So much for tire snobbery!

[Pappy13]

I just pulled the Metzler Feel Free (OEM style) off the scooter, about 8500 miles and they are worn out in the center, the side grooves look hardly touched (in fact, the center is about 3/4" flat at the center and there is no more "crown"). The two or three times I actually had the bike leaned enough to use the grooves on the side of the tire would MAYBE account for one mile. Today I installed the Michelin Pilot 4, front and rear; $330.00, for a scooter I ride around the county, with mostly flat, straight roads. I have the ability to carve some road curves, and I very much enjoy it, but there is nothing close to me that presents a challenge that a much cheaper tire couldn't handle (especially when you factor in the tires from the 70s that I would drag pegs on). For less than the cost of JUST the front tire I could buy both front and rear of the Shinko. No, they won't handle as well as the Metzler or Michelin, but if all they do is point A to point B on flat straight roads, the handling is not a factor. Figure in also the tires have had 50 years to improve (since the 70s) and today's bias ply tires are better than the premium tires of the 70s. Rain may present a problem (it is a highly touted ability of the Michelin) but thinking back over the last 8500 miles, I didn't ride in the rain more that 50 miles. I'll need to try a set of the Shinko after these Michelins. Since I wouldn't retire the company laid me off so I no longer need to commute to work and this will affect my riding habits (commute was 72 miles round trip with about 45 on Interstate) my riding now is back roads and little used state highways. Still no great riding challenges.

As I said before, I like having wear items on hand and ready to install so I'll get the Shinko tires on order and I'll see how they do.

 

[Delray]

Interesting essay.

I bought a 2015 GT with 2,600 miles last Thanksgiving. I put a Shinko on the front and am about to install Shinko on the rear. Both original tires were pretty worn due to the previous owner thinking 26 psi was the optimal pressure for his two mile rides to the beach, (he wondered why his TPMS alert kept lighting up).

Both Shinkos cost around one-third of a set of Michelin Pilot 4's -- although from what I've heard, those Michelins are the gold standard for this bike. I will be curious to see if future reports say they are worth the money in handling and comfort. I would part with $330 for added comfort, although ... (musing) ... $330 is one-third of a Corbin seat, and I would LOVE a Corbin seat.

I spent $330+ on backrests and bags. Specifically, one Utopia driver's backrest, one BMW passenger backrest, one BMW luggage rack and two bags, a big Nelson-Rigg and a smaller Viking, both expandable. What I gain is enormous capacity and flexibility, a place for everything and everything in its place. Helmet, ear plugs and air buds, sunglasses, vest, gloves, ball cap, recyclable shopping bag for grocery runs, beach parking pass, microfiber towels and more. Each bag has a main compartment with three zippered pockets inside and three zippered pockets outside. I use half a dozen combination Master Locks for security (all with the same combination, for sanity's sake).

The smaller bag is strapped and locked to the passenger backrest and luggage rack. The big bag is strapped and locked to the driver's backrest and sits on the seat. By unbuckling two rear straps that hold the big bag to the grab rail, I can lift the seat. To hold it up, I gorilla-taped four mini-paint stirring sticks together and prop them under the seat while it's open. There's nothing under the seat now, but when I travel this summer from Florida to New York State it will carry tools, tire inflator and repair kit, spare Mitsuboshi belt, first aid kit, flashlight, etc.

This is my fourth GT and I find these bikes remarkably easy and inexpensive to maintain. It's the fun accessories that can really add up.