Tire Review: 10,000 miles on a set of Pirelli MT66 Route tires.

[sgtslag]

I put a set of Pirelli MT66 Route tires on my '79 CB750K, back in 2009.  While preparing to sell the bike, I was going through the maintenance records, and I saw that they had accumulated 10,000 miles on them.  I went outside and looked them over:  10,000 miles, and the front still had 1/2 of its tread left; the rear tire looked to be about 2/3 gone, with another 2,000-3,000 miles left on it.  I advised the buyer to replace both tires, due to age, even though they had plenty of tread left in them.

When I bought these tires, three years ago, mail order, they were $100, front and $125, rear.  After puncturing the tubes on both tires, attempting to install them myself, I took them to my shop, and I paid around $28 to mount the front, and around $60, for the rear, due to the extra labor involved in adjusting the chain tension.  Balancing was included.

I installed matching sets on all three of my bikes:  1983 Kawasaki 440 LTD, 1979 Honda CB750K, and a 1993 Kawasaki Voyager XII heavy touring bike.  All three bikes handled fantastic:  gripped the wet road, like glue, in multiple rain situations; ignored nearly all cracks, grated bridges, and most other surface defects, as if they weren't there.  The Pirelli MT66 Route tires are the only tire I will ride on, as long as they are available.  YMMV.  Check the Internet for other reviews on them.  Cheers!

[Hoko]

THX Sarge, I've been wanting to find some reviews on good motorcycle tires because the bike I bought has been sitting for 5 yrs and I dont trust those tires.  I dont have as much concern when its tires on my old truck but I want trustworthy tires when it comes to the bike I'm riding.  So, is 3 years the maximum length of time you should keep bike tires?

[sgtslag]

Three years is what is recommended, due to hardening of the rubber in the tires.  It's possible to go longer, but you only have two skins to ride on.  Here is a site to check for rider reviews of tires:  link.  Cheers!