Does that sound about right? This is at the point of being bald but not able to see any cords or air yet.

That sounds like alot but I havnt been though a set of tires yet.  You should replace the tires befor they are bald I think.

Tread life really depends on the tire compound but I don't think I've ever run a tire for 10k miles so I say you got your money's worth   

-Jessie

It's my first GS ( 2008 purchased new ), and I have to say it's the most I have ever gotten out of a rear tire on any of 8 bikes I have owned, I use to average about 6 thousand. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm slowing down and getting less crazy as I get older.

I have about 8,000 on the tires I've got right now. They look like I could safely do another 4,000. Maybe more. When I bought that bike at almost 14,000 I think the bike had the original tires (2006) and still had some tread. Maybe because of all the rain in Seattle there is less heat and friction on the tires? 

did 10,000 miles on origional tyre  (dont for get the tyre wear indicators you will see them when you have about 2 mm of tread left )  You crash and your insurance company see"s wear on them  and  probably wont want to know you if you are unlucky

Guess it's not just me then, maybe I am cutting it a little close at that.

My original OEM Battleax lasted 10,000 miles. I switched to Avon RoadRiders and have done much better, getting at least 14,000 miles per tire. I'll have to check my records for a more accurate number. Front tires are doing much better. The OEM front went 22,000 miles, and at 50,000 miles, the replacement RoadRider has not yet worn out - but I will probably have to replace it in another 5,000 miles. That will be sometime after this summer.

If you ride gently 10k sounds fine. I averaged 4-5k from recollecftion. Front is 10-12k easily.


When you change the rear turns are fun again, compared to the squared off old shoe.

Depends a lot on type of tire and how and where you ride.  I used Dunlop K491 rear touring tires on my 4 old 400-750 cc Hondas and got 25-30k miles from them.  Tried a ME88 and then a K491 touring tires on my 97 GS ten years ago getting good milage but they didn't want to go around the corners as fast as the GS wanted to.  My first BT45 replacement tire on that bike went 9500 miles and 3 years later a second BT45 was half worn out at 2k miles when I went to radials for a while.  Lots of tires and lots of miles later and with advancing age I'm getting 15-18k miles from Roadrider rear tires.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs.jpg

Here's a pic of that BT45 that was half worn at 2k miles, nicely rounded in the twisties and not flat shaped from highway miles:

OEm rear I got 23,000kms which is 14,000 miles. 1st Sport Demon rear I got 17,000kms which is 10,625 miles. My 2nd Sport Demon currently has 11,000kma on it (6,800 miles and is look real good. Easily get more on this than the previous Sport Demon).

My mechanic who loves M3s and is lucky if he gets 6,000kms (3,700 miles) is amazed. Well, what do you expect when you get a harder compound tire designed for commuting?

OEM front I got 30,000kms out of it (18,700 miles). MY 2nd front tire, a Sport Demon currently has 21,000kms on it (13,000 miles) and looks great. 

Michael

these bikes are not overly powerfull and tyres are narrow so less friction,, with sensable riding and standard gearing 10,000 miles is easaly acheavable  with one person aboard .

Lots of good info, thanks for the replies, guess 10,000 on a tire is not all that unusual after all.

I've used a lot of sport touring tires, a little better mileage out of the center and still grippy on the sides. I think the best life I've ever gotten out of a tire was a Pirelli Angel. Had about 6k on the rear and it had a few thousand to go when I sold the bike. I've had tires last as little as 3-4000 miles, I'm satisfied enough with 5-6k, but any more is a bonus.