C50 tire life....

[Dave Nadeau]

How many miles are you guys getting on the stock tires on you C50's?
Would that be till they don't pass state inspection or you just feel that its time to go as you may not trust them any more?

The Old Man

[blackie1491]

Some have gotten as little as 7,800 miles on the rear to a high of 15,000.
The front seems to last twice as long.

It depends on the type of riding you do, interstate hiway riding generates heat, burnouts shorten life of tires severaly.
I am at 12,000 miles and have a set of tires on hold and am checking my tires closely. As I am switching brands, I will do both tires at the same time.
The Quote I got for stock tires was high.

Your manual explains the wear indicators and when to replace.

Buying tires on the internet leaves a problem finding a shop willing to do the work. In some areas it is real problem. Check with shops handy, your shop may give you fair prices on tires or service.

[pneblett]

I have just over 8500 miles on my bike and am ready to replace my tires. I don't want to be taking a chance on a bike. My front still has decent tread, but has cupping causing noise and some vibration. My back was replace at about 2000 miles with a dunlop d404 (due to a nail) and is pretty thin. I won't get another of those.

I am looking at Metzler 880 marathons. Found on internet for about $90 front and $125 rear. Stealer wants $350 for set. I have to go internet for that amount. ALso they want $50 front and $75 rear to mount and balance($25 each if I remove wheel from bike). The same person owns all the bike dealers in my area except the Harley shop, so he can charge what he wants. I believe in shopping locally if possible, but that is too much difference for me.

[Jerryzuki]

I've got just over 10k on mine and they still look good.

[zukirob]

Originally Posted by Jerryzuki

I've got just over 10k on mine and they still look good.

What's type of riding do you typically do? I've got about 4200 (mostly freeway) on my original tires and they look like they're wearing faster than I'd hoped.

[krazyburro]

I have 7200 on my stock tires. Good mix of back country and freeway riding and they are still lokking pretty good.

[C50dreamin]

My rear tire went out at 5500 so I replaced both w/ Metzeler 880's and have about 8100 on it now and the seem to be holding pretty good. I do alot of high speed freeway riding...

[92Notch]

I took a look at my tires today ... at 6600 miles, they look fine to me.

[Jerryzuki]

Originally Posted by zukirob

What's type of riding do you typically do? I've got about 4200 (mostly freeway) on my original tires and they look like they're wearing faster than I'd hoped.

That's a hard question, I don't really do anything typical. I guess if I count ridding to work and back, that would make up a larger percent but other than that I mostly ride 2-up on the back roads.

[blackie1491]

It seems hot climates and high speed hiway just eats up our tires.
I have under 5% hiway riding and then our limits are 110 kmph or 66 mph.

4600 miles for a rear, that would be 3 rear a season. Ouch!!!

[DS06C50T]

Over 6600 miles on my stock tires so far, and still good meat left on dem bones! And that's with combined city/highway/freeway driving, speeds from 5mph to 80mph. Oops, was that out loud???

[Philly Rider]

I have just under 10,000 mi. on my original stock tires and they still look good to me. I would say that about 80% of those miles have been city driving (I commute to work daily on the bike).

[mr_resistible]

I only got about 4000 on mine. The side walls cracked out, the tred wasnt the problem.

[92Notch]

low tire pressure will do that j/k

[Gator]

Only 2100 km on mine, long ways from replacing, but the day I do replace them I am going to do a heck of a burn out first lol.

[zukirob]

The friendly folks at the Suzuki service dept tell me that the front tire wears better with 36 psi in it rather than the 33 psi listed in the manual (this is on a C50T). The rear should stay at 36 psi as recommended. Anybody know better?

[Breeze]

My rear has crapped out at 10k. I have a Metzler 200 on the way. Front still looks real good.

[fotodude1]

Originally Posted by zukirob

The friendly folks at the Suzuki service dept tell me that the front tire wears better with 36 psi in it rather than the 33 psi listed in the manual (this is on a C50T). The rear should stay at 36 psi as recommended. Anybody know better?

The friendly folks at my motorcycle shop said I should run the pressures designated on the tires. Stock Tires are Bridgestone. Front 41psi cold rear 44 psi cold. Remember the firestone debacle with tire pressure. The vehicle manufacturer will give you pressures that make for a smoother ride. The tire people give you a pressure which makes for longer life. Either way keeping proper pressure in your tires is the key to proper wear. C90T

[DragonRider]

I have over 9500 miles on my M50 since may 18th 2006 and the tires still look new. I really can't see any wear on them.

We have had an extreme summer this year

Aug. 26, marks the 71st consecutive day of getting 0.05" of rain or less.

Typically, Seattle averages 25 days at 80 or warmer, 10 at 85 or warmer, two a 90 or warmer, and a 95 or hotter once every-other-year.

This year, Seattle has had 27 days at 80 or warmer, 13 at 85 or warmer, and 5 at 90 or warmer.

So it has been a warmer than usual summer.

I do mostly curvy twisting mountain type asphalt roads here. 15-80 MPH
Not much X-way driving 'cause of all the traffic and morons in the cages.
I would be really pissed if I was having to change my tires already at 10,000 miles.
Of course I seem to be the exception on my gas mileage too as I consistantly get around 55-60 MPG. I have gotten as high as 68 MPG on a tankful.

Am I just lucky?

[blackie1491]

High speed Freeway riding in heat seems to eat the tires.
Between the riders here and volusia riders, 15,000 miles is the max.
I am sitting at 20,000 kms just over 12,000 miles and look like my rear is good for another couple of thousand.

I have a set of tires waiting but because of the limited selection here they are Bridgestone 700 series and I will change both to have matching tread patterns.

Riding habits, tire pressure, climate all play a part in tire life.
Do not push the limit of the tire life cause your life depends on those tires.