Zero Knievel Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 In general, how deep are the treads on a new motorcycle tire? I'll probably replace both just because of age (last replaced back in 2012), but the front tire normally lasts longer than my rear AND I've not done any real trips over the last few years. I'm measuring 1/10 of an inch depth at the lowest point, but if I measure against a part that looks like it never touched the ground, it's maybe 17/100 of an inch deep. I typically get 12-14K out of a front tire...8-10K out of a rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmike Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I took a reading off a set of (new--still wrapped) Continentals destined for the XX. Front tread depth is 4/32" (3/4" from center line), and rear tread depth is 5/32" (1" from center line). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXBirdSlapper Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 How in the fuck do you get 12k miles out of a front tire??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 10 minutes ago, XXBirdSlapper said: How in the fuck do you get 12k miles out of a front tire??? Same way you get 8-10k out of a rear, I suppose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBR-RR-XX-CESS Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 8 minutes ago, Redbird said: Same way you get 8-10k out of a rear, I suppose. He only rides on grass covered roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 1 hour ago, Redbird said: Same way you get 8-10k out of a rear, I suppose. Thanks. That made me LOL. If you ride conservatively and do mostly touring, they tend to last for a while. Of course, I often wait until I see the wear bars before I replace them. On my trip to Nova Scotia, the cords were showing on the rear when I stopped in Upstate New York. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 Every model tire will have it's own tread depth. If you want to know what yours were see the manufacturer's website. The original depth doesn't matter anyway, the law and/or your discretion will determine the minimum safe depth regardless what they started out with. Legal minimum is 1mm for a bike, 2/32 for a car-from memory. 4 years on a tire that hasn't been abused isn't bad. They do go to shit with age but generally speaking it's not considered an issue at all 'till 5years. Replacement is generally recommended at 7 with 10 being the reccomended max. As a tire ages it'll have less traction and eventually it'll blow out or have tread separation issues when the components degrade enough. Tires that have been run hard or low on air will degrade faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srideaux12 Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 I am a fairly aggressive rider for an old man, i am 64 and weigh 250lbs with over 20K miles on my 01 Bird, am geting 4-5 thousand miles out of rears, twice that out of fronts. I just watch for the ware bars between the treads, and keep a critical eye on the tire pressure. this is typical ware on a performance bike, I also have a Suzuki 1200 Bandit and a Kawasaki ZRX 1200 all these bikes go threw tires at about the same rate. 10K miles out of a rear, seriously ??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 15 minutes ago, srideaux12 said: 10K miles out of a rear, seriously ??? +1 I would be happy if I can get half that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 if I get over 4k miles out of a set of tires I do several things. find it amazing do a little dance buy another set of the same tires I generally run 40psi in my tires and up to 42psi if I know I will be slabbing some and see little to no fun sections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 On 4/9/2016 at 3:21 PM, Aunt Sylvia said: If you ride conservatively and do mostly touring, they tend to last for a while. You have more practice than us at being conservative driving a Prius every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 15 hours ago, srideaux12 said: 10K miles out of a rear, seriously ??? You haven't ridden with Aunt Sylvia, have you? He's not wearing out throttle cables very quickly either. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Great MPG also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 20 hours ago, rockmeupto125 said: You haven't ridden with Aunt Sylvia, have you? He's not wearing out throttle cables very quickly either. I'm not sure why one of those would wear out if you're doing the maintenance they call for. The only one I ever replaced I damaged working on something and it eventually started binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 oy vey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmacza Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 4 hours ago, superhawk996 said: oy vey. Yup... it went over his head like fuckin' swissair... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 I had to shave rubber OFF my tires after the last time Mike rode my bike. 😏 Seriously, I live in the flatlands, and ride conservatively, ( slow as shit). I can stretch a PR rear to the cords at 8K miles. But that is really pushing it. Mike, if you have to ask, replace them. Tires are cheaper than skin. Shop for a good deal and keep a new set under your bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOXXIC Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 This tire had about 3500 miles on it when I got home from Hookers XX. I recall leaning the bike left and right while going straight with Chris riding next to me on I-5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOXXIC Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 A late night burnout in Reno played hell on the center of the tire. Man up Mikey. I got pulled over by a CHP running triple digits on this tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted April 18, 2016 Author Share Posted April 18, 2016 22 hours ago, redxxrdr said: if you have to ask, replace them. Tires are cheaper than skin. So true. I was hoping the front still had plenty of wear, but you're right, I have that nagging voice in my head telling me it's too close to be sure so why risk it. Mileage wise, it's close enough on wear that I feel sick about changing them early but don't feel like trusting them for another long trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 The 05 Busa I bought a few months ago still had the factory front tire with 14K on the odo. Yes, it was very smooth. If you looked closely, you could just start to make out the texture of the cords beneath the rubber. I wouldn't even ride it down the street until I put on a new one. It's amazing how long some of these tires will go and still hold air. I have never run a tire to the point where cords are showing. A blow-out on a bike can be a life-changing event. No thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 On 4/18/2016 at 1:04 AM, TOXXIC said: This tire had about 3500 miles on it when I got home from Hookers XX. I recall leaning the bike left and right while going straight with Chris riding next to me on I-5 In a pinch, you can dismount the tire, turn it inside out and remount it. Traction sucks, but you can another 4-500 miles out of it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 Joe, when you do this. do you put a tire patch on the tread side or inner carcass side of the tire? Historical posts would indicate carcass side on a inside out tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 I wish someone still had that thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 3 hours ago, redxxrdr said: Joe, when you do this. do you put a tire patch on the tread side or inner carcass side of the tire? Historical posts would indicate carcass side on a inside out tire. That is correct. Placing the patch on the outside allows for heat curing of the patch adhesive. This prevents migration and delamination of the patching substrate. It also causes an unusually deep droning sound at highway speeds, which when coupled with the really awesome sound of a GP muffler eliminator makes the bitches be flashing their titties all down the slab, yo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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