When should I buy new tires?
- newomij
- Posts: 87
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- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100A Aspencade
When should I buy new tires?
What kind of gauge is used to determine when it's time to buy new tires?
I have Dunlop Elite II's on my GL1100A. I purchased both front and rear at the same time about 5000 miles ago and it looks like the front tire needs to be replaced but the rear looks like it has plenty of tread left.
I have Dunlop Elite II's on my GL1100A. I purchased both front and rear at the same time about 5000 miles ago and it looks like the front tire needs to be replaced but the rear looks like it has plenty of tread left.
- tfdeputydawg
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
Lincoln head penny!
Insert it head first into the tread grooves. If you can see the top of Abe's head, it's time for a new tire!
If your front is done @ only 5K
You are either one of the most aggressive street riders still alive or you are not running about 41PSI!
Insert it head first into the tread grooves. If you can see the top of Abe's head, it's time for a new tire!
If your front is done @ only 5K
You are either one of the most aggressive street riders still alive or you are not running about 41PSI!
- seabee_
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
You don't have to replace them in pairs. You can do the front and then the back when it wears out. You might move up to the Elite III's(good) or the Venom's(better).
Paul
CE1 Navy Seabees/RET
1981 to 2002
ASE Mechanic
CE1 Navy Seabees/RET
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- chiritc
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
Check the TWI on the tire side.
TWI
Coin method
Regards.
TWI
Coin method
Regards.
- cbx4evr
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
seabee_ wrote:You might move up to the Elite III's(good) or the Venom's(better).
Why so?? Do the Venom's wear better or ....
I'm in the market for a new front but I'll but a pair and keep the rear in stock. Running E 3's now. Front is cupped but otherwise I've been happy with them.
"It´s a friggen motorcycle, it´s not supposed to be comfortable, quiet or safe. The wind noise is supposed to hurt your ears, the seat should be hard and riding it should make you s**t your pants every now and then. "
- seabee_
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
I currently run E3's. Grip is good. Wearout is decent. I keep hearing good thing's about the Venoms so I'll try them as soon as I can wear my E3's out.
Paul
CE1 Navy Seabees/RET
1981 to 2002
ASE Mechanic
CE1 Navy Seabees/RET
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- WingAdmin
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
The E3's on my 1500 were not good tires. The front was cupped worse than I've ever seen a front tire before. Running Avon Venoms with Dynabeads (on two bikes now) I have seen no evidence of any cupping whatsoever. Excellent wear, grip, water handling, just overall a great tire.
- newomij
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
"You don't have to replace them in pairs."
Should you stay with the same brand and model tire as the one you are leaving on the bike?
I am looking at (with a serious budget) Shinko 230 Tour Masters being able to buy the pair for the same price as one Venom.
The Shinko's have a 'V' rating on the size tires I would be buying. What's the difference between 'V' and 'H' ratings?
Should you stay with the same brand and model tire as the one you are leaving on the bike?
I am looking at (with a serious budget) Shinko 230 Tour Masters being able