Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: lather on May 11, 2015, 09:34:43 AM
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My last three rear tires
Michilen PR4 190/50 6781
Bridgesone T30 190/50 6867
Bridgestone T30GT 190/55 5967
I am pretty surprised that the regular T30 lasted 900 more than the GT. I am wondering if the 55 profile made the difference.
I am going to review my riding for the two tires and try to figure out if there were any other factors at play.
I should mention that the PR4 saw about 5000 two up riding, the T30s none so the PR4 is still the mileage champ.
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I usually get between 6k and 7k from a PR4. This last one saw mostly freeway trips with very little stopping and starting and had 10k when I replaced it, with a bit of tread still on it. I was baffled riding style made such a difference.
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I can see where riding style could make a big difference. But In my case my riding style did not change for the two T30s. The non-gt 50 saw a trip to Wichita, the gt 55 saw a trip to Big Bend. The rest was mixed local twisties and commuting. The only factor that stands out is 50 vs 55. I have to conclude that the taller profile probably where more quickly
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OEM - BT021 - 4,370
1st Angel GT 190/50 - 9,919
2nd Angel GT 190/50 - 9,501
3rd Angel GT 190/50 A-Spec - 11,288
4th Angel GT 190/50 A-Spec - 7,356 (Sides wore out before the middle, this is what happens when you move to California from New Jersey... :P)
5th Angel GT 190/50 - 5100 miles and counting. 8)
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My last three rear tires
Michilen PR4 190/50 6781
Bridgesone T30 190/50 6867
Bridgestone T30GT 190/55 5967
I am pretty surprised that the regular T30 lasted 900 more than the GT. I am wondering if the 55 profile made the difference.
I am going to review my riding for the two tires and try to figure out if there were any other factors at play.
I should mention that the PR4 saw about 5000 two up riding, the T30s none so the PR4 is still the mileage champ.
OEM Bridgestone: 10,200 miles
Others: I really cannot remember but I know the Angel was less than that. The PR3 may have been close.
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That's pretty darn good on a BT. I think I only got about 8500 miles on my original tire.
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That's pretty darn good on a BT. I think I only got about 8500 miles on my original tire.
I did a lot of long distance highway riding with that one since I was riding between Pennsylvania and Iowa a lot. As Steve said, that makes a big difference. The Angel was used more on the twisty roads of Western PA and West Virginia.
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Risking the chance of being accused of riding like "your sister"
I currently have 12,350ish on a set of PR2s spooned on a year ago.
Gonna replace due to a trip coming up and would rather not think about it.
Last set I pushed to 17,000. Once the plug started leaking, time to go.
I feel that close tabs on tire pressure can seriously extend the life of the tire. 8)
Unless they just suck from the beginning. :P
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I can also get 17-20k on PR2's, but have PR4's now because they stopped making 55 profile PR2's. Must be I ride like yo momma.
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Me too- I must ride like Mary Jane Tinklepants 'cause I got 16K miles out of three sets of PR2's and all were removed with enough tread on them to be legal though not much more. I believe I got 9,300 miles from the stock Brickstones.
Not sure if it is the riding style, the local roads, the variation in temperature (riders in the southern US, where it is quite a it hotter, seem to get less mileage but that is only an observation) or what but the mileage we get on this bike varies a lot from rider to rider.
Brian
Risking the chance of being accused of riding like "your sister"
I currently have 12,350ish on a set of PR2s spooned on a year ago.
Gonna replace due to a trip coming up and would rather not think about it.
Last set I pushed to 17,000. Once the plug started leaking, time to go.
I feel that close tabs on tire pressure can seriously extend the life of the tire. 8)
Unless they just suck from the beginning. :P
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You guys and your tires slay me. :rotflmao:
If I get 5,000 miles out of a tire, I'm lucky.
I bought a Conti Motion from my dealer on Thursday, and got a free replacement on Tuesday. Just destroyed that thing. ;)
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What about the fronts? This is the first bike I've ever owned that ate the front tire before the rear needed replacing. Can you provide a ratio of how many front to rear (or vice versa) replacements you've experienced?
On my second set of tires now, PR3s, which currently have about 7k on them, and are holding up alright. The front is definitely worn more than the rear.
