Motorcycle Tire Wear

**NHBusa** · 10-08-04, 02:55 PM

Just wondering, at what point do you change tires due to wear? Is it when the rubber just gets to the wear bars or when you can start to see the underying layer. Or somewhere in between?
I am at the wear bar right now and hate to change this late in the season. I plan to take a very mellow ride on Saturday with my girlfiend. She has her own bike. I expect to do about 300 miles. Then it will be time to put it away for the winter. Sigh ...

**SSearchVT** · 10-08-04, 03:05 PM

If you are just at the wear bars this late in the season, go on your ride. The pavement will be cold, so you should take it easy anyway. Looks like you have a nice mid-winter project lined up. Good Luck...

**Ducrappy** · 10-08-04, 04:11 PM

Unless you have a death wish, never ride on worn tires to the point of seeing layers past the tread. I agree with SSearchVT. do this one last ride and change the tires over the winter or first thing next season.

**RandyO** · 10-08-04, 04:43 PM

I ain't going to scare you, telling you thatyou have a death wish if you ride down to the cords..... unless your a person who panics, it ain't going to happen.

What is going to happen, is every time you ride, you rubber will be thinner, and your risk of being stranded beside the road will increase. if you have a flat, it is probable that you won't be able to do emergency repairs.

You also have no water dispersal for riding in the rain.

**richw** · 10-08-04, 06:13 PM

exact status
wear bars touching
270 miles home
saw a nice 3/4 inch wide layer of underlayment

if you can't afford the best tires
you can't afford to do this

As I type my rear rim is downstairs
ready to get its new pilot roads

fyi no real longer life to my 220 vs 208
trying pilot roads

**Karaya One** · 10-09-04, 10:48 AM

For a sportbike ridden like one, try the Michelin Pilot Power.

MUCH better rubber than the 208.

**NHBusa** · 10-13-04, 09:36 AM

I decieded to get new tires for the weekend ride. I ended up purchasing a set of Pirelli Diablos. They seemed to ride/handle pretty good. I took it easy over the weekend due to the cold weather, the heavy traffic, and the police presence. I rode thru Vermont and and hit a few slight rain showers, very glad I decied to get new tires. Only problem was that I broke down in Brattleboro Vt. on Saturday afternoon. The front wheel barings went all of a sudden. There was noisy metalic sound comming from the front wheel and then a slight wheel shudder that got worse in a very short distance (1 mile). Long story short, I found a local place that the guy does repairs out of his garage and he was able to get the barings and get me on the road again. I can't thank him enough for his service. I am glad that the barings went when they did. I was just about to get onto RT100 and hit some of the twisties.

**richw** · 10-13-04, 10:17 AM

You got to let those wheelies down easy

**ZX-12R** · 10-13-04, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by NHBusa
I ended up purchasing a set of Pirelli Diablos. They seemed to ride/handle pretty good.

Outstanding choice! The Pirelli Diablo line are some of the best street tires you can buy! My next set will be the Diablo Corsas.

**KrackerJack** · 10-13-04, 07:59 PM

when your tire pops

**SWEET_Z** · 10-13-04, 10:54 PM

before it looks like this.

**SWEET_Z** · 10-13-04, 10:58 PM

That town is the definition of small town america. I always get a kick out of that place.

They need to do something about the congestion going from 119 to 9 via the main street though. Takes 15-20 minutes to go 3 blocks.

I was through there on monday and the leaf peepers were out in full force slowing everything down. I almost lost my cool at a minivan who kept stopping on rt.9 without warning where it is 50mph to look at the scenery.

Motorcycle Tire Wear

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