Question on my Bridgestone Tires

[Jerrym]

Last fall I installed a new set of Bridgestone tires on my LT. I now have about 4500 miles on them. They look fine but after reading the survey on these Bridgestone’s I have second thoughts on them. This was my first set of Bridgestone’s. I have always had Metzeler on both my 2001 and 2005. I never had any problems with them. I always got about 15,000 miles on the front and 12,000 on the rear. In April I plan to make a trip from Iowa to El Paso, Texas. There are a lot of open spaces with no service in that distance. I just ordered a new set of Metzelers from Southwest Moto Tires. I may be foolish but I plan to switch them out before the trip. I would not change them if I was just riding in my area. I would like to hear from some of you to what you would do. Thanks.

Jerry Mathison

[dshealey]

Last fall I installed a new set of Bridgestone tires on my LT. I now have about 4500 miles on them. They look fine but after reading the survey on these Bridgestone’s I have second thoughts on them. This was my first set of Bridgestone’s. I have always had Metzeler on both my 2001 and 2005. I never had any problems with them. I always got about 15,000 miles on the front and 12,000 on the rear. In April I plan to make a trip from Iowa to El Paso, Texas. There are a lot of open spaces with no service in that distance. I just ordered a new set of Metzelers from Southwest Moto Tires. I may be foolish but I plan to switch them out before the trip. I would not change them if I was just riding in my area. I would like to hear from some of you to what you would do. Thanks.

Jerry Mathison

Tires are like oil, you have to use what makes you comfortable. If you were happy with the 880s, and don't see handling or grip issues with them compared the 020's, then your decision is already made. Go on your trip with what makes you comfortable do so.

Some like the 880s better, others of us do not. For me, the 020's are still the best choice, for handling and wet grip. I would be more comfortable on a long trip where rain would be expected using 020's.

I did an Iron Butt Association 10/10ths (10,000 miles in 10 days) on 020's. When I started I was concerned about expected mileage on the front tire, as I normally only got 8-9,000 miles on a front 020, but there was no way I was going to ride all over the country on to me worse handling and for sure less wet traction of 880's. As it turned out, the smoother roads I was mostly on, compared to our rain grooved CA highways caused me to still have tread left on the front tire when I got home.

If I were to do a 10K trip again, I would probably go with the 020 rear/front Avon combo, only for the increased mileage of the front Avon over the front 020.

I will not use 880's again, because of the wet slip problems with the rear. Scared me too many times.

[meese]

David's right. I wouldn't change them, but you gotta go with what makes you comfortable.

[messenger13]

I'd sell them to Meese and install the Metzelers. :)

So far, I've run with a matched set of Metzelers twice. The first time I ran at the air pressures "suggested" on the sidewall. After 4-5K miles, the growl in the twisties drove me nuts. At about 11K, I switched to the B-Stone rear / Avon front that David mentioned. I liked that combo just fine. I replaced those with two B'Stones . . . and . . . I'll spare you the details. But that rear tire is what ALMOST ruined a really nice ride for me to the northwest coast. Fortunately, I was able to gimp to Minneapolis and replace that set with a new set of Metzelers. Since then, I have been running my Metzelers with 50psi rear, and 45psi up front. The tires are wearing a lot better than previous Metzelers had for me . . . and I am not experiencing the growling issue like I did before.

FWIW, I have not experienced any slippage due to wet roads like David has.

HTH

[meese]

FWIW, I have not experienced any slippage due to wet roads like David has.You must not be riding 'em hard enough, Joe. :D

I'd sell them to Meese and install the Metzelers. :)I actually thought about offering to buy them, but I just put on a new AV45/BT020 combo last week. Plus the shipping would be outrageous. Maybe I could just ride out and get them? It's only 3,400 miles round trip, so about 2 1/2 days ought to do it. :D

[meese]

Jerry,

Are they the Radial or Bias BT020 tires? So far, we haven't had any reports of the Bias BT020 tires failing, and my experience shows they get decent handling and mileage.

[hschisler]

... Maybe I could just ride out and get them? It's only 3,400 miles round trip, so about 2 1/2 days ought to do it. :DWait Ken!

(tying together a previous thread with this one)

SET HUMOR ON

3,400 Miles? 2 1/2 days? Hey, if you averaged 100 mph that's only 34 hours. You could do that in a day and a half, right? :D

SET HUMOR OFF

[Jerrym]

Meese,

Theses are Bridgestone Radials that I have. If they were Bias I would not be so concerned. I have never had any problem with the Metzlers as long as I keep the pressure like Joe says.

Jerry

[messenger13]

...like Joe says. A wise man if I ever saw one. Very wise indeed. http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/images/smilies/yesnod.gif


As for you Meese! :D

http://home.alltel.net/paulsey_dsl/messenger13/knowitall.jpg

[meese]

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/7/8/knowitall.jpg

[meese]

You catch on quick, Howard. :)