Topic: Tire opinions- kenda vs avon, also a tire mileage thread

[ncstatecamp]

I recently posted asking people if anybody was running Avon roadriders. The opinions all came back positive with rave reviews and life time dedication.

As this is my first time buying moto tires I would like to get opinions on other as well.

The shop in my town (boone, old school been around for 30 years in the country type deal) recommended kenda (im looking at challengers), which is cheaper by about half. Normally I'm weary of owners giving me recommends because they tend to be pushing for more expensive, but because he was pushing for lower I'm in a conundrum.

He was offering a fantastic price on the road riders (near online prices) with cheap install prices. I also seem to find great wisdom in the old timers who's been doing this for ever (with a grain of salt as the uhhh.... Redneck way, isn't always the safest). To add to the dilemma I also try to stay aware of the name brand price hike. I try not to cheap out (especially on something like tires) but as with anyone I want the best bang for my buck.

So people, lemme upon your opinions and knowledge!



I'm sorry to any of you that say use the search function (it doesn't work with tapatalk), and if this is considered an "oil" type thread.

[Bailgang]

I've got Kenda Challengers on my 550 and they've been on the bike for the last 2 1/2 years. I chose them primarily because of a tight budget but so far I don't have any complaints. Keep in mind that I'm not a "knee dragger" so I can't say how well they perform when pushed really hard and I avoid wet conditions so I can't say about that either. The few times that I have been caught in the rain I didn't have a problem but I was riding conservatively.

These are the very first set of tires I've had on the bike so I can't say how they wear compared to others either but with the current wear on the rear tire it seems I'll be needing a new set of tires in early spring.

[seanbarney41]

yep, probably depends on how you want to ride...if you are always pushing the envelope go for the Avons, if not the Kenda's, form what I've heard, are probably a better tire than the price would suggest

[BobbyR]

Many of us use the Bridgestone Battaleaxe tires. OK mileage, great wet traction and the abilty to run at speed for long runs. I cheap out on a lot of stuff but tires is not one of them.

[HondaMan]

I cheap out on a lot of stuff but tires is not one of them.

+1.

Cheap tires can cost you great bodily harm: cheap chains great engine case damage.

[Terry in Australia]

I've never bought "Cheap" tires for my bikes for the reasons already mentioned, but I have bought a couple of bikes with cheap tires fitted, and was surprised at how good they were. I gues that as long as they're reasonably new and the rubber is still soft and supple, then they'll probably be OK.

My favourites are Bridgestone BT45 "Battleax" tires, as Bobby says, they grip well, and I can get 10,000 miles from a set before I decide that they're due for replacement. Avon's, Continental's, Pirelli's, Michelin's, Dunlop's, and Metzler's are all great tires too, but Kenda are probably OK, as well. Cheers, Terry.

[dave500]

im lucky to get 7-8000 kays from battlax or sport demons on the rear,i replace them just before the tread wear block is flush though,some people arent happy untill theyve run tyres bald and say how long they lasted?i like them both though,the sport demon suits me better,way of track now seeing you asked about kendas and avons,i should try them.

[Terry in Australia]

im lucky to get 7-8000 kays from battlax or sport demons on the rear,i replace them just before the tread wear block is flush though,some people arent happy untill theyve run tyres bald and say how long they lasted?i like them both though,the sport demon suits me better,way of track now seeing you asked about kendas and avons,i should try them.

I'm surprised to see that Dave, the 500/550 isn't what I'd call a "tire shredder", I'd get 10,000 miles out of the BT45's on my BMW K1100LT, and they'd still be roadworthy when I replaced them, what tire pressures are you running? Maybe the roads and cooler weather in Victoria are more conducive to longer tire life? Cheers, Terry.

[dave500]

yeah its always hot here terry,i run 36 front and rear with a good guage,i probably replace mine a little early though?i use to have the bt45s front squealing on smooth hard corners left and right turns,l havent had that with the demons ever,ill get two and a half rears to a front tyre with either brand,110/90x18 rear and 100/90x19 front,for me the demons definitely steer faster on the 500s at least.

[Terry in Australia]

I've never tried the Demons Dave, what are they like cost-wise? I need to get new tires for my CX500, I might try a set. Cheers, Terry.

[Jiminy Indy]

I had the Battleax on the Busa and got pretty poor mileage and hated them in the rain - I switched to Shinko and am much happier. So when I needed new rubber for my '77 750F I went with the Shinkos and I'm really happy with them. I "heard" they're using a harder compound now so some of the sportbike guys don't like them but they work well for me. Never tried the Kendas but I think they're in the same price range as the Shinkos.

[seanbarney41]

I always wonder what effect paving material has on tire wear.  I've never had a rear tire last more than 8k miles, and, here in Michigan so many of the roads I ride are paved by spreading fine gravel over tar and letting the gravel get packed down into the tar.  It really sucks for bikes when they first lay the gravel, until it gets packed down, but then it makes for a fairly smooth, very grippy surface, that certainly seems like it is gonna shred your tires in a hurry.

