MSTA Forums
Main Forums => The Garage => Topic started by: HawkGTRider on September 08, 2014, 12:16:44 PM
-
I hate to start something that everyone despises, but I have a tire question (and it's not even January!)...
A '97 ST1100 came to live with me last autumn, and since it had been sitting for a while, I had a new set of tires mounted. Not knowing what was considered good, bad, or ugly for this bike, I selected a set of Michelin Pilot Activ tires based on a positive vib about Michelins in general and a decent price.
I'm not unhappy with the grip of the tires, but with 6,000 miles on them, the front IS toast. It's not bald, but let's say that the sipes are more of an indication of what might have been rather what should be. For what some might consider more of a touring bike than anything else, I find 6,000 miles to be unacceptable, and I'd like to find something that would be longer lasting.
So...what have you ST1100 riders used in the past and what kind of mileage did you get out of your choices? If you'd prefer to reply by PM, I'm ok with that.
Yeah, I know I should be checking STOC and such, but I trust you guys to give me a straight answer.
-
I used Avon Storm 2 Ultras on my ST1300 and liked them. I looked at my maintenance records and I was getting around 10k before the rear was worn out. I used to buy Dunlop 205s for the ST1100 and would get 12.5k on the rears.
HTH.
-
I used Avon Storm 2 Ultras on my ST1300 and liked them. I looked at my maintenance records and I was getting around 10k before the rear was worn out. I used to buy Dunlop 205s for the ST1100 and would get 12.5k on the rears.
HTH.
I appreciate the recommendation. 12,000 seems like a pretty reasonable bit of mileage.
In the attached picture, the sipes are visible, but if you were to run your fingers over them, you'd barely feel them. 6,000 miles is way too little for a bike that can knock down those miles in a week. However, the rear Activ is still in pretty good shape. I'm not aware of any bike maintenance issues, alignment issues, brake issues, etc., but something sure contributed to this wear.
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Rruh, Rroh. Perhaps I'll have to keep looking. Dunlop's website doesn't show the D205 as being available any more. Of course we all know that everything you find on the internet is right.
-
God luck with your search Geoffrey! I had a Suzuki GSX 1100G that tôok the same size tires, and tires had become difficult to find by the time I sold the bike. I hope you get some good advice. Are you going to make it to Fall Colors this year? If so, please call or email me. Thanks, Syd :)
-
God luck with your search Geoffrey! I had a Suzuki GSX 1100G that tôok the same size tires, and tires had become difficult to find by the time I sold the bike. I hope you get some good advice. Are you going to make it to Fall Colors this year? If so, please call or email me. Thanks, Syd :)
Push come to shove, the Michelin tires aren't terrible. As noted, the rear appears to have life left in it. It's just the front tire that has worn in a time frame that I think is too fast. Maybe this is a bike that just needs to have the front changed more often than the rear (it is 725# svelte pounds all gassed up not counting my chunky self). And it's not the sides that are worn down. Looking at the picture, you can see most of the wear is in the middle portion of the tire. I'd be the first to admit that I've used this bike less for "sport" and more for "touring", and the wear pattern indicates that is true.
-
IF mileage is what you are after them the Metzler ME880s are hard to beat! I got over 15K on the ST1300 and took them off due to handling issues, neither end was worn out. IIRC, guys on the STOwners forum were getting close to 20K on the rear. I didn't like how the handling went off as the miles piled up, didn't run them again. To be fair, I do not push the big boys that hard in the twisties, too damn hard to pick up if things go wrong. But the 880s stuck well for the pace I was comfortable with. YMMV.
-
I may have been misinformed but was told by the shop that installs tires on my bike that Metzler no longer produces the 880. Any 880 you find will be an older tire. They now produce the 888 which is suppose to be an improved compound. I like the Metzler on the Goldwing. It was much more responsive than the Dunlops . I have been getting 10 to 12k on a set. Cupping is the issue I have on the 'wing. The Metzlers do not cup has badly as the Dunlops though.
-
Geoffrey, I had an ST1100 for 3 years and tried different brands of tires. Although I rode the bike aggressively, I had my best luck by far with Dunlop Roadsmart 2s'. They are not the cheapest but wore and stuck way better than anything else. I am now using them on my ST3 Ducati with the same results!
-
I went through a bunch of different brands with my 06 FJR. IMO an FJR and ST are very similar when it comes to tire wear having ridden with a bunch of guys on both the ST1100 and ST1300. The best tires I had were PR2's. RS's were OK but have uneven wear issues on the front. At the time I switched to a Tiger the combo de jour with SE FJR riders was an Angel on the front and an RS on the back. A lot of water has passed under the bridge but when Storms first came out they had big problems on the front and wear was never spectacular. The Angels all seem to depend on the rider. I know of guys running 880's and even car tires on the rear of FJR's to max mileage, but I was never comfortable with that. Most of the wear issues have more to do with how you twist the trottle. The guys without chicken strips rarely break 5K. The commuter and pure tourer guys get 8K and claim some fantastic numbers that I don't have a lot faith in. Despite a lot of naysayers, the Shinko Raven isn't bad the rear. Bent Aero did some testing of that tire with amazing results for a dirt cheap tire.
-
I appreciate the collective input from you guys. I'm going to get something this week or next...I'm unhappy seeing the bike sit with a bald front tire.
-
Geoffrey, just wanted to add a option. I ride a FJR1300 and my ridding buddy Andrey
Hubble are running Bridgestone T30 tires, and we are both very happy with the way they are performing. Andrey really likes the difference it had made to his ST1100.
-
Geoffrey, The best way to explain the Bridgestone T-30 tires is that they made my ST1100 ride like a new bike! I've said, like it was on ball bearings, in a good way. It turns quicker, leans over further, and runs through sand and gravel like it's not there! (The light kind of sand and gravel.) :-) I have been using the Metzler Z-6 and Z-8, but the Z-8 is not made for the rear tire, and won't be. After two bad experiences with the Z-6 I was given the chance to try the T-30 and will probably stay with this tire. Muscle memory after 7 years on the Metzlers is hard to change, but it sure is fun! Still waiting to see mileage results. Call me.....
-
Geoffrey, The best way to explain the Bridgestone T-30 tires is that they made my ST1100 ride like a new bike! I have been using the Metzler Z-6 and Z-8, but the Z-8 is not made for the rear tire, and won't be. After two bad experiences with the Z-6 I was given the chance to try the T-30 and will probably stay with this tire. Muscle memory after 7 years on the Metzlers is hard to change, but it sure is fun! Still waiting to see mileage results. Call me.....
Used to ride Metzlers on Triumph Sprints and they were excellent tires; but, 150+ pounds more of bike hardware on an ST or FJR and I can see why it feels like a new bike with tires built for industrial size sport tourers.
-
As you said, I hate to get into a tire thread discussion because everyone has varying opinions and experiences with tires. I owned a '96 ST for over 15 years and typically used Bridgestone Battleaxes. I thought the handling was good and usually got well over 10k. Not sure if they even produce the B021 any more. Either way, I agree that 6k is disappointing. Goodl uck.
-
As you said, I hate to get into a tire thread discussion because everyone has varying opinions and experiences with tires. I owned a '96 ST for over 15 years and typically used Bridgestone Battleaxes. I thought the handling was good and usually got well over 10k. Not sure if they even produce the B021 any more. Either way, I agree that 6k is disappointing. Goodl uck.
Prior to seeing Andray's recommendation of the Bridgestone T30, I ordered a set of Avon Storm 2 Ultra tires. The front is now mounted while the rear is back ordered for another week or so. I've only ridden the bike a couple of times since installing the new front tire, but it seems ok. I'll know more when I get the new rear.
One thing that became really obvious with the front tire off the ground was that the steering head bearings appeared to be badly notched. That undoubtedly exacerbated the accelerated wear characteristics of the Michelin Active front tire, so I'll have to get that corrected asap.
