V7 tire problem

[lorengo70]

Hi. On a five day road trip from Toronto and now  in Plattsburgh, NY. I always use the michelin pilot active tires but because of lack of tire availability I ended up buying the continental road attack 3 for the rear tire Anyhow, I get about 14-16k km on the pilots but now at 11k km on the Conti andthe tire wire thread started showing. I still have 600 km to go home to Toronto and don't want to risk a tire blow out. I was going to ride back home today, Sunday, but decided to spent another day here in Plattsburgh and wait for a motorcycle shop to open Monday and see if I can get the bike sorted. Is there anyone that lives in the area that knows of a shop that might be able to sort me out with this problem?

Thanks in advance for any help with this matter.

Luciano

[twowheeladdict]

Good luck.  Hope you get sorted quickly and get home.

I check my tires every day while on a trip and have had to buy a few on the road over the years.  I've had to ride 250 miles to get the proper tire once so I start looking as soon as the wear bars are touching the road.

[Vagrant]

In the US very few dealers are open on Monday. Hopefully someone will have one laying around and help you out.
FYI, I never got more than 4500 on the stock tire but 6-7000 miles on the Conti RA3

[greer]

That's a tough spot you're in, Luciano.  A google search brought up a couple of shops open tomorrow:

https://www.garrandsmotorsports.com/

https://www.lakecitychoppers.com/

And a Cycle Gear 140 miles away, open 7 days:

https://www.cyclegear.com/stores/cycle-gear-colonie-ny-store-177

Hope somebody local chimes in with more options.  If nothing else you may have to have a tire shipped in overnight.  Good luck!

Sarah

[sign216]

That's a tough spot you're in, Luciano.  A google search brought up a couple of shops open tomorrow:

https://www.garrandsmotorsports.com/

https://www.lakecitychoppers.com/

And a Cycle Gear 140 miles away, open 7 days:

https://www.cyclegear.com/stores/cycle-gear-colonie-ny-store-177

Hope somebody local chimes in with more options.  If nothing else you may have to have a tire shipped in overnight.  Good luck!

Sarah

HI Sarah,

Hope you're doing well down there in Ky. 

Luciano good luck.  I'm hoping somebody has something that'll fit.  Let us know how you make out.

Joe

[Dirk_S]

I reached out to Della Motorsports on Facebook Messenger. They responded back and said while they don’t have your size in stock, they could order one tomorrow if needed.

[greer]

HI Sarah,

Hope you're doing well down there in Ky. 

Luciano good luck.  I'm hoping somebody has something that'll fit.  Let us know how you make out.

Joe

Good here, Joe.  Hope all is well with you and yours, too 

Let us know how things go, Luciano.  I feel for you.  I was running Angel GT's a few years ago, one day the rear tire had what looked to be good tread, the next day none at all.  If I'd been on the road at the time I'd have been in a pickle.

Sarah

[lorengo70]

Thanks guys/gals for your replies and sending the info on the shops in the area. So, showed up to Garrand's motorsport on Monday and it was an empty lot (turns out they are moving location and not opened yet). Called lakecity choppers and they didnt have the tire. So, since i couldnt wait out a delivery in Plattsburgh b/c I needed to be back to work in Toronto on Tuesday (today), i dedided to take the risk and drive 60 miles to Montreal where they have a MG dealership. They had a sport demon tire but could not install it till friday b/c they where very busy. Called about 6 other mechanics and no one could see me that day. I called the 7th mechanic and explained the situation i was in, and he said he could see me the next day (which was not ideal), and after further explaining my need to be in Toronto today, he agreed to see me on the spot (btw if in Montreal and needing service, i strongly recommend these guys, Idle Garage & Coffee). Very efficient, professional, reasonable prices, no attitude, good looking shop and good coffee!).

So, lesson learned, dont go on different tire life history to assess the probable longevity of a different tire brand (i know, stupid to do otherwise, but i am not getting wiser with old age it seems).

