Saw the photos at the beginning of this post and it looked a familiar picture. I had the same experience in a short distance, so when I replaced it, I finally listened to some sound advice. Tyre pressures are important and critical to tyre wear. I now run run higher pressures for Mich. PR4 GT F&R and as I run a tyre pressure monitoring system was able to confirm that the sound advice was valid. At 42psi cold with 30 degrees ambient temp, the rear pressure would rise to 55-56 psi at 100KPH. At 47psi cold, the pressure would rise to 53-54 under the same conditions, i.e. a lower running pressure. The result of this is less wear due to the lower temperature that the tyre is running at as pressure rise and temperature are directly related. The first PR4 (42 psi cold) lasted just over 8,000 K with most of the wear being the right side edge with lots of 'bearding' and abrasion. The second PR4 (47psi cold) is at the 9000 K point with an estimated 40% life left. My riding habits have not changed, love that flat torque out of corners.
There are other factors that come into tyre wear, one of them being suspension setup. Rear suspension settings affect the performance/handling and front tyre wear. As well as checking tyre pressures on each ride and during the ride, I check the suspension setting, in particular, preload on the rear. I change from solo to 2 up often requiring the suspension to be changed each time (bit of a PITA). Also use tyres that conform to the specs required for this bike, both in sizing and importantly load ratings. Remember that the weight on the tyres is not just the weight of the bike, rider, passenger, load, fuel and in some cases trailer ball weight. Those that undertake flying know that in a 60 degree bank, 2G is applied to the aircraft and it contents. When turning on a bike is no different and effectively starts to increase from 30 degrees upwards. This is taken by the tyres at an angle which produces tyre distortion, further increasing contact pressure/temperature. Also, when accelerating and/or going uphill, the weight on the rear increases. That rear tyre has a lot to put up with.
I was iffy at first in increasing tyres pressures beyond the book value but tyre technologies have improved in the 18+ plus years since the design of the 1300 and 27+ years for the 1100 and monitoring has confirmed that the lower running pressures/temperatures=longer tyre life. BTW ride comfort has not changed significantly and ride handling is better if the suspension setup is correct. I know now if the setup is wrong as it does not feel right.
