OEM tyres

[Werny]

Just a quick question, as I'm slightly curious about this.

I bought my xj6 new last year with Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart tyres fitted. I quite liked them, so when it came time to replace the rear, about 5k miles, I fitted another roadsmart.

Since then I've noticed a distinct band appear on the center of the tyre where the harder compound is, it's really obvious just glancing at it. However I cannot remember seeing the same banding on the original tyre, same type/make/spec/whatever tyre. I was also somewhat suprised at having to get a new tyre at 5k miles, this is an xj6 with bugger all bhp, I kind of expected a bit more life.

Now seeing this strip made me wonder if there is any possibility the OEM tyres are in any way inferior to the exact same tyres bought as replacements. Do Dunlop maybe supply single compound sportmax tyres to Yamaha? Or should I just put away my tinfoil hat?

If it helps the front tyre is still the original and showing no sign of banding, although it does really need to be replaced now at 8k or so.

[neatbik]

Quite often oem tyres are inferior to the ones you buy from a dealer/tyre place to replace them with.

The manufacturer gets them at a cheaper price. Its not something they shout about, but it does happen.

Dunlop are buggers for doing this, as are Bridgestone (they did it with the BT016, but cant remember which bikes they were fitted oem)

Mileage wise though 5k doesent sound too bad to be honest, but as usual it all comes down to how much stick you give them.

[Rogerborg]

I'd just assume it's because the tyre is now being made by a new lowest bidder in whichever humid hell hole has the cheapest access to rubber and child labour.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[garth]

5k is low for a roadsmart, though.
____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

[chillyman0]

got a rear roadsmart on my vfr, approching 9k miles including 2k touring fully loaded 2 up! Must be a couple of mm left too
____________________
preivious : 2007 Skyjet 125 (died), 1991 gsf400 (problems, rotting in garden)
1996 gsf600n (sold)
current : 1996 VFR750 for sale, PM for info! 2000 E1 ZX-9r

[Nick 50]

I know you said it was new, but have you checked the wheel alignment is ok?

[Werny]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

[Rowey]

Often OEM tyres are different to the tyres you buy from the shops. I found with a pair of oem 014's they were much harder wearing, stiffer, offered less feedback, grip and warmed up slower than the replacement 014's I had fitted from a shop.

Even though the name was the same the compound used was noticeably different.

Is your rear shock set a little too stiff? And despite your bike not being a hugely powerful beast, I've found with lower BHP bikes I'm often pinning the throttle a lot more than on bigger bikes where I'm smoother.
____________________
ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[chillyman0]

A bit confused as to what you mean actually...

Do you get a visible strip or a strip that has worn abnormally as with my rear sometimes in the damp i can get home from an easy ride and there is a distinct strip of lighter colour rubber in the centre. doesnt usually mean it is wearing abnormally...
____________________
preivious : 2007 Skyjet 125 (died), 1991 gsf400 (problems, rotting in garden)
1996 gsf600n (sold)
current : 1996 VFR750 for sale, PM for info! 2000 E1 ZX-9r

[Werny]

There's a distinct strip of lighter rubber in the center of the tyre, I'm not worried about it as I know it's just the different compound. The only reason I mentioned it was that I didn't notice this colour difference on the old tyre.

There is no abnormal wear, in fact 3k miles after fitting it still looks mostly new

[chillyman0]

yeah I get the colour strip, dont worry about it
____________________
preivious : 2007 Skyjet 125 (died), 1991 gsf400 (problems, rotting in garden)
1996 gsf600n (sold)
current : 1996 VFR750 for sale, PM for info! 2000 E1 ZX-9r

[The Spin Doctor]

First post here so hi to everyone...

Sorry to be along a bit late on the topic, but I just happened to spot the OP on a google search.

My XJ6 Divvie also came with Roadsmarts, and the rear on mine (with very little m'way use incidentally) was squared off and totally finished at 4500 miles.

Interesting point about spotting the lighter band on the replacement Roadsmart, because I used to run the twin compound Bridgestone BT45s on our training school bikes and they would visibly show up the dual compound.

There was certainly no such banding on the OE Roadsmart, so I'm wondering if the speculation is indeed correct, and the OE fitment ISN'T dual compound.

It would certainly explain why it wore out so fast and squared so badly! It also makes for a total mismatch wear-wise with the front - mine's just hit 10k and it's still got about 2mm on it - I'm just about to replace it with a new Conti for the winter.

If that's the case that Dunlop saves a few pennies by fitting a single soft-compound tyre that wears out quickly, it's a bit daft as the result of fast wear is that most riders seem to fit something else when the time comes to change the tyre, costing them business in the long run.
____________________
"Force has no place where there is need of skill" Herodotus 450BC

[DrDonnyBrago]

Have you finally left visordown Spin?


Welcome to the forum, hope you stick around .

[The Spin Doctor]

[truslack]

[DrDonnyBrago]

I left VD a while back, the forum was on it's knees then and is pretty much 6ft under now .

[The Spin Doctor]

OK, got it... thanks folks.

It was probably in the Posting Guidelines which I did skim through!

All is now clear!
____________________
"Force has no place where there is need of skill" Herodotus 450BC

[Polarbear]

the bridgestones they fit to busas as oem are utter crap
____________________
Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]