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You guys and your tires slay me. :rotflmao:
If I get 5,000 miles out of a tire, I'm lucky.
I bought a Conti Motion from my dealer on Thursday, and got a free replacement on Tuesday. Just destroyed that thing. ;)
Tire killer!
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What about the fronts? This is the first bike I've ever owned that ate the front tire before the rear needed replacing. Can you provide a ratio of how many front to rear (or vice versa) replacements you've experienced?
On my second set of tires now, PR3s, which currently have about 7k on them, and are holding up alright. The front is definitely worn more than the rear.
You need to start a new thread as it's been a while since we've had two tire threads going at the same time. :)
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My fronts wear a bit quicker too but not generally so much faster that it is worth putting only a new rear tire on the bike.
This is a heavy, powerful bike using conventional tires so I think it does pretty well regarding tire life. After all, the same size tires would fit a 600 cc bike and that would weight half as much. Really heavy motorcycles, such as Old Wings, use specific tires that are built very differently than traditional sport- touring tires to hold up to the loads.
Brian
What about the fronts? This is the first bike I've ever owned that ate the front tire before the rear needed replacing. Can you provide a ratio of how many front to rear (or vice versa) replacements you've experienced?
On my second set of tires now, PR3s, which currently have about 7k on them, and are holding up alright. The front is definitely worn more than the rear.
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...This is a heavy, powerful bike using conventional tires so I think it does pretty well regarding tire life. After all, the same size tires would fit a 600 cc bike and that would weight half as much. Really heavy motorcycles, such as Old Wings, use specific tires that are built very differently than traditional sport- touring tires to hold up to the loads...
PR4's seem to be the favourite here. I bought a set of the GT version because of the glowing recommendations here. Very Happy with them so far. Best bike tires I've owned.
I only got about 4000km on the OEM 'Stones, but they were replaced because of a nail, not excessive wear...
As far as admitting to being a "Tinkle pants" rider or not - thanks Brian - a great leap in taxonomy, the PR4GT on the back still looks great despite having 8000km - 5000 miles, but I suspect the epithet will eventually fit... I commute to work more than I ride for pleasure, so about 3/4 of my miles are on the slab. I'd see centre-line cordage before the sides ever wore out. :-[
It'd be kind of neat to see some comparisons of the GT and non-GT versions of the tire. Is there a difference (I mean anecdotal, not claimed) in the mileage between the two?
Jamie
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PR4's seem to be the favourite here. I bought a set of the GT version because of the glowing recommendations here. Very Happy with them so far. Best bike tires I've owned.
I only got about 4000km on the OEM 'Stones, but they were replaced because of a nail, not excessive wear...
As far as admitting to being a "Tinkle pants" rider or not - thanks Brian - a great leap in taxonomy, the PR4GT on the back still looks great despite having 8000km - 5000 miles, but I suspect the epithet will eventually fit... I commute to work more than I ride for pleasure, so about 3/4 of my miles are on the slab. I'd see centre-line cordage before the sides ever wore out. :-[
It'd be kind of neat to see some comparisons of the GT and non-GT versions of the tire. Is there a difference (I mean anecdotal, not claimed) in the mileage between the two?
Jamie
A good friend has been through a lot of tires in his time (over 80K miles) on the C14. His log shows about 1000 mile advantage to the GT vs. non GT.
I got about 8500 from my PR4GTs. Maybe could have got another 1000 on the rear, front still had good tread, but a bit chopped, so both went. Now on T30GT's, with 2500 miles. Wearing very nice. They seem very even to the PR4GT to me. I attribute the quicker, lighter handling feel to the 55 series rear that I didn't run in the PRs.
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What about the fronts? This is the first bike I've ever owned that ate the front tire before the rear needed replacing. Can you provide a ratio of how many front to rear (or vice versa) replacements you've experienced?
On my second set of tires now, PR3s, which currently have about 7k on them, and are holding up alright. The front is definitely worn more than the rear.
FWIW I have gone 3 Rears to 4 fronts in 27K and both are nearly new but the front has about 1.5K more on it than the rear.
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Thanks JerBear, that's what I'm looking for.
