05-11-2021, 04:41 AM
If the same model of tire on the same bike can get anywhere between 2500 and 10,000 miles, it's probably not the tire. It's the riding style, tire pressure maintenance, and road conditions.
Several years ago, when there were complaints of GL1800 front tires wearing quickly and unevenly with resulting handling complaints, Honda invited a group of local GWRRA members to their Torrance facility for free oil/filter and safety inspections. They asked the GL owners what they set the tire pressures at and when they last checked them.
During the safety inspection, tire pressures were recorded and lo and behold, most were well under pressure, some into the teens. So much for keeping up on tire pressures.
Most of the tires were worn way more on the left side, which had been attributed to the crown in the road. That may be a minor cause, but the major cause is by wear when leaned over in left hand turns, regardless of what kind of bike or tire.
When you take a left hand corner, the arc you take is generally broader, wider, and you have a wider field of vision. You are going faster, with more load on the tire. On right handers, the arc is tighter, maybe less vision, and going slower. Canyon riders live for the left hand sweepers.
Tires never wear out on the right side first - except in LHD countries. Maybe we can swap used tires with LHD countries.
One last thing about OEM tires. The tires Honda has as OEM, depending on application, are spec'd from the manufacturer as having the tightest tolerances, such as run-out. Those batches are selected for Honda (and the other manufacturers) and for their parts stock, with the rest going to the aftermarket. Not to say the aftermarket tire is any worse, but not ruling that out either. Going back to the GL1800s, some customers who bought an aftermarket tire of the same brand/model (and other brands) and had complaints, had OEM tires put on to rectify the complaint.
Several years ago, when there were complaints of GL1800 front tires wearing quickly and unevenly with resulting handling complaints, Honda invited a group of local GWRRA members to their Torrance facility for free oil/filter and safety inspections. They asked the GL owners what they set the tire pressures at and when they last checked them.
During the safety inspection, tire pressures were recorded and lo and behold, most were well under pressure, some into the teens. So much for keeping up on tire pressures.
Most of the tires were worn way more on the left side, which had been attributed to the crown in the road. That may be a minor cause, but the major cause is by wear when leaned over in left hand turns, regardless of what kind of bike or tire.
When you take a left hand corner, the arc you take is generally broader, wider, and you have a wider field of vision. You are going faster, with more load on the tire. On right handers, the arc is tighter, maybe less vision, and going slower. Canyon riders live for the left hand sweepers.
Tires never wear out on the right side first - except in LHD countries. Maybe we can swap used tires with LHD countries.
One last thing about OEM tires. The tires Honda has as OEM, depending on application, are spec'd from the manufacturer as having the tightest tolerances, such as run-out. Those batches are selected for Honda (and the other manufacturers) and for their parts stock, with the rest going to the aftermarket. Not to say the aftermarket tire is any worse, but not ruling that out either. Going back to the GL1800s, some customers who bought an aftermarket tire of the same brand/model (and other brands) and had complaints, had OEM tires put on to rectify the complaint.