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Tire Logic??

Old Aug 2, 2011 | 08:07 AM
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Default Tire Logic??

My Ultra Limited is at 13,800 miles....the rear tire has a solid 4/32 left...everything about the tire looks good. New these tires are 10/32...so with that I am concluding that I get 2300 miles per 32nd. I have a 4000 mile trip planned ...which with my calculations might get me another 4600 miles before I am at 2/32nd's... should I change the tire now or wait until after the trip. Do you think the last 32nd's will burn up faster than the previous?
I learned what mileage I could get out of my previous bikes but this is a new animal?

If I stay with stock tire it will cost me $279.00. The front was replaced under warranty at 10,000 miles so it is good for awhile. With that I would like to run 1 more stock tire before maybe going to the New American Elites and do a complete set.

Look forward to your thoughts and suggestions!

Ride Safe! Harleyboy
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 08:10 AM
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Tires on MC's seem to wear faster toward the end, especially on hot pavement.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 08:15 AM
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Originally Posted by harleyboy63401
... I have a 4000 mile trip planned ...which with my calculations might get me another 4600 miles before I am at 2/32nd's... should I change the tire now or wait until after the trip. Do you think the last 32nd's will burn up faster than the previous?
Yes, the 32nd's will wear faster than when the tire was new.

If you think your only good for approx. 4600 miles before replacing and you have a 4000 mile trip coming up, I would change the tire now.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 08:18 AM
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Yup, I've seen tread be "ok" in the morning, and totally gone in the afternoon on trips.
The last part of the tire goes as quickly as the first part of a cold beer on a hot day.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 08:19 AM
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I go through this every year it seams. I have to plan a trip around tire wear on my bike, and my wifes bike. I usually have to change one of them early so I can enjoy the trip and not worry if my tire will get me home, or if I have to spend wasted time at a dealer for a flat, or a tire that can't make it home. Change the tire.

Jack
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 08:20 AM
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You should be OK, but it's true the last part of the tread wears away faster, not sure why but I've found it to be true. The best policy is to change it. If you do decide to run with it then if you run into any WET weather i'd always be mindful of this and slow it down even just a bit more than you usually would just to be on the safe side.

Or another idea is to get to your destination, find a dealer there and change it. Then on the trip back you're running a brand new tire and will have gotten what you could safely get out of the last one.

By the way that American Elite by Dunlop is a great tire. I've got 13,500 miles on my rear one and it's still got LOTS of tread left. So will easily hit 20k from what I can see at this point. It's cheaper than the H-D verision of the Dunlop too.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 09:16 AM
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For Pete's sake you've got to put some sort of value on your life! Do what's SAFE!!!
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 11:17 AM
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tire problems on the road = no fun
better safe than sorry
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 01:57 PM
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there are a ton of factors involved, but these new compound tires do wear better than the earlier versions. i used to average 10k on the stock dunlops on my 07. i am now at 18600 on my 2010 and still have a good amount of tread left. i figure i'll change it out when i do my 20k service. (i'll do the service, but let the dealer do the tire. 15% off list, $1.00 installation)
 
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Old Aug 2, 2011 | 02:51 PM
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I have an 08 and i had 1/32 left on my tire, I changed it out at 15,400. With your new tire compound you'll get at least 2 more k's
 
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