Tyre wear.

[Le singe]

Just about to change the first set of Bridgestone BT020 tyres I"ve tried on my 17" wheeled 1100GS.
They've lasted a whole 3200 miles, but, as with the Contiforces I had before, the front will need changing at the same time as the rear.
Is everyone else who uses the 17" wheels finding that this is the norm?
I always take just the wheels to the tyre-fitters, and I'm the idiot who has removed the centre stand as I think it spoils the lines of the bike!
Makes for an interesting day learning about balancing points.

 

[Hew]

My wife has a R1100 fitted with 020 tyres. I do most of the miles on it as I use it in the winter and for short journeys. It is wearing front tyres out at a rate of 2 tyres to 1 rear. Approx 3 to 4000 miles. I have put this down to the fact that that the bike is mainly used on a narrow twisting road where the speed and acceleration are lower and so reduces the wear on the rear but the front is pushed harder in cornering. I think that the tyre has a harder wearing compound in the centre, which is good for covering motorway type mileage and hard braking, but it’s the softer sides that are wearing out.
I have often worn out the front at the same time as the rear but this is the first time that the fronts are wearing out quicker.

 

[BBB61]

My K1100RS would wear out its front tyre as quickly as the rear (120/70ZR17 front, 160/60ZR18 rear) but the front tyre on both my Triumph Sprint ST's lasts a lot longer than the rear. I think its a combination of steering geometry and the front tyres not having the same level of tread depth when new, compared to a rear tyre. Most new front tyres have about 4-5mm of tread. Compare that with a rear tyre which has 7-8mm when new.

Bob

 

[Le singe]

Thanks for the replies,seems to be the norm,then. All my previous bikes with conventional front suspension used two rear tyres for every front one.
Suspose it's the price that must be paid for all this R1 beating performance,fnarr,fnarr!

 

[sproggy]

I had 020's on the standard rims - after 6000 miles the rear was quite square (lots of high speed motorway miles) but good for a bit further, the front was hardly worn at all.

Suspose it's the price that must be paid for all this R1 beating performance,fnarr,fnarr!

LLandow track - 1150GS with 17" alloys and 020's (mine ) quicker than a Fireblade, ZX6-R, R6, K1200S. Could have beaten the 1200GS too if we'd been allowed to overtake under braking or in the bends OK, so it's a twisty track that favours nimble handling rather than high power but I can honestly say that my GS is quicker than a Firebalde Sometimes....

If I'd kept that up (or if rode like that on the road) by the look of it the front would have worn out at least as quickly as the rear.

 

[Le singe]

I load the front quite heavily because I never use the back brake, I know there are times when a bit of back brake would be useful, but I've got so used to not using it,I don't even reach for it in 'emergency' situations.
It's surprising how hard you can brake with the front before the tyre starts to 'wander'.
Don't upset those sports bike riders on the track,they've bought the quickest bikes so they must be the quickest riders! They'll have you in the toilets afterwards!

 

[sproggy]

At least one of them (the R6 rider) has already been in to the local dealer to test ride a 1200GS! Presumably on the basis that "If you can't beat them, join them".