Why change the OEM tire ??

[Grumpy Goat]

My bike has 13,000 kms on its' OEM tires, so at SOME point I will have to get a new set....but which ??

Have you guys gone back to the OEMs or not ??
What have you put on the bike instead ??  Why ??

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.....it will help me decide when that time comes.

NOTE- I used Dunlop E3 & E4 on my Yamaha 1300 V-Star, and found them very good & long lasting.....could these be used on my RS ??

Any tire that would fit on your RS's wheels can be used on the RS. The issue is how you would be using the bike, how you ride it, and the road surfaces you ride it on. 

You said "good & long lasting" suggesting that you equate good with long lasting, where long lasting suggests a harder compound. If that is how you ride (i.e. less aggressively and looking to get the most miles out of your tires) then that is fine too, and you should go with the experience you know.

I am not sure what the OEM tires are on your RS (and you did not mention) but 13k kms (8.1k miles) is better than a lot of folks get. My 2016 came with Michelin Pilot Road 4's and I replaced them with the same and also the Road 5 as well. They worked well and gave me good mileage, like 8k miles on the rear and a bit more on the front. Performance in the dry and wet was also superb. If it works then why change it, right?

Well then I tried Dunlop Roadsmart III and found that they were cheaper than the Michelins, performed just as well in the wet and dry, and wore better (less cupping in front) and lasted longer. That, and its replacement Roadsmart IV) was / is my go-to tire now and I have no need to change or to look further at other options. Going down that rabbit hole is a waste of time and life is too short.  

I have gotten over 8k miles on the rear and over 11k miles on a front tire with pretty even wear so I am happy. I also look for good value from my tires and if they perform beyond my abilities and warm up quickly then all my needs are met. Oh, and my bike is my transportation and not just a weekend toy.