Tyre Condition

[Kriswithak]

Hey all, just wanted to grab your opinion on something I have noticed with my tyres!

They are the original tyres, and sadly have only done 6000km (in about 9 months, but it was on 08 model bought new), with only one really long trip, meaning mainly city riding/commuting.
Looking at the tyres yesterday I noticed they seemed to be flattening quite badly (assuming this is similar to squaring off), and they are also starting to feel... strange when riding.
I have to really muscle through the corners because she just won't glide through anymore, and the bike tracks really badly especially coming to a stop on any peice of road that isn't nice and flat.
I've also noticed the suspension has suddenly gone really raelly harsh, so I'm not sure if something has happened there, I took a look and there was no evident damage, and they still seem to compress properly, and the tyre pressure is still correct.

Anyone care to add their experience/opinion to my quandry! (I think thats a word)

 

[FB400]

I have the stock tires, the BT 020's on my '06 and have just about the same amount of miles..
~3700 miles.

I did notice a flat spot forming up the middle of the back tire and the front tread looks to be getting a little thin (but no flat spot).

Today I experienced the rear end try to slide out while I was in a traffic circle. I wasn't hard on the gas or anything and I had it leaned appropriately for the turn was in.

I haven't heard anyone ever say - gee these stock tires are really great! Quite to the contrary most people have reported they are mediocre at best. The thing is though people here have reported getting up to 10,000 miles (or 16,200km) on these stock tires. I can't see that happening.

 

[Doorag]

I'd put some Pilot Road 2CTs or some Conti RoadAttacks on it and see how you like those. I never was a fan of the stock tyres and many on here aren't either. The sooner you get them off the better, in my opinion.

I've had both of the above and the Contis seem a bit more round across the tyre so they seem to help the bike when turning a bit more than the Pilot Roads do. The Pilots seem to be slightly flatter on the cross-section which makes them feel really solid on the road but are slightly harder to get the bike to tip in - and I mean slightly.

Anyway, that's my .02p

 

[Dunno]

Hey all, just wanted to grab your opinion on something I have noticed with my tyres!

They are the original tyres, and sadly have only done 6000km (in about 9 months, but it was on 08 model bought new), with only one really long trip, meaning mainly city riding/commuting.
Looking at the tyres yesterday I noticed they seemed to be flattening quite badly (assuming this is similar to squaring off), and they are also starting to feel... strange when riding.
I have to really muscle through the corners because she just won't glide through anymore, and the bike tracks really badly especially coming to a stop on any peice of road that isn't nice and flat.
I've also noticed the suspension has suddenly gone really raelly harsh, so I'm not sure if something has happened there, I took a look and there was no evident damage, and they still seem to compress properly, and the tyre pressure is still correct.

Anyone care to add their experience/opinion to my quandry! (I think thats a word)

Kris you need new rubber mate. As you said your tyres have squared off creating a ridge along the shoulder of the tyre. This is why it feels like it wont tip in. You are teetering on the egde of the ridge. Once you get it over far enough it will tip in unexpectedly & can catch you by surprise. Not a nice feeling when you are trying to hold a line.
The suspension is still doing its job. The feeling you have described comes from the tyre not absorbing the initial impact when you hit a bump or imperfection in the road surface. Your rubber is the essential ingredient between your bike & the road. You could have your suspension dialed in to perfection but with shoddy tyres it will feel vague & probably handle like a pig.

New rubber my friend. It will feel like a new bike & your suspension will return to how you remember it.

Ive now done about 3000km on the Pirelli Anget STs & so far I love em. Probably not the best for the twisties but first & foremost I need a tyre that lasts more than 6000km. Really depends what you want from your tyre & is a matter of opinion/ personal choice.

Hope this helps :thumbup:

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Time to get some fresh tires. They are rubber and will eventually lose it's grip over a period of time. I would say anything after two years since it's manufactured you are going to start to notice more and more things, regardless if you have plenty of tread left or not.

 

[Kriswithak]

Thanks guys!
I have to admit the stock tyres don't exactly inspire confidence, even when warmed up!
I'm certainly eager to get a new pair but I have to admit I don't want to get rid of these till I have a good reason (ie wear) because a new set are expensive and I have all my insurance coming up as well.

Missed the replies from Dunno and Vegasrider while I posted my reply so rather than double post I'll add it here!

Dunno: That certainly sounds like the issues I'm having, and I have to admit its been getting steadily worse, I thought it was just me being overly fussy though!!

Vegasrider: I was actually a bit concerned about the tyres being pretty old and taking a long time to wear in when I originally got them (as they sat out in a dealer yard for quite a long while before I bought the bike with no use at all, but a few people told me it should make no difference.

I'll definately head to the dealer tonight though and discuss my options!!

