Question about tire tread and when to replace
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 4,688
From: West Texas Sandhills
I think the rule of thumb is to replace when the tread gets to 2/32. I will run mine bald if I'm know I will just be riding around town. If I have a road trip coming up and it's close, it's time for a new tire.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
2 for sure, 3 possible, rears in a year. Front, lasts until the weather check gets too bad, NEVER wears out. 
Front is a 'trailer' tire, it jus' 'rolls along'. Back is go AND STOP.
"Also I would replace any tire older that 5 years regardless of tire wear."
Uhh, so you are saying a tire with a '91 manuf. date, is OLD??
Bwahaha
(Front tire on 78 FLH. Just noticed it yesterday when I was working on the front wheel. )
Front is a 'trailer' tire, it jus' 'rolls along'. Back is go AND STOP.
"Also I would replace any tire older that 5 years regardless of tire wear."
Uhh, so you are saying a tire with a '91 manuf. date, is OLD??
Bwahaha (Front tire on 78 FLH. Just noticed it yesterday when I was working on the front wheel.
)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
okay, i didn't mean sidewall, per se, but the area off center from the middle. you know, the part that doesn't touch the ground when you are going straight......
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
From: Southern California High Desert, here and there....
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 3
From: CA
I just paid 50 bucks to replace my winter air with summer air in the tires and noticed shortly after there was a little thumping. Do you think I Changed too early??
Saw this on a reality show where this guy at a service station was charging people to change out their winter air for summer air and he was actualy making money off this. could not stop laughin.
Anyway I have the same thing going on and when in doubt it is most likey time to replace. Like mentioned earlier there is an arrow on the sidewall indicating the location of the tread bar. When this appears and is close to the surface it is time. Its a little pricy but don't skimp on tires...they are whats between you and the road!
Saw this on a reality show where this guy at a service station was charging people to change out their winter air for summer air and he was actualy making money off this. could not stop laughin.
Anyway I have the same thing going on and when in doubt it is most likey time to replace. Like mentioned earlier there is an arrow on the sidewall indicating the location of the tread bar. When this appears and is close to the surface it is time. Its a little pricy but don't skimp on tires...they are whats between you and the road!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
Last summer I had an appointment set up at the dealer for a new rear tire. The weather was nice and I thought I could get a small 200 mile ride in before I brought it in. I had the rear go down at 75 MPH. I NEVER want to go through that again. 7500 miles.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
I'd think especially on the E Glides and Road Glides, with their fairings, the front tires would take a lot of wear? I'll find out on my E Glide, I hope I get to ride it enough to wear the tires out this year!
On my FXDX I tried replacing just the rear, before a 5K trip. The rear had 6,000 miles and the rear was getting close to worn out but I thought the front *may* last another 5,000 so I left it on. 3,000 later in Colorado the front was almost slick on the sides. So I lost much of a day riding to a dealer and waiting for them to install a new front. Then they charged me more for that front than I would have paid for both front and rear, which I would have mounted myself at home.