? about tires for a 9000 mile trip

[Stubby]

OK here is the deal I have been asked if I wanted to do a 9000 mile trip in 12 days next May so I'm exploring my options.
With regards to tires is there a good tire for this bike that will go that far? It will be mostly Interstate stuff to do what we need to do but I don't want just a rock tire so to speak. I am running PR2/PR3 right now but just not sure I can get that kind of millage out of them.
 
LOL this is the first of many long distance questions to come so thanks for any help.
Dave

[caliconie]

The PR2 should be able to handle it no problem.  I just got back from a 6000 mile trip and have a couple thousand more from commuting so I have about 8000 on my rear and it still has several thousand on it.  I got the belted tire for extra weight since I had to take a lot of luggage with me as well.  I personally haven't heard of anything out there that will really outlast a PR2 and handle as well as it does to.  Best tire in my opinion.  I hope they make them forever!

[Stubby]

caliconie thanks I'm pretty sure I can get that with my frount PR2 ( probley over that now with it ) its the rear I was worried about I had about 6000 on my last rear ( PR2 ) and did not dare take it on a 2500 mile trip last fall.
Just looking for options

[ZG]

Sounds like a tire swap midway to me, I can't seem to get more than about 5k miles out of tires on my Connie... 

[stevewfl]

Las Vegas:  "Motorcycle Tire Center" www.mtclv.com will have you in and out within minutes.  Tell 'em Steve from FL sent you. 

Also, you want to eat at the SECOND Mexican restaurant down on the right from the shop, its in walking distance and they'll give you directions to the right one.

[JS_racer]

Sounds like a tire swap midway to me, I can't seem to get more than about 5k miles out of tires on my Connie... 

not alone there, i'm in the same boat. 

[Stubby]

ZG/JS ya I know I'm hoping to find a way around that because of time constrants.

stevewfl  to bad Vegas is at the start of my trip 

[texrider]

Start with a fresh set of your favorites, and keep them aired to 42 the whole trip.
Cycle Gear sells and mounts tires, and you could pull the wheels in their parking lot yourself if need be.

Dunlop SportMax Q2's have a high mileage compound in the center tread area, and softer sides. I was getting good tread wear, but always caught a puncture and kept me from seeing just how far I could run one.

[B.D.F.]

We all seem to get wildly varying mileage out of the tires on a C-14. But for me, 9K miles with the right tires is no problem, in fact I have gotten 16K miles out of several sets of PR2s. Those would be my suggestion for long distance riding if you are concerned about tire life. I have also gotten across the US and back comfortably on PR3s and while I did not rack up that many miles on the trip (just over 7K trip miles) the tires were not shot when I got back.

But as I said earlier, we get wildly differing mileage out of the same tires on the same bike so your mileage may be much different than mine.

Brian

OK here is the deal I have been asked if I wanted to do a 9000 mile trip in 12 days next May so I'm exploring my options.
With regards to tires is there a good tire for this bike that will go that far? It will be mostly Interstate stuff to do what we need to do but I don't want just a rock tire so to speak. I am running PR2/PR3 right now but just not sure I can get that kind of millage out of them.
 
LOL this is the first of many long distance questions to come so thanks for any help.
Dave

[Scaffolder]

I'm with Brian on the PR2s. Both my bikes have them. PR3s sound better, but are not. I have come close to 17,000 miles on a set. Always over 13,000 miles. I do a lot of highway riding. PR3s are not as good for mileage. 12,000 miles on one set and 9,000 on the next set..
Good luck!

[B.D.F.]

You probably know this but there are a lot of resources available for long distance riders, starting with the Iron Butt Association (no joke) as well as other organizations.

As far as setting up the C-14 specifically for distance, some of us may be able to help you out. I have done a bit of distance riding on the C-14 and there are others around who do quite a few distance rallies.

Brian

<snip>

LOL this is the first of many long distance questions to come so thanks for any help.
Dave

[ZG]

I have come close to 17,000 miles on a set.

 

[wingrider]

I don't get to do as much mountain riding as I would like so mine is mostly commuting but I have close to 12000 on a set of PR3s and they aren't shot yet. Close but not quite. I was hoping to last until the PR4s are available but don't think I will make it.

[B.D.F.]

Don't worry Jay, he only gets that kind of mileage 'cause his bike is not green. Green bikes eat tires much faster; you have to pay for that coolness factor somehow.

 

I have gotten over 16K out of multiple sets of PR2's. Maybe it is the cooler temps around here- Scaffolder is in northern New England as I remember, and rides all year; I am in southern New England and also ride all year. Once the temps are below, say 55F, I think tire wear really falls down pretty low. And it does seem that those who get really short mileage out of tires live in much warmer climates; even the summers here are not that hot on average compared with the south- central and southwest US for example. Otherwise I have no idea what cause the same tire to change so much regarding wear from bike to bike and person to person. ??

Brian

 

[Stubby]

BDF I will be pming you for some info. I have checked the iron butt site but not clear through it. The ride is the 48/10 I have been invited on

[B.D.F.]

Please feel free to do that. I am not an expert on all things IBA but I will help if / where I can and I think I can point you to some in the organization.

Brian

BDF I will be pming you for some info. I have checked the iron butt site but not clear through it. The ride is the 48/10 I have been invited on

[twowheeladdict]

Averaging 750 miles a day does not sound like fun to me.  I understand some folks ride for the miles and the challenge of doing so, but you sure will miss a lot of great places to visit unless you have already been everywhere and now just want to rack up some miles. 

Higher speeds wear tires faster.  Different road surfaces in different parts of the country which wear tires at different rates.  How much weight you carry on the bike, as well as acceleration and braking will affect wear.

Get off caffeine and eat light.  I lost 15 lbs on my last 3 week trip.

[Stubby]

Twowheel I agree it's not the best scenario and would not be anywhere near as fun as the 2600 mile trip I took this fall. But it would be a challenge and I would see some country that I may never get a chance to again. Besides I kind of want to see if I can do it 
Thanks for the replys guys
Dave

[VirginiaJim]

You probably know this but there are a lot of resources available for long distance riders, starting with the Iron Butt Association (no joke) as well as other organizations.

As far as setting up the C-14 specifically for distance, some of us may be able to help you out. I have done a bit of distance riding on the C-14 and there are others around who do quite a few distance rallies.

Brian

Without going to the hospital?

[Chris J.]

Good luck on your ride Stubby my dad and I were just talking about doing the same thing unsure if and when our schedules will allow for it.