This is my first motorcycle. I have a little over 7k miles. My rear tire no longer has the tread life wear bars (completely gone).

My salesman told me most get 10k miles out of the sticky Dunlop tires. He said he'd ride the **** out of it but maybe I should err on the side of caution as I might lose traction if I need to brake hard or in heavy rain.

A Harley tire salesman at the service counter says I need a new one right away.

At 6,500 miles, my friend from the forum (who saw the tire in person) said I might have 500-1k miles left on the tire before it needs to be replaced.

I want to change it before my trip to East TN at the end of April.

My husband says I'm worried over nothing and poked fun at me. He has only 1,200 miles on his '08 1200C so his tire is still brand spankin' new. No worries on his end.

So what's everyone's take on the life of a rear tire? I have the stock tire that comes on a Nightster. I believe it's the Dunlop 402 150/80x16. I like the tire so I'm not sure if I want to switch to another.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

500-1000 miles might only be about 2 weeks of riding . I would start looking now . I just changed a rear metzler 880 the other day at 6400 miles the cord was showing

 

Simple...I use a tread depth gauge and if its below 2/32 its history. On my 06 softail I get about 10k from a tire...The 09 is getting better than 15k. Hope this helps

 

I assume the regular auto stores carry the tread depth gauge?

Thanks

 

Is it square? Cause you can square it off like i did doing highway. If so yes.

 

Square? Enlighten me please. Never heard that term used before. Let me go snap a photo of it right now.

 

you can also use a penny

 

Correct. If the tread does not go past Lincoln's head, it's time to replace the tire.

 

Good...let your hubby ride your bike and you ride his. Needs some miles on it anyway.

 

First two images are of my husband's rear tire with 1,200 miles for comparison purposes.

Last two images are of my rear tire with just over 7k miles.

Sorry, the lighting sucks.