[750resurrection]

 I've got a Cheng Shin CS Marquis on the rear. I has held up like a champ to the weather.
 
 The Metlzer on the front is a cracking piece of junk already. Metlzer sucks.

 I suspect the rear is an el cheapo, good el cheapo, good boy.

http://forums.cycleworld.com/showthread.php?t=129734

[ncstatecamp]

so what kind of milage do you all get then?

[ofreen]

so what kind of milage do you all get then?

You didn't mention in your first post what bike you have.  I've been running Metzeler ME88s on the rear and ME33 Lazers (now Lazertec) on the front of my 750 since 1988.  I got 15,000+ miles out of the last couple of ME88s, and 17,000+ out of the last two Lazertecs.  I change them out when worn down to the wear bars, run 40 psi in the back, 38 psi in the front.  Metzelers most certainly do not "suck."

[750resurrection]

 Well, maybe it's the specific model. I'll check later. Scratch that.

 Let's look at the 2 different ways the Metlzer has been used- you run them down to the beads for 17k each.

 Mine sits getting weathered and cracks. You replace them before they can crack.

[Retro Rocket]

so what kind of milage do you all get then?

You didn't mention in your first post what bike you have.  I've been running Metzeler ME88s on the rear and ME33 Lazers (now Lazertec) on the front of my 750 since 1988.  I got 15,000+ miles out of the last couple of ME88s, and 17,000+ out of the last two Lazertecs.  I change them out when worn down to the wear bars, run 40 psi in the back, 38 psi in the front.  Metzelers most certainly do not "suck."

I'm with you Greg, i had Metzelers on my Hot rodded GPX750 Kawasaki and on my GSXR1100, CompK rear and {they have changed names since i had them, ME33?}  the model with the rectangular block style tread on the front, that bike {gpx750}was a real beast capable of 265+ KMH {165MPH} and an excellent race bike as well, the 1100 speaks for itself. The rear tire was brilliant and the front tire was great traction wise, but squirmed a bit under heavy braking due to the block style tread. This bike was ridden very hard and performed very well with the metzelers.  Metzelers are a far better tire than Cheng shin and Kenda . Like others have said, they are all you have between you and the black top, i always buy the best tires i can afford, you never want to find you have made a poor choice of tire half way round a corner.... I'm going to try the new Continental "road attack 2" tires next, the reviews are very good...

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/news/2010/road/accessories/tyre-test-continental-road-attack-2-21607

[750resurrection]

 Metzler dried out and cracked, Cheng Shin didn't. Metzler may be rated for more miles and be a harder tire, therefore it dries out and cracks. That's what I think is going on.
 That's fine then if you're running so many miles you'll burn em down before they crack.

 At the link I posted the guy favored the Cheng Shin over the Kenda Challenger, and said why, which included handling issues on the Kenda that the Cheng Shin overcame.

 So I suppose even within a name brand there are tread differences and hardness differences and ratings differences that all come into play.
 
 I don't think it's really possible to just say this or that brand and be correct.

[ofreen]

  Let's look at the 2 different ways the Metlzer has been used- you run them down to the beads for 17k each.

 Mine sits getting weathered and cracks. You replace them before they can crack.

Your method seems like an odd way to evaluate a whole company's line of tires and then characterize them as sucking.  I've always considered how they work on the bike over time and miles as the bike is actually being ridden as the best criteria for judging a tire's worthiness.  But it has now occurred to me that others may have different criteria that is important to them. 

So I asked myself, can I still recommend Metzelers if somebody needs a tire that will be on a bike that sits still for years without developing unsightly cracks?  I happen to have a good selection of old used Metzelers in my personal tire dump that have been laying in the dirt in the Idaho summer sun and cold winters for a few years.  I figured that was a good test.  I also looked at a ME88 made in late 2007 I just took off the bike a few weeks ago.  The others include a 11 year old ME99 and a 6 year old Marathon 2.  A representative selection, I think.  Photos are below.

After examining them, I have no qualms recommending Metzeler tires to anyone that needs tires for a bike that never moves, even one that sits outside in all kinds of weather.

[750resurrection]

Your interpretation appears to be odd.
" Your method seems like an odd way to evaluate a whole company's line of tires and then characterize them as sucking"

 Whatever. All Metzlers suck. There ya go. Now you can call it weird.

[cb650PK]

 Metzler dried out and cracked, Cheng Shin didn't. Metzler may be rated for more miles and be a harder tire, therefore it dries out and cracks. That's what I think is going on.
 That's fine then if you're running so many miles you'll burn em down before they crack.

 At the link I posted the guy favored the Cheng Shin over the Kenda Challenger, and said why, which included handling issues on the Kenda that the Cheng Shin overcame.

 So I suppose even within a name brand there are tread differences and hardness differences and ratings differences that all come into play.
 
 I don't think it's really possible to just say this or that brand and be correct.

OK I do not think that Metzler ever made tire that could be classified as bad. I would not trade you one pair of Metzlers for ten pairs of Cheng Shins, I kid you not. How old is the tire, to what kind of chemicals it was exposed, how was it stored, did you buy the tire new or did it get to you used with unknown history? Questions a thoughtfull person should ask before jumping to conclusions.