It'll be interesting to see how the Storm 2 Ultras hold up, and it'll be even more intereting to compare them to the Bridgestone T30s.
-
HawkGTRider errr... Geoffrey Tom McKiernan from Ohio has the stealing bearings all figured out. I'm sure he can save you a bunch of time and probably money too.
-
At least on my Honda NT700V, the Storm Ultra 2s are doing much better in regards to wear rate than the set of T30s that I had previously but every situation is a little different. Dry grip is about the same between the two but wet grip better with the Storm Ultra 2s. The T30s also seem to cup prematurely and start their irritating howl. :D
-
At least on my Honda NT700V, the Storm Ultra 2s are doing much better in regards to wear rate than the set of T30s that I had previously but every situation is a little different. Dry grip is about the same between the two but wet grip better with the Storm Ultra 2s. The T30s also seem to cup prematurely and start their irritating howl. :D
That's good info...thanks. I've never been one to jump from brand to brand or model to model in a search for the "perfect" tire...they're all just different. Once I find something that works well for the way I ride, I tend to stick with it. But maybe, just maybe, the Avons will be my "perfect Storm".
-
The best tire for our st1100's from Michelin is the pilot road 3 or 4. That is right from my Michelin rep. The weight range of the bike fits perfect with these tires. Run them at max pressure rating on the tires which is 42 psi and they perform very well. I switched from bridgestones to the michelins this previous season and am very happy with how they have performed and how well they are wearing.
-
[That is right from my Michelin rep.]
Going by most accounts, the PR3 and PR4 are wonderful tires but do you really think a Michelin guy would recommend another brand of tire?
It's like asking a Ford rep if their F-150 is better than a Chevy or Ram. They get paid to sell their company's products.
-
That is why I specified best tire from Michelin not just best tire. ;)
-
Geoffrey,
I've had 2 ST's, a 93 ABS/TCS that came with bias Dunlops as oem tires. I later ran radials, both Metzeler and Avons, on it. I traded it after about 45k miles following an engine rebuild for 98ABSII/TCS that came with radials as oem. I liked the Metzeler radial(Z2's?)best with the Avons next. I sold the 98 ST last summer after about 55K miles. The best mileage I recall was about 8k miles. About 1/3 of that was 2up.
Ride Safe,
Robert H. Williams
-
It's pretty unlikely to have to rebuild the engine on an ST1100 at any mileage. One club member put 300k on his ST11 before selling it and as far as I know, it's still running out there.
-
HawkGTRider errr... Geoffrey Tom McKiernan from Ohio has the stealing bearings all figured out. I'm sure he can save you a bunch of time and probably money too.
Why, Thanks you Mr. Brick. Indeed I still am installing them. Been doing it most my life it seems, hahahaha. Have plenty in stock. TM
-
It was a tough choice between going to Tri-STAR and going to Acadia NP in Maine, but this time around, Maine won. By the time I get home I'll have another 3500 miles on the Avons on the ST, and so far, I like 'em. After the first 2k, I couldn't tell any difference in the way they looked from new. And even after another 1500 mostly straight line miles, they still look pretty darned good. I may go ahead and order another set in case Avon does something weird like drop the requisite sizes from their inventory.
-
Geoff:
If your steering stem bearings are toast, it's a good time to switch to tapered roller bearings. They made a world of difference on my '93, eliminating the headshake under deceleration that was common to the ST1100.
-
Geoff:
If your steering stem bearings are toast, it's a good time to switch to tapered roller bearings. They made a world of difference on my '93, eliminating the headshake under deceleration that was common to the ST1100.
I'm happy to say that I have no headshake whatsoever. I happened to take both hands off the bars for a few seconds on this trip and was pleasantly surprised to find the steering as solid as a rock with no funny stuff going. That's with 4,000 miles on this set of Avons. And yes, when the steering bearings were changed a thousand miles prior to the tire change, they were switched to tapered roller bearings. I didn't personally do it, but the guy that does the vast majority of my mechanical work did it. If he says that what he did, I believe him (I guess I have to trust him...I'm not going to tear things apart just to look).
