When should tires be replaced?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
Once you get around the 8000 mile mark, they seem to go fast, or so I'm told. Something to consider if you are embarking on a couple thousand mile trip with that old of tire. Mine has 3/32 left and I am changing it before I leave on my trip. (Peace of mind is worth a couple 32nds)
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
Fronts are usually good for around 20K miles, rears 10-15K depending on your riding style & where you live, the hotter the temps & abrasive roads will wear more. Any tire store, auto or motorcycles, should have a tire depth gauge that they'll let you use to measure your tires, your 402s come with 11/32 new. If you're going to going 1K on your trip I'd say you should start with 4/32, 2K 5/32 & so on. If $$ is no object replace them with some better tires, the 402s are not that good to begin with.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
This past week I looked at a set of E3s on a friend's bike that had 17,000 miles on them. They looked nearly new, and will probably go another 7~8,000 miles. A lot depends on the style of riding, the roads, the temperature, and inflation.
If you're not comfortable with them, and if you're asking here it sounds like you're not, then replace them.
If you're not comfortable with them, and if you're asking here it sounds like you're not, then replace them.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Massachusetts
I like the Metzeler 880's. I've never had the E3's but I do know that the 880's are a great handling tire, stick well in curves and don't follow metal bridge grates and tire snakes. They may not last as long as the E3's but when it comes to performance I think it would be hard to bet them.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
Avons, Metzelers, or Dunlop E3s all get good reviews here, I personally like Avons for their great handling, but you will lose some mileage, it's a trade off. Many here love the E3s & say they're the best of both worlds, I can't say because I'm running an 18" rear tire. I think the Metzelers fall in between the two. Everybody has their own opinions & that's just what they are, it depends on how you ride, if you ride easy the 402s will probably work fine for you, I've just never heard anyone who's switched from them to something else go back to the 402s. Some will disagree, but if you go with the E3 you can get by with just a rear tire.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Goldsboro, NC
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
james is right. i left NC for Colorado and one of the guys with me didnt take care of business before we left. Didnt get out of Alabama before we had 3 flats and one breakdown. Lost a full day of travel for not being prepared. If they are close, put new ones on..........
