Who rides motorcycles?

[CalG]

Tires are a huge expense.

Yes they are.
I'm needing a set at this very moment (except for winter's layup it would be urgent)
180/55ZR-17R and 120/70zr-17F , I live a mile off pavement and love burning our dirt back roads in the area.

There are few choices in those sizes that are not "race oriented", i,e. "stick like glue" to tarmac, and wear away just looking at them.. (Why is the left side of the rear tire so much more worn than the right? And why no chicken stripe on that side? ;-)

looking at $400 to $500 for a new set of sneakers. I should get something with some open tread for the dirt roads, But I have done fine with the near slicks that are on now. I am VERY CAREFUL in the wet. Thankful for the years racing motocross and flat track , Unusual attitude training! ;-)

 

[Grumpycat]

Yes they are.
I'm needing a set at this very moment (except for winter's layup it would be urgent)
180/55ZR-17R and 120/70zr-17F , I live a mile off pavement and love burning our dirt back roads in the area.

There are few choices in those sizes that are not "race oriented", i,e. "stick like glue" to tarmac, and wear away just looking at them.. (Why is the left side of the rear tire so much more worn than the right? And why no chicken stripe on that side? ;-)

looking at $400 to $500 for a new set of sneakers. I should get something with some open tread for the dirt roads, But I have done fine with the near slicks that are on now. I am VERY CAREFUL in the wet. Thankful for the years racing motocross and flat track , Unusual attitude training! ;-)

Arrgh! Those are the most common street tire sizes!

My favorite is Michelin PR4GT on rear and Bridgestone T32GT on front. 2016 Yamaha FJR1300.

Dunlop Elite 3 and 4 are good tires too. But I really like the way the front T31GT and T32GT ride perfect to the very end. Didn't like something about same on the rear, forgot what.

Went through 12-13 on each end. Bought my own tools.

Edit: the PR4GT and T32GT last 9000 miles for me on this heavy machine. The T32GT lasts twice as long as the T32, but PR4 and PR4GT about the same.

 

[CalG]

Yup

Very common street tire size.

Looking for the ideal, Great traction on pave, Great mileage, and "good enough" grip on dirt roads...

I've been on Avons the past few years. AV66 on the rear. I find no faults on the road. But there really is no tread for dirt roads even when new. Still, they seem to work. (I'm getting old, so don't need to go fast on the back roads ;-)

I'm open to suggestions ;-)

 

[Grumpycat]

Yup

Very common street tire size.

Looking for the ideal, Great traction on pave, Great mileage, and "good enough" grip on dirt roads...

I've been on Avons the past few years. AV66 on the rear. I find no faults on the road. But there really is no tread for dirt roads even when new. Still, they seem to work. (I'm getting old, so don't need to go fast on the back roads ;-)

I'm open to suggestions ;-)

No adventure tire will wear half as long as the PR4GT or T32GT pure street tires.

Sorry I haven't been paying close enough attention to know what you ride.

Get a pure dual sport to go storming on dirt roads. The big adventure bikes are not near as much fun as even a 250 4-stroke.

 

[Rich B1]

Take a look at Avon Trail rider tires. They list them in your size. I find them a great road tire and they work great for me on dirt/gravel.

 

[CalG]

No adventure tire will wear half as long as the PR4GT or T32GT pure street tires.

Sorry I haven't been paying close enough attention to know what you ride.

Get a pure dual sport to go storming on dirt roads. The big adventure bikes are not near as much fun as even a 250 4-stroke.

I've got a KLR parked just in front of the VFR, The VFR gets most of the riding .
Sunny Sunday backroads for fun are left to the KLR. ;-)

What I'm leaning towards is the Honda Trail 125. I wish it was available with a 200-250 cc engine. Topping out at 50 could be a liability at times.

 

[Grumpycat]

What I'm leaning towards is the Honda Trail 125. I wish it was available with a 200-250 cc engine. Topping out at 50 could be a liability at times.

I have property that something like the new Trail 125 could be a delight for patrolling. For now the Recon "250" (actually 230) will suffice.

 

[Milo]

What I'm leaning towards is the Honda Trail 125. I wish it was available with a 200-250 cc engine. Topping out at 50 could be a liability at times.

Honda's Trail 125 is a cute little bike but I had the same concerns after I picked up a Monkey (used) which used the same 9hp engine and was probably a bit lighter. It was simply under powered on a 55mph highway, especially up hill.

For a true trail bike that has enough power for 55 mph highways I enjoy a Yamaha XT250. At only 291# it's not much heavier than a Trail 125 but it has larger wheels, more ground clearance, wide ratio 5-speed transmission with a low 1st gear, low seat height, and double the HP at around 19. I like that it's a simple air cooled, 2V motor, and still manufactured in Japan.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Arrgh! Those are the most common street tire sizes!

My favorite is Michelin PR4GT on rear and Bridgestone T32GT on front. 2016 Yamaha FJR1300.

Dunlop Elite 3 and 4 are good tires too. But I really like the way the front T31GT and T32GT ride perfect to the very end. Didn't like something about same on the rear, forgot what.

Went through 12-13 on each end. Bought my own tools.

Edit: the PR4GT and T32GT last 9000 miles for me on this heavy machine. The T32GT lasts twice as long as the T32, but PR4 and PR4GT about the same.

I've ridden with a few FJR guys and gals lately. Do you ever go to any of the FJR get togethers? I've been to one in West Virginia and a couple south of Birmingham AL.

 

[Grumpycat]

I've ridden with a few FJR guys and gals lately. Do you ever go to any of the FJR get togethers? I've been to one in West Virginia and a couple south of Birmingham AL.

Think it was last year the SFO gathering spent a day at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds/Birmingham. 250 miles of I-65 is not my idea of fun on motorcycle (unless it is Tag Appreciation Day when one gets 4 parade laps on the track behind the museum director) so I drove down in red Tesla Model S. Those guys know me online as N4HHE but never clicked in person.