 

[Dunno]

Thanks guys!
I have to admit the stock tyres don't exactly inspire confidence, even when warmed up!
I'm certainly eager to get a new pair but I have to admit I don't want to get rid of these till I have a good reason (ie wear) because a new set are expensive and I have all my insurance coming up as well.

A good reason?

Change your tyres before you end up on your arse
Your insurance wont be much good to you if they find you have had a mis-hap due to excessive wear or lack of maintenance. One of the 1st things they will look at to avoid a pay out.

 

[Jblk9695]

I got just shy of 7K miles on the 020 and it looked like this---

and no I didn't do any burn outs just a lot of straight line commuting.
Don't let yours get this far gone:spank:

Jerry

 

[Kriswithak]

Oh wow, thats insane!
Mine certainly isn't that bad, all the treads are still visible, and i think its to the wear markers near the centres where its most worn (and flat) but its hard to tell.
Its just the ride becoming so s#$t that is really bringing it to my attention.

I went for an early morning ride on sunday morning with my dad, he was leading the pace so it wasn't too fast, but I was coming to peices of road where you get those little bumps as you go over the joiners on the peices of road, and it felt like I was going over speed bumps it was so jolting! Plus cornering was just a huge struggle.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I got just shy of 7K miles on the 020 and it looked like this---

and no I didn't do any burn outs just a lot of straight line commuting.
Don't let yours get this far gone:spank:

Jerry

Are you sure you couldn't get another 1000 miles?

 

[stevesnj]

Dude how much air pressure you put in those? looks way over inflated

 

[Nelly]

I got just shy of 7K miles on the 020 and it looked like this---

and no I didn't do any burn outs just a lot of straight line commuting.
Don't let yours get this far gone:spank:

Jerry

That is a very scary picture,
I have never had a tyre do that on me with so few miles on it. It looks like that tyre was operating very hot judging by the marbling. Was it over inflated? What is the ambient air temperature?


Nelly

 

[Jblk9695]

Not over inflated, I kept it at 42 psi. Might be the abrasive road surface we have in SoCal and this was from Aug 09 so mostly cool weather with temps from the high 30's to the low 90's F. I usually run at 80-85 mph on the freeway with some blasts up to 100+ but not staying at that speed to long. Maybe to aggressive on the rear brake but never felt like it as I prefer to use the front for most of the stopping power. I think I just tried to make it last to long.

Jerry

 

[Dunno]

Is that a cold measurement? 42 might be ok for hwy riding but you might think about 36fr & 38r depending on ambient & road temps. 38 in the rear will probably rise to 41 or 42 once you get some heat into the tyre.

 

[Jblk9695]

Is that a cold measurement? 42 might be ok for hwy riding but you might think about 36fr & 38r depending on ambient & road temps. 38 in the rear will probably rise to 41 or 42 once you get some heat into the tyre.

Yep, cold and it was recommended by the dealer, but you may be right that 38 would be a better psi when cold. I put a BT021 on as a replacement and may try your suggestion, can't wear out any sooner can it?

Jerry

 

[Nelly]

Yep, cold and it was recommended by the dealer, but you may be right that 38 would be a better psi when cold. I put a BT021 on as a replacement and may try your suggestion, can't wear out any sooner can it?

Jerry

Over inflated mate,

< 90kg load Front 33 psi 2.25 bar Rear 36 psi 2.5 bar
> 90kg load Front 36 psi 2.5 bar Rear 42 psi 3.0 bar
high speed riding Front 33 psi Rear 36 psi

The tyre was running very hot.

Nelly

 

[Machine]

I'm a cheapskate and have ridden my tires to the threads too. It makes the new tires feel that much more wonderful.

I really liked the Pilots on my old Bandit 1200 but am wondering if I will like them on the FZ6.

 

[Wolfman]

Two things...OEM FZ6 tyres are crap...remember, Yamaha probably uses them cause they get a real good deal, and they cant sell you a bike with no tyres...so until you replace OEM tyres, you gotta put up with a compromised product...

Second thing, 42psi is way high.....man, you must of been able to feel every tiny stone, or miniscule bump you rode over....i put 41 in a rear recently on a long straight tour to stop the tyre from flat spotting, but as soon as i got to the Twisties...i put the tyre back to abnout 37.5psi....

Kris, get yourself some Pilot Road 2ct's.....they WILL last at least 10000km's, and wont go square...

:thumbup:

 

[deeptekkie]

Dude, it's just like Nelly said: Probably too much air pressure.
I was following the Yamaha suggested ratings for high speed riding, (which I do everytime I'm on the bike). I noticed that after every ride, (no matter how cold it was out), my tires were extremely warm to touch!
My local mechanic has told me since day one - 33/36 psi.
I went with this recently and it's a different bike with my stock 'stones!

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

PR2's at 38 PSI is the way to go!!! Love em.. No comparison to the 020's....