Boxerworks.com

There can be a huge difference in the amount that different tyres scallop. The Mac50 showed no major scalloping, tyre after tyre, as do the metz lasertecs.
The pilot actives do scallop considerably, I think mainly due to the tread pattern.
I've seen some sport tyres with crazy scalloping, enough to look dangerous.

I get 7-8000klm from rears and 12klm from front. pushed hard and no slip. I'm happy with that.

I have a Roadrider on the front of my /2 conversion with about 10,000 miles on it. It shows VERY little sign of scalloping and still has a LOT of tread left on it. The only problem with it is, that it is almost 5 years since it was made. Even though it still feel sticky, it will be replaced this winter.

In that time I have used one and a half rears.

I agree with Duane.
Buy tires that match your riding style.
Lots of people like the bridgestone s11 spitfire (good price and durability)
while others want more performance.
I used to use the ME77/ME33 combination, but they went downhill.
Switched to the Mac50's but discontinued. Now use the Mich Pilot Activ, which I've been happy with.
I ride moderately aggressive, not grinding hard parts, but close.
But it's much cheaper and easier on the body/bike to replace tires than going down.
You've only got 2 small contact patches.... make them good ones.

The bikes I use the above on are a 77 R90S, 77RS and a '73 Triumph Tiger in stock sizes (4.00/18 r, 3.50/19 f).
On my 94 Mystic, I use Bridgestone BT-45V, but it has different sizes and I ride it harder.
Take it up a notch, I use Bridgestone Battlax S20 on my Ducati S4Rs and Metzeler M3 on my Suzuki SV1000.

Duane Ausherman wrote:scalloping is normal wear and not something bad. Cheap tires are just that, cheap.

If you want a tire to stick, then it will wear faster. If you want long life, then you compromise traction. It is that simple if all else is equal.

How do you ride? Fast and aggressive, then pay for sticky tires and don't complain. You want something for nothing, then find another universe.

Exactly.

Further, I would add that having good tires with good traction is a matter of safety. You want to stop fast or need to make an unplanned evasive maneuver, it will be your tires that need to be up to the task.

I am always surprised at how much better my bike performs after I install new tires.

Iv just come back from a 200 mile trip down to spain, I fitted inch size Pilot actives to my 90/6, replacing BT45s. The pilot actives are the correct size, (the 4 inch BT is 118mm wide) and have found that the bike has much quicker handling and feels much more secure, with lots of grip. wet weather performance is also good, with no 'white lining', and stability over tar snakes and overtaking big trucks is excellent. Mileage looks to be good.

They seem to me to be worthy successors of the Mac 50s

As usual, listen to Duane.

I have Battleaxe BT45 and Spitfires on my 2 bikes due to availability. I can't really say one is better then the other because they are two very different bikes. I can say that they are both a pain to get on an off when you need to remove the wheel because they are not the stock sizes required for our airheads. They are 120/90-18 and 100/90-19

My issues with nearly every tire are the freeway rain grooves in southern california.

I want to try a set of ContiGo! tires that are sized properly for our airheads and they looks like a sporty tread. I am actually looking forward to wearing my old sets of tires down so i can try the Conti's.
Guess i gotta ride more!

Just fitted a pair of BT45's (Metric sizes) to my 1985 R80 this week.
Returned home from NT after 6 months away working
and found the rear tire flat. Had a small puncture before going
away and this was fixed by green goo which I had installed prior
to this event. Green goo failure?? No,a broken valve stem WTF??
Tires were fitted by PO- 4.5 years old. Compound starting to harden.
Decided to replace the rear tire. Had new valve stem fitted also.
Tire had to be ordered in. Tie centre stand forward, remove left muffler .
Lay over to the right and have an assistant remove rear wheel from left side.
Pannier frames fitted. After that was fitted decided to replace the front
also as it was the same age.
The tire arrived late Thursday and was fitted Friday.
Had to remove left caliper to allow removal.
Refitted front wheel Friday night and successfully bled brakes.
Funny the new valve stem looked just like the old one and differed
to the new one fitted to the rear tire on Wednesday.
Saturday morning checked tire pressures front at 30psi. OK
Brother turned up and wanted me to go on a 100km ride with
him but declined as I had not even road tested the bike around town.
Sunday morning went to ride over to see my father but the front tire
was flat. Pulled the valve and found it was covered in green goo.
I had paid for a new valve stem and it has not been fitted.
They're getting a visit from me first thing tomorrow (public holiday here today)
and I am not happy !! Having to redo the job again and what if it had deflated
while I was speeding down the road ?

Cost of exercise

Rear tire $181.95
Recycle fee $ 5.00
Environmental fee $ 10.00
Valve Stem $ 6.95 (Fitted)
Fitting $ 30.00

Front tire $166.00
Recycle fee $ 5.00
Environmental fee $ 10.00
Valve Stem $ 6.95 (Not Fitted)
Fitting $ 30.00

Total $451.80

I am not complaining about the cost of the tires. They are
all that stand between you and the road.
What I am cranky about is that the instructions were not carried
out and the wheel was left in a dangerous condition as a result.

At least they didn't charge you a fee fee man.
What's with the fees? Bloody pirates.
Ay.

This is the 4.00x18 K70 on the front of my R65 - not quite down to the wear indicators, I'll get another couple of thousand kms out of them yet.