Tire wear

[nuttyprof1]

I have a 2003 Bandit 1200S, bought in March with 1000 miles on it. I am at 6800 miles and had to change my tires (they were the stock tires). The rear could have gone a bit longer, but there was literally no thread on the front. On all the bikes I have ever owned, the rear has always been the first to go. Is this type of wear pattern normal for this bike? Could it be a setup problem?
Thanks

[GSFStiny]

The rear generally goes first, but there are always exceptions. Provided everything is aligned/balanced properly and youve maintained the proper pressure, its probably largely due to your riding style.  If youre really heavy on the front brake, but really light on the throttle, that could cause it.  Personally I wear the rear just a *little* faster than the front, I dont really know what else would cause the front to wear that much faster.

[StangMATA]

Could just be how you ride. I CHEW rear tires from burn outs, skids, an djust riding hard.

You might ride easy but be agressive in turns or tough on front brakes.

[nuttyprof1]

It could be. I do ride aggressively in the twisties fairly often, but I follow the pace (Nick Iennatsch), which stresses smoothness and proper entry speed on curves. On the other hand, for the same reason I know I am not hard on the front brake, and every other bike I have owned had the rear tire go first.

[jfpjet]

I have 3500 miles on a 2005 1200S bought new.  The OEM front tire is completely worn out (but strange enough has worn more on the left than on the right).  The OEM rear still has a bit of life left.  On previous bikes I have always worn out rear tires faster than the front.  

Sadly, I mostly make short commuting rides on the bike.  However, I try to make the most of each ride.  As I use generous throttle on starts (that's why I love this bike!   ), I am surprised to find the front tire giving out first.  Is this a hint that a shorter-lived sticky front tire is a requirement for this bike, or that the OEM front tire is junk?

I am thinking of installing a pair of Michelin Pilot Roads now.   Any recommendations for something different, given my riding pattern and tire life experience thus far?

[speedytriple]

metzler roadtec z-6. best touring tire hands down, and sticks almost as good as sport tires. i ran a set on my triple and got 8000 miles out of my rear, and almost 9000 on my front. i use to run m-1 sportecs but getting new rear tires every 2-3000 miles.

[tannerismyhero]

You need to cool it with the stoppies.    My buddy blew out so many tires on his Gsxr stunting that thing. The fronts really got a workout when he was throwing the ass of the bike in the air.

[Red01]

The OEM front tire is completely worn out (but strange enough has worn more on the left than on the right).

Not so strange, really. It's because the roadways are usually crowned for drainage. I'm guessing folks in the UK, NZ, Oz, and other places where they drive on the left side of the road, the opposite is true.

I am thinking of installing a pair of Michelin Pilot Roads now.   Any recommendations for something different, given my riding pattern and tire life experience thus far?

I won't recommend something different since I've only experienced the stock Macadam 90's that came on my B12 (the front was crap, the rear OK), a Bridgestone BT010 front and BT020 rear (not too bad a set and lasted almost 10K miles, the softer 010 frontwore out in time with the 020 rear) and Pilot Roads (I'm on my 2nd front and 3rd rear). The PR rears have been lasting me just over 10K and the fronts about 15K.

I might be tempted to try the new Bridgestone BT021 Sport-Touring tires.