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I installed a Continental Road Attack 2 a few weeks back. This thing grips like nothing I have ever ran. I have owned 4 Connie's. But!!! I have about 3,500 on it and the wear pattern is showing up pretty quick. I will be lucky to see 6,000 on the rear. I was really hoping to see more. I really like this tire. But cost to much to replace ever 5,000 miles.
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PR4 GT's 190/50 4767 miles.
Both front and rear were toast. Rear was into the wear bars, front was cupping. Aggressive sport riding on hot, twisty Texas roads.
FWIW: That's twice the mileage I get out of sport tires on my ZRX.
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I average around 5k on both front and rear tires pr2 or pr3s. I just returned from a 7047 mile 23 state round trip and both new pr4s are are around half spent. A little off the subject but has anyone notice handlebar shake on decell with the pr4s? As soon as I installed the tires I noticed a slight shake in the bars around 45 to 60mph.
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I have about 10,000 miles on this set of PR4GT (89,900 miles on the C14)...they have just less than 50% tread left...I'd estimate next change (TWI showing) at around 18,000 miles. That is typical with my other PRx mileage. IIRC, I had a front or two go over 20k an several rears go 15k+.
Mostly interstate, very few miles cornering...but I don't think that affects my mileage since the center (hard) compound is not a factor when cornering. Rather, I think it is a bit of local road surface and mostly driving habits. I ease from the starts, short shift (2nd to 4th when the RPM's allow) and have a habit of hyper-miling.
YMMV.
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I just got back from a
nice fabulous road trip and my PR4GT's have 11,600 miles on them and I could still put more miles on them, but I will retire them now. They owe me nothing!
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah209/Sailor_chic/20150706_112741_zps7irivpxn.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/Sailor_chic/media/20150706_112741_zps7irivpxn.jpg.html)
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah209/Sailor_chic/20150706_112724_zpsoiymslap.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/Sailor_chic/media/20150706_112724_zpsoiymslap.jpg.html)
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I average around 5k on both front and rear tires pr2 or pr3s. I just returned from a 7047 mile 23 state round trip and both new pr4s are are around half spent. A little off the subject but has anyone notice handlebar shake on decell with the pr4s? As soon as I installed the tires I noticed a slight shake in the bars around 45 to 60mph.
I would check your tire pressure first, try 42 psi front and rear
I digress: Tires are the absolute most important part on your C14. . .why F around with expensive farkles
then try to save money on tires? buy the best tire available
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I just had a 4,682 mile 2011 C14 in and the front tire was worn well past the wear bars and cupped to **** while the rear was "flattened" but still had 1/32 over the wear bars. Those were the oe original tires, that apparently see much two up riding.
I do have some records of one C14 where he has been anywhere from 4300=5100 per rear and been usually seeing 5500-6200 out of fronts- and it really wasn't making much difference in what tire he ran. It was making more difference on where and how he rode.
Could ride on one tire- say a PR2 once and get 4300 miles then the next one be 5000
- then run a BT023 and get 4600 and follow it up with a 023GT and see 4400, and another 023GT and see 5100 etc...
But generally he never swayed from most to least by more than 800 miles on any of them, and quite often fronts were taken off and tossed with the rear, rather than have to come back in a weeks time.
I haven't been keeping track in a couple years as he started changing his own...maybe he figured those 4+ sets each year was worth a little equipment investment to save some time and money. Plus he has been on numerous out of state trips the past couple years and doing a lot of take the tire off, install new and return home and swap back to the one he took off etc...... that would be a lot of expense to pay someone to be doing twice as many tire changes.... (for sure negate out any perceived savings by swapping them so much)
I read comments of people claiming remarkable mileage out of certain tires, I think much of that has to do with road composition and how you ride, more than what tire you are riding on.
I have yet to see anyone locally who rides WI hill country on any bike with any tire, who rides with the group I ride with get more than about 5000 miles out of a rear tire, and the vast majority of riders are sub 4000 miles- with numerous of them sub 3000 miles.. Based on those who attend the every weekend riding---of course we have the grannies who putt around for weeks on end and only ride with the group once or twice a year who get more
My typical sport touring bike to come through usually sees about 8000 miles out of the rear, if there is such a thing as typical.
