Mister. Did you say that you got 23K out of you original BT45 rear and 29K out of the front? I have 14+K from new and the rear has the tread bars up now. It is really badly squared off but still handles the twisties well. I have been happy with the grip in the dry and I don't push it hard in the damp. Only about 10% of their use has been wet work but the wet riding that I have done on them has not caused me any grief. I am disappointed with the life though. The front still has about 25-30% left. As they have worn they have become quite noisy (rumbling) when leaned over due to the feathered edges on the sipes. It is not a problem but is very noticeable.

If anyone has tried the Michelin Pilot Active on the GS I would love to hear your comments. I have them on my Honda and they are wearing much more slowly that the BT45s. There is minimal squaring off at 12K on the rear despite the bike being much heavier and more torquey. They are very good in the dry but I have had a couple of frights when cornering in the wet. It may not have been the tyre's fault on those occasions though. Another difference is that the Honda runs 45psi standard in the rear tyre.

The nearest tyre supplier to me says that he no longer sells the BT45s but can do a 140/70/17 Pilot Active rear for $160 fitted and balanced. That is exactly the same size as the one on the Honda and I am leaning that way.

Any comments on the Michelins anyone? 

Macka

Quote from: prmas on June 09, 2013, 10:28:57 PM
Mister. Did you say that you got 23K out of you original BT45 rear and 29K out of the front? I have 14+K from new and the rear has the tread bars up now. It is really badly squared off but still handles the twisties well.

That's correct. 23k rear, 29k front. My commute was only 20km each way for those tyres but I'd manage a 300km+ weekend ride as well. So they didn't get a real lot of straight roads - even though my commute took me on the highway there were very few straight bits, all bendy highway. So I never got flat spots, more even wear.

When I designated the bike to just commuting the first rear sport demon got a little flat. But the 140 rear has resisted that and is holding up very well.

Perhaps the difference is that most of my riding is "vertical". As bikes are not my "commute" transport the only suburban running is usually to the freeway on-ramp out of town and return. Something like 80+% would be freeway/highway/country backroads.

Ok I'm confused... was that mileage out of the BT45's or the Sport Demons?

On another note, had to call Tyres 4 Bikes today and express my displeasure with some issues I discovered...

Both nuts on the bottom of the left fork leg were loose 

Their adjustment of the rear brake ended up with it not actuating the brake light 

The bolt for the drum actuator lever was loose 

I figured during the scrub in on Friday that I just had to get used to the new and different rubber... but the clunk when taking her off the centre stand yesterday said otherwise... all tightened up and safe again now...

Did they turn around and say that's your fault cause your supposed to check and if necessary re tighten if necessary?

Nah they were apologetic about it... mainly I wanted to let them know so they know to make sure to check this stuff... but of course they should already know... given they're a tyre shop!

Didn't expect that

Bet there is a apprentice with a sore ringhole now then!! 

So, ya've had a quick trip up to Brissie, then, Janxie?

Quote from: noworries on June 12, 2013, 06:42:25 PM
So, ya've had a quick trip up to Brissie, then, Janxie?

Well you seem to be riding his a$$

Oh dear... I'm not goin' there!

Lovin' the Sport Demons though! First nice dry run up Settlement Rd on the way home since getting them on... much more confidence in the first right heading up the hill which has a bit of a dodgy camber on it 

Interesting - I have a few right hander corners I don't like with the BT45s in the rain - gets all twitchy.. might have to spring for something new on the back wheel at least.. let us know how they are if you get some rain.

My gs500 has bt45 tires and the tires are quite good but in the rain they do not feel so confident for me too. So we have the same experience and that triangulates the empirical evidence exactly. So we can say on evidence that bt45 tires are not so good for our motorcycles as other tires. What are the best tires for us to buy for Australia?

We had wet roads early in the week and while I was still taking it easy with the new rubber I had no issues and nothing felt funny, not sure that I'd been quick enough to say they were any better than the Scorpions yet though.

I ride rain/hail/shine so it won't be long before I can comment on that.

Take note I'm not the quickest wet rider in the world though so not sure how valuable my feedback will be in that regard... come to think of it I'm not the quickest dry rider in the world either... 

GS500 and sport demons.... A match made in paradise.

Quote from: mister on June 14, 2013, 03:41:29 PM
GS500 and sport demons.... A match made in paradise.

... + like a bazillion!! 

The Sports Demon are Pirelli tire? I checked my tire pressures today and had good strong look at my bt45 tires and I think I will save up and buy some new tires soon. Maybe in September? I will maybe try the Sport Demons because you say that they are good. Tires are very important for our motorcycle. I find Kuala Lumpur road much smoother than Australian roads.

Yes the demons are Pirelli ... ANY new tyre will feel better than a old worn down one..

A lot of members here use the Pirelli ... But a lot of people use other brands too .. Including the BT45 again..

The roads over here vary a lot ... NSW generally are a little bit 'worse' than other states...

I also drive trucks for over 20 years and always say that driving interstate, when you are coming home again you can tell with your eyes closed that you are back in NSW .... Bumpier!

I had big surprise when I came to Australia because in Malaysia our main trunk roads are very good. Our motorways too are good and in Singapore roads are good to. But Australian roads are very old fashion. Sometimes I get surprised with sharp corner and with bumps in road. But it is much cheaper to have car in Australia. In malaysia motorcycles are cheap for little one and are cheap to operate. Big motorcycles have lot of tax. But car very expensive.So it  all balances out.  But clearly Australian road says good tires important. So you are very right in what you say about NSW roads - Bumpier. and you had thjat feeling I bet when you were truck driver. Very bumpy in big truck.

Pete, what are you confused about.

My OEM tyres got 23 and 29 respectively. Everything after that are the SDs.

Aussie Man Rule #17 - never admit you are confused.