Tires.....
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 157
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Tires.....
I bought a used Road King a 2years ago with low mileage. (300). The bike is now coming up on 10,000 miles. Tires still look good, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't replace them in the spring, due to the fact they are 7 yrs. old?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 559
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From: Berwick, Pa.
I believe it will matter if you have a tube tire. If they're non tube take a flashlight and look around the tire especially between threads. A tubless tire with cracks forming you want to replace.
If you have a tube and not looseing air you may be alright.
If you have a tube and not looseing air you may be alright.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Banned
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 101
Likes: 5
From: Kentucky
7 years is very old, the rubber is not so good anymore. If you have the money you should replace them no matter what the tread is like. Otherwise the extreme would be 10 years. You should never have tires over ten years old on any vehicle.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 250
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From: Long Island
10,000 is about it for me for a back tire but for the age I would replace both. I am sure if you look you will see dryrot/cracking on them.
Plus you want to go a full season minimizing downtime. If I even think it possible that I may need a tire or something by mid-summer, it gets it before the season starts.
I just put tires on my bike this past weekend though. My back tires square off. It is a subtle thing you don't notice because it is gradual. With the new tires it is amazing the way I can throw the bike around now and lean right over. Bike tires do need to be round.
I took my wheels off and brought them to the dealer to save money and plus I like doing my own wrenching. Thin whitewall 402's, $574 done deal, way out of line for them not even touching the bike. I don't mind the labor and feel that charge is very reasonable but the markup on the tires is just not reasonable. It would have been another $150 if I brought them the bike, so with that savings, at 25,000 miles I put all new brake pads on it and fresh fluid change. Next time for rubber I will mail order them and buy a machine and change them myself over the winter.
Plus you want to go a full season minimizing downtime. If I even think it possible that I may need a tire or something by mid-summer, it gets it before the season starts.
I just put tires on my bike this past weekend though. My back tires square off. It is a subtle thing you don't notice because it is gradual. With the new tires it is amazing the way I can throw the bike around now and lean right over. Bike tires do need to be round.
I took my wheels off and brought them to the dealer to save money and plus I like doing my own wrenching. Thin whitewall 402's, $574 done deal, way out of line for them not even touching the bike. I don't mind the labor and feel that charge is very reasonable but the markup on the tires is just not reasonable. It would have been another $150 if I brought them the bike, so with that savings, at 25,000 miles I put all new brake pads on it and fresh fluid change. Next time for rubber I will mail order them and buy a machine and change them myself over the winter.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 157
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Sounds like good advice, will look at buying a new set over the winter. I wasn't real happy with the stock 402's when it came to riding over "tar snakes". Think I'm gonna try a set of 880 Metz. I'm strictly a weekend rider, so I'm not so much concerned with extended tire wear I'd get from the 402. Thanks for the input guys.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
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From: Nevada
Sounds like good advice, will look at buying a new set over the winter. I wasn't real happy with the stock 402's when it came to riding over "tar snakes". Think I'm gonna try a set of 880 Metz. I'm strictly a weekend rider, so I'm not so much concerned with extended tire wear I'd get from the 402. Thanks for the input guys.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
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Actually I did consider the E3's. But they don't have them in the MU85 size I need. Although I have read where some guys just went with the larger 90. It just looks like a tight fit against the drive belt guard.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 12
From: Marysville, OH
Sounds like good advice, will look at buying a new set over the winter. I wasn't real happy with the stock 402's when it came to riding over "tar snakes". Think I'm gonna try a set of 880 Metz. I'm strictly a weekend rider, so I'm not so much concerned with extended tire wear I'd get from the 402. Thanks for the input guys.
If you don't care about mileage look at Avon's to
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
If you have 16" wheels, use a MU90B16 on the rear and a MT90B16 on the front.