can I run rear tire to bald? or change now?

[lucydad]

Guys,

V7R rear tire is down to about 1/16" tread.  And it is pretty flattened off due to our flat Gulf coast roads.  Did a nice 100 miles today, on a gorgeous early fall cool/dry day.  Fall is actually dawning.

Should I squeeze another 500 miles out of the tire?  Definitely I will change it before wet winter kicks in.

Now that I will be retired (Monday) I need to start pinching those pennies I guess.

Thanks!

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Do you have dependents? Is your life insurance fully paid up?

Best,
Peter

[Bill Hagan]

Look at your avatar.

I think that answers your question.   

Bill

[Triple Jim]

I've run the tread on a rear tire down to where the center was pretty much bald without noticing anything unusual, but I don't ride much in the rain.  I try to change it before that point though.

[lucydad]

Hmm, sounds like the advice is "nope".  The thin Guzzi rear tire compared to the almost new STRX rear is obvious.

Won't get the change done this week, I am off to Durango, CO on Wednesday.  When I get back I will swan into MPH for a change out.  The new tire will be part of my camping-re-rig project. 

Thanks guys!

Oh, did I tell you I was compelled to "digitize" an oncoming Mercedes ass-hat in my lane while on FTM 359 this morning. Typical jerk passing and I had to move to road shoulder to keep from being creamed.  Love these guys.

[nunzio]

How good are you at SUDDENLY riding on one tire?

[lucydad]

Nunzio,

Excellent point--as some of our FTM roads are really rough surfaces.  And we ride those roads fast. Yep, I will get her done.   

[Wayne Orwig]

This is what mine look like before I start thinking about a replacement.

[Triple Jim]

Oh, did I tell you I was compelled to "digitize" an oncoming Mercedes ass-hat in my lane while on FTM 359 this morning. Typical jerk passing and I had to move to road shoulder to keep from being creamed.  Love these guys.

I've had that happen a few times while riding my bicycle, and it's equally maddening.  And on the roads around here, there's no shoulder to move onto.

[mtiberio]

90% of tire failures happen in the last 10% of tread.

[Bob Wegman]

Running it totally bald is false economy I think.  If you get another 500 miles of it, and you do that for ten straight tires you will have gotten 5000 extra miles out of all your tires.  If each tire gives you say 7000 miles you will probably get to enjoy your savings and a free tire at about 70,000 miles on your odometer.  However, you will have the excitement of daring a blowout instead of enjoying the beautiful ride of the V7. 

[Silver Goose]

Rubber is cheap, Skin, is very expensive!

Retirement coming, live to enjoy it.

Good Luck

[Nic in Western NYS]

:SRV's 'Texas Flood' in background: Get a new tire, please.  Hydroplaning is bad.

[Arizona Wayne]

They say the closer the tire get's to no more tread the faster it wears.  But if I'm not going to be riding in the wet I run them 'til they're bald.  Never had a tire let down yet in that condition.    Heck I've run tires @ 70 mph with gusty winds with 1/16" of tread in the rain thru curves and the tires still felt like new. 

[Bill Hagan]

This is what mine look like before I start thinking about a replacement.

But you are a pro; most of us, amateurs and "don't -- or shouldn't -- try that at home." 

[Oh, Buon Compleanno, Wayne!    ]

Now, back to the OP.  I have corded any number of tires, but try to change 'em now sooner.  No expert like WO, but it seems to me that tires may last X miles but performance is noticeably degraded after ⅔ wear. 

Bill



Bill 

[pyoungbl]

You will be amazed at how fast that tire goes from being..."well that looks OK to me"...to cord showing.  Bear in mind that most motorcycle tires only have a couple wraps of cord so when you see them you are down to about 1/32" of stuff between you and mortality.  It's a false economy.  I tend to change early.

[Guzzistajohn]

Save your tire $'s, get a new salad bowl helmet and a tattoo. 

[LowRyter]

I've been on two out of state rides that when I came home with some cord showing.

Don't recommend it.  I order new tires when the wear bars show.  Never go on a trip with wear bars showing. 

[Arizona Wayne]

I've been on two out of state rides that when I came home with some cord showing.

Don't recommend it.  I order new tires when the wear bars show.  Never go on a trip with wear bars showing.

Yes, before starting a long distance trip, I always start with tires in better condition so I don't have to replace them on the trip.  But for riding on local rides..........I'll wear the tread down as far as I can before replacing them.   

[bad Chad]

Anyone that claims a tire worn past 50% hasn't lost significant performance is either numb or less than honest.

