Topic: Tire Wear

[fmulharin]

Hey, Had my 76 CB750K over a Year Now. (Ran the Bike every day when the weather permitted)  Wore out the Rear tire.  Put the Tires on in march. Money was tight So I decided to go with a set of Chen Shin's. Had no problem with the Handling, and the Front still has a lot of Tread. After close to 9000 Miles the Rear is worn down pretty good.

Would I get a lot more miles out of another Brand, Looked at Dunlaps, and Bridgestones at about twice what I paid for the Chen shins.

My Riding is a Mix of twisty 2 laners, and Highway. Don't push it too much, so I am looking for a good all around tire.

Thanks for any Input.  Hope the holidays were good for every buddy. Too much Snow here in NY.

[Bob550four]

a better brand tire would probably net you some better life, but you'd sacrifice some of that corner loving performance. 

I"ve got a Cheng Shin C199 on the back of my bike right now. love the traction, it only breaks loose when theres oil on the road and I get on the gas hard.

[bikehenge]

9k is pretty decent for mileage.  Usually more expensive tires offer better handling at the expense of longevity.  I think its because soft compounds stick well but wear fast while hard compounds stick less well, but wear better.
Rob

[Jonesy]

I've had spotty luck with Chengs. One I bought for the front tire was slightly egg-shaped, so made for an erratic hop in the front wheel. But, a rear tire I had worked OK.

I guess the bottom line is if you were satisfied with them, great. But myself and others have had mixed results.

[azuredesign]

I've had spotty luck with Chengs. One I bought for the front tire was slightly egg-shaped, so made for an erratic hop in the front wheel. But, a rear tire I had worked OK.

I guess the bottom line is if you were satisfied with them, great. But myself and others have had mixed results.

I'd agree that the Cheng quality control is not on par with the Bridgestones and Michelins. That being said the Cheng rear on my bike feels pretty confidence inspiring as you can feel that it communicates it's grip pretty well. I have to say that 9k is good for my back tires.

[Bob550four]

I think its because soft compounds stick well but wear fast while hard compounds stick less well, but wear better.
Rob

this is EXACTLY right.  harder compounds will provide longer tire life, at the cost of grip, softer rubber is the opposite. 
our bikes, unless you're racing, you dont NEED a soft tire, sportbikes, tend to be ridden through turns where hanging off the bike is necessary, as is stickier rubber.

[Jonesy]

I've had spotty luck with Chengs. One I bought for the front tire was slightly egg-shaped, so made for an erratic hop in the front wheel. But, a rear tire I had worked OK.

I guess the bottom line is if you were satisfied with them, great. But myself and others have had mixed results.

I'd agree that the Cheng quality control is not on par with the Bridgestones and Michelins. That being said the Cheng rear on my bike feels pretty confidence inspiring as you can feel that it communicates it's grip pretty well. I have to say that 9k is good for my back tires.

Anyone tried MAXXIS tires? (they are an "upscale" tire made by Cheng-Shin)

[eldar]

How much did your rubber cost you on them chengs? My spitfires ran me around 70 each or so.

[seaweb11]

Hey eldar, I still have a set of "Brimmer chengs"

Since they won the motorcycle "academy award" (most humorous online forum ass kicking)  they are collectors items now $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[HondaMan]

Hey, Had my 76 CB750K over a Year Now. (Ran the Bike every day when the weather permitted)  Wore out the Rear tire.  Put the Tires on in march. Money was tight So I decided to go with a set of Chen Shin's. Had no problem with the Handling, and the Front still has a lot of Tread. After close to 9000 Miles the Rear is worn down pretty good.

Would I get a lot more miles out of another Brand, Looked at Dunlaps, and Bridgestones at about twice what I paid for the Chen shins.

My Riding is a Mix of twisty 2 laners, and Highway. Don't push it too much, so I am looking for a good all around tire.

Thanks for any Input.  Hope the holidays were good for every buddy. Too much Snow here in NY.

In my experience, use Avons. All of their tires outgrip everything but roadrace tires, and outlast everything but iron. My last Avons went 30k+ before I gave them to a guy who now rides them on his Triumph. I changed tire types, wanted to try something "new" of today's fancier tires, was disappointed, will switch back to Avon next Spring. Cost: about $100 per tire.

[KRONUS0100]

i've got chens's barracudas on my 76F.. About 5500 miles so far......grip well wet or dry..had dunlop gt 501's on a gs500..gripped about the same but way more expensive.  Also have the bridgestone spitfires on my GL1100....couldn's ask for a better tire.  go with what you feel you can afford.

[andy750]

Ive had Dunlops (K491s) lasted 16,000 miles of hard riding (were sticky in the mountains and saw a lot of highway as well). Ive since changed to Dunlop GT501s ($90 rear) and these are a slightly harder compound and are lasting pretty well too. However, on my cb750k2 Ive tried Bridgestones BT45s (front/back - $70/$95) and since they are softer compound there are more sticky than the Dunlops, have been great all last year but dont have a mileage indicator yet for longevity.

Id be curious to try Avons next based on Hondamans review.

Good luck,
Andy

[cafe750]

I had a set of CS Hi-Max's on my '73 750, and for the price, they were a wonderful set of tires. I usually ride the twisties at a "hanging off"  pace, and they stuck, and gave you a bit of warning when they were at thier limit. (I could feel the front tire chatter a bit at extreme angles. Talk about pucker factor!) They lasted about 10k. I've got a set of Bridgestone Spitfires on the '73 now, and the difference was night and day, with better tip in, better stability and they stick like glue.  I just put a set of Avon's new RoadRiders on my '75 750F, but with the great Washington weather, I haven't been able to really try them out....

[jdpas29]

i got a set of dunlop D404's on my 78K.  i don't do racing or mind boggling hairpins.  they ride great and don't appear to be wearing much at all after 3500 miles.

[Jim F]

Ive used dunlops, metezlers and now I have a set of contis
they all have done a good job but I think the Metezlers (Lazer up front and a ME99 in back is a good combo)
I just put the Contis on my GS840 so I am looking forward to seeing how these do
Here are the Contis on my GS


Jim

[fmulharin]

How much did your rubber cost you on them chengs? My spitfires ran me around 70 each or so.

Think I paid around $60.00  including Mounting on the bike, and balancing