Dunlop Sportmax wear bias

My 2012 Bandit came with Dunlop Sportmax tyres on which I have travelled 7,000km, on sealed main roads, highway, back roads etc.

I was having a close look at the rear one to see what I could 'read' from it, and I can see on the outer halves (left and right) where the big Bandit has been hugging into the corners and the light scuffing of the tyre that has caused.

What I think I can see though is a slight bias of wear on the right outer half.

Could this be because I go harder on right-handers, and take it a bit easier in left handers with oncoming traffic?

This may be a very dummy question for the forum    the Bandit is my first heavy bike above 650cc, and I have not observed  this wear bias before.

Thanks, GG

It could be a combination of factors causing uneven wear to your tyre. 
Most people favour one side over the other and tend to go a little harder. 
It could also be wheel alignment. The marks on swingarm to align the rear wheel are not always very accurate. There are commercially available products for getting a dead straight alignment and there are home remedies. I like to use a length of square steel tube, that I know is straight, hold it flat against rear tyre as high as possible and measure the distances at the front.
Worn suspension components can also affect tyre wear.

Thanks Bosco. I haven't seen this before on my bikes which all had skinnier tyres.
Will be interesting to measure up as you suggest.



Cheers GG

Road camber.

Okay.......but the wear seems a fair way from the centre.

GGiant wrote:My 2012 Bandit came with Dunlop Sportmax tyres on which I have travelled 7,000km, 

That's 1500 more than I got out of mine and I probably got at least 500 more than I should have

GG Sportsmax's are a full sports tyre, and 7k is bloody awesome, I wish that i got that out of my roadsports 2 but as a tyre bloody love em

That's interesting to hear Jim and Chook. 

I use the Bandit for touring and it amazes me, what a ride it is (Do other bandits ever smile under their helmets too?). To me it has no vices and does all I could ask, and the Sportsmax have done their bit and been great.

It's just that I was idling around the Bandit last weekend, scrutinising the tyres and came up with my theory about a bit more wear on the right - anyway that's how it seemed.

Thanks GG

Mine was probably 2 up for 4000 of the 1st 5500km so that probably took a few km off the tyres life, early it did a lot in the Adelaide Hills and the sides got plenty of action, the Ride from Adelaide to Moranbah and then down to Brisbane didn't see much more wear on the sides. Maybe if it'd done more twisty stuff I would have got close to 7000 as well

Riding like this is not conduit to good tyre wear 

Thanks (nice pic there Jim!) - The Sportsmax's look like they still have life in them. I can see 10,000km not being a problem if they continue to wear at the current rate.

I do a share of twisties on my way over the local ranges and up to the New England, but I always try to ride with a fair bit of margin left - that's me.

I might be making Sportsmax mileage history!

BTW - I live 1km down a gravel road that can get a little rough at times, sharp stones etc. I take it very easy to miss the sharpies on the way down.

Are there any issues with the Sprortmax or similar sport tyres on such roads? I never travel on gravel if I can avoid it.

Tks GG

not that i am aware of, no different to any other road tyre on gravel

You are going to make a record. Mine were totally stuffed at 3500kms. I have a laser alignment tool for making sure the rear is aligned, but it is down to my riding style. I am tough on rears, I put it down to wot launches and hard acceleration out of turns. Also the occasional wheelstand. 

Anyhow back on topic I reckon if you try a michelin you could push out 20000+ with the kms you've pushed out of the dunlops

Thanks Jim.

Crikey Reddog, 3500km!! Okay I guess my mostly touring (no pillion) is the key - 99% of my riding.

I'll let the forum know the final kms on the Sportsmaxs. I think it's going to be big 

Its all in the right wrist. Pressures were run as per the book. I did a track day too just after the first service