Tread Life
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
2/32 tread depth is time to replace.
Coming back to this, tires are like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end you get the faster it will go. IOW, you may think you can go a few more thousand but simply not the case.
Coming back to this, tires are like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end you get the faster it will go. IOW, you may think you can go a few more thousand but simply not the case.
Last edited by mikelikesbikes; Sep 8, 2013 at 10:38 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
age is one, 6 years is max life regardless of tread.
late models use a multi compound tire, soft on the sides for cornering- hard in the middle for long life.
most tires have wear bars cast into the tread and once the tread is worn to that level, change 'em.
watch for cupping or other odd tread wear.
when i was 26, i put off a rear tire change- I figured it was ok.
Then I crashed- and I am sure that the worn rear contributed to the accident
and if you have a trip planned, I is probably smart to do all the fixes before you go, so you don;t loose a day.
take the time to call around and see who has good prices. I am lucky in that PHX has 2 competitive motorcycle tire shops. however the last time I needed a tire a dealer was the best price(!) $182 OTD on a rear.
mike
late models use a multi compound tire, soft on the sides for cornering- hard in the middle for long life.
most tires have wear bars cast into the tread and once the tread is worn to that level, change 'em.
watch for cupping or other odd tread wear.
when i was 26, i put off a rear tire change- I figured it was ok.
Then I crashed- and I am sure that the worn rear contributed to the accident
and if you have a trip planned, I is probably smart to do all the fixes before you go, so you don;t loose a day.
take the time to call around and see who has good prices. I am lucky in that PHX has 2 competitive motorcycle tire shops. however the last time I needed a tire a dealer was the best price(!) $182 OTD on a rear.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 8, 2013 at 10:37 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Wear bars or if it's monsoon season, how well it's doing in the rain. I tend to change the tire sooner during the rainy season.
I have to add that it's amazing what you can do to a tire and it still holds air. No one should ever do this but when i was young and poor and invincible, I ran some of my tires all the way to the cords and they still held air (not much in the way of traction though) Dumb? Extremely but when it's a choice between food and a new tire, you always think you can get a few more miles out of them!
I have to add that it's amazing what you can do to a tire and it still holds air. No one should ever do this but when i was young and poor and invincible, I ran some of my tires all the way to the cords and they still held air (not much in the way of traction though) Dumb? Extremely but when it's a choice between food and a new tire, you always think you can get a few more miles out of them!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
In addition to age, tyres come with wear bars set in the tread as a visual indicator, however IMHO they should only be considered as the final warning! Very often tyres will start to give clues that they are getting close to needing replacement, by the way the bike behaves and handles.
On the subject of riding on canvas, I recall reading a report by Warner Riley on his successful 200+mph run at Bonneville, many years ago. On his return run the engine speed increased slightly as he entered the measured mile. He either had to shut off, just in case there was something wrong - or hold on, which he did. Back at the pits he noticed the rear tyre was down to the cords, having developed tyre slip at 200mph!
On the subject of riding on canvas, I recall reading a report by Warner Riley on his successful 200+mph run at Bonneville, many years ago. On his return run the engine speed increased slightly as he entered the measured mile. He either had to shut off, just in case there was something wrong - or hold on, which he did. Back at the pits he noticed the rear tyre was down to the cords, having developed tyre slip at 200mph!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 845
Likes: 45
From: Tucson, AZ
I just replaced both at 14,000 and a little more that 2/32" left. Leaving tomorrow for a 2k mile trip to Colorado and back and decided better to be safe than sorry! Wear bars were not indicating a change, but figured that they would be bald by the time we get back.
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Cruiser
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