[I looked for a few pages of threads and didn't see one on tires, which surprised me. If there's another thread I should be referring to just redirect me please, and close this one.]

Well as the subject indicates, I'm approaching 9,000 miles on my Glee, which is about as long as I've ever kept tires for on previous bikes. For some reason I have it in my head that a rule of thumb is about 10,000 miles for my kind of riding (mostly in-city commute, with a few long trips a year). In my search I've read posts of other people reporting wearing out their 2012 DL650 stock tires (particularly the rear) well earlier than that, too.

1 - What should I look for in terms of signs that I should / must replace my tires?

2 - What are some common or popular options for replacing the tires other than using a new set of OEM ones and why?

Not Glee specific, but not sure it should be...

THE Tire Thread

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"Blindness is contagious, see for yourself." - SthrnRomr 2012

Ah, I should have thought to check for a mama "Supra-Wee" thread. Much time soon to be wasted, as it notes. Thanks.

You've learned tires are not Glee specific. All Stroms use the same sizes. Thread moved to suspension and tire tech.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

I like the OEM tires, for slightly better mileage Tourance is a popular choice. I've tried a bunch of others, keep coming back to these two choices. What works best for you depends on what kind of riding you do. Anakees, PR3's, and TKC's are also popular.

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-Tom (DL650AL2) (KA1TOX) (E-I-E-I-O)

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What are the worst riding conditions you'll encounter? Buy tires suitable for the worst.

For pure street tires, Michelin Pilot Road 3 and Bridgestone BT-023 are working great, with maybe a wet road edge to the PR3.

For the type of dual sport that came on the bike, Michelin Anakee 2 is my favorite, and the Shinko 705 and Full Bore Adv. Touring are also an open tread, cheap but short lived rears.

For rougher stuff, the Heidenkau K60 Scout and the (available in Canada) Mitas are good choices. For full knobbies, TKC80, KAROO, or Kenda Big Block are good.

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Rooster today
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I also like the OEM tires... I have just about 10K on mine since August (the front looks like it'll last another 3-4K, the rear another 1-2K). I'm considering staying with the same tires when it is time for new ones.

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KJ

2012 V-Strom 650-ADV, 2011 Versys, 2008 TW200, 2013 CRF250L (SuKaYaHo)

Ad-ven-ture: 1. an undertaking involving risk, unforeseeable danger, or unexpected excitement. 2. an exciting or remarkable experience. Trav-ell-er: 1. one who seeks to experience their world. 2. one who seeks to be immersed in other cultures.

I'm pretty much doing all street riding. I've gone off-road a few times when encountering dirt roads or really badly paved roads but only very briefly.

I have no complaints about the OEM tires except I'm not sure what they are (TrailWings?). I'm also not sure how to check the tread left on them, they "look fine" to me but 10,000 miles is some kind of magical boundary number in my head (whether real or not).

If there's anything I'd look for an improvement on it'd be "traction in the rain". Not because I've felt squidgy on the OEM tires, but just because if people are fairly uniform about saying (say) Michelin Pilots or Metzeler Tourances are clear upgrades over stock, I'd give them a shot.

What tires do you suggest for the ride that led to this?



(November 2011)


..Tom

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Road Toads Charter Member - 2006 V-Strom DL650: 202,000 km 125,500 miles, 2012 DL650 New March 2012 50,000 km


Why Cars don't see bikes (SMIDSY)
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Wow, freezing rain, the Great Enemy of All. I think this beats my "I can't believe I rode home in that weather" pic:






BTW I think I'll try at the Michelin Pilots. I've liked them on previous street
bikes (with earlier generations of the Pilots), and that's basically what I still do on the Glee. I'd rather have 5% better traction on wet paved roads than traction for the 1% of the riding mileage I'd have on unpaved roads.

If only I could last to June on my stock tires, but that's like another 3,000 miles. Maybe. I see some folks have made it to 12-15,000 miles or more on their OEM tires?