Back in the day, you could get 20,000 out of all your tires. Well, you'd wear out the firstrear tire in 10,000 miles, but after that, you rotated the front to the rear and put the new tire on the front. Since there was very little wear to the front tire, it kept its radius pretty much, and when put on the rear, it was as good as a new tire. It would still give you 10,000miles. On a bagger that is.

Then some fool decided to dedicate a tire for the front only, and the other for the rear only.[:@]

 

Bridgestone make a dual compound tyre with a softer compound on the outer edge and harder on the centre but its aimed at a sportier market. I think the old battleax 020's were a dual compound, and they were available at least 7 years ago. But being a sportier tyre I still only got 5000 out of a rear, but it was a step up from the 3000 I was getting on other tyres. I couldnt find a dual compound tyre aimed at the heavy cruiser market, the load ratings dont come near even if you could find the right size.

As far as changing the profile of the tyre as some have mentioned by adding tread at the centre, this is pretty much a no go as it will alter the handling on the bike and quicken turn in, which is good on a sports bike but not no desireable on a fully loaded bagger.

I am sure that eventually the mileage will go up on our tyres, hell 30 years ago the rubber on our baggers would have been considered sporty, now some of my mates on their Ducatti's and GSXR's only manage around 1500 miles on a rear.

 

I dont know what I did but you are right its around 4%.

Circumference of a circle = (Pi x D) or [Pi x (R2)]
Area of a circle = [Pi x (Radius x Radius)]





The radius of a circle is 3 inches. What is the area?


Solution:



= 3.14 · (3 in) · (3 in)


= 3.14 · (9 in2)


= 28.26 in2

 

all i know is 40lbs rear and frt and i get 12/15k rear and near 30k frt on OE Dunlop

 

I got 16,500 on my last rear Dunlop... Mostly freeway long distancecommute. Front tires 27,000 or so.

 

There are so many variables to getting mileage out of tires. Loaded weight, air pressure, speed and curves all work to wear the tires. My friend who has a Fatboy consistantly gets 15-16 out of his rear tire because he rides easy and the bike is lighter than my RK. I can only wish to get 12 out of my rear tire and usually only get 9-10, IF I keep my hand out of the 95". After a ride to the "Dragon Tail" ( all twisties) last year I noticed a lot of tread gone on the front tire. So bottom line it all depends on you the rider and how / where you ride.