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Tire age and when to change question

4K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  stilcrazee 
#1 ·
My bike was made in January of 2011 and the tires just also happen to be made in late January. I bought my bike new in Sept. of 2012 so the bike/tires were already going on 2 years old. I've got 3/32 of tread at the center of both the rear and front tire as of now. I've thought about changing the tires out because they will be 5 years old this January and will probably have about 10k miles on them at that point. How old is too old in your opinion for bike tires?
 
#3 ·
I go basically by the wear bar indicators, but I feel safer with more tread.
My rear tire had almost 15,000 miles on it when I changed it last week.
It all depends on how you ride, if I were doing hard twisties all day I would want all the tread I could get.
Same when you are riding on cold or wet pavement.
I would say if you are starting to think about it, then it is time to change.
 
#4 ·
When you say 3/32 is that checking one spot of the tire or did you turn the tire and check it all around? If I'm even close to the wear bars I replace the tires. If you got 10K then I'd say you got your moneys worth. 10K is 16K for me and I've never gotten that out of any rear tire ever. In addition, I've gotten 16K out of a front tire but by that time, it is starting to cup.
 
#6 · (Edited)
3/32 is a high average. I checked multiple spots in the middle of the tire and got between 2.5/32 and 3.25/32. My OEM rear tire also kind of "rippled" on the side treads and make a very annoying sound when leaned into curves at highway speeds. Local mechanic said where I ride mostly in the twistys and gun it out of the curves while still leaned is the main cause of it.
 
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#8 ·
Actually according to the owners manual anything under 1/16 is under specs which is the same as 2/32.
 
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#14 ·
OP you might want to confirm your state laws on the matter. While some require 4/32 on the steering rubber and 2/32 on the rear from what I read on line, Tennessee doesn't have a legal minimum.

If you get rain in the fall I'd suggest you are already at the minimum for safety. If you have a dry few months coming up then I'd keep them on for a bit more but I'd be looking for some deals.
 
#15 ·
Do you guys know what a good "sticky" tire is that fit the Cross bikes? I do know the stickier the tire the less miles I will get out of them but mileage does not concern me that much. Most of my riding is on twisty roads so the sides of my tires see as much use as the center. I was thinking Avons this go around. I had Metz 880 on my last bike and they were great tires but after a few years the rubber got hard and made riding in the rain an experience! The stock dunlops have been fine but mine started developing a "ripple" on the side treads about 3k miles into them.
 
#17 ·
I will probably go Avon or Metz but may try the Avon if it is a softer compound.
 
#19 ·
I just bought a pair of Metzler 888 for my XCT. I will get them installed in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know what I think of them.

G'day,

Vinish
 
#21 ·
I used to run Metzler Marathon 880's on my Harley and they were a great tyre.

Then Metzler moved production from Germany to Brazil and the quality went out the window. Sidewall splits, delamination issues and chunks just literally coming off the tread.

They went from top of the tree to absolute rubbish in quick time. No more Metzlers for me.

Russ
 
#23 ·
I am leaning toward the Avons but I am going to wait till late Feb or early March to put a new set on. Who knows by then what I will actually go with!
 
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