Darkside mileage

[NITRO]

My second darkside tire will need to be replaced in the near future with less than 12,000 miles on it total. The tire is a General Altimax and has been run at 28-34 psi its entire life. The edges are completely gone and the center is not far behind. Any idea why it wore out so quickly?

I'm considering the following tires (besides another Altimax) and would appreciate input if any of you have experience with them:
Sumitomo HTR A/S: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR+A%2FS+P01+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&partnum=06VR6HTRAS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Yokohama AVID ENVigor: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&partnum=06VR6ENV&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[Valker]

Wow, not sure what could have happened. This is a picture of my Michelin HydroEdge with 40,000 miles run at 26-28#.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I got about 25k out of the Avid Envigor. I thought was a good tire

[Led]

I run my CT at over 40 psi.  Some tire manufacturers make their tires out of bubble gum........

They have a LOT of traction, but do not live for very long.  Not sure about the "spec's" of the tire you had, but that could be the reason???

At anything lower than 42 pounds with my CT....it handles horribly!!  But I run an old Douglas GT tire, which may be a LOT different than your tire.  That is the dilemma.   You need to tailor your ride........to what you want........when going to the.....DARKSIDE!!!      

[Jess from VA]

I push the Goodyear T Tread to about 38K with even wear.... at 40psi.

The Altimax is a much softer compound tire, and your pressure is low (if you like it, keep it, but all tires wear faster underinflated).

[Moonshot_1]

On my 2nd Goodyear Triple Tred. 1st one got changed out at 33k with some good life left. Was heading out on a long summer trip so I changed it out.

21k on #2 and looking good.

From what I've read in the past regarding Darkside stuff, 33k miles  seems to be a typical
mileage number.

Assuming you are riding in a typical fashion (no burn outs at every other intersection) I can't say what would be amiss with your tire except that it might just be a bad tire.

Things to wonder about...

Are you riding 2 up alot?

Do you live on a gravel road or have to traverse a lot of them?

Are the roads in your area being milled or roughened?

Have you tried a different tire gauge? (I had a bad gauge and had over 50 psi for a while in the rear. Near that on the front. Rode rather odd. Got a new gauge and "Holy crap!")

Do you tow anything? May be extra stress if things are not lined up or overweight.

But 12k is way too soon to wear a darkside tire out on a bike.

[Jess from VA]

From what I've read in the past regarding Darkside stuff, 33k miles  seems to be a typical
mileage number.

While there may not be many posts about it here, a number of guys run soft compound 55 Summer Sport tires which may only get 10-14 K. 

33K may be about avg. for us guys running Joe's mom's Buick tires (like me with the Goodyears), but that really can't be called typical.   Plenty of guys run CTs that never see 20K.

Personally, the Buick thing works great for me. 

Still waiting for someone to wear out an Austone Taxi Tire (175).  (and see if one gets to 20K)

*PS, I actually rode a std Valk today for very the first time.  MC rear tire; it seemed a little.... wimpy.    And dang noisy with them Cobras.    (Of course, the sound is different, but I haven't been on a bike with loud pipes like my old HOG for almost 10 years.  Course, there was no radio, and you have to listen to something.   

[Pappy!]

If your edges wore out before the center tread you need to up the pressure somewhat.
One way to get close on pressure easily is to draw a couple chalk lines across the tread and drive a straight line in a parking lot. Take a look at the chalk and see where it is wearing and adjust pressure accordingly. That will get you in the ball park for wear.

[fudgie]

If your edges wore out before the center tread you need to up the pressure somewhat.
One way to get close on pressure easily is to draw a couple chalk lines across the tread and drive a straight line in a parking lot. Take a look at the chalk and see where it is wearing and adjust pressure accordingly. That will get you in the ball park for wear.

Or wet the tread and roll it on concrete.

[NITRO]

I ride solo 99% of the time, never pull a trailer, and have never done a burn out. I ride on gravel occasionally, but not enough that it should have any affect on the tire like I'm seeing.

I think it's related to pressure as this isn't a summer tire. It is on the softer side (UTQG is 440), but nowhere nearly as soft as summer tires made for sports cars. Guess I'll have to bump the pressure up a bit, which is a shame because I really like the way she handles at 28 psi.

[Skinhead]

Still waiting for someone to wear out an Austone Taxi Tire (175).  (and see if one gets to 20K)

I ain't wore one out, but I got 24,200 miles on one with 4/32's left on it.

[Fla. Jim]

Ditto on the Hydroedge. Mine at 30k with 5/32's tread remaining measured in the center tread. Running 24-26 psi. Wearing even, ride mainly single, weight 250lbs.

[jmann]

I run the avid envigor and really like it. Have about 12k on it now and it still has a lot of life left in it.

[MarkT]

I'm thinkin I care less about the mileage than about it's behavior.  As long as it lasts 20k, handles well with great traction,  I'm way ahead compared to a bike tire.  The cushier ride is a bonus, so is the savings.

[Jess from VA]

I ain't wore one out, but I got 24,200 miles on one with 4/32's left on it.

That is really good news.  Any difference in opinion over the life of the tire?

[$ Ball]

I don't think munch of my made in Mexico Altramax either, I have 15000 on it and the center wear indicator  says replace. Never did like it. I got 30,000 plus on the Goodyear triple, Made in the USA.

[vanagon40]

I have 25,000 miles on my Altimax.  I'll try to get a photo tonight, but there is still good tread left on the tire.

[KSDragonRider]

I had the falkin 512, got right at 10k out of it.  2 up, full sized people, pulling trailer. 
have the Yoko Avid on now, Im at 6k riding the same way, cant see any change in depth just looking.  I have not gotten the depth gauge out and looked though. 
I run at 35 psi.

