Pilot Road Longevity

[Mr. Frank]

I'm going to need new tires soon, and I'm trying to plan for enough life to take a few of medium distances trips and the run to Spokane without running out of tire on the way back from MOA. It will take about 11,000 miles of life to make it. Otherwise I'll get the 880's to be safe.

What kind of mileage have folks been getting on the Pilot Roads? I'm easy on tires.

[jdiaz]

Its ok to buy more than one set of tires per year. Voni said so. :)

[Mr. Frank]

I agree. I'd prefer not to have to do it in Montana at list price if I'm lucky enough to even find a tire.

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by Mr. Frank
I agree. I'd prefer not to have to do it in Montana at list price if I'm lucky enough to even find a tire.

Buy a set mail order to deliver to some place along the route. My recomend would be Southwest Moto Tire (http://www.swmototires.com/)
Depending on where the rally falls in your travels, it might be a good bet to have the tires shipped to where you're staying for the rally and have some kind soul mount them for you there.

[pwittstruck]

I'll second the Southwest Moto Tire. I buy all my tires from them, order 2 at a time and the shipping is free!

[fish]

I dunno about 880's on an RT. I'm sure some folks swear by them and they're probably really good for iron buttage, but unless they changed something, the 880's i had on my K12LT might as well have been made out of metal. Sure, they wore great, but they stuck like metal. :huh

[DarkCloud]

I did some tire mileage budgeting for the Redmond Rally. Here's what happened on my R1100RT. I was running Bridgestone BT57's (they wear comparable to the 020's) I had enough tread on the rear to make it to Paonia and get a new tire, but to be safe I had a new tire put on. The front tire, about my fourth BT57 on the front had plenty of tread left going on my past mileage experience.

Riding in Indiana and Illinois, the road surfaces are smooth due to the aggregates used, the speed limits are lower, and it isn't as hot as out west. Rode out to TOR, by way of FT. Collins, HWY 14, Walden, Kremmerling. The tires stuck to the road like glue. That year they had a tire seminar at TOR about getting better tire mileage by over inflating your tires. Then on for the best ride of my life, the group ride from Paonia to Redmond. HWY 50 to Lake Tahoe, then every scenic twistie road to Nationals. Had a couple nice rides at Nationals. Checked the bike out, tires were wearing a little more than I had expected, but enough tread to get home.

Started the ride home through John Day country, then Hell's Canyon. Next day before Lolo pass I looked at my front tire and it was down to the tread wear indicator. That means 1,000 miles at best. I tried to keep up with an S and a K12RS on Lolo pass. Stopped for a coke at a gas station in Moosedrool Montana and the front tire was bald!

Broke out the BMW Anonymous. Big Sky BMW in Missoula, closed on Monday. It's Monday, I'll call anyway, before I start calling other dealers. Big Sky was open, expecting people to come through and had plenty of tires. It took about two hours to get the tire changed, but it was worth it and for a fair price. They tried to sell me a rear tire, because it was getting close to the tread wear indiacators. I decided to chance it, Sturgis BMW, Souix Falls, and Gina's were on the way home. I made it home 17 days after I started the trip with cords coming out of the back tire with only 6,000 miles on it. The BT57 Rears usually got 8500 miles.

Some dealers won't put a tire on for you now unless you buy it from them. Tire mileage was a big reason for me going from the RT to a GS. Hope this helps, JON

[Rt4me]

I've only had my pilot roads on for about 2,700 miles but they seem to be wearing well.

I will keep everyone posted on the final wear.:bliss

[Mr. Frank]

Originally posted by Dark Cloud

Riding in Indiana and Illinois, the road surfaces are smooth due to the aggregates used, the speed limits are lower, and it isn't as hot as out west. JON

Thanks for the good poop, Jon. I had a similar tire experience on a western trip, though not as dramatic. The rougher chip seal roads, higher speed limits, and greater heat in the west can make a big difference in tire life.

[j-budimlya]

At the Charleston Rally last year they were mounting new tires at a great price, if I remember correctly....I think it was two for the price of one; and free mounting...

Does any body else remember the details...I sorta remember kicking myself for getting new threads before I left....