[toby]

I see by pictures that a lot of you guys still have Bridgestones on your bikes with a lot of tread left. Wondering how many miles you got on them and/or if you have replaced them with stock tires? I have 3,000 miles on mine and it has way to much wear on it. I doubt I will get 2,000 more off it.
I see Old#7 has put an Avon on his. And one other guy has put a Metzler on his. I have put Metzlers on both of my other bikes. I would like to put Metzlers on my Stryker but they don't make a 250 for the rear. And the next size up from 240 is 260 and that I think someone said is to large to lower it which i would like to do in the future.
If I could get a little feed back and opinions here on tires and mileage exe. it would be appreciated.

 

[straightjacket]

I had about 4700mi. on my stocker before I swapped it out, and it still had enough tread left to keep it for an emergency tire. I'm guessing at least another 1500 to go on it?

 

[strykenshane]

Go with the Avon 250, trust me, you will be pleased

 

[toby]

I had about 4700mi. on my stocker before I swapped it out, and it still had enough tread left to keep it for an emergency tire. I'm guessing at least another 1500 to go on it?

I Guess Bridgestone just don't last long at all. I haven't got much more than 5,000 miles off any of them on any bike up here on these ruff roads. Hey Straitjacket you are down there in Upper Lake? We might take a ride down there this weekend if the weather lets us. We have horses down there on pasture. If you are not doing anything maybe we can hook up and have some coffee and swap stories?

 

[toby]

Go with the Avon 250, trust me, you will be pleased

Thanks StrykenShane. I am leaning towards the Avon. But wish Metzler made a 250 because I now they are good tires because I have almost doubled the amount of miles on them as on the Bridgestone. We have over 3,000 miles on the front of the Virago and 2,000 on the front of the V Star both Metzlers and they look brand new still. And on the Virago that's 2 up and the rear we just replaced on it had 7,600 and some on it with 2 up. So I am thinking riding solo should get 12,000 miles give or take. This will be the 1st year we go solo on 2 bikes so we will see.

 

[straightjacket]

Thats funny, I guess everyone has different perspectives on things? I'm used to getting 2500-3000mi. out of a race tire, or swapping a dirt tire every half year or so. I coudn't believe how long my stock tire was lasting, and felt bad at taking it off before it was done!

Toby, if your coming down for sure let me know what your schedule is and maybe we can meet up? Send me a pm and we'll work it out.

 

[elle]

I have over 8200 on my stock tire. Keep wishing it would wear out so I can get a 250 and my vertical tag mount put on. It's crazy!

 

[11Stryker]

I've put 3200 miles on my previous Avon 240 with with hardly any wear noticeable. About 1/2 my riding is 2 up.

 

[sfcmcgan]

I have 3100 on the stock tire... hardly any wear at all...

 

[toby]

I have 3100 on the stock tire... hardly any wear at all...

What setting do you have your rear shock on? wondering if that makes a difference? I had mine adjusted to the softest setting early on because of the rough roads I ride on.

 

[11Stryker]

Mine is at top notch, but I have the L&M Lowering spring also. When we ride 2up with baggage shock would bottom out on hard bumps any lower than top setting. But it is very smooth ride at top setting. We live in a pothole infested part of the state.

 

[MY LIFE]

As much as some would like to believe the Bridgestone are not as good as a tire as some others, they are. I know by believing this it allows us to convince ourselves that we have to go out and buy a new set of Mez or Avon ;D, but the truth is they are great. I have over 7000 KM on mine and I'm afraid that I.m good for another 14000 or more. No wear yet at all. The tires are wearing because of the riders driving habits and the roads they ride on. So put on a pair of Mez or Avon and things won't change, only the fact that you have the tires you really want on your bike now will. ;D. I keep hoping something happens to mine, so I can go out and get a 240 Avon, but sadly I'm just going to have to wait.

 

[sfcmcgan]

I have 3100 on the stock tire... hardly any wear at all...

What setting do you have your rear shock on? wondering if that makes a difference? I had mine adjusted to the softest setting early on because of the rough roads I ride on.

Whatever setting it came from the dealer with... truthfully... I have not given it a thought... it is perfect for 2up riding, so I never looked.

 

[toby]

Mine is at top notch, but I have the L&M Lowering spring also. When we ride 2up with baggage shock would bottom out on hard bumps any lower than top setting. But it is very smooth ride at top setting. We live in a pothole infested part of the state.