I am attaching a picture of how the tire looked when i got to Montreal.

Thanks again to all those who sent info and words of support. Cheers. Luciano.

[twowheeladdict]

Thanks guys/gals for your replies and sending the info on the shops in the area. So, showed up to Garrand's motorsport on Monday and it was an empty lot (turns out they are moving location and not opened yet). Called lakecity choppers and they didnt have the tire. So, since i couldnt wait out a delivery in Plattsburgh b/c I needed to be back to work in Toronto on Tuesday (today), i dedided to take the risk and drive 60 miles to Montreal where they have a MG dealership. They had a sport demon tire but could not install it till friday b/c they where very busy. Called about 6 other mechanics and no one could see me that day. I called the 7th mechanic and explained the situation i was in, and he said he could see me the next day (which was not ideal), and after further explaining my need to be in Toronto today, he agreed to see me on the spot (btw if in Montreal and needing service, i strongly recommend these guys, Idle Garage & Coffee). Very efficient, professional, reasonable prices, no attitude, good looking shop and good coffee!).

So, lesson learned, dont go on different tire life history to assess the probable longevity of a different tire brand (i know, stupid to do otherwise, but i am not getting wiser with old age it seems).

I am attaching a picture of how the tire looked when i got to Montreal.

Thanks again to all those who sent info and words of support. Cheers. Luciano.

Glad you made it home.  You need to ride more curvy roads or buy harder compound tires.   

[Kev m]

i dedided to take the risk and drive 60 miles to Montreal where they have a MG dealership. They had a sport demon tire but could not install it till friday b/c they where very busy.

That's complete and total HORSESHYTE.

I have rolled into a Harley dealer, at around noon, on a FRIDAY...with someone who had a bad TC motor (cam chain tensioners) and the dealership rolled ANOTHER CUSTOMER'S BIKE OFF THE LIFT and installed that customers parts on my buddies bike (meaning new oil pump, camshaft, lifters, pushrods, and pushrod tubes) and had us back on the road before 4:00 pm that day.

You just needed an F'n tire!

[Moparnut72]

Harley dealers generally have an excellent reputation for helping travelers on the road. My Guzzi/Triumph dealer is very good about getting customers for service pretty quickly.
kk

[lorengo70]

Glad you made it home.  You need to ride more curvy roads or buy harder compound tires.   

Thanks!. Unfortunately I live in Ontario. Not many curvy roads here which is why I am considering getting a dual sport bike and hit more off road trails to get some excitement out of riding!

[lorengo70]

That's complete and total HORSESHYTE.

I have rolled into a Harley dealer, at around noon, on a FRIDAY...with someone who had a bad TC motor (cam chain tensioners) and the dealership rolled ANOTHER CUSTOMER'S BIKE OFF THE LIFT and installed that customers parts on my buddies bike (meaning new oil pump, camshaft, lifters, pushrods, and pushrod tubes) and had us back on the road before 4:00 pm that day.

You just needed and F'n tire!

Yeah, Kevin, I was surprised by the responses I was getting from them when I was pleading and begging with them (was even offering to pay them but do the work myself as I can change a tire fairly fast with the right equipment). I guess there is a very wide spectrum of mechanics/attitudes out there. Just need to be lucky and hit the right one, i guess.

[Kev m]

Yeah, Kevin, I was surprised by the responses I was getting from them when I was pleading and begging with them (was even offering to pay them but do the work myself as I can change a tire fairly fast with the right equipment). I guess there is a very wide spectrum of mechanics/attitudes out there. Just need to be lucky and hit the right one, i guess.

I'm glad you got it sorted... 

[Sykestone8886]

I would make sure to get the word out about that dealer and there lack of interest to help a traveler in need , total B S, I’ve had MC shops bend over backwards to help me with trouble while on the road, I wouldn’t spend a nickel with the ones that don’t !!!

