Bill,
If I got 2500 miles out of a rear I would be tickled to death. Here is a post I made in a thread several months back about different tires.
I have used several different tire brands/compounds since I have owned my Busa(99). Ranging from the stockers, BT010's, Pilot HPX's, M1's and Pilot Race H2's. Mileage has varried from 3500 down to 770 miles on the rear. The 3500 coming from the stock BT56 down to 770 from susprise, the M1.
Talking to different tire reps at dealer shows, they all agree, when refering to a Busa, throw everything you hear about tire wear out the window. All of the reps agree the Busa is a different animal than 99% of the sportbikes on the market. With the weight, torque/hp figures it will eat a tire much faster. Like this is info we already did not know.
Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, I have great roads within a mile of the shop. I get a chance to unwind everyday after work with a nice ride home. I also push the limits of a tire I want to know what works and when. I am by no means of an expert on tires for the Busa, I just know what works for me.
The BT56's were great. They provided a good balance of grip/mileage. Plus being the 1st tire I ever used on the Busa, I probally wasnt riding that hard. Excellent wet and dry traction.
Next up were the BT010's. Another great offering from Bridgestone. I was able to get about 2000 miles out a rear. I made one trip to Deals Gap with the 010's. Very predictible, traction good at full lean.
When the Pilot HPX's came out I wanted to give them a spin. They were very stable and the best tire in the mountains I had used so far. I wore both front and rear out at 1500 miles. I had never wore a ft and rear out at the same time ever. My biggest problem was the cost on that tire.
After hearing tons of excellent reports on the M1. I gave them a go. I was totally impressed with everything or so I thought. These tires stick like glue and slide very predictable. I put them on a week before a trip to the Gap. I did drop to a 190 rear and it took a little getting use too. I put 440 miles on the Busa at the Gap and Skyway plus a run down into North georgia. When I got home, I noticed the tire was wearing VERY fast. I ended up with 770 miles on the rear. To say I was disapointed with the wear was a understatement.
I taked to a few roadrace guys that I ride with about my experience with tire wear. They suggested I give a true race tire a go. Their logic was I was spinning the rear thru the corners and a stickier tire would grip better. I was really hesistant about using one on the street due to the horror stories I had heard, no rain traction LOOOOOOng warm up.
This summer, I bought a set of pilot race H2's. These are the hardest of the Pilot Race line, they offer the S2(soft), M2(medium) and the H2(highway). From the info I recieved from a Michelin rep, the H2 is designed as a race tire for the street. He told me it will survive many heat cycles.
After one very brisk ride here at home I was hooked. These tires, with their race profile, cornered like a cat on carpet. I had the guys behind me tell me that the rear was not spinning nearly as bad in the corners as the M1. I made two trips to the Gap using this tire. The side to side transition was greatly improved. The rear was wearing very good I thought for a race tire.
I did get caught in a down pour with the H2's. Well it was more of a monsoon, lol. They were able to make it through the rain very well. I would not have wanted to be at highway speeds in a downpour with these tires.
I ended up with 2021 miles on the rear H2. Over double that of the M1 I had previously used, with better stick. The one downside...I ride year round and with temps in the 40's & 50's, there is no traction to be had, even with 28lbs in the rear. I still plan on using H2's but only in warmer weather.
I now have Pilot Powers on the bike and I can wait till we get some good weather to see how they do. I will probally have these on for Busa Bash III and should have some good feedback.
I guess the point of my rant is to say dont let generalized tire statements make up your mind what tire you need to use. If I had listened to that logic I would have never experienced the outstanding mileage and stick of the H2's.
Match the tire to what kind of riding you do.
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