[Crackerborn]

I have the Yokohama and like it. The rounded edges help for low speed handling IMHO. A new to me Valk so can't say anything about the mileage I can expect but after 5k the tire still looks new. I run 36psi on single up, 38psi double even though I am solo 95% of the time. On the previous Honda (VTX 1800) I never wore out a CT (Goodyear TT), just put a new tire on every 3 years. That bike never saw the mileage that I have put on the Big Girl already this year. 

[mustang071965]

i have been running the same tire now for 3 years. i have 29,543 miles on it and it still looks new. i have been running 40psi in it.

[R J]

i have been running the same tire now for 3 years. i have 29,543 miles on it and it still looks new. i have been running 40psi in it.

So, what breed is this tire?

Vague statements are like NO pictures....

I used to average 30 to 36K on my car tires.

[Challenger]

Took my GY TT off with 30,000 on it, Not worn out but was close. I have 2500 miles on my Altimax at 36 psi Two up 99% and could not be happier. I don't care if it only gets 15,000 to 20,000, It's still the best sticking and handling CT I've ridden. Even at 15,000 that is twice what I ever got out of  an Avon, Metz, or Bridgstone. Hey Nitro, Maybe quit trying to follow John so much, Your tires will last longer. 

[vanagon40]

Not the best photo--it was after dark with a flash--but still shows lots of wear left after 25K miles.  I will confess a preference for General Tires, I have them on my Lebaron, Astro Van, and the Saturn I recently gave to my nephew.  Photo is a General Altimax HP on my 2001 Standard.

[cajundood]

going on about 8,000 with my Faulken Ziex. I run 38-40 since i usually have a passenger. Tire shows hardly any wear at all.

[MarkT]

Depending on what it is, it's possible to wear a darkside tire out fast.  The tire on the right is a Yoko Advan AO48, a very soft and thin tread racing tire.  Worn to the cords in 5,000 miles.  On the left is it's new replacement, a Yoko Neova AD08, lasted MUCH longer and handled the same.  I recently took it off because I wanted a taller tire for a road trip.  Looks like it will last at least 15k total miles, if I ever put it back on.

[Punisher]

Depending on what it is, it's possible to wear a darkside tire out fast.  The tire on the right is a Yoko Advan AO48, a very soft and thin tread racing tire.  Worn to the cords in 5,000 miles.  On the left is it's new replacement, a Yoko Neova AD08, lasted MUCH longer and handled the same.  I recently took it off because I wanted a taller tire for a road trip.  Looks like it will last at least 15k total miles, if I ever put it back on.

Dang Mark!   You certainly believe in getting all the goodie out of a tire before you pull it.  We call that a "may pop" around here as in "may pop any second." 

[Bob E.]

I only got about 13K-14K out of my first Altimax.  I run about 42psi in it.  I've got about 10k on the current one and it is wearing about the same.

[horn5390]

I run the bridgestone Potenza G019 at 45psi. got 15K on it now and it is still new. I recall the specs saying its a 50k mile tire. I'm guessing it should make it to 35k. the edges are still square and ride quality is perfect. it did take 1000 miles for the sidewalls to break in, but it is a high speed tire. It was made for the sports car crowd. I still love it and will buy another when this one gets chewed off.

sidewall specs
205/60R16 91V
treadwear rated 460
traction rated A
temperature A

[PhredValk]

My first was a Falken Ziex ZE-512 205/65R-16, took it off at 32141 miles because of an upcoming 6K road trip this year but could have gotten a few thousand miles out of it, I'm sure. Ran it at 42#.

At just over 17K.
Fred.

[James III]

28K on my Austone Taxi tire. Run 35 psi and have had great results. I've had good luck with tires as my front E-3's get 15K. I'll replace the front again when I reach 30K on the rear Austone next month. I follow my tire pressures pretty closely.

[GOOSE]

ON ONE VALK I RUN A GENERAL ALTIMAX HP 205/60-16 ....... GOOD EVEN WEAR SO FAR  >>>>> THEY ARE BY THE WAY GOING TO DISCONTINUE THIS TIRE.  ON THE OTHER VALK I JUST PUT ON A GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTRED 205/60-16 ..... NON-DIRECTIONAL ..... SEEMS TO RIDE GOOD SO FAR.

[vanagon40]

Yes, it looks like the Altimax HP is discontinued.  Bought a 205/60R16 H speed rated today for $70 out the door.  Had a date code of 4912--almost 2 years old.  I should be good for another 5 years or so.

QUESTION: Are those of you who are getting less than 20,000 miles on the Altimax running the H speed rated or V speed rated?  I noticed the V speed rated has a significantly lower mileage warranty.  The one I got over 25,000 miles was H speed rated.

[NITRO]

Mine is V rated. I think they have the same tire wear rating, though (440 if I remember correctly) . So I would think the tires would have the same tread life, but I'm not a tire expert.

[olddog1946]

My first CT was a HP tire, Z rated ?, only got 20K out of it, but it wore evenly at 41 psi, gripped like glue.  My current tire is an H rated tire and have about 11 K on it, looks like it will go a lot further but time will tell.

[vanagon40]

Mine is V rated. I think they have the same tire wear rating, though (440 if I remember correctly) . So I would think the tires would have the same tread life, but I'm not a tire expert.

I'm no tire expert either, and I have no explanation for this.  Although both tires have the same treadwear rating of 440, the H speed tire lists a treadlife of 55,000 miles, while the V speed tire lists a treadlife of only 40,000.  Here is a comparison from Sears: