Tyre wear

[Mad Paddy]

Normally I have got 2 rears for 1 front tyres on my previous 1200 gs
But my 1250gs exclusive is the opposite I’m going through 2 fronts for 1 rear
tyres so far are factory fitted Bridgestone 2fronts 1rear and now Metzeler Torrance 2 fronts
1 rear
18500kms in total so far

 

[Winjar]

Normally I have got 2 rears for 1 front tyres on my previous 1200 gs
But my 1250gs exclusive is the opposite I’m going through 2 fronts for 1 rear
tyres so far are factory fitted Bridgestone 2fronts 1rear and now Metzeler Torrance 2 fronts
1 rear
18500kms in total so far

Maybe power and this below.

While BMW made no mention of it, I noticed differences between the outgoing 2018 R 1200 GSA and the new 1250 GSA in respect to wheelbase, steering head angle, and trail. According to BMW’s website, the 1200 has a wheelbase of 58.9 inches, a steering head angle of 24.5 degrees, and 3.7 inches of trail. By comparison, the new 1250 GSA has a longer wheelbase of 59.7 inches, a more relaxed steering head angle of 26.3 inches, and 4.1 inches of trail. The standard GS, by comparison remains nearly identical.

 

[Doc]

On my first service garage said my front tyre needed changing.I thought it unusual it needeed doing before my rear.That was on Bridgestones.Seems its normal but i always change both at the same time.

 

[ymfb]

When I had F800GS’ they used 2 front to one rear, they also munched through steering head bearings. The 1200 GSA that replaced them was much more even wear and although the fronts had some life left in them it wasn’t worth having to go back and change the front a few weeks later so always changed as a pair.

The 1250 GSA looks like it’s going to be the same, it’s done very nearly 6000 miles on the OEM fitted Anakees, which will become MT01s before much longer and definitely before a ride to Spain when it happens.

 

[Neil W]

Perhaps due to newer designed tyres with most rears being dual compound ?

Noticed with my 1200 that the now 2 year old Dunlop Trailsmart Max tyres with over 7200 miles on them that the front needs changed in the next 600 miles, the rear still has over 4.8 mm average tread depth and is not squared off to any significant level

 

[Tyzer]

On my first service garage said my front tyre needed changing.I thought it unusual it needeed doing before my rear.That was on Bridgestones.Seems its normal but i always change both at the same time.

I have the same, i thought it must be the Bridgstones ! I have always had 2 rears to 1 front, i presumed riding 2 up most of the the time contributed to that .

 

[Mad Paddy]

I only travel solo no passengers
And I’m not heavy on my front brakes but still 2 front too 1 rear

 

[M30SJM]

I also find i go through fronts sooner than i have on any other bike i have owned. I have given this a lot of thought over the last couple of years and have come up with a number of reasons, based on my riding style, which are all sort of linked.
1. the upright riding position gives you better vision through the turn, possibly leading to higher corner speed.
2. your average gs rider may or may not be the fastest guy on the road, but tends to display better road craft than your average race rep pilot. Better road craft tends to lead to wider deeper lines through the turn, rather than cutting and straightening the turn, this again lends itself to higher corner speed because of better road placement and forward vision.
3. it seems to me that the gs likes to be pushed down into the turn, rather than the rider leaning of the inside of the bike with the bike more upright. This puts the bike at a greater lean angle, which has got to increase tyre wear.
Only my observations of coarse.
Stu

 

[pistole]

I also find i go through fronts sooner than i have on any other bike i have owned. I have given this a lot of thought over the last couple of years and have come up with a number of reasons, based on my riding style, which are all sort of linked.
1. the upright riding position gives you better vision through the turn, possibly leading to higher corner speed.
2. your average gs rider may or may not be the fastest guy on the road, but tends to display better road craft than your average race rep pilot. Better road craft tends to lead to wider deeper lines through the turn, rather than cutting and straightening the turn, this again lends itself to higher corner speed because of better road placement and forward vision.
3. it seems to me that the gs likes to be pushed down into the turn, rather than the rider leaning of the inside of the bike with the bike more upright. This puts the bike at a greater lean angle, which has got to increase tyre wear.
Only my observations of coarse.
Stu

agree

 

[Tyzer]

This is my 3rd GS and have always done 2 rears to 1 front and as far as i know my riding style hasnt changed,i just put it down to the Bridgestones ?

 

[M30SJM]

This is my 3rd GS and have always done 2 rears to 1 front and as far as i know my riding style hasnt changed,i just put it down to the Bridgestones ?

I suppose it depends where you ride.
I live on the outskirts of the Dales, so do very little on long straight roads, my mate however, has the ability to wear a flat in the centre of his front tyre, he's quite happy sitting on the motorway
Stu

 

[10tenmen]

Exactly my experience the Bridgestone tyre lasted 6000 miles and it was on the indicators and a little squared, the rear was good for another 3-4000 Miles, changed to Michelin Trail 5 at £260 fitted, slightly less than the £350 Quote from Bmw