[Moparnut72]

When my R75/5 was fairly new, due to rider faulty maintenance procedures, my timing advance part was damaged while on a trip. I was probably over 1,000 miles from home. The bike was running but poorly. I limped into a BMW dealership in Spokane Washington, they got me right in. Due to the newness of the model a new advancer was unavailable. The tech welded up the damage, machined the locating pin and got it all back together in a couple of hours. On top of that they charged me a whole $25. Now that's service.
kk

[80CX100]

Thanks!. Unfortunately I live in Ontario. Not many curvy roads here which is why I am considering getting a dual sport bike and hit more off road trails to get some excitement out of riding!

     Glad you got home safely; Frankly I'm shocked, but pleased to hear that you got 11K kms out of your Conti RA3. I've got a set on my V11, they're known to be sticky tires, I wasn't expecting 11K out of them.

     Depending on where you are in TO, day trips "may" be doable, but definitely weekends or an overnight run for some amazing curvy roads up in the highlands in Ontario.

     Most of it is cottage tourist country,  so I try to ride it only on weekdays, but there's enough curvy roads there to keep you busy for quite a while. Check it out https://ridethehighlands.ca/TheRoadCut/the-routes/

[jpv7]

     Glad you got home safely; Frankly I'm shocked, but pleased to hear that you got 11K kms out of your Conti RA3. I've got a set on my V11, they're known to be sticky tires, I wasn't expecting 11K out of them.

     Depending on where you are in TO, day trips "may" be doable, but definitely weekends or an overnight run for some amazing curvy roads up in the highlands in Ontario.

     Most of it is cottage tourist country,  so I try to ride it only on weekdays, but there's enough curvy roads there to keep you busy for quite a while. Check it out https://ridethehighlands.ca/TheRoadCut/the-routes/

+1.  It turns out to be a long day from Toronto but worth it.  Yes, weekdays are better as there are fewer cottagers and OPP (police} out.  Roads like highway 35 to Algonquin, 118, 121, 4, Elephant Lake Road (bumpier these days) and Matawatchan Rd into Calabogie.  Also hwy 3 into Rousseau is entertaining.  It's not Virginia, but still nice...

[kingoffleece]

Fun up there on a snowmobile, too.   

[greer]

Glad you're home safe and sound, Luciano.  Thanks for getting back to us 

Sarah

[Vagrant]

As cheap as I am, I learned a long time ago that a rear tire changed out at home is about $120. On the road, it's $250-350 if you can get it done. Tossing 20% of $120 away before a road trip is a measly $24. Cheap insurance. Also trying to outguess the time the last 20% will go is fruitless!

[twowheeladdict]

As cheap as I am, I learned a long time ago that a rear tire changed out at home is about $120. On the road, it's $250-350 if you can get it done. Tossing 20% of $120 away before a road trip is a measly $24. Cheap insurance. Also trying to outguess the time the last 20% will go is fruitless!

I will do the same when I question whether a tire will make it.

When I have bought tires on the road, it is because I left home with only a couple thousand miles on an 8000-10000 mile tire, and because of changing road surfaces, load on bike, and more miles per day than riding locally, it became a 6000 mile tire. 

Fortunately, every replacement tire has been reasonably priced, but not the brand I prefer to run on my bike.

[lorengo70]

+1.  It turns out to be a long day from Toronto but worth it.  Yes, weekdays are better as there are fewer cottagers and OPP (police} out.  Roads like highway 35 to Algonquin, 118, 121, 4, Elephant Lake Road (bumpier these days) and Matawatchan Rd into Calabogie.  Also hwy 3 into Rousseau is entertaining.  It's not Virginia, but still nice...

Agreed. I go there as well but to your point, its a pita to get out of Toronto in summer due to all the traffic, and, once you get there, it  aint like PA, NC, WV, VA, TN, KY or VE. We just dont have the hills! I go to PA a lot for 3 day trips (take a friday of monday off work). Worth the distance for the riding you can get there.