Sportbike tire question : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

ike1518 · 06-01-2009, 11:15 PM

Try as I may my 19 year old son still wants to get a sportbike. Specifically he is looking at a 2007 Suzuki with about 10,000 miles. I asked the owner if he'd changed the tires yet and he looked at me like I was from another planet. He said he was on his 3rd rear. 3rd rear and one front at 10,000? WTF?!?

I know sportbikes aren't Harleys but is this normal to change tires so often?

Thanks

nightrob · 06-01-2009, 11:18 PM

Sounds about right, They are usually a softer compound and wear faster, plus you factor in the way most of those guys ride them and there you have it.

Shoe · 06-01-2009, 11:20 PM

about once every 4000-5000 miles.....Depends on how you ride

Dave

Shockwave · 06-01-2009, 11:26 PM

I usually went through 3 and 1 each summer back in my sportbike days.

ike1518 · 06-02-2009, 12:26 AM

Wow. Let me say that backwards, "wow".

Time to buy some tire company stock!

Thanks for the info, it helps in the decision to get the bike. I thought maybe the guy was pulling my leg.

p.s. I will never complain about mileage on my Dunlops ever again. I typically get 13-16,000 rear and 20-24,000 on the front.

Shoe · 06-02-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ike1518

Wow. Let me say that backwards, "wow".

Time to buy some tire company stock!

Thanks for the info, it helps in the decision to get the bike. I thought maybe the guy was pulling my leg.

p.s. I will never complain about mileage on my Dunlops ever again. I typically get 13-16,000 rear and 20-24,000 on the front.

I bought my own tire machine and static balancer. It's saved me a fortune (well maybe not initially due to the price of the machine). I order the tires on the internet at a discount and put them on myself.

Plus, I am a favorite with my friends. I have changed tires on my buddies bikes quite a few times for the nice low price of a six-pack... R&R with balancing included, you cant beat that!

Dave

Lefty · 06-02-2009, 07:26 AM

Depends on what kind of tire you buy. Most tires sold are very soft/sticky ones intended for knee dragging. Most sport bike riders consider themselves knee draggers even though their not. I don't ride my Bandit that way. A dunlop sportmax roadsmart (touring tire) will last 8k on the rear and 12k+ on the front very safely.

Lefty