the true cost of tires

[j3gq_imp]

Do we care about cost when it comes to our beloved CB/s. Probably not. But it struck me when I added 1 + 1, and figured how motocycle tires (as a specialty market) compare to car tires (none S.U.V, or high speed, or trucks).
What are the factors ?
- changing a tire is much more work, in part. in the back,
- tires are relatively expensive,
- and they don't last as long,
- and any reasonable rider will not take risks w.r.t. wear and age, while this is less a factor for cars.

My rough guess for cost per mile ? One set of m/c tires is are at least 6 times more expensive (all factors included the fact that cars have 4 wheels is accounted for) than in cars.

Nothing new here, I suppose, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

I think the 6x factor is simply a function of limited mileage. My car and bike tires cost about the same but my car tires last 4-6x longer. I also have less tolerance for worn tires on my bike than I do on my car, so they get replaced before they appear worn. I’m okay if my car tires are squared off or cupped, but not on my bike!

 

[Houtman_imp]

There are two places where you need the best rubber you can find : on your bike and on your .......

 

[Phadreus_imp]

Heh, heh...my Grandpa said to me one time when I complained about how expensive the tires were to replace on my motorcycle, "You think the cost to replace tires was expensive, how much money will you spend in medical bills and motorcycle repairs when you go down because of old, shotty tires." Always thought the was a great perspective to keep in mind.

There are two places where you need the best rubber you can find : on your bike and on your .......

:rofl:

 

[the Ferret]

Yea it's a shame that motorcycle tires cost so much and last such a short time, even for those that do not ride aggressively. Guess that's why a lot of touring and sport touring motorcyclists adapt car tires to their bikes. Not going to go into the merits of why or why not that is a good idea (on some websites it's akin to starting an oil thread) but needless to say it wouldn't be an issue if motorcycle were designed to go at least 25,000 or 30,000 miles.

Then again at the rate the vast majority motorcyclists ride, their standard motorcyle tires will last 2 1/2 to 3 seasons of riding..

From google:
In fact, the average annual mileage for a motorcycle is around 3,000 miles.

If motorcycle tires WERE designed to go 25,000 miles the sidewalls would dry rot before running out of tread.

But for those of us who ride 15,000-20,000 or more miles per season, tires are a major expense. Often requiring the purchase and mounting of a several sets of tires per season.

I would say very few crashes involve worn out tires or even bad new tires. Lack of experience/skill upkeep has to be the number one cause of motorcycle accidents, not tires.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Yeah, almost worn through the wear indicator on the rear. Maybe time to change it out.

 

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

I never keep track of what things for the bike costs. I ride for fun, not transportation, and you can't quantify fun. Same thing when I had my sailboat; never total up what it costs per year to keep the boat, because that leads to BOAT FOR SALE ads. The only thing that matters is; Does it still put a grin on your face? I sold my last boat because I wasn't using it enough to justify the cost, and regretted it ever since. I am in the market for another boat.

 

[Gone in 60]

18 minute commute on a motorcycle and I don't complain about traffic.
45 minute commute in a car and I am hoarse from screaming.

I'll pay extra for tires.

 

[j3gq_imp]

18 minute commute on a motorcycle and I don't complain about traffic.
45 minute commute in a car and I am hoarse from screaming.

I'll pay extra for tires.

:rofl:
How much I can relate to this ...

 

[Sparky80_imp]

so.... what are good tires for this bike? 18's be weird sizes

 

[Cormanus]

It's very hard to find tyres that fit, Sparky80, particularly the rear. Many of us have run 160 rears as a consequence, although the two really good options there—Michelin PR3 and Pirelli AngelGT—are, if not unavailable, very hard to find.

A couple of long-running threads on the topic are:

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=17006
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3118

 

[tod.branko_imp]

They really are hard to get, I was lucky with the Avons last year, but now I've been struggling, ordered my Z8's in June, they are still not here..

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

They really are hard to get, I was lucky with the Avons last year, but now I've been struggling, ordered my Z8's in June, they are still not here..

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

Another way for the state to control the driver/rider. If not through fuel costs, then in the case of the motorcycle, the tires.

But on the bright side, Tod, glad you were able to place an order for the Avons.

 

[Sparky80_imp]

Looks like many of the online stores carry the Bridgestone T32's.
That's fantastic for me as I've been a 'stones fan for many years. Currently have the T32 GT's on m FJR and ran the T31, T30, S22, S21, S20, BT16, BT23 and the CB currently has the BT54's on it.
If they didn't have to be so expensive though!!

 

[j3gq_imp]

Are tires becoming a rare commodity like so many other items post Covid ?
in the U.S. ?
in Europe ?
as far as everybody knows ?

 

[tod.branko_imp]

Are tires becoming a rare commodity like so many other items post Covid ?
in the U.S. ?
in Europe ?
as far as everybody knows ?

They are. It has everything to do with manufacturing delays from last year during lockdowns, and more recently through the fabricated shipping container shortage, they want us to believe that those things are as rare as diamonds

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

 

[Nachodaddy]

There may be the advantage of having 18inch wheels - IF suppliers have them in stock and no one (but us) is buying them, all you have to do is find the supplier who still has some.
On 27 August I ordered my Z8s from J&P cycles and had them within a week. I know that they were very likely in a warehouse on the same continent as me, so I am well aware that makes a huge difference. Good luck!

 

[Sparky80_imp]

The cost of tires seems to of skyrocketed since the beginning of the year.
But... good thing that most manufacturers have mail-in discounts you can use.
I just bought (and waiting for them to arrive) some Bridgestone T32 tires for the CB.
NEVER spent that much on a set of tires before... they were $297.73 and that was after extensive shopping around for the best price on 'em. But a $50 mail in rebate brings it to just under $250.
I do my own tire changes, so that's roughly $100 in labor.... so $150 for a set of tires isn't bad.
Well.... that's how I look at it. Still... a LOT of money.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Some non-riders would argue that motorcycling is "non-essential". The older phrase is, "discretionary spending".

 

[misterprofessionality]

seems like my Avons are the same price they've always been. It may be a manufacturer-based issue.