Tyre Mileage on 1200GSA

[Decster]

I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I too get better than average mileage, the last set gave me 11'000 from the rear and 14'000 from the front.

Going back to what rdover was saying about 'Puncture safe' It is also proven that having a mobile material inside the tyre will create a much better overall balancing affect on the tyre as it wears down. Fixed weights are only accurate at the time of balancing. As a tyre starts to ware this point of balance becomes less effective. But having something in the tyre like slime, puncture safe or balancing beads can 'as rdover mentions' increase the life of the tyre by as much as 40%.

Why not try some of these things. You never know you could be saving your self quite a few quid each year

i forgot to add i am an ultraseal/puncture safe user.

 

[garfield]

I got 8,000 miles out of my rear tourance, tyre was shagged by that point, front tyre is still going strong at 11,000.....

 

[GS Bloke]

Err - Yes it is. It's ~400bhp/tonne! How fast is 'fast' ???


And if you're feeling every bump I'd have a look at your suspension settings before makeing tyre choices...

The basis for my statement is out of all the bikes I have owned over 25 years, the GSA is not the fastest - it has under 100Bhp and is a big/heavy bike - simple as that.

Have a read of the latest 'Ride' mag as there is an article on tyres and one of the biggest issues is the feel of the road, some tyres really absord small bumps and some don't.

I am quite happy to change tyre makes as long as the tyre is right for the bike, if you stay with the same tyre year after year, then how do you know that is the right tyre for your riding style?
I had a few different makes on my last bike before settleing on Conti's.

 

[VAL. H.]

Lets face it - a GS1200 is not a fast accelerating bike.
I do break hard, had the ABS kick in a few times on the rear - so maybe thats it.
I don't tear about, but I also like to get a move on. Cruise about 80/85.
I was down in Devon last weekend and did notice on the rough back roads that each small imperfection in the road surface came right up through the bike, thought I had a flat it was so rough, so gonna try some Conti Trial attacks as they look nice

Fair point, But a moped driven harshly will eat it's tyres quicker than one driven sensibly.

ABS? year your not alone there it can be a bit sensitive.

I'm inclined to agree with the Englishman; Suspension could be a bit too hard.
The ride of the GSs should be quite soft (comfortable touring) as you point out it's not a sports bike.
The damping adjuster keeps it all under control. On the Devon roads you should be able to walk all over the gixers, those type of roads are the GS's playground.

Enjoy

Val.

 

[GS Bloke]

When I bought my GS the rear tyre was square so part of the deal was a new rear boot. I can't help wondering in the dealer fitted the cheapest end of the Tourances as there seems to be a few different versions.

Suspension: The sort of bumps I mean are very small, not big enuff to go right across the tread, so I don't really expect to suspension to react as the wheel isn't moving, but the surface under the tyre has rough areas. So it's really down to the tyre compound/banding/build etc to deal with these small imperfections in the tarmac, and as per the article in Ride, some tyres deal with these much better than others.
We have all seem tarmac where a few small pieces (small stone size) have broken out, this is what I am trying to reffer to (quite hard in text).

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Suspension: The sort of bumps I mean are very small, not big enuff to go right across the tread, so I don't really expect to suspension to react as the wheel isn't moving, but the surface under the tyre has rough areas. So it's really down to the tyre compound/banding/build etc to deal with these small imperfections in the tarmac, and as per the article in Ride, some tyres deal with these much better than others.
We have all seem tarmac where a few small pieces (small stone size) have broken out, this is what I am trying to reffer to (quite hard in text).

I've just changed to Avon Azaro/Storm and that has been one of the biggest differences I noticed (apart from the fact they are the best handling tyre I've yet tried on my GS ).

They give a much 'smoother' ride soaking up small imperfections/stones/dips in the road much more effectively than any of the previous tyres I've used. TBH I was quite surprised and wondered if I was imagining it but the same has been commented on by other peeps on this site.

Andres

 

[Jazbee]

Just changed from Battlewings (6,000 on rear and squared off a bit) to Tourances - the 'old' model as the feedback on EXP's seems to be mixed. £190 / pair, installed by my dealer at service so not sure how the price stacks up against what's available, but they did an excellent job in the service / price so more than happy to give them my business

 

[GS Bloke]

would you belive it, just bought the latest Bike mag and on page 215 there is a article on the GS1200 and tyres with tests!!!

 

[Dainese Brave]

I put on a pair of Continental Trail Attacks last time and they have since done 8,000 miles.

That has been with a rugged tour of the Balkans and Albania, and a jaunt around Switzerland....so mixed riding, but variable road condition and usage....but I would have said not an easy 8,000 miles.

It has to be said that the rear has pretty much had it now....but the front still has plenty of life left in it....although I will change them as a pair at the next service.

I've really rated their performance too....much better than the Bridgestones that came fitted OE with the bike, and would certainly recommend them

 

[GS Bloke]

I have had the Trail Attacks fitted and the bike feels so different.
Bit of a problem..... when I collected the wheels from the tyre shop, the chap pointed out how many weights there were on the front wheel, and not to worry as they are zinc and not lead - "ok" me says and off I went.
Once I had fitted the wheels I went for a ride only to find the front wheel was well out of balance with the whole front end shaking about over 40mph.
The tyre shop was now closed so I called them on Monday and suggested they come out and collect the front wheel and sort it out as I needed the bike but couldn't get to them until the following Sat - they fist said "no" and things like "it was ok when it left here", then I kicked up a bit so they agreed.
They fitted another new front tyre and it now has half the weights and is ok.

Whilst they did fix the problem - they didn't offer any sort of apology and made me feel very awkward about it, I did ask was it normal to have that many weights on a wheel, and they said no it wasn't, but they didn't have any more stock.

