Cali 1400 Tire Life Expectancy

[mjptexas]

I'm approaching 6,000 miles on my Cali Custom.  The tires are starting to show some wear but still look pretty good.  I have two questions:

1. How many miles did you get out of the OEM tires on your Cali 1400.

2. I assume the replacement tires were Dunlops as there are pretty limited choices.

[mtiberio]

I got over 10,000 miles
I replaced with bridgestones because I could find the rear for $150, not $250 like the 'lop

[Kmacs]

At 6k myself, probably about 1-2k at most left for front, can't tell you rear, just had third replacement because of nails and screws!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[steveford]

I replaced my rear tire on California 1400T at 9500 miles. I was able to take the front tire to 11500 miles. I replaced both tires with Bridgestone Exedra Max tires. So far I've been very happy with these tires. Reviews say they should last longer, so I gave them a try. They are available Chapparel Motorsports  online for around $260 for the set.
 ;-T ;-T ;-T ;D ;D ;D ;-T ;-T ;-T

[Kev m]

It's good to hear some of the early reports of atrocious (only 6k) mileage on a touring bike's rear tire were anomalies.  ;-T

[Kiwi Dave]

It's good to hear some of the early reports of atrocious (only 6k) mileage on a touring bike's rear tire were anomalies.  ;-T

I only got 5,000 miles out of my original rear Dunlop, and I consider myself gentle on tires.  Replaced with Bridgestone Battlax BT-020, currrently have 7,000 miles on this one, and 3-4 thou left I'm hoping.

Front got swapped out with a Michelin Commander II @ 7000 miles.  I can get nearly twice this on the front of my 1200 Sport.

I thought I might suffer less traction with the longer mileage tires, but if anything the reverse is true.

[stephenm]

I expect my Touring rear to be gone by 5,000 miles. I ride two up mostly, at 60mph.
I am amazed at the comparitively high milages achieved by others. There are not
a lot of corners where we live, but I didn't ride through the worst of summer, so
nothing over 80*F. Do the higher milers ride in the rain and cold,
or spend a lot of road time at lower speeds? And we weigh 175 and 145 lbs,
so we are not breaking any records there.

Stephen

[Kev m]

Is it as simple as

2-up, especially high load and/or temps = ~ 5k

1-up, especially varied use or temps = up to 10k

[Touringman]

Is it as simple as

2-up, especially high load and/or temps = ~ 5k

1-up, especially varied use or temps = up to 10k

Exactly true...sadly.  Wife and I ride two up about 80% of the total mileage, in the Texas summertime.  1st Dunlop died an early death due to a large nail...2nd might make the 6000 mile service. Which would give it about 4800 +- miles. 
Now researching something with some longer life...

[mmcwhitehead]

I replaced the rear tire on my California 1400 Touring at 6,000 miles. It had a little life left but it was getting pretty close and I had a couple trips planned. I was also quite tired (no pun intended) of the noise from the Dunlop. Any time the bike had ANY lean angle, the tire would "sing." At one point on a trip with my grandson this summer, he leaned forward and asked, "is that noise coming from our bike?" Needless to say, I didn't replace with a Dunlop. I chose a Bridgestone Excedra Max. It cost me $170 plus mounting, tax, etc. So far, so good. It sure is quiet.

[steveford]

My 1400T is at 19350 miles and have been running the Bridgestone Excedra Max tires since right around 10000 miles. I've been very happy with these tires, and I'll be replacing both tires at the same time @ around 20000 with another set that's in the garage.  That is with some trailer towing with my bunkhouse camper. I thought I might get a few more miles out of the rear, but overall considering the price difference I'm more than happy with the performance of the Excedra Max Tires.  ;-T ;-T ;-T ;D ;D ;D ;-T ;-T ;-T

[lucian]

Kev nailed it, 1400 custom, 6,ooo miles two up mostly.rear  is toast. Front may go another 1000 but I think I,ll do both. All highway miles.

[Bill Hagan]

My brother has 10K on his Touring.

Given his relaxed approach to riding, I was surprised to see that he had very even wear on the OEM rear.  From a mere visual perspective, has more miles left on it, i.e., rounded well, not squared, and nearing, but not at wear bars. 

Another surprise for me was to see considerably more and uneven wear on the OEM matched front.  Hmmmmmm. 

In fact, and unrelated (he thought) with the tire wear, Michael was unhappy with his Touring.  Said he was thinking about trading -- gasp, for a beemer 800GT :o :'( -- because he thought it too heavy and he had control issues in Atlanta's (nasty  ::() stop & go traffic.

I was chatting with Jim Barron about other things, and mentioned Michael's concerns.

