Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: lather on February 01, 2012, 09:54:50 PM
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I only got 4000 miles out of a rear Shinko 009 Raven. I liked the tire better than 2 PR2's that I've tried in every other respect, especially price. But 4000 miles is not enough. Looking at the Shinko site I discovered that the Raven is actually listed as a sport tire. The Verge is listed as a Sport Touring tire and they brag on its long mileage qualities.
I now have 2000 miles on a rear Verge. Handling is great as are both wet and dry grip, on par with Pirelli Angels and better the Michelin PR2. Only an estimate but I estimate at 2000 miles I still have 70% tread left. I will report the mileage when I replace it. For reference, I got about 6500 miles out of the PR2s and Angels.
The Verge is a heavy and stiff carcassed tire; the hardest to mount of any I have tried on the C14 so far. Another thing I noticed is it apparently runs hot. The TPS displays 3 psi higher than my accurate gauges instead of 1 psi as for every other rear tire as well as the front tires. The tire does not feel particulary hot but I cannot think of any other explanation for the high TPS reading. Next ride I will bring my infrared thermometer and takes some measurements.
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I've noticed the same thing with these tires and the psi readout. I'm on my second set. I figure the difference could be the stiffness of the tire. Same raise in temps with a less flexible tire could mean the difference in psi readout. As always, I could be wrong. BTW here in Ks (land of South winds and no curves) I'm getting about 6K on the rear tire. Could do a little more on the front but I change in sets.
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Glad to know I'm not the only one. As soon as I returned from a 100 mile ride yesterdy I used my infrared gauge on the tires. I was running one less PSI in the rear, 41 and the TPS reported 44. The rear averaged 109 F, 10 degress hotter than the front which is a Michelin Pilot Road. Of course some or even all of this difference is could be the normal difference between front and rear, the rear normally working harder than the front. The ambient temp was 65-70.
I am not sure to what to make of this phenomenon. I have decided to experiment with cold pressure although I doubt it will prove anything.