1200RT Front Tire Question

[rderflin]

I have a 2007 1200RT that eats front tires like they are moon pies. I'm lucky to get 3500 miles out of a front before it is cupped and bald. My question to the gurus on the forum is is this normal? Before you answer let me give a little backgroud info. I live in Hiawassee, GA home of some of the best roads in the US(Deals Gap, Cherohala, etc...) and all of my riding is on twisty roads in a fairly "spirited" fashion. I am currently using Bridgestone BT021's but am getting ready to put Continental Road Attacks on for a trip to Nova Scotia. I run 42 lbs in the front and rear and go thru 2 fronts for every rear tire. Having a ZX10R I'm used to going thru 2 rears for every front. Is this normal for my type of riding environment or is there something that needs to be done suspension wise to help out my tire budget?

[deilenberger]

Very odd symptom - I can only guess that you are a spirited rider who uses all the brake capability of the RT. Cupping is usually a factor of braking.. and fast wear on a tire that doesn't transfer power to the ground also seems to point to heavy braking.

I got 12,000 miles from my first Conti RoadAttack-C - and it wasn't bald by any means, it did have noticeable cupping and tread distortion. I don't run 42PSI - I normally run 37PSI in my front tire - but my bike is also a bit lighter than yours.

[Bob1100RTC]

I have 3000 miles on my RT and the front tire looks new. The rear is showing a little wear in the middle.

[ADIFW]

Gee,
This sounds a bit odd to me.
I will not claim any expertise in this matter but, seems to me like the front tire pressure is WAY high...

FYI: Conti road attacks are great tires.

[Harrington]

I have a 2007 1200RT that eats front tires like they are moon pies. I'm lucky to get 3500 miles out of a front before it is cupped and bald. My question to the gurus on the forum is is this normal? Before you answer let me give a little backgroud info. I live in Hiawassee, GA home of some of the best roads in the US(Deals Gap, Cherohala, etc...) and all of my riding is on twisty roads in a fairly "spirited" fashion. I am currently using Bridgestone BT021's but am getting ready to put Continental Road Attacks on for a trip to Nova Scotia. I run 42 lbs in the front and rear and go thru 2 fronts for every rear tire. Having a ZX10R I'm used to going thru 2 rears for every front. Is this normal for my type of riding environment or is there something that needs to be done suspension wise to help out my tire budget?

I bet you do a lot of heavy trailbraking and a lot of hard riding. I've never heard of the front wearing out that quick unless you really are pushing it.

[rderflin]

What do you guys think I should run tire pressure wise in the front and rear? I normally ride solo but for the trip I will be loaded wth luggage and a passenger. Thanks again for all the advice. Again all of my riding is twisties with little to none highway. Also can I get a description of trail braking. This sounds like it may be part of the reason that the fronts are going so fast.

[heavyjetpfe]

I have an 06 RT. I also live in North GA and ride the same roads. I run 40psi in the front and 42psi in the rear. Metzler Z6 tires. My front tire usually has plenty of tread left with little signs of cupping when I change them out at 12000 miles. And yes I ride it pretty hard on the twistys.

[Harrington]

What do you guys think I should run tire pressure wise in the front and rear? I normally ride solo but for the trip I will be loaded wth luggage and a passenger. Thanks again for all the advice. Again all of my riding is twisties with little to none highway. Also can I get a description of trail braking. This sounds like it may be part of the reason that the fronts are going so fast.

Trailbraking is still using the brakes while entering a corner. The rider trails off of the brakes and immediately into the throttle. The transition typically occurs as soon as the rider has seen the exit or has slowed down enough. Trailbraking is also used as a safety on blind corners. The rider is already on the brakes and this makes it easier to go to more brakes without upsetting the suspension.

I'm not a trailbraking expert in the least bit. Your problem could be suspension related too. I hope a suspension expert chimes in to help you out. You could also call a few suspension (track related) shops.

GL

[DarkCloud]

I have a 2007 1200RT that eats front tires like they are moon pies. I'm lucky to get 3500 miles out of a front before it is cupped and bald. My question to the gurus on the forum is is this normal? Before you answer let me give a little backgroud info. I live in Hiawassee, GA home of some of the best roads in the US(Deals Gap, Cherohala, etc...) and all of my riding is on twisty roads in a fairly "spirited" fashion. I am currently using Bridgestone BT021's but am getting ready to put Continental Road Attacks on for a trip to Nova Scotia. I run 42 lbs in the front and rear and go thru 2 fronts for every rear tire. Having a ZX10R I'm used to going thru 2 rears for every front. Is this normal for my type of riding environment or is there something that needs to be done suspension wise to help out my tire budget?

Consider switching over to conventional tires. You get a lot more rubber than on a Z rated tire. Extreme tire pressure is hard on the shock and forks in that respect tires are inexpensive. 34 to 36 pounds should give you the best handling on the front. Compression braking will save on the front tire.

JON

[airoilheadbeemerguy]

My front ('07 RT) has about 15K(kms) and guess about 10K more left. I have run 32 to 34 depending on load on beemers for twenty five years & agree 42 is too much. On my '83R80(yes lighter & less power) has had Metzler front tires last 30K(kms), the old M88 rear would last nearly 20K(kms).

[maxscycle]

Try using a Metzeler ME880 front tire. It's suppose to last longer
max

[RTRandy]

My dealer preaches 42 rear and 40 front for the RT. It's always seemed to work well even with different brands. High pressure in the front might be causing the front tire to bounce giving it an odd wear pattern.

[Harrington]

My dealer preaches 42 rear and 40 front for the RT. It's always seemed to work well even with different brands. High pressure in the front might be causing the front tire to bounce giving it an odd wear pattern.
I've been running 42/38 since I bought the bike and I still dinged my front rim. The roads around here are terrible. I would love to run lower pressure but I just can't afford to change rims every time I change tires.

[MachOne]

Yah let go of the front brake after you come out of the turn