Rookie biker tire question

[Guest]

Ok, three questions. I did a search, but couldn't find anything really specific.
Question one: How can you tell when you need to change a tire? My buddy said I need a new front tire.

Question two: What would be a good all around tire for my '78 GS750? There are a ton on eBay and I have no idea what to get. I do more city driving and don't like to go at high speeds, more into acceleration and handling.

Question three: Do the front and rear tires need to match? Brand and thread type? Or can I just change the front tire.

I'm totally ignorant when it comes to bike tires.
Thanks

[tkent02]

Look at the date code, look at the wear bars and the wear pattern. If they are more than a few years old, or if they have any unusual swear, replace them.

Matching tires are good, some combinations work terrible, some combinations work well. The problem is you don't know until you try. I'd go with a matched set of Avon RoadRiders in the stock sizes if I wanted good handling. 90/90-19 and 110/90 or 120/90 18 I believe.
Any wider will make it handle funny.

[capnjim]

Look at the date code, look at the wear bars and the wear pattern. If they are more than a few years old, or if they have any unusual swear, replace them.

Matching tires are good, some combinations work terrible, some combinations work well. The problem is you don't know until you try. I'd go with a matched set of Avon RoadRiders in the stock sizes if I wanted good handling. 90/90-19 and 110/90 or 120/90 18 I believe.
Any wider will make it handle funny.

Thanks, where do I find the date code and how does it work?

[tkent02]

Look for DOT and some letters then four numbers. The first two are the week of manufacture, the second two are the year.

So 2307 would be the 23rd week of 2007. If it's only three digits they were made in the nineties, 237 would be the 23rd week of 1997.

This stuff is all on Cliff's site somewhere.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Click below.

How old are my tires?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[capnjim]

Thanks Cliff...you must get tired of people asking questions for which you already have answers posted. I've been finding a ton of stuff from your website..must've missed the tires. sorry
BTW..are you a Bass player?

[Big T]

Ok, three questions. I did a search, but couldn't find anything really specific.
Question one: How can you tell when you need to change a tire? My buddy said I need a new front tire.

Question two: What would be a good all around tire for my '78 GS750? There are a ton on eBay and I have no idea what to get. I do more city driving and don't like to go at high speeds, more into acceleration and handling.

Question three: Do the front and rear tires need to match? Brand and thread type? Or can I just change the front tire.

I'm totally ignorant when it comes to bike tires.
Thanks

1. Look in the grooves - there are cross bars down in there. If the tread is down to that cross bar, you need a new tire

2. Since you need a new front, just go wild and get a new rear. Avons are expensive (I just bought 2 sets ,tho) and they offer the 3.25 front/4.00 rear sizes that came on your bike. Bridgestones are a good alternative and less expensive. It's hard to make a recommendation when you say contradictory things "I do more city driving and don't like to go at high speeds, more into acceleration and handling". Don't buy from Ebay. If uyou don't have a dealer nearby that will give you a good price, try motorcyclesuperstore.com. EBay - they'll sell you 4 year old tires

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Thanks Cliff...you must get tired of people asking questions for which you already have answers posted. I've been finding a ton of stuff from your website..must've missed the tires. sorry
BTW..are you a Bass player?

Not to worry. My site is not organized very well and it's easy to miss a lot of stuff.

Yes, I play the bass guitar. I just picked up a new one.




Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[capnjim]

Awesome...I'm a bass player as well. Nice hollowbody, I love the block inlays.
Are you a member of Talkbass? It another really great community.
I just bought a 1975 Rickenbacker last week, my first ever ric!
The problem with tires is I am in Canada and everything is double the price here. I can probably find a local dealer, but its gonna be expensive. I'll check some of the links on your tire page and see if they have reasonable shipping to Canada.
Thanks again!
Cheers

[BassCliff]

Hi,

OK, I just joined Talkbass.com forum with my same user name. Another way to waste time.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Big T]

Awesome...I'm a bass player as well. Nice hollowbody, I love the block inlays.
Are you a member of Talkbass? It another really great community.
I just bought a 1975 Rickenbacker last week, my first ever ric!
The problem with tires is I am in Canada and everything is double the price here. I can probably find a local dealer, but its gonna be expensive. I'll check some of the links on your tire page and see if they have reasonable shipping to Canada.
Thanks again!
Cheers

Do a search, I believe some of the Canada guys have found how to lessen the freight charge

Or, if you're close to the border, maybe ship them to someones house in US and drive over and get them

BTW, good reason to update your profile with you bike and location

[Wizard]

Get your tires from thses guys;

http://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/street-bike/motorcycle-tires.html

Free Shipping (at least it used to be).

[capnjim]

Thanks Wizard. Thats great. Probably half the price as I would find from a local dealer.

[mrbill5491]

Try and avoid tires that are more then 3 years old. Tires have a shelf life.

[7981GS]

I just looked up one front tire from that previous link and ouch! $$$
Perhaps you can find the same tire at www.motorcyclesuperstore.com for 30-40% less even shipped to Canada?

Eric