R3T Tires: Avon Cobras or Excedras.

[FunkSoulBro]

Replaced OEM rear with an EXEDRA MAX Radial after 8500kms $420 fitted here in OZ. Replaced front with an Exedra G502 after 9300kms for $390 fitted. $$$OMG.
Love the EXEDRAs great handling but time will tell for longevity. Cambered roads here wore the tyres right of centre. I don't blame the roundabouts (entirely).

 

[cusso ken]

Replaced OEM rear with an EXEDRA MAX Radial after 8500kms $420 fitted here in OZ. Replaced front with an Exedra G502 after 9300kms for $390 fitted. $$$OMG.
Love the EXEDRAs great handling but time will tell for longevity. Cambered roads here wore the tyres right of centre. I don't blame the roundabouts (entirely).

The cambered Roads are a factor ,but I live in the Roundabout capitol of Australia, they are everywhere and rolling the big Kahoona through these eats up the right side of the tyres, and munches on the 12 tyres on the tri axle trailers

 

[FunkSoulBro]

Replaced OEM rear with an EXEDRA MAX Radial after 8500kms $420 fitted here in OZ. Replaced front with an Exedra G502 after 9300kms for $390 fitted. $$$OMG.
Love the EXEDRAs great handling but time will tell for longevity. Cambered roads here wore the tyres right of centre. I don't blame the roundabouts (entirely).

Correction G701 (not G502)

 

[TriumPhil]

I think that someone here, years ago, established that your roads in Oz are paved with diamond dust in the mix, so it's no wonder why you blokes eat tires up such as you do!

 

[cr0ft]

Roundabouts are still the superior approach, you only have to keep track of the car coming from the left. Or the right if you drive on the wrong side of the road like some strange nations do. Much more efficient flow through a roundabout than a 4-way stop. 4-way stops are really bad. And that said, Avon Cobra all the way.

 

[OldNorthState]

You guys with 10,000 and 12,000 on Standards and Roadsters, 706 pound bikes versus 876 pound Touring will get better tire life. One hundred-seventy more and a longer wheelbase plus peak torque at a lower R.P.M. just could affect tire life even more. Just sayin'!

Coming in late, here, but to add to your good observations, on the R3T we're running entirely different size rims, too (16-inch on Touring, for improved handling of heavier/longer machine), with resultingly different overall geometry, etc. It's practically a "different" bike in some ways.

 

[cr0ft]

Yeah, most of it differs, really. Much of the frame, the whole rear section, controls, bars, forks, wheels... the engine is the same. But still different exhaust also.

 

[OldNorthState]

Yeah, most of it differs, really. Much of the frame, the whole rear section, controls, bars, forks, wheels... the engine is the same. But still different exhaust also.

Yep... in comparison to the Roadsters, Classics, etc., these R3 Tourings are presenting an entirely different picture on tire wear because of a confluence of differences. I run mine very gently/conservatively, which is just the way I enjoy riding after having been riding/owning various makes/types of bikes for 45 years, and I've had the worst tire wear of any machine owned from the OE Metzlers on the R3T... yet really love the machine, overall, as much or more than any other I've had.

But "tires worn out" at 8k (and less for many folks) with my riding style is, frankly, ridiculous. And Trumpet dealers wanting 8 hundred bucks** or whatever to refit some new ones of the same sorry characteristics is ludicrous. Of course I do realize that on some unrelated types of machines, like some of the more extreme sport bikes with typically hard running, etc., 8k might be considered "extreme longevity"... but it's not very good for conservatively ridden cruisers/tourers and their very different tire characteristics.


**which coincides nicely with their $200 oil change bargains, too... lol...

 

[Fingers]

I like the Michelin Commander ll' 130/90/16 on front 28,000 mi. on front then again Florida does have decent roads.

 

[40mmrrsmith]

"Yes, I realize those machines are lighterthan the R3T, but I still do not "buy" the excuses for the poor tire performance of these OE Metzlers on the R3T.)"

Yes MC tires are sorely lacking in technology, far behind car tires. There is absolutely no reason MC tires could not be made to last twenty thousand plus miles. There are car tires warrantied for 80,000 with softer compounds than MC tires on a 4-5 thousand pound vehicle, triple the torque etc., etc. I have never had a rear tire last less than 10,000, pre Rocket III. I got about the same mileage from the Max as I got from the Metz. Contrary to what many others had experienced. The Max at first improved the ride very positively but didn't have the traction of the Metz, especially wet. At about 50% wear it was dangerous in the rain. I haven't tried rear Avon but don't see any reason it'll be any better even though it's the most expensive of the bunch.