Measured Metzler tire wear

[Moonshine]

I have been measuring the wear on my Metzler rear with a dial caliper. When the tire was new the tread depth was .300" to .295" as measured several places around the tire and at 50 PSI. First trip was from Nebraska to Arkansas for a 4 day 1,1895 aggressive mile ride in the curves & hills and the tire consumption was .000047493" per mile or .090" total tread used. This ride was one up & lightly loaded but a lot of WOT 2nd, 3rd & 4th gear. At this rate of wear the tire would be bald at 6,300 miles. (note I did not measure the wear on the sides of the tire but all of the little nubs were worn off, no sign of chicken tracks left). The next 2,692 miles consumed .035" of tread depth or .00003001" per mile 90 percent one up & heavily loaded. The next 2,144 miles consumed another .035" of tread depth .000016325" per mile 90 percent one up & lightly loaded. I now have 11,575 total miles on the tire and have used .230" of the tread depth. Currently there is .070" tread depth so I am estimating the tire to be bald bald at 15,000 miles. All measurements were taken at 50 PSI tire pressure and room temperature.

[CWF]

Thanks for posting that data. I have about 12K on a set and was wondering how much tread I might have left. Interesting that the more they're worn, the rate of wear decreases? Any thoughts on why this is? Are you getting nervous and babying the bike (grin)!

[Moonshine]

I think that the ambient temperature has an effect on the tire wear. And as you add miles you develop a flat center area on the tire and with that flatter area provides a larger contact patch and may reduced the consumption of the tire. The big difference in my case is the style of riding and the amount of throttle applied. I am guessing that the guys that ride in the curvey part of the world and really work the bike will use up more tire than those of us who live in the flat world. And no I am not getting nervous but I am watching the tire wear more closely. I did run one down to where the cords were showing & I don't plan on doing that again. That was before I started measuring the tire wear and I thought I had more than enough tire for a trip to Sturgis & back but after many miles at 100 MPH plus on the way up there I was into the cords and had to pay $265.00 for a new rear tire, mounting, balancing & disposal of the old tire. High speed uses tires fast.

[CWF]

Makes sense and great info.