When to replace rear tire
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,473
Likes: 3,950
From: Vermont
When to replace rear tire
I know it's better to be safe than sorry, and I know that the manual says as soon as you can see the tread wear bar you should change the tire, but I have about 6k miles on my rear tire and I can just start seeing and feeling the tread wear bar. These are the HD OEM Dunlops. I have also seen guys with tires in worse shape than me. What ya' all think, wait till next summer and go a little longer or replace now?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, CA
RE: When to replace rear tire
A long time ago when I worked in a metric shop in So Cal, a guy came into the shop walking next to his Goldwing idling along in 1st gear. He had a flat rear tire and he wanted us to patch the tube. The reason the tire was flat was that the tire was worn to the cord down the center all the way around and he had actually worn a hole through the tube. We told him, "no we can't patch the tube", so he said OK put in a new tube. We said, "no we can only help you by installing a new tire and new tube. Its for your safety." He asked if there was another shop nearby.
The moral is that this guy definitely took it too far. Just how far do you want to ride on a worn tire? If between now and next summer you will only rack up a couple hundred miles, wait, but if you bought it to ride get new rubber soon and ride.
The moral is that this guy definitely took it too far. Just how far do you want to ride on a worn tire? If between now and next summer you will only rack up a couple hundred miles, wait, but if you bought it to ride get new rubber soon and ride.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,473
Likes: 3,950
From: Vermont
RE: When to replace rear tire
ORIGINAL: bountyhunter
Dawg, wait till after your motor work...do a big smokey burnout...THEN put on new rubber. Got my new rear 402 at Zanotti's for $115.
Dawg, wait till after your motor work...do a big smokey burnout...THEN put on new rubber. Got my new rear 402 at Zanotti's for $115.
I'm headed to R&R in Manchester, NH this Friday to chat with them about my plans
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, Missouri
RE: When to replace rear tire
We've got 10,500 on our rear. Sure, it needs to be replaced, but I'm doing the wait till spring deal. 6,000 seems awfully low for your RK, you been doing lots of burn outs?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
RE: When to replace rear tire
ORIGINAL: Hdbiker1450
We've got 10,500 on our rear. Sure, it needs to be replaced, but I'm doing the wait till spring deal. 6,000 seems awfully low for your RK, you been doing lots of burn outs?
We've got 10,500 on our rear. Sure, it needs to be replaced, but I'm doing the wait till spring deal. 6,000 seems awfully low for your RK, you been doing lots of burn outs?
Hey BH, Is it legal to posess photos of guns in Canada?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 363
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
RE: When to replace rear tire
Mine went 12000 on my 05 Ultra before I have to replace. Could have got a little more mileage but had a cut in the tire.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From:
RE: When to replace rear tire
I'd wait
6000miles is not much at all. Unless you do alot of burn outs.
6000miles is not much at all. Unless you do alot of burn outs.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
RE: When to replace rear tire
Hey Dawg, I like Bountyhunters plan. Tires should be replaced when their is 1/32" of tread depth remaining. A good way to check is with a penny. Hold the penny so Lincoln's head is upside down and place into center groove. The tread should protrude above Lincolns head. If level with Licoln's head, It's time to change. Go to www.dunlopmotorcycle.com, click on info center, then Minimum tread depth.
