My bike has just over 8,000 miles on it and I'm wondering how long you guys ride before putting on new tires. Any suggestions?
Todd
I like to replace them every 3-4 years regardless of miles. The tire compound hardens over time providing less traction. Dealers are not supposed to sell any tires that are over 5 years old because of this.
Tire age is often a factor, and as has been said before, the older the tire, the more reason to replace it. 5 years is the limit to sell a tire as new, and 10 years is the recommended service limit. In my case, I never have a tire last more than 2 years, since I usually put about 24,000 miles on them in that time. I am more concerned with tread depth and sidewall condition that outright age of the rubber. I check the tread depth every 1,000 miles and the pressure at least once a week. The tread wear markers show up at 2/32 inch. My current rear tire has 12,000 miles on it and has 5/32 inch of tread left. It started with 8/32, so the average tread wear has been about 1/32 every 4,000 miles. I project the useful life of this tire at about 24,000 miles. I am still going to be checking the tread depth, as I always do, and the wear will accelerate as the miles accumulate, so this tire may not last 24,000 miles, but then it might. That's why i check the depth regularly. One of the worst things you can do to any tire is use a "protectant" on them. It leaches the oils in the rubber and causes premature sidewall failure. My front tire shows a little chevron wear after 12,000 miles, and that is normal. I will be replacing them as a set probably in the fall. The front started with 5/32 tread and has 4/32 on it now, so even though it won't be "worn out" it will have an altered profile that effects handling. The tires are Metzeler ME 880s, 130/90 16 in the front, and 160/80 16 in the rear. ALWAYS replace the tube and the rim strip when you replace the tire.....
I have never run a tire more than two seasons... though the one on the front of my drifter will be making 3 seasons... I have multiple bikes so it doesn't get the wear it used to...
Age and condition need to be the determining factors. Troll pretty well covered it. Don't be cheap with tires. Watch the tread depth, watch for cupping, uneven wear etc.
Quote from: Troll on April 01, 2011, 11:09:29 AM
Tire age is often a factor, and as has been said before, the older the tire, the more reason to replace it. 5 years is the limit to sell a tire as new, and 10 years is the recommended service limit. In my case, I never have a tire last more than 2 years, since I usually put about 24,000 miles on them in that time. I am more concerned with tread depth and sidewall condition that outright age of the rubber. I check the tread depth every 1,000 miles and the pressure at least once a week. The tread wear markers show up at 2/32 inch. My current rear tire has 12,000 miles on it and has 5/32 inch of tread left. It started with 8/32, so the average tread wear has been about 1/32 every 4,000 miles. I project the useful life of this tire at about 24,000 miles. I am still going to be checking the tread depth, as I always do, and the wear will accelerate as the miles accumulate, so this tire may not last 24,000 miles, but then it might. That's why i check the depth regularly. One of the worst things you can do to any tire is use a "protectant" on them. It leaches the oils in the rubber and causes premature sidewall failure. My front tire shows a little chevron wear after 12,000 miles, and that is normal. I will be replacing them as a set probably in the fall. The front started with 5/32 tread and has 4/32 on it now, so even though it won't be "worn out" it will have an altered profile that effects handling. The tires are Metzeler ME 880s, 130/90 16 in the front, and 160/80 16 in the rear. ALWAYS replace the tube and the rim strip when you replace the tire.....
Hello
Looking for some guidance. Need to replace the tires on my 2001 1500 with side car. Thinking about wide white walls. Stock tire sizes 130/90-16 front, 150/80-16 rear and 120/90-16 on the side car. I purchased the bike a year ago with 900 original miles. Now at 5K, rear needs to be replaced due to wear. These are the original tires on the bike. Shinkos are very cheap compared to other brands? Please LMK the best folks to purchase them from with new tubes and rubber strips mention above. I plan pulling the tires off and having a local shop set up the new rubber. Any thought of anything else I should do at the same time other than a oil change? I'm not a mechanic but willing to learn.
Thanks for your help!
I replace bike tires frequently and I never use cheap tires. Tire age and wear tell you when you must change them. Just remember how dangerous tire problems can be on a bike and then decide if you want to invest in better tires or another chrome whatzit!! LOL.
Picture of bike
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmikeandkayte.com%2Fsc7.jpg&hash=4cc848c4f353cc3b1e14fef4e537e184ec3816b4)
And my posse
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmikeandkayte.com%2Fsc1.jpg&hash=428a4a4bee64178f114e06d03b067ada185cba03)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmikeandkayte.com%2Fsc4.jpg&hash=c30ca5e464ba1edd1977d0293e96e9f145cb6b8f)
nice!
There are special rear tires for side car equipped motorcycles....They are more car like in profile...Continental makes them for sure.
Thanks
Yeah, if you ALWAYS ride with the hack attached, you have a wider range of tires... for both the bike and the sidecar. If you sometimes ride without the rig, I'd stick to bike tires on the bike.
WOW I'm impressed with how many miles you guys get out of your tires. I average 8,000 -12000 miles before I have to change out the rear tire. I get more life out of the front tire. Most I've gotten is 12000 with the cords showing through. Of course the weigh factor has something to do with it. together my wife and I pop the 500lb mark, I'll leave it at that. If you know of a brand that gets longer wear, let me know. I have been using Bridgestone the last four years.
Ride with Pride