In a separate post I posed a question about why my Metzler me880s weren't getting such good mileage. I did a bit of research on my tires and found out that the guy who sold/installed them sold me a front tire that is bias ply and the rear is a steel belt radial. I have always heard that this is a dangerous/bad idea (mixing). I never noticed it until I got the magnifying glass and read the small print on the side of the tire, but now I wonder if it has any impact on tread life. The front bias tire is fine, the rear is shot after 8k miles. What do you think?

 

8 grand on a Metzler me880s ain't that bad, they are a soft tire and the rear wears kinda fast. That's why I stopped running them, I run 20 to 30 thou a yr and I don't want to swap tires that often. Right now I'm trying Dunlop Elites to see how they wear,

 

I run a radial rear and bias ply front. Dunlops, purchased and installed by the dealer. It's fine. Oh, 8000 is good for motorcycle tires. I have never personally "seen" anyone get that many out of a bike tire. Front or back. I've "heard" some people getting 12K out of a rear tire but is there any tread left in the middle of the tire? For most people the tread on the outside of the tire will look great but the tire is actually shot. I would love to see a rear tire with more than 8000 miles on it that was still good enough to ride on.