After 6800 miles I had to replace the rear tire. 1/32" of tread left. I thought I was supposed to get 10000 - 12000 miles out of it. Oh well. I wanted to get Metzlers, but since the front still looks new, I went ahead and got a replacement Dunlop. Whenever that front wears out though......

 

Does having more weight on the bike cause the tire to wear faster?

 

Yes, remember its a pain in the rear but you need to check them tire pressures!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot instill enough about that! Nothing will wear atire down faster unless you like to do burn outs or aggressive riding

 

Yep - underinflated tires are probably one of the biggest culprits in premature tire wear! What pressure were ya runnin' in the rear, an' how often didja check it??

 

I got 8000 on mine. Both still look like new. You have to really have a close look to see any wear. Me and mama together weigh about 400 lbs. I guess I have rode 2 up at least 4000 of those 8000 miles. Like the others said, air pressure is the key.

 

I check the pressure every weekend. At one point I was running 47 lbs in the front and 45 in the rear (I know this because I took it to the dealer and told them it was skating around on textured roads, They checked it while it was hot). The lowest I have ever seen was 37 in the rear and 35 in the front.
I don't do burnouts, but I do like to gas it in second and third gear. I mostly ride hill country roads in the 65 - 70 mph range.....

TE

 

the weight plus hard in accel in 2nd and third contributes heavily to wear with weight.

 

I run 40 in both of mine which should read 43-44 when hot. I would be leery of running that much pressure especially on a wet road.