Tire Wear

[gadget]

I have a 2007 Nomad with about 8500 miles on the bike. I have read many post about the stock tire not lasting long. When should the tires be replaced? What is the best way to tell? I would not want to push it. As always thanks for the help.

[moenko]

Hi, the tire manufactures specifies a minimum of 3 mm (millimeters) of thread left in the center of the tire. If you have vernier calipers, that is easily measured.

There should also be wear indicators as far as I know, perhaps someone will chime in with some easier way of telling...

[jussmatt]

Although mileage is usually not far off...it will vary. IMHO it depends more on the driving conditions that will dictate how fast a tire wears. For instance...I too have seen where at 9000 miles, the stock tire is shot and ready for replacement. However, I do a lot of highway driving, so mine is just now getting to the replacement point. It just passed inspection 2 weeks ago without any problems, but it's getting to where I'm wanting to hunt for a new one. I just turned 17000 miles. My back tire...it was balding when I changed it...around 11000 miles. That's why I think it has more to do with driving habbits and conditions than just miles.

[rlfaubion]

My experience with 2 sets of Metzlers rear 10,500 mi low to 13,500 high - Front 15,000

[hollywood]

I just got 13000 out of my second set of Stones and 12000on the original set. I am switching to the Metzlers this month

[dogdoc]

thats good mileage hollywood on the stones. :-)

[bigdave]

i got 7500 on rear stones and 9500 front lot of twisty roads and a mountain to ride up and down to work

[doctorgski]

Perhaps one of the easiest way to tell when the tread is down to the point replacement, is to use a penny. Yes the ol' 1 cent piece. Place the coin into the middle of the tread (up side down) and if the depth of the tread is not at least to the top of Mr. Lincoln's head, GOT NEW TIRE? Now don't forget, if your bike has great tread, at 4 years old, low mileage, and has just been sitting out in the hot sun... Look out for sidewall breakdown from the elements. Believe me that is a problem, as I have seen it on large motor coaches, that end up blowing a (good tread) tire for this exact reason. Usually at the 4-6 years old.

[VulcanE]

I'm on my 3rd rear (OEM Stone, 2 Metzelers ME880's) and 2nd front (OEM Stone, and Metzeler ME880). I am getting about 8000 miles out of each rear, and about 12,000 out of each front. I check my pressures religiously (41 psi front and rear). I get no cupping, just wear. I love the vast improvement of the 880's over the Stones, but my next set, which will probably be in the next 1-2000 miles, will be the Avon Cobras. They are radials, front and back. The only complaint I have with the Metzelers is after the first couple of thousand miles, they start getting noisy in the curves. Going to try the Cobras just to see what they are like.
Has anyone run the Cobras yet after the 880's? What do you think of them?

[scion0]

Great thread for pictures of good versus bad vs. soon to be replaced... just a thought.