Tires

[PatSV650]

OK, since I've only been riding about a year and change, is there an average lifespan for tires as far as mileage goes or is it done soley on "visual" judgement? I just clocked 8k miles on the stock tires... bike still handles fine and tread still looks ok. (i'm sure I'll catch heel for this) There is a bit of a "flat spot" in the center and some "feathering" on the edge of the tread. BTW, this is all about the rear tire. Front looks practically new. No signs of excessive wear at all. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated

[RandyO]

the 03 sv's come with Dunlop 220's ?

I have never ran them, but they are Dunlop's sport touring compound.. I have never ran them on my SV.. but I have run the old D205's.. that lasted 10,000 miles I imagine that the 220's that relpaced the 205's should last as long. I have seen posts on the Sv forum where they have lasted over 10k

when they are worn, the wear indicators will show thru the tread.

the 1st generation Sv's came with MeZ4's also a sport touring tire.. they generally lasted 5000-8000 miles

I recomend staying with a "sport touring" tire rather than a stickier "sport" tire or even stickier "super sport" tire. Todays sport touring tires are stickier than the sport tires of just a few years ago and last longer than the sport touring tires of the same vintage. sport touring tires also generally have deeper tread making them a better choice in wet ot other street hazard situation. super sport tires are really track day tires.

Personally on my SV I run Azaro ST's in summer and Pirelli MTR60's in winter.

[PatSV650]

Cool! Thanks for the info. I've got this same thread running on another site and have come down to this: Gonna replace it soon and also gonna stick with the same tire. It's been good to me and it's only about $100 for the tire.

and yeah, it's a Dunlop Sportmax Radial D 220 ST L 160/60 zr17