Guess I will stop going there for my tyres.

I am off to the French Alps in next month so will see how these work out.

 

[Diver Dan]

I always rode on Tourance or the odd occasion, Bridgestone Trailwings. Average milage for a rear tyre was 7000. I was persuaded to change to the new Tourance EXP's on the last change and it's now just about ready to change at 3500. Not impressed and will go back to the original Tourance if possible. Also I don't like the way the bike handles with the EXP's, I can notice a difference which is not for the better. Posted a thread regarding this earlier in the summer and some reader agreed with me.

Cheers

 

[Gringo-Loco]

Last week: 9450mls Tourance rear down to 1mm. Front still 2mm but WTF due for a change in about 100mls.
Now on Continental Trail Attacks Cheapest supplier was Black Circles. (£173.00 the pair.) and about £10 to fit and balance.
It was a nightmare finding tyres.
The wee one man operations claim to be cheaper but by a minor margin.

They all seem to have missed the fact that we're all in a bloody recession and are still charging film star prices the robbing cnuts.

Legal limit is 1mm but most tyre folk recommend minimum 2mm for safety. FOr the sake of a few pounds an earlier change is safer.
Or you could count your savings in rubber as your picking bits out of the hedge/field/wall/river. :O)

I have never seen a figure for the tread depth of new tyres. This would have some bearing on life of tyre. (If all rubber wears at the same rate of course..)

And I know as soon as this is sent someone is sure to pipe up with, 'You're a tw't. I only paid £***.00 for mine from &^%$tyres.co.uk'

 

[rdover]

They all seem to have missed the fact that we're all in a bloody recession and are still charging film star prices the robbing cnuts.'

Aye, its a recession and they need to make a profit to stay in business so they are still there to sell us tyres!

back on topic - I've done 4k miles on my trailwing/battlewings and they are about half done although the front looks new. I'm off the Norway for 4 weeks in 7 weeks time and will be putting a new set before going so I don;t have to worry about replacing them over there. Also bearing in mind the rear had a marginal repair done at 2k miles and the front at 3k miles (my first punctures!) I'm not massively bothered about the waste. Hopefully will nurse another 1000 miles out of them before the change over

 

[Balders1450]

Always had Battlewings on 08 GSA and knackered at 6,000 miles so changed both every service interval, had 3 sets love em. But I want to try Conti Trail attacks next!!!

Battlewings...............

MCN - “The average rider will never get close to the tyres’ limit on the road.”
Bertie Simmons -"The Battle Wings gave me more confidence than I’ve had in the front end of a big Trail Bike for ages. , we all concurred that these tyres were a good step forward from what these bikes are normally shod with."
Superbike - "The Battle Wing feels like a road tyre and grips like a good sport touring tyre should, but also has the looks to satisfy the Adventurists."
T.W.O - "Having the confidence to simply chuck a big trailie into a corner isn't something I'm used to and the BW501/02 transformed all of the bikes."
Ride - “The Battle Wing makes a big trail bike handle like a decent road bike.”

 

[Skipssong]

And for what it's worth........

Just coming up to 10k on my rear Battlewing. Down to 1.4mm now but not bad all things considered.

 

[deaninkl]

On my 07 GS, on the older Tourances I got 29,000km out of my first set. I ride normally with a mix of motorway and b raods. I anticipate a lot, so not a heavy braker, still on original brake pads at 42,000km.

 

[Yonkyo]

Now on my 2nd set of B/wings on my GSA.
First set shagged at 5500miles.
second set might just scrape it to 6000miles.

I've had no problems at all with the B/wings, they are great tyres - on all road conditions (except snow/ice)

But i might just try a set of Avon Azzaro/Storms next.

 

[retardedignition]

1200 GSA

12000 miles on rear and 17000 on the front, older tourance's. Mixed mileage and the odd track day. One up riding with not a lot of baggage.

The front is a bit low in the centre and tramlines a bit. Definately the same will be going back on the bike.

 

[Flipper_Man]

The wee one man operations claim to be cheaper but by a minor margin.
They all seem to have missed the fact that we're all in a bloody recession and are still charging film star prices the robbing cnuts.

I use a local bloke, he comes round in a van that you'd imagine shouldnt really be on the road, hands that look like they've been changing tyres for 30ryrs (cos they have I guess).

I completely trust him, he does the cars and the bike and I've never had a problem. When I screwed up the TPM the other week - he came out in the pissing rain and fitted the new TPM for me (BMW too busy)......I couldnt have done the trip to Devon the following day if he hadn't.

I often quote Black Circle prices to him.......just to get a reaction but he's within a fiver of them and he comes to my house !

I'm not going to say "what price trust" etc but for a fiver - I'd rather have someone I've known 9yrs fitting my tyres that some 18yr old from a chain/outlet that's doing a weekend special to get some business.

Mileage - 5k on rear and 10k on front. I ride at 100mph (indicated) when the m'ways are clear and I accelerate - well, hard, if I'm being perfectly honest. (As an aside this gives me 38mpg.........so yes, I know I could get more miles/tyre and gallon of fuel but........I'd get there slower.....and with less enjoyment...)

The killer for me is the m'way section of a commute. Current work means m'way pretty much all the way so its squaring off like a bugger. I've done 4200 on the current rear Battlewing. Only got Battlewing cos thats what it came with last April and they dont seem too much different from Road Attack or Tourances I've had over the last 9yrs to be fair - especially hacking down the m'way.

 

[rodsharp]

I find about 5k miles from any rear tyre is about average except old tourance which would double that when I used to have them on my old 1150. Unlike some of the experts on this site I could never find much difference in any of them, they are all much more capable than most of us, and I would expect most people would agree.