SuzukiSavage.com - Tire wear question.....

raydawg

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Tire wear question.....
06/10/16 at 13:08:23

You can look at my tire wear pattern and tell I ride pretty much straight up Grin

The middle tread, which is/was minimal compared to the tread on the sides of the tire, much deeper, wider, etc....
The middle is now slick, maybe a inch or two wide, but great tread otherwise.
I have metzlers 880 with maybe 12000 miles or so.
Nothing visible at to how much rubber is still over the casing....
Am I still good to ride, or should I get new ones?

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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18101 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: Tire wear question..... Reply #1 - 06/10/16 at 13:12:58 Since you ride somewhat non-aggressively, I suppose you can continue to ride until: 1) You begin to see a different color/texture to the rubber - which shows you are getting out of the tread rubber and into the casing rubber - or - 2) You notice the tire slipping in the wet.
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engineer

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Re: Tire wear question.....
Reply #2 - 06/10/16 at 14:00:33

With 12K miles on it and a smooth rubber strip that might slide while braking on slippery pavement - I would replace it. Why take a chance.

But Dave is right, you'll probably be OK. I'm an older rider and don't have many riding years remaining so I don't like to take chances, I want to spend as much of my remaining time as possible riding, not healing so I try to minimize all the risks that are within my control.

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raydawg

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Re: Tire wear question.....
Reply #3 - 06/24/16 at 04:56:23

Thanks guys, I took your advice and put new rubber on.....
Had metzlers, a shop quoted me 700 for both, total, arg.
Called a shop I have used before, they didn't have those tires....
Asked their price on the best seller here in the pacnorwest, got some dunlops, like them better, and over 300 bucks cheaper!

I think the met likes a heavier bike, these tires are very responsive without slip tho

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“The biggest big business in America is not steel, automobiles, or television. It is the manufacture, refinement and distribution of anxiety.”—Eric Sevareid (1964)

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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Tire wear question..... Reply #4 - 06/24/16 at 05:44:18 12,000 miles! Wow! Is that common for the Metzelers? I know they're a long wearing tire but 12000 miles on a mc tire is a lot.
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Gary_in_NJ Serious Thumper Offline LS650 Cafe Racer Posts: 2633 Amongst the Twisty Roads	Re: Tire wear question..... Reply #5 - 06/24/16 at 05:46:19 I'm glad to see that you went with new rubber. When the tires get flat spotted from highway use the bike will have some rather unfavorable handling characteristics as you transition from straight up to leaned. I'm sure you noticed an intimidate improvement.
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raydawg

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Re: Tire wear question.....
Reply #6 - 06/24/16 at 06:28:06

Gary_in_NJ wrote on 06/24/16 at 05:46:19:

I'm glad to see that you went with new rubber. When the tires get flat spotted from highway use the bike will have some rather unfavorable handling characteristics as you transition from straight up to leaned. I'm sure you noticed an intimidate improvement.

Yes, I don't get to road seam wiggle anymore.....
Not sure how that works, as I always have the proper air in my tires.
I guess it has to do with grip and track, but it feels much more secure, yet, the turning is easier too Huh

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raydawg

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Re: Tire wear question.....
Reply #7 - 06/24/16 at 06:31:05

Kris01 wrote on 06/24/16 at 05:44:18:

12,000 miles! Wow! Is that common for the Metzelers? I know they're a long wearing tire but 12000 miles on a mc tire is a lot.

This is the only time I had one, but I bought it on reviews, paid the premium based on not having to pay for install/tires sooner. It seemed to pencil out that it was a cost saver, IF, you ride enough to use them and NOT sell it to someone else Grin

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Dave

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Re: Tire wear question.....
Reply #8 - 06/24/16 at 06:49:45

That is a hard accounting/financial problem to cypher. If you buy a premium tire....will you wear it out before it gets too old (or too hard) to use up the tread - or should you go to a cheaper tire and replace it a bit more often. Or like Oldfeller and MMRanch have done......should you go to the darkside and put on a car tire on your bike? (You will have to mount it yourself, as I don't believe any dealer would mount a car tire on a bike rim).

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batman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 3806 osceola new york Gender:	Re: Tire wear question..... Reply #9 - 06/24/16 at 11:19:17 I've always road on dunlops they handle well even in the rain they wear out at 8/10,000 but are not priced to high. my theory is good tires,good brakes, If the bike doesn't start it can't kill you,but if it doesn't handle or stop............
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Armen Serious Thumper Offline Half-Witted Wrench-Jockey from Jersey Posts: 1452	Re: Tire wear question..... Reply #10 - 06/24/16 at 11:48:26 You can't spend much time in an emergency room for the price of a premium tire. Cheap tires are like cheap bullet-proof vests. The last place to save money.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Tire wear question..... Reply #11 - 06/24/16 at 14:21:27 After Easter it's simply not fashionable to be wearing a whitewall.
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raydawg

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Re: Tire wear question.....
Reply #12 - 06/24/16 at 19:51:25

So far, loving these tires.....
They are really responsive, and my bike seems quicker, what the heck....
Maybe my tire gauge was way off before Shocked

The new tubes have the 90 degree metal stem, loving that too, so much easier to check.
Also, he said he my rear axle was crooked, and he straightened that out on the install, I might have done that when I changed my belt, which, doesn't whine at all now on decel, etc

I only need a year and a half out of these, then I retire, and most likely, not sure, I will give her up....
Not sure I want to chance a slip and fall in my 60's Embarrassed

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“The biggest big business in America is not steel, automobiles, or television. It is the manufacture, refinement and distribution of anxiety.”—Eric Sevareid (1964)

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Kenny G

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Re: Tire wear question.....
Reply #13 - 06/24/16 at 21:47:43

Dawg,

It has been my experience with riding during our senior years is that it improves one's balance.

When we first moved to Texas, almost 10 years ago, I thought I was finished riding for the rest my life and especially because of the wind and the heat. After two bad falls, my physician suggested that I ride a bicycle to improve my balance. I went around the block once and parked the bike.

I drove into Argyle and bought a Yamaha V-star and that was how I improved my balance. I haven't had a fall since.

The best ridin' in your life starts after you retire.

Kenny G

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Reply #14 - 06/25/16 at 06:04:03

raydawg wrote on 06/24/16 at 19:51:25:

... Not sure I want to chance a slip and fall in my 60's Embarrassed

Depends on your health and how "old" you are. My family has heart disease. Pappy died age 43. I had an attack at age 50. At age 63 I got a triple bypass and a stroke that left me with aphasia and an ejection factor of 20-25%. Retired at 65. At 66 I killed the Savage and got the Vespa so I didn't need to swing a leg over a saddle. About 3 months ago, at 69, I dropped the scoot. A bit of road rash, no big deal. A month ago I did it again, less road rash but fell on the right shoulder tearing ligaments and breaking four ribs. I figured I should stop riding before I got really hurt. Not to mention that I wasn't enjoying wearing the darn helmet.

Your mileage will vary.

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