I have seen on numerous bikes for those who went from PR2's to PR3's and even PR4's that they dropped tire life mileage often in half.
And nearly none of the people who have used both the 023 ~now~ T30 vs a PR2 have seen any significant mileage difference between them.
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I just got back from a nice fabulous road trip and my PR4GT's have 11,600 miles on them and I could still put more miles on them, but I will retire them now. They owe me nothing!
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah209/Sailor_chic/20150706_112741_zps7irivpxn.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/Sailor_chic/media/20150706_112741_zps7irivpxn.jpg.html)
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah209/Sailor_chic/20150706_112724_zpsoiymslap.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/Sailor_chic/media/20150706_112724_zpsoiymslap.jpg.html)
That front tire looks completely cupped to me. To me that is a throw away tire
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I just got back from a nice fabulous road trip and my PR4GT's have 11,600 miles on them and I could still put more miles on them, but I will retire them now. They owe me nothing!
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah209/Sailor_chic/20150706_112741_zps7irivpxn.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/Sailor_chic/media/20150706_112741_zps7irivpxn.jpg.html)
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah209/Sailor_chic/20150706_112724_zpsoiymslap.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/Sailor_chic/media/20150706_112724_zpsoiymslap.jpg.html)
That's fantastic! My PR4's have less than 8,000 on them and they don't look that good.
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I'm almost at 11,000 km / 6,800 miles on my stock tires and the read tread indicator is now flat with the tire. Still some tread left but not much and time to change.
Looks like the PR4 GT is the way to go, but the other guy had huge mileage on the Angels! Most of my riding is straight boring rides on my commute.
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I don't compare my mileage to anyone else's. Too many variables, roads, how hard it's ridden, how well it's ridden etc.
I will listen when someone says, "I got X out of a PR3 and Y out of a PR4" or whatever brand. That's a good comparison. And I pay attention to what I get between tires.
I got more out of PR2's than Angel GT A specs and the PR2's are way cheaper. And I rode home 3 hours in a downpour at 80 on my other bike, no problems. And I dragged pegs on a track on my old FZ1 on them. PR2's all day long for me, until they stop making them.
Something I find annoying is, "I have 42 miles on Brand X and they're awesome". Who cares? New tires always feel great. Or maybe I'm just crotchety?
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I don't compare my mileage to anyone else's. Too many variables, roads, how hard it's ridden, how well it's ridden etc.
I will listen when someone says, "I got X out of a PR3 and Y out of a PR4" or whatever brand. That's a good comparison. And I pay attention to what I get between tires.
I got more out of PR2's than Angel GT A specs and the PR2's are way cheaper. And I rode home 3 hours in a downpour at 80 on my other bike, no problems. And I dragged pegs on a track on my old FZ1 on them. PR2's all day long for me, until they stop making them.
Something I find annoying is, "I have 42 miles on Brand X and they're awesome". Who cares? New tires always feel great. Or maybe I'm just crotchety?
:goodpost:
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+
12 on all your points!
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How about car tires on your bike, I hear you get great mileage, I'm thinlin of doing it. (maybe).
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with turbo?
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I heard that several contestants in this years Iron Butt Rally used car tires.
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:_shudder_Emoticon :yikes:
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Yeah, that is just not the 'hot button' issue it used to be, at least not around here. I have a theory on why that is and it has nothing to do with the issue but perhaps the fire-eaters are spending their time elsewhere. I mean once you remove the insane, evil and nasty, what do you really have left but conversation and the exchange of ideas? <tapping my toes, looking up at the sky and whistling..... ::) >
Brian
How about car tires on your bike, I hear you get great mileage, I'm thinlin of doing it. (maybe).
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Foiled my evil intentions to start a topic war by Brian's erudite and common sense reaction!
(to those who might not remember I was known to be firmly opposed to car tire use on bikes some years back).
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Since 90% of my time is spent on the highway at relatively high speeds, I think I am gonna try a Michelin Commander II when I replace the PR4 GT. I got really good mileage out of them on my last bike.
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I did not really foil anything, merely pointed out how difficult it is to get a fire lit under this collective group lately. Perhaps the bike has been around long enough not for the 'haters' to have waned and have stopped raging against the changes on this new bike. Perhaps they are still out there and still raging but on other, newer topics? Perhaps they are just somewhere else and we cannot hear them from here (my personal theory)?
