Truck Retreads
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
Whether it is a retread or a new tire. A gator in the middle of the road will make you pucker when it is in your path. I was riding a KZ1000 between Fresno, CA & Modesto in 1989 when a semi truck in front of myself & a buddy straddled almost a complete outer tread from another semi. Traffic to the left and buddy to the right. He was able to swerve around it toward the shoulder and I had nowhere to go because of the car to my left. I grabbed a gear and hammered down while pulling back hard on the handlebars. Fortunately for me the bike had enough power to get enough weight off the front end at 70 mph that the gator acted like a ramp and I caught about 2-1/2' of air. Once we were past it I'm not sure who's eyes were bigger, mine or my buddies. Had I not had the wits about me to think quick I don't believe I would be laughing about it in hindsight today. As I also had traffic behind me. Since that time I never get into a situation of being boxed in anywhere with no where to go especially around trucks. I make sure they see me then haul @ss around them.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
I been driving with 26 or more wheels under me for 10 year now. 14 years altogether in semi's. Lots of things make em blow up. Retreads on my trailers rarely come apart if ever. Ive seen low air from a lazy truckers being a big problem over the years. The guys that don't inspect the tires when they stop or a couple times a day seem to have problems. But i can honestly say i don't see many problems with retreads. It's more lazy truck drivers, running poor inspections and such. Just look at some tires on trailers at a truck stop some time. You'll find out of 10 rigs, at least 1 will have some wavy looking treads on them. Or flat spots from skidding or some other out of service issue. But a lot of guys are to fat and lazy to check them. So they have a blowout. And then you blame it on a retread. lol And pizz off a tire guy. lol Who schools you on tires.lol Then you get but hurt. lol
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,523
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
Then you get but hurt??? What the hell does that mean? And according to "the tire expert" himself, 46% of all the tire debris on the road is from re-treads. I'd like to have that 46% be gone, what's the problem with that?
Last edited by jeff.georgalas; Mar 22, 2012 at 11:28 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
LOL. Well no problem to me cuz i don't buy my tires. But like another guy said here, shipping would go up. And then you know the old saying " **** rolls down hill " It sucks but money talks, retreads walk.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 2
If you got rid of re-treads wouldn't that make 100% of all tire debris from new tires?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 2
btw, I've been driving big rigs for 14 years. Been owner/operator for 12 of those years. The price difference between new and retreads is huge. About 1/2 to 2/3 the price. If retreads were outlawed everything you purchase that is shipped via trucks would go up. And after 14 years of driving, I've only lost 1 recap thread. And I used to be a dirt hauler. Those tires take tons of abuse from quarries and construction.
But I do agree with you that it can be a frightening thing no matter what you're driving. But it's just one of the many dangers we face as motorcycle riders. If we outlaw retreads, we'd have to outlaw road kill, pot holes, cagers, teen drivers, old drivers, asian drivers, rain, sun, hills, curves, crotch rockets, bmw's...
But I do agree with you that it can be a frightening thing no matter what you're driving. But it's just one of the many dangers we face as motorcycle riders. If we outlaw retreads, we'd have to outlaw road kill, pot holes, cagers, teen drivers, old drivers, asian drivers, rain, sun, hills, curves, crotch rockets, bmw's...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
I'm not discounting retreads. I drive on them everyday and they certainly keeps our tire costs in check. And you are right that just because you see tread on the road, doesn't mean it's a retread. I've seen and thrown many "gators" on the road that weren't retreads.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 22
From: Umatilla, Fl
There are a lot of companies that only run new on the front wheel position (steers). The drives and the trailer tires are retreads. Here's a little factoid - are you aware that for the most part the UPS package cars (those that do the delivery) run retreads in every wheel position. When is the last time you have seen a UPS package car on the side of the road with a flat? I myself can't remember a single one. Why, because they have a tire program that is always monitoring the tires i.e. checking the tires for cuts, bruises, etc., along with constant air pressure checks.
So now be honest with yourself, when is the last time you checked your air pressure on your bike? Your other vehicles? I bet you may do your bike quite often, but your car/truck a heck of lot less.
So now be honest with yourself, when is the last time you checked your air pressure on your bike? Your other vehicles? I bet you may do your bike quite often, but your car/truck a heck of lot less.