Anyone  knowingly running a tire to the cord is being foolish, regardless of road surface.

[Arizona Wayne]

Anyone that claims a tire worn past 50% hasn't lost significant performance is either numb or less than honest.

Anyone  knowingly running a tire to the cord is being foolish, regardless of road surface.

Bad Chad, I'm speaking from over 50 years of MC experience.  If you want to question what I say, fine.  Unlike some here I don't need a like new MC tire to keep me happy on the road.  I adapt to what I have just like when I used to road race.  But I suppose in your mind I can't possibly have more experience riding a MC than you do, right?

[HDGoose]

Guys,

V7R rear tire is down to about 1/16" tread.  And it is pretty flattened off due to our flat Gulf coast roads.  Did a nice 100 miles today, on a gorgeous early fall cool/dry day.  Fall is actually dawning.

Should I squeeze another 500 miles out of the tire?  Definitely I will change it before wet winter kicks in.

Now that I will be retired (Monday) I need to start pinching those pennies I guess.

Thanks!

Do one last burnout...then replace it NOW!

[Cleveland Steve]

I always have a spare front/rear tire at home.
Circumstances have made me make a choice.
Either go knowing that it's chancy, or not go.
Went to WV National Rally, with cords showing up.
Made it home.

[LowRyter]

Anyone that claims a tire worn past 50% hasn't lost significant performance is either numb or less than honest.

Anyone  knowingly running a tire to the cord is being foolish, regardless of road surface.

well wait. 

I will say that when I wore my tire down to the cord, it was handling great.  Really sticking and rode it hard  Likely that's what contributed to it getting to the cord on the 300 miles trek back from the Ozarks.

[Peter from Sch'dy]

So folks who ride on threads do so alone I'm thinking? I'd do my best to convince any friend of mine not to start a trip on cords,
especially if they were going along with me. It'd drive me nuts just knowing they could let go at any time. I know, even the best new tire can be faulty or you can pick up a puncture any time but please. Years ago I worked at a Yamaha shop and a squid brought in his bike for some work in the shop. His rear tire was showing cords. It "somehow" went flat while waiting..never felt the least tang of guilt.

Best,
Peter

[Triple Jim]

If I let one of my bicycle tires get through the rubber, I have about ten or twenty miles left before it blows.  With 120 psi in it, it sounds very much like a 22 rifle shot when that happens.  I guess motorcycle tires have a lot more thickness of cord in them, so you can go farther with cords showing, but I wouldn't knowingly ride on one in that condition unless it were an emergency.

[canuguzzi]

Anyone that claims a tire worn past 50% hasn't lost significant performance is either numb or less than honest.

Anyone  knowingly running a tire to the cord is being foolish, regardless of road surface.

That the above had to be said is amazing. That there are posts to the contrary even more so.

[Lannis]

This is what mine look like before I start thinking about a replacement.

And you're the guy who has had dozens of flat tires in your riding career on the road.

And me, with the same "order of magnitude" of miles (hundreds of thousands) as you, have had TWO.

I think I understand now.   I wouldn't, by a LONG chalk, consider it worth the risk or hassle running a tire that bald!

Lannis

[Wayne Orwig]

And you're the guy who has had dozens of flat tires in your riding career on the road.
And me, with the same "order of magnitude" of miles (hundreds of thousands) as you, have had TWO.
I think I understand now.   I wouldn't, by a LONG chalk, consider it worth the risk or hassle running a tire that bald!

That was of course mostly a joke. And a lot of the many flats that I have had were early in the tires life. I've never noticed a difference in flat tire chances from new to near the end of life. Flat tires just like me. Including punching a rock through a nearly new tire.

As for that cord showing.....
I was going to head north, and over the Cherohalla one day. But I was worried about the FRONT tire. I even measured it. Yep, still good depth. Glanced at the rear tire. Yep, it had more tread and had a LOT of life yet. The wife even looked at both of them because I told her I needed to keep an eye on the FRONT tire. So we loaded up, and off we went. When I got home that day from that 300 or so miles, that is what I found. And the front tire which I was so worried about, showed no additional signs of wear.
So I guess I was having a lot more fun on the left hand curves from the looks of it.

It basically shows that even it you do have good tread depth, the type of riding can eat up a tire in short order.

[Doug McLaren]

Do you fellas not have laws regarding tyre condition? Over here we need to have at least 1mm over 75% of the width and it has to be round the entire circumference, no cords showing. Cars need to have 1.6mm. The company I work for has the tyres changed on their vehicles at 2mm.