I just posted so that you would know that your effort did not go unnoticed Bruce, and it was not a bad effort. The problem seems that there is just less irrationality to work with in the first place in recent times. Sometimes I almost think humanity is actually improving but then I take a quick look at the news and realize that we are all still chasing mastodons and sitting around the communal fire; it is just that the mastodons are smaller and the fire is more refined.... we remain the same.
On the car tire front, I too remain firm in my opinions.... I do not care if anyone wants to use them on motorcycles or not but I find the fact that it works at least passably well fascinating. ;)
Brian
Foiled my evil intentions to start a topic war by Brian's erudite and common sense reaction!
(to those who might not remember I was known to be firmly opposed to car tire use on bikes some years back).
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Back to my original topic. :) I am currently running a Shinko Verge 2. Th >:(ere are no tread grooves in the center so there is no way to judge how much tread is left so even if it has a lot of miles left I will have to replace it before my next long trip. >:(
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Blah....baseless comparison internetz thread.
You won;t even get the same mileage from the the SAME tire.
Unless you ride the exact route with the exact turns, using exact speed and exact braking, same amount of debris on road, exact pavement temp, exact temp, exact rain/no rain, blah blah blah
Just buy the best second to none tire, PR4's, and call it a %$#&ing wash (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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^^^phishing and trolling post right there ;D
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Yes, lots of high mileage riders use CAR TIRES. And it's not just because you don't need the side stand any more. It is kind of shocking that it actually works as well as it does.
Or so I hear...
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Blah....baseless comparison internetz thread.
You won;t even get the same mileage from the the SAME tire.
Unless you ride the exact route with the exact turns, using exact speed and exact braking, same amount of debris on road, exact pavement temp, exact temp, exact rain/no rain, blah blah blah
Just buy the best second to none tire, PR4's, and call it a %$#&ing wash (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
+1
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Just buy the best second to none tire, PR4's, and call it a %$#&ing wash (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
+2 I'm done experimenting on this bike. My last 3 tires have now been PR4's. They do everything well.
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I'm wondering if this tire will last another 1600kms(994mi)(trip nex week)? I have 3 mm of tread left at the wear bars. I've put just shy of 13000kms(8077mi) on it now.
Curious if anyone has taken these tires to the cords and if so how fast did they show after wearing out the wear bars?
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Temps to be in low 70's 70% of the pavement is new on the roads I'm traveling. Travel speed should mostly be around 140kms(85mi).
Appreciate any advice. 8) :chugbeer:
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I'm wondering if this tire will last another 1600kms(994mi)(trip nex week)? I have 3 mm of tread left at the wear bars. I've put just shy of 13000kms(8077mi) on it now.
Curious if anyone has taken these tires to the cords and if so how fast did they show after wearing out the wear bars?
my current pr4 looks like that after 3k miles. guess im not the guy to ask, :(
looks like its on the bars or less in the middle.
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I try to avoid riding in temps above 70*(easy to do that up here) that would probably explain the difference in mileage.
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Ok let's try and refraze the question!!!! ???
Has anyone using PR4gts measured the tread death when new?
Did a little more research so if any one else needs to answer this question here you go;
http://www.k1600forum.com/forum/bmw-k1600-suspension-setup-tires-wheels/66889-tread-depth-new-pr4-gt.html (http://www.k1600forum.com/forum/bmw-k1600-suspension-setup-tires-wheels/66889-tread-depth-new-pr4-gt.html)
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I will attempt to answer this question. I have a new set of PR4GT on mine now. Well actually they have 100 miles on them.
The front measures 0.168" and the rear is 0.253" depth of thread.
Edit: Metric conversion Front 4.3mm rear 6.4mm
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Thanks Nicole 8) appreciate the help.
I think I'll replace it. Don't know how fast the last 3mm will wear and with some of the rain I've seen where I'm headed I would hate to hydroplane coming down a mountain pass :yikes: :yikes: because I was to cheep to change the tire. I'd probably push it if I was going to be close to home but I would like to make it back home safe from the Rockies.