Just when should you replace your tires?

[Admiral Beez]

15,000kms with another 5k???????????????? Wow!!!
I've never got more than 12,000kms out of a tire....I find that out of this world. How old were they?

They were Shinko 712, https://fortnine.ca/en/shinko-712-rear-tire, installed in April 2018. They don’t have wear bars, but I definitely had the requisite 2.5 mm of tread depth remaining. But I’ve never really liked the feel of the Shinkos, so decided now was the time.

[Admiral Beez]

I've had over 10,000 miles out of the Avons before.... Don't usually have to deal with wet

That’s 16,000 km, so about right by my standards as well.

[bwringer]

I don't know about you guys...but I've always liked buying new tires....it just means I'm out there riding. I remember one year I bought 11 new tires for my bikes...lol...it was a perfect storm of tire need.

Several times, my wife has asked, "Wait, didn't you just get motorcycle tires a few weeks ago?"

"Why yes, yes I did. But those were for a different bike."

"Oh."

"And I'll need tires for the other, other bike in a few weeks, too."

"Ah."

Fortunately, motorcycles, motorcycle parts, motorcycle tires, and the money involved are firmly in the "stuff she doesn't want to know or care about" category.





Not sure what my yearly rubber record was, but a typically active year includes two or three sets on the KLR, one set on the GS (maybe two), and at least two sets on the V-Strom (since replaced with an FJ-09, which had a new set and now probably needs a front).


One of the things that really shocks people who aren't familiar with motorcycles is how fast the damn tires wear out. I mean, the tires on a big 'ol heavy car last 80,000 miles... a motorcycle tire that makes 8,000 is exceptional.

[Admiral Beez]

One of the things that really shocks people who aren't familiar with motorcycles is how fast the damn tires wear out. I mean, the tires on a big 'ol heavy car last 80,000 miles... a motorcycle tire that makes 8,000 is exceptional.

I’ve read that some H-D riders use car tires on their long distance machines. It must make for exciting cornering.

https://www.hdforums.com/how-tos/a/harley-davidson-touring-converting-to-a-car-tire-on-the-rear-416176

[bwringer]

I’ve read that some H-D riders use car tires on their long distance machines. It must make for exciting cornering.

https://www.hdforums.com/how-tos/a/h...he-rear-416176

Yeah, quite a few motorcycle owner communities have a fair percentage of members who are "darksiding". Gold Wing, V-Strom, FJR, lots of large cruisers and cruiser-based tourers, etc.

It's always a great way to spark an argument.

Not for me, but I think it has been pretty clearly proven to work well enough. You do indeed get incredible mileage, grip in various conditions is fine (one rider I know of uses a winter car tire, and reports that it works great in the snow) and it changes handling less than most would think.

I've mounted lots of motorcycle tires for myself and friends, but never a car tire on a motorcycle. However, if someone wanted to try this I wouldn't turn them down.

[rphillips]

Remember the old Donut spare car tires, they looked like a motorcycle tire and said not to exceed 50mph & temporary use only. A few times folks brought one into our local bike shop & wanted them to mount it on a motorcycle wheel, they always refused. I can't imagine how it would have worked.

[Grimly]

Yeah, quite a few motorcycle owner communities have a fair percentage of members who are "darksiding". Gold Wing, V-Strom, FJR, lots of large cruisers and cruiser-based tourers, etc.

It's always a great way to spark an argument.

Not for me, but I think it has been pretty clearly proven to work well enough. You do indeed get incredible mileage, grip in various conditions is fine (one rider I know of uses a winter car tire, and reports that it works great in the snow) and it changes handling less than most would think.

I've mounted lots of motorcycle tires for myself and friends, but never a car tire on a motorcycle. However, if someone wanted to try this I wouldn't turn them down.

I darksided the 850 last year and kept that tyre on for six months or so. Only reason I took it back off was the gear reduction resulting from it. If I could easily fit the Cavalcade pumpkin and matching wheel, it will be back on.
However, during the time it was on, it accelerated like ordure from a shovel and handled damned well.

[Grimly]

Remember the old Donut spare car tires, they looked like a motorcycle tire and said not to exceed 50mph & temporary use only. A few times folks brought one into our local bike shop & wanted them to mount it on a motorcycle wheel, they always refused. I can't imagine how it would have worked.

That pops up from time to time, and if those tyres had a better speed rating and deeper tread, they'd be a good fit for a lot of skinny wheels. However, I've pointed out to several people that their neck isn't worth the risk. I don't believe for a moment they'd be an immediate danger, considering they'd be fitted as a spare to a car that might be carrying a family of four and can you imagine the legal mess resulting from that? However, I have serious concerns over how long they'd last at normal cruising speed and cornering loads on a touring bike.
Not worth the risk, especially in Europe, where good quality 135/15" normal radial car tyres are available