrider?

Twisty A's and B's -- or Dual carriageway/Motorway --- or a mixture of all?

Phil

 

[PhilBolton]

Bilco - you slipped that in whilst I was replying to Smartrider -

That is reassuring that you say there is no wear issues with the GSA.

I have run Metz, Pirelli, Michelin and probably more before over the years, albeit on Tigers, but they are similar weight and power as the GS's. And the the wear on my GS was well within my experience, in fact the GS was easier on fronts than the Tigers. As you say, I got nearly two backs to one front on my GS.

I would expect that the GSA would not really be that different to the GS - big tank, a bit heavier, but I really can't feel the extra when I'm tackling the twisties.

And Mister Slowdown -- Why? Is not going round corners one of the things that makes riding a bike such a good experience?

Phil

 

[AdamA]

My riding style has not changed between the bikes...

I suspect that that is not actually the case, despite what you think.

Yes EXP do wear massively quick compared to standard Tourance, but the only thing* that will normally cause heavy wear on the edges of a front tyre is loading it up in a corner.

That can be done in a number of ways.
Cornering very hard (al la a race track) - I doubt that's the case.
Cornering whilst trail braking - possibly the case but I would expect you to have noticed yourself doing it.
Cornering with a closed throttle - where my money is on. It's the hardest to notice yourself (or indeed others) doing but still quite seriously loads the front in a corner. It's also pretty much what most riders do on a "different" bike that they haven't got a 100% feel for how it handles and corners. Especially if the "different" bike is a bit heavier so pulls them into the corner a tad quicker due to the extra momentum..
Yes you had a GS before but the two do handle slightly differently which may be enough to prevent you getting back on the throttle for the corner.

*= Alternatively you might have just got a duff tyre, it does happen.
Also dual compount tyres can wear like that, but I don't think the EXP is one.

 

[John Armstrong]

The Battlewings on my 650 twin are wearing the wrong way round, ie front will last half the time of the rear I reckon

That might have something to do with the fronts having 3mm less IIRC than the rears

 

[PhilBolton]

AdamA -- Some seriously heavy thoughts there -- I think I will just have to go out for a few hours to analyse my riding, instead of the work on the house I'm expected to be doing - well that's a new excuse, anyway!

Seriously, I'll have to think about all that.

The Duff Tyre did cross my mind too.

RE: EXP wear rates - Are they softer than the older tourances then?

Phil

 

[Ibex]

GSA front tyre wear

My 1200GSA is still on its second front tyre at 15k miles. The wear is pretty even all around as was with its predecessor. I actually had it to replace before it reached its minimum tread depth because of increasing uncertainty from the front on wet roads, and I feel this one will go the same way - the new tyre transforms the bike!

 

[AdamA]

The Battlewings on my 650 twin are wearing the wrong way round, ie front will last half the time of the rear I reckon

That might have something to do with the fronts having 3mm less IIRC than the rears

I doubt it. Less tread depth on the front is the case with most tyres, by design. The idea being the front and rear last roughly the same amount of time so they sell more tyres/you change as a pair. On the road front tyres generally have much easier time as getting the power down is quite simple and safe to do, whereas cornering like rossi isn't the best idea, so to get similar wear rates they make the front tyre with less tread depth.

Again I feel you may be doing as I described in my above post.

Ideally you should be aiming to slow on the straight, get back on a very slight throttle (just enough to settle the bike front to rear - not enough to make the front lift/rear dip, just keep the weight almost evenly distributed front to rear with a little more on the back) before/as you turn into the corner. Then maintain the bikes attitude throughout the corner until such a time as it is appropriate to open the throttle more to accelerate out of it.

AdamA -- Some seriously heavy thoughts there -- I think I will just have to go out for a few hours to analyse my riding, instead of the work on the house I'm expected to be doing - well that's a new excuse, anyway!

I like your style.

RE: EXP wear rates - Are they softer than the older tourances then?

Phil

Yes. They are ultimtely a grippier tyre, but do you really need that extra grip on the road? Certainly you don't need the trade off in wear rate, hence most people have stuck with/gone back to the original.

 

[G5RJO]

Tread cracks.....

I have an 09 GSA with tourance EXPs and the front tyre has cracks on the centre line on the tread blocks.

Tyre is wearing strange too. A bit 'pointy' if you know what I mean, front end feels a bit vague sometimes too.

I'd be interested to hear what they say about the cracks. Please report back.

Roger O

 

[Ian Lynch]

+ 2

I've done just over 7,000 miles on my 08 GSA, and my front tyre has cracks around the tread blocks.
The back tyre was past its best at its service at 6,000 but I've coaxed it to within a fraction of its legal depth at 7,000 (I'm a tight arse)
It would be interesting to hear what they say too.
Cheers,

Lynchy

 

[Pukmeister]

Check your sidewalls for cracking, my last front Tourance (not EXP) had cracks between the tread blocks but also some major cracking to both sidewalls despite a healthy amount of tread pattern remaining. It was enough to make me VERY concerned.

I contacted Metzeler Pirelli about it and after buying a new front tyre and having the old one analysed they refunded 65% of the cost involved. Get the deal sorted before you cough up for the new tyre though, or you'll be on your own.

I asked for some feedback from them about the nature of the defect on the tyre, but they declined to answer.

 

[PhilBolton]

G5RJO -- Yes! "pointy" is a good description of the wear on my front, which prompted me to start this thread.

How many miles have you put on your front tyre?

I think that I will not be having EXP's again.

Phil

 

[robb]

Have you checked the obvious first? Has it got the correct pressure in it?

 

[piebaps]

My front Dunlop has gone too

2008 GSA just ticked over 5100 miles and is in getting some new Metzler boots even as I type. The front is completely knackered. I like the riding style explanation and will have a little rethink.

 

[PhilBolton]

Robb -- yes, correct pressure.

I've been out today for a few hours, and it is really bad enough now for me to consider new tyres, white lining terribly and feels horrible in corners.

It goes just so far over, and then seems to drop, almost like the tyre slipped, but it is not slipping. I have to say, they grip very well, it's only that the profile is completely sha*ged.

Phil

 

[smartrider]

HHmmm! What sort of roads do you ride Smartrider?

Twisty A's and B's -- or Dual carriageway/Motorway --- or a mixture of all?

Phil

mostly A and b roads and round town.

I avoid any sort of straight road i.e motorways

 

[deaninkl]

Phil, quite a lot of info on here about the EXP's most people say the are crap compaired to original Tourance, and I read here that they had stopped making them? biggest gripe was wear rate.

My 07 GS on original Tourances is close to 30k km with original tires, they have worn pretty ever over the whole profile, and front is slighty better condition than back, center of the back still about 2mm of thread. They still grip well, but dont like road markings at speed. I know... I'm a tight git, but also they still feel OK, they'll get changed for the same again in about a month when service is due. Still on original braek pads too...