[750resurrection]

 Metzler dried out and cracked, Cheng Shin didn't. Metzler may be rated for more miles and be a harder tire, therefore it dries out and cracks. That's what I think is going on.
 That's fine then if you're running so many miles you'll burn em down before they crack.

 At the link I posted the guy favored the Cheng Shin over the Kenda Challenger, and said why, which included handling issues on the Kenda that the Cheng Shin overcame.

 So I suppose even within a name brand there are tread differences and hardness differences and ratings differences that all come into play.
 
 I don't think it's really possible to just say this or that brand and be correct.

OK I do not think that Metzler ever made tire that could be classified as bad. I would not trade you one pair of Metzlers for ten pairs of Cheng Shins, I kid you not. How old is the tire, to what kind of chemicals it was exposed, how was it stored, did you buy the tire new or did it get to you used with unknown history? Questions a thoughtfull person should ask before jumping to conclusions.

 Who cares ? It cracked and the Cheng Shin didn't. Case closed. If you love metzlers so much go buy em. I know I won't.

[ncstatecamp]

so what kind of milage do you all get then?

You didn't mention in your first post what bike you have.  I've been running Metzeler ME88s on the rear and ME33 Lazers (now Lazertec) on the front of my 750 since 1988.  I got 15,000+ miles out of the last couple of ME88s, and 17,000+ out of the last two Lazertecs.  I change them out when worn down to the wear bars, run 40 psi in the back, 38 psi in the front.  Metzelers most certainly do not "suck."

Sorry 750k2

[Terry in Australia]

  Let's look at the 2 different ways the Metlzer has been used- you run them down to the beads for 17k each.

 Mine sits getting weathered and cracks. You replace them before they can crack.

Your method seems like an odd way to evaluate a whole company's line of tires and then characterize them as sucking.  I've always considered how they work on the bike over time and miles as the bike is actually being ridden as the best criteria for judging a tire's worthiness.  But it has now occurred to me that others may have different criteria that is important to them. 

So I asked myself, can I still recommend Metzelers if somebody needs a tire that will be on a bike that sits still for years without developing unsightly cracks?  I happen to have a good selection of old used Metzelers in my personal tire dump that have been laying in the dirt in the Idaho summer sun and cold winters for a few years.  I figured that was a good test.  I also looked at a ME88 made in late 2007 I just took off the bike a few weeks ago.  The others include a 11 year old ME99 and a 6 year old Marathon 2.  A representative selection, I think.  Photos are below.

After examining them, I have no qualms recommending Metzeler tires to anyone that needs tires for a bike that never moves, even one that sits outside in all kinds of weather.

Good analysis Greg. Ignore our newest Troll, he doesn't know what he's talking about, but he desperately craves attention, so he'll say stupid things to elicit a response. He's like a bad smell that just won't go away............... (but we'd like him to)  

[750resurrection]

  Let's look at the 2 different ways the Metlzer has been used- you run them down to the beads for 17k each.

 Mine sits getting weathered and cracks. You replace them before they can crack.

Your method seems like an odd way to evaluate a whole company's line of tires and then characterize them as sucking.  I've always considered how they work on the bike over time and miles as the bike is actually being ridden as the best criteria for judging a tire's worthiness.  But it has now occurred to me that others may have different criteria that is important to them. 

So I asked myself, can I still recommend Metzelers if somebody needs a tire that will be on a bike that sits still for years without developing unsightly cracks?  I happen to have a good selection of old used Metzelers in my personal tire dump that have been laying in the dirt in the Idaho summer sun and cold winters for a few years.  I figured that was a good test.  I also looked at a ME88 made in late 2007 I just took off the bike a few weeks ago.  The others include a 11 year old ME99 and a 6 year old Marathon 2.  A representative selection, I think.  Photos are below.

After examining them, I have no qualms recommending Metzeler tires to anyone that needs tires for a bike that never moves, even one that sits outside in all kinds of weather.

Good analysis Greg. Ignore our newest Troll, he doesn't know what he's talking about, but he desperately craves attention, so he'll say stupid things to elicit a response. He's like a bad smell that just won't go away............... (but we'd like him to)

 Yeah thanks Terry. Appreciate it. In fact, I'd appreciate a lot less attention, and some adult behavior from others.

 The title of thread says tire opinions. I gave my personal experience direclty, and then my opinion because of it.
 Then 2 or 3 others had a #$%* fit.

 Now I know this: No Metzler made was ever a bad tire. At the link the fella who said the Cheng Shin beat the Kenda is full of it.
 Even though I didn't say the Metzler sucks, and only said Metzler sucks, directly after giving the reason why I said it, several assumed I said all Metzlers suck always.

 Now I'm a troll, and according to you, said it just for all the great attention I got.

 I've never seen so many thick, touchy, estrogen doused crybabies in all my life, but I like you all of course.
 That of course is my fault as well.