Installed a matched set of Michelin Pilots last November when I first got the R100 RT. They are mounted and balanced correctly, but it looks like I'm going to end up with about 4000 miles max out of the 4.00-18 on the rear. The air pressure has been closely monitored all winter, and 9/10 of the mileage on the tires is US highways at 55-60mph, not Interstate. Is this right?
Any suggestions on a higher mileage 4.00-18 tire ??
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
I feel your pain.
Had a similar experience with Pirelli Sport Demons on my old flying brick.
I've never tried pilots but it sucks to only get 4k out of a tire 🙁
-marcus
Been using the Metzler PERFECT ME 77 as my rear tire. Use a liquid flatproof/ballancer instead of spoke weights. Usually will get around 10,000 miles. The use of the liquid tire balancer was an experiment to try to get even wear on the rear tire, which used to develop a bald spot. I have even tire wear and I continue to use the liquid balancer. It is called Flat Proof and was purchased at a Honda Dealer.
Used to run Conti Twins, which gave similar mileages. Switched because I was getting a slight wobble as the bike slowed down from highway speed thru just above 30 MPH. The brick tread pattern on the front wheel cupped a little as it wore, and the wobble was a result. Now use a Metzler ME 33 LASER and no wobble.
Hope the info is of use...
Regards,
John
I got 10600 last summer from a rear pilot on my K75RT. That included a trip from DE. to Petosky, to Salt Lake, to Paiona, CO. and return pulling a Bushtec trailer fully loaded and two up. A quarter size area of cord was just starting to show.
Thanks for that response. Sorry, but I'm familiar enough with the K75 to know what tire size it runs. Can you tell us ?
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
The K75 runs a 130-90-17 rear tire and a 90-90-18 front
Les
Newark, DE.
A 4.00-18 is basically a 120/90-18. Maybe the extra width explains the extra mileage. Thanks.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Could be. I just rechecked my tire log book to make sure I'm giving you true information and I put the Michelin on @ 177000 mi and the bike is sitting in the garage with the tire still on, although not rideable
because of cord showing, with 187662 mi. The best mileage I ever got consistently was 20000 mi on Dunlop 491's Thanks to Dunlop discontinuing to make it, except for the loud pipe crowd, it is no longer available in sizes to fit our machines. The last one I had on, I stretched it just to see how far it would actually roll. On @143200 off @ 165530 =22330mi. I'm going to try the Shinko 730 Tourmaster next it's sitting in the garage waiting to be mounted. $73. and free shipping from American Moto Tire.
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