Truck Retreads
Rickl, I actually saw a UPS truck with a blown drive yesterday on the way to bike night, but there was a ton of construction debris on the highway which I suspects caused it. I was surprised because you're right, you don't see that often. We run virgin Bridgestone, mainly because we get 250k miles from them, so they're more cost effective over the years.
One thing that should be mentioned is how to tell there is about to be a blow out. If you're coming up to a truck, and you see the hub bouncing up and down, or hear a "thump thump thump thump" it may be from the tread separating. It could also be a major balance issue, but I'd still suggest getting away quickly. I always move away from trucks as quickly as possible and never pass between two trucks.
One thing that should be mentioned is how to tell there is about to be a blow out. If you're coming up to a truck, and you see the hub bouncing up and down, or hear a "thump thump thump thump" it may be from the tread separating. It could also be a major balance issue, but I'd still suggest getting away quickly. I always move away from trucks as quickly as possible and never pass between two trucks.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
Retreads today are not like 10 years ago. Now every casing is x-rayed for blemishes, broken cords inside the tire. The recap process is all computer controlled and it is checked again before going out the door. Tires new or retreads are going to fail mostly because of under inflation. The failure is rarely the fault of a defective tire.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
1. Never drive/ride so close to a large vehicle that you can't see around it or are subject to being hit by debris from it!
2. Never over ride your line of sight!
3. Setting yourself up for any kind of accident will probably delay your arrival more than a little caution applied along the way.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 22
From: Umatilla, Fl
As my wife and I were coming back from a trip out west last year, we were traveling between Las Cruces and Alberquerque when a large SUV fully loaded passed us. Right after he passed us and moved into the right lane we started up a long hill. Having the cruise control on we soon were moving faster then the SUV so I began to pass them. Just as we got to position where the left rear tire was, it blew out. I took a piece of rubber into my stomach (thankfully that extra padding absorbed it). Loud as hell and scared the you know what out of the wife. The stinging in the stomach wasn't the most pleasant but I knew I had to suck it up because if I had said anything she would have had me pull over and stop. What scared me worse was the driver trying to get their vehicle under control. It took them probably about a 1/4 of mile to do so.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
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.
You are right. It pays to have a good tire maintenance program for sure. We have a good one too, and have very few blowouts.
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.
You are right. It pays to have a good tire maintenance program for sure. We have a good one too, and have very few blowouts.
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.
I do have a bit of insight on this subject as I worked for Bandag for a number of years before going to driving trucks for money. Tire technology has changed a lot since then, but I have had a very active roll in my company's tire maintenance program.
We run all retreads except for steer tires. Package delivery, OK. I drive a 12 wheeled concrete mixer truck in the rugged Ozarks. No way am I running retreads on the steer axle. Even if the numbers are good, having good virgin steer tires gives me peace of mind.
Just for the record, I can scale 72,000 on 10 wheels and 85,000 with the Bridge Master down. So tires are a big deal to me. That's a lot of weight for 12 tires.
None of this actually the point of this thread. I like the policy; if you're passing a truck, get after it. AND STAY OUTTA MY BLIND SPOTS!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 604
Likes: 5
From: North GA.
I've been on the interstate and had a semi throw one off....It came strait at my head...had to get as low as I could on my old V-Star and it went about 6" over my back from what my wife said who was on her bike about 50 yards back....I could hear it whizz by over top of the wind....and I was about 50 yard back off the trucks *** in the fast lane....
Those things come off with some crazy momentum!
Those things come off with some crazy momentum!
When approaching a big truck/bus- get into the mirror- watch to see that the driver knows you are there- so that he doesn't try a lane change while you are passing him.
THEN pass at a good clip, on the outside of the adjoining lane, away from the tires etc.
Be aware that air compressors may release pressure, don't be startled by a big hiss of air.
Just get by and wave as you go, he's probably looking at your chrome doo-dads thinking about his bike at home.
If traffic doesn't allow you to get all the way past quickly, drop back and wait
THEN pass at a good clip, on the outside of the adjoining lane, away from the tires etc.
Be aware that air compressors may release pressure, don't be startled by a big hiss of air.
Just get by and wave as you go, he's probably looking at your chrome doo-dads thinking about his bike at home.
If traffic doesn't allow you to get all the way past quickly, drop back and wait
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 38
From: S. California
I see more of these on the road and shoulders here in LA than I ever did in Chicago. Must be the heat or maybe the clean-up isn't as quick.
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: Dec 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 31
In the cage on an Atlanta trip yesterday with my son driving - got to teach him about watching truck axles as you approach.
Coming up behind a semi, and it looked like the right rear tire set was kicking up dust or was smoking a bit. Told my son to back off a bit and make sure there was plenty of room to get around the truck when he went to pass.
Just about the time my son pulled into the left lane to get around him, huge clouds of white smoke started coming out of the right trailer axle. I don't know enough about trucks to know if it was a tire, or a locked brake, or what.
The truck didn't start fishtailing or anything - and no brake lights came on. I figured the driver didn't know what was happening.
Son floored the pedal and got by the truck - the driver started pulling to the shoulder about the time we got completely by him.
I don't suppose there's a way (without a CB) to let a trucker know there's something wrong with his vehicle, is there?
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Freeport IL
Just wanted to say, watch the motorhomes as well. Any tire can blow, but, heavy duty tires operating near their limits are much more prone to do so.
Our motorhome 42' on three axles maxes out at 46 thousand and thats on 8 tires. Tires are 315/22.5 steer tires and 295/22.5 on the drive axle and tag.
Motorhomes running the RV tire series worry me even more.
You can do the math if you like but tires can easily be overstressed, run under inadequate pressure for the weight they are carrying. I watch our tires closely, but, I dont have ESP.
As with the professional drivers on here, as if I didnt know better before, I dont linger next to any vehicle, in particular a heavy duty vehicle.
If a motorhome sheds a tire, you can count on some body work coming along with that tire debris in most cases too.
j.
Our motorhome 42' on three axles maxes out at 46 thousand and thats on 8 tires. Tires are 315/22.5 steer tires and 295/22.5 on the drive axle and tag.
Motorhomes running the RV tire series worry me even more.
You can do the math if you like but tires can easily be overstressed, run under inadequate pressure for the weight they are carrying. I watch our tires closely, but, I dont have ESP.
As with the professional drivers on here, as if I didnt know better before, I dont linger next to any vehicle, in particular a heavy duty vehicle.
If a motorhome sheds a tire, you can count on some body work coming along with that tire debris in most cases too.
j.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tbone9044
"The Florida Crew"
12
Jan 3, 2013 05:26 AM
SC-Longhair
General Harley Davidson Chat
7
Apr 11, 2009 01:29 AM