-
Ok... But which Avon tires are you talking about?
It was a tough choice between going to Tri-STAR and going to Acadia NP in Maine, but this time around, Maine won. By the time I get home I'll have another 3500 miles on the Avons on the ST, and so far, I like 'em. After the first 2k, I couldn't tell any difference in the way they looked from new. And even after another 1500 mostly straight line miles, they still look pretty darned good. I may go ahead and order another set in case Avon does something weird like drop the requisite sizes from their inventory.
I must be out riding my Super Teneré'!
-
Ok... But which Avon tires are you talking about?
I got back yesterday from my trek to Maine. After needing to cut my trip slightly short, I put only 3200 miles on the Avons rather than my anticipated 3500. They are now exhibiting a bit of center flat-spotting, but after 5000 miles total, I'm not surprised. In order to get back home when promised, I did a good thousand miles of interstate (yech!) at pretty typical interstate speeds. The bike wasn't loaded down tremendously, but had maybe 50-70 extra # of gear spread out between the saddle bags, top box, and strapped on the seat behind me.
Anyhow, I'm feeling pretty good about these tires and went ahead and ordered another set today. As you can see from the pic, they have considerable tread left for a tire with 5000+ miles.
I'm not sure what I did to attach this file twice...it's the same picture.
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Catfish,
I realize that the thread has been going on here for a while, but as you know I got my first ST ( an 05 1300) almost a year ago. In less that a month I had issues with my Michelins that came on the bike. the rear cupped and virtually delaminated on a 2 up trip to Copperhead Lodge. That one got replaced and I put a new michelin on at the time.
Before STAR this year I had a new set of T-30 GT Bridgestones put on ( upon the recommendation of Andray) I have put 2500 plus miles on this set of tires, 2300 of it 2 up with luggage in 90 plus degree heat in AR, TN and NC during STAR. Slight flat spotting due to the 400 mile plus days on the interstate. Like Andray I LIKE these tires. Very confidence inspiring from day 1 just like the Metzeler Z8 interacts I run on the Sprint ST. With them and the Ohlins shock I am very happy with handling and no real discernable wear so far. I will let you know.
Iggy Joe
-
Catfish,
I realize that the thread has been going on here for a while, but as you know I got my first ST ( an 05 1300) almost a year ago. In less that a month I had issues with my Michelins that came on the bike. the rear cupped and virtually delaminated on a 2 up trip to Copperhead Lodge. That one got replaced and I put a new michelin on at the time.
Before STAR this year I had a new set of T-30 GT Bridgestones put on ( upon the recommendation of Andray) I have put 2500 plus miles on this set of tires, 2300 of it 2 up with luggage in 90 plus degree heat in AR, TN and NC during STAR. Slight flat spotting due to the 400 mile plus days on the interstate. Like Andray I LIKE these tires. Very confidence inspiring from day 1 just like the Metzeler Z8 interacts I run on the Sprint ST. With them and the Ohlins shock I am very happy with handling and no real discernable wear so far. I will let you know.
Iggy Joe
Iggy,
From what I can discern from Andray, the bloom is off the rose. As much as he likes the handling characteristic of the T-30s, they didn't give him the wear he wanted. I hope I have that correct.
I think I posted earlier that I had gotten a set of Avon Storm 3Ds. I got ~10,000 miles out of the front and rear each, and I'm happy enough that I went ahead and ordered another set when I was only half way through those miles on the first set. Since mounting the first set, I've ridden the ST around town for a month or two, on a 1,200 mile Tennessee SS1K, a 3,200 mile round trip to Maine in May, and a nearly 4,500 mile round trip to California the week after STAR with the front being mounted about a month before the rear (the front has a little over 10k while the rear has a little less than 10k).
[attachment deleted by admin]