American riders seem to report longer tyre life than the UK if this is due
to different tyre construction, the roads or how they ride, or something else
I haven't a clue.

One's impression of American roads is long straight ones with no corners, so you'd assume that if you were building a tyre for the US market, a harder construction for longer life at the expense of corner grip would be sensible! Also the range of temperatures is more extreme than the UK.

I really don't know, though I have seen one or two pics showing the tyre cord
so maybe they are willing to live a bit more dangerously, radals on bikes seem to
last longer than cross plies though I have not had radials on a scooter yet my Burgman
was a 2000 mod that had the same size tyre as the Silverwing but the two were slightly
different maybe due to the Honda having a bit more go.

Also a lot of American SilverWing riders seem to favour fitting a 155/70 r 13 car tyre to the rear, I think longevity/milage figures from the other side of the watery divide can been taken with a large dash of salt

The Bern wrote:Also a lot of American SilverWing riders seem to favour fitting a 155/70 r 13 car tyre to the rear, I think longevity/milage figures from the other side of the watery divide can been taken with a large dash of salt

A ploy employed by Burgman 650 riders as well. I guess its OK if you don't want to go round corners!

And I guess also not legal or at least would void your insurance

Davefirestorm wrote:And I guess also not legal or at least would void your insurance

Not sure about being formally legal or not - would a car tyre pass the MoT?? It certainly would be an unsuitable tyre, and insurance companies will find any excuse - real or imagined - not to pay out in a accident.

MrGrumpy wrote:

Davefirestorm wrote:And I guess also not legal or at least would void your insurance

Not sure about being formally legal or not - would a car tyre pass the MoT?? It certainly would be an unsuitable tyre, and insurance companies will find any excuse - real or imagined - not to pay out in a accident.

I'm fairly sure modern motorcycle tyres all have M/C cast into the sidewall markings to show type approval, so I guess without the marking it would be an MoT failure

Yep, car tyre would fail .....

2.3 Wheels and tyres

These will be inspected to check:

their condition
that they’re secure
the size and type
correct fitment
the tread depth
the valve condition

Taken from .... https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -at-an-mot

The Bern wrote:Yep, car tyre would fail .....

2.3 Wheels and tyres

These will be inspected to check:

their condition
that they’re secure
the size and type
correct fitment
the tread depth
the valve condition

Taken from .... https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -at-an-mot

Yes, if you follow the link on there to the proper inspection manual, section 4.1 says that 'Unsuitable' tyres include (in section a) 'Car tyres on a solo machine' - so that is pretty specific!