11Stryker,when you say top notch I assume you mean the hardest setting #9. Correct if I'm wrong. Mine is set on #1 the softest setting and it doesn't bottom out 2 up fully packed. But I don't have it lowered. But my question is if the soft setting might be contributing to the faster than normal ware I'm getting on the rear tire?

 

[11Stryker]

Mine is at top notch, but I have the L&M Lowering spring also. When we ride 2up with baggage shock would bottom out on hard bumps any lower than top setting. But it is very smooth ride at top setting. We live in a pothole infested part of the state.

11Stryker,when you say top notch I assume you mean the hardest setting #9. Correct if I'm wrong. Mine is set on #1 the softest setting and it doesn't bottom out 2 up fully packed. But I don't have it lowered. But my question is if the soft setting might be contributing to the faster than normal ware I'm getting on the rear tire?

Hey Toby- yes #9 setting. L&M spring lowers bike by actually using a shorter but stiffer spring than stock. which leaves much less travel in shock than standard spring. Ends up hitting Jounce Bumper(rubber bumper on shock shaft) when fully loaded. was ok at Stock # 4 or 5 position with me just riding solo though. As soon as I get my new wheel w/250 avon on tomorrow- I will see if I have enough room between tire and inner fender supports with L&M Spring installed. I may have to put stock spring back in and I bought PCS lowering kit just in case so that I can lower it only 1". Will have my results tomorrow. Was going to start it today, but what the Hey- It's New Years Day!!
To answer your last question- I felt like you did at first that the lowest setting would be the softest. But that is only true as long as you are not hitting the Jounce Bumper. Now you said in another post that you weigh 150 lbs. I did weigh 214 back in August(now only 178 lbs- diet for daughters wedding), Wife weighs 120 and luggage rack and baggage probably weigh another 30 lbs.

 

[toby]

Mine is at top notch, but I have the L&M Lowering spring also. When we ride 2up with baggage shock would bottom out on hard bumps any lower than top setting. But it is very smooth ride at top setting. We live in a pothole infested part of the state.

11Stryker,when you say top notch I assume you mean the hardest setting #9. Correct if I'm wrong. Mine is set on #1 the softest setting and it doesn't bottom out 2 up fully packed. But I don't have it lowered. But my question is if the soft setting might be contributing to the faster than normal ware I'm getting on the rear tire?
[/quote

Hey Toby- yes #9 setting. L&M spring lowers bike by actually using a shorter but stiffer spring than stock. which leaves much less travel in shock than standard spring. Ends up hitting Jounce Bumper(rubber bumper on shock shaft) when fully loaded. was ok at Stock # 4 or 5 position with me just riding solo though. As soon as I get my new wheel w/250 avon on tomorrow- I will see if I have enough room between tire and inner fender supports with L&M Spring installed. I may have to put stock spring back in and I bought PCS lowering kit just in case so that I can lower it only 1". Will have my results tomorrow. Was going to start it today, but what the Hey- It's New Years Day!!
To answer your last question- I felt like you did at first that the lowest setting would be the softest. But that is only true as long as you are not hitting the Jounce Bumper. Now you said in another post that you way 150 lbs. I did weigh 214 back in August(now only 178 lbs- diet for daughters wedding), Wife weighs 120 and luggage rack and baggage probably weigh another 30 lbs.

]Great info thanks. Keep me posted on your results because will be putting the 240 or 250 on and may want to lower in the future. When I pack for a weekend ride it includes tent, one burner stove, food, axe, water, rain gear etc. And my wife weighs a bit more than I do so I'm talking close to maxing out the load limit on the Stryker. We used to pack even more on the old Virago because it's load max is 525 pounds It has an air assist on both the mono rear shock and front shocks. But now that my wife is really getting into riding her on bike we wont be making them work so hard.

 

[toby]

Here is some pics of the old Virago fully loaded when we road 12,000 miles 2 up.

 

[11Stryker]

Hey Toby- Looks like you could have used a WheelieBar! HEHEHE

 

[rodekill]

Hah, you weren't joking when you said you had it loaded.

 

[toby]

Hey Toby- Looks like you could have used a WheelieBar! HEHEHE

Ya you can see why we were wearing out two rear tires to one front tire even with Metzler tires.