Jim said "New tires.  Now."  Recommended Avons.  Said that "control" issue was, in his view, a result of the front tire being past prime ... kinda like me.   :D

So, Michael is headed to Riders Hill next week for R&R'ing his OEM round things for new Avons.  Loooking forward to his first ride report with those.

Bill

P.S.  Speaking of Atlanta, I'm headed there in a moment ... Kathi is handing me my mug, so it must be time.   ;) ... and I'm in the Mini, but, as it's 0 degrees out there, doubt if I'll drop the top.   ;D

[leafman60]

My brother has 10K on his Touring.

Given his relaxed approach to riding, I was surprised to see that he had very even wear on the OEM rear.  From a mere visual perspective, has more miles left on it, i.e., rounded well, not squared, and nearing, but not at wear bars.  

Another surprise for me was to see considerably more and uneven wear on the OEM matched front.  Hmmmmmm.  

In fact, and unrelated (he thought) with the tire wear, Michael was unhappy with his Touring.  Said he was thinking about trading -- gasp, for a beemer 800GT :o :'( -- because he thought it too heavy and he had control issues in Atlanta's (nasty  ::() stop & go traffic.

I was chatting with Jim Barron about other things, and mentioned Michael's concerns.

Jim said "New tires.  Now."  Recommended Avons.  Said that "control" issue was, in his view, a result of the front tire being past prime ... kinda like me.   :D

So, Michael is headed to Riders Hill next week for R&R'ing his OEM round things for new Avons.  Loooking forward to his first ride report with those.

Bill

P.S.  Speaking of Atlanta, I'm headed there in a moment ... Kathi is handing me my mug, so it must be time.   ;) ... and I'm in the Mini, but, as it's 0 degrees out there, doubt if I'll drop the top.   ;D

Bill, suggest Michael read up on the latest BMW problem with the 800 series- splitting gas tanks. Several of our local riders have experienced this and even new bikes on the dealer floor have been discovered with the cracks. It may or may not be a problem.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=983585&highlight=Cracked+tank



.

[Kev m]

MMC and Steve - good to hear there is a long life replacement!  ;-T

[segesta]

Bill, suggest Michael read up on the latest BMW problem with the 800 series- splitting gas tanks. Several of our local riders have experienced this and even new bikes on the dealer floor have been discovered with the cracks. It may or may not be a problem.
.

Aside on the BMW: this is disheartening news, because I really liked the 800GT I saw/sat on at the recent motorcycle show. The perfect size for a sport-tourer that I'll never take across the country (ie, the overkill-for-me R1200RT or K1600GT).

[Abbienormal]

I tend to replace tires in pairs. Especially if changing brands. The OEM tires on my 1400 Tour were almost gone at 5,000 miles when the rear picked up a nail. I was about to leave on a 3,500+ mile trip anyway so I put on Metzler 888's. I prefer to not start the year on worn out tires and the Metzlers were at 4,700 miles and looking like maybe another thousand so off they came and now I have Avons on it. I have only ridden 20 miles on them so far so no real opinion. Plus I upgraded my suspension to Wilber's shocks and fork springs so I need to recalibrate my butt.
My riding is probably 80-90% solo.  Since my trip was through New England and Nova Scotia there was a lot of cool rainy one up miles on those Metzlers. This thing seems to eat expensive tires.

Rudy

[lucian]

Hey Rudy, I also took my custom to Nova Scotia and some of the roads there are chip seal, and that stuff really chews up tires. I got 6000 mile out of the metzlers, but I'm sure most of the wear occurred up in N.S. and P.E.I.  Sure is nice up there.

[Bill Hagan]

Hey Rudy, I also took my custom to Nova Scotia and some of the roads there are chip seal, and that stuff really chews up tires. I got 6000 mile out of the metzlers, but I'm sure most of the wear occurred up in N.S. and P.E.I.  Sure is nice up there.

In April?  :o :bow

Bill

[lucian]

No Bill , made that trip last summer. Going back this July hopefully. Hasn't been much of an April for riding up here.

[Abbienormal]

I went in August. Still cool and rainy. The forecast for the following week was warm and sunny.

I highly recommend Ocean View Motel in Cheticamp. Nice rooms, great view, good restaraunt next door. My brother and I rode up the west side going CW and stayed overnight. Rode CCW around the Cabot trail the next day back to the motel. The following day resumed going around CW and then peeled off south after Baddeck. Some people say one way is better than the other but tough to choose. I forced to choose I'd say CCW but it is splitting hairs. I've ridden it twice CCW and three times CW.

Rudy

[drbone641]

Revisit.
I have about 4k on the Exedra's now. Heading out on an 8k+ mile trip in May (don't want to re-shoe during the trip)and was considering putting a car tire on the back, however I have seen reports on other forums about the newer Michelin Commanders getting very high mileage. Absolutely will start trip on new tires, and would really rather not do the card tire. Anyone have any experience with the Commanders versus Avons or Exedras or ...? Looked up the subject and no inputs on this thread since 2015 so I know there is more knowledge to be gleaned.

[lucian]

Still getting  around 6,000 miles out of the rear with metzlers. Two up only. Happy with that considering the load and smiles per mile.  Don't forget to change the final drive lube when doing a new rear on the 1400's. Only time you can get to the drain plug.

[drbone641]

Still getting  around 6,000 miles out of the rear with metzlers. Two up only. Happy with that considering the load and smiles per mile.  Don't forget to change the final drive lube when doing a new rear on the 1400's. Only time you can get to the drain plug.

And valve adjust, oil, air filter ... I really don't want to have to find a shop along the way. Also getting that soft seat rebuilt.

[Utrider]

The summer of 2017 the wife and I headed out on the 1400 Touring.  The rear had about 4500 miles on it (Metzler ME 888) tread looked fine for the trip...........well in downtown Pagosa Springs about 1000 miles into the trip, I had cord showing.  It was hot, and we were 2 up, but I was still surprised at the speed it came off. 

So this is on a Monday, no bike shops available there.  Limp into Durango, no one will touch it.........except Cole's Chop Shop.  So, into Cole's I go. We ended up putting a 180 on it, the same one they put on Goldwings and baggers.  I tell you what, I love the way the bike handles with the 180 on there!  They swore up and down that I should get 10k out of it as well.  They are the Dunlop American Eagle or something like that.  Time will tell, I have about 3500 on them now and they still look great!

On a side note, my buddy who was traveling with me on the above mentioned trip has veto power on my rear tire, apparently that last bit of tread goes away a lot faster than I think it will.

[stephenm]

I am on my second Dunlop D407 (basically the American Elite) on my 1400 Touring. I ride two up, with panniers and top case. Your supplier's claim of 10,000 miles matches my experience. I put 4,000 miles on the last one in Australia, then shipped the bike to Europe where I added another 6,000 miles in Spain, France and the UK. All roads, all weathers. The wide rim flattens the 180 a little, but I only found this affecting the steering response (more reluctant to turn in) in the last 600 miles as the tread disappeared.

Stephen

[Tom H]

IMHO the commander II is a high mileage tire. I put 8,000 miles on it on my EV and it barely seems worn. On my EV I'm thinking it would have been 15-20,000 before needed in a change. But......

I think that it is not such a good rain tire for the "streets" at least. On the grooved freeways it was fine, but on the streets it would slip on the paint lines when you start from a light and it felt like it would slip a bit when making a right or left turn at a light when you went over the lines.

It's now on my Harley Street Bob, don't "plan" to use it in the rain. I did slip the rear in the dry starting up making a right at a light on got on it a bit. Hit the throttle about the same as my EV when I need to get going and I forgot that the Harley is a 1600CC.

Again, for dry touring duty, the tire lasts for miles at least on my EV Touring. I don't know how well it will carve up a canyon, my guess would be not very well. If I only planned to ride in the dry, I would buy it again for the EV and probably the Harley.

JMHO,
Tom

[drbone641]

Too hard is what I’ve heard a few times about the Mich Commanders. I’m going to keep an eye on the Exedra’s, as they seem to be a great performer in the hills. If these will do 7k+ in spirited riding, they will be fine for the entire trip of easy riding.

[MMRanch]

Hi fellers

I'm always looking for longevity in a tire .   My Sportster is on its second Commander II , the first one went 18,000 + a little when the wear bars got solid.   
Whoever said its not a rain tire hit the nail on the head.   On Dry pavement they are as good as anything I've ever had and better than most .   
I usually leave the cars behind at red-lights , and I don't slow down for corners in the twisty.  Those truck advisory signs on curves are always multiplied by 1.5 or 2.0 for my way of thinking (up to the speed limit (plus-a-little)) 
I'm running my second Commander II on my LS650 also , the first one went almost 22,000 miles before the wear bars were all showing.   The LS650 is a 360# Suzuki Fun-Machine w/loads of pull in the 3000 rpm area.
I'm looking for a long lasting tire for my V-7II now ... The original rear only has 3,200 miles on it and its almost gone (130/80-17) I'll put a 130/90-17 back on it to make the speedometer closer to right .
So , what is the long-life tire in the 17" world ?   
   
 

[MMRanch]

Guys ,

I wasn't trying to Hi-jack your thread , 

I thought I might pick-up a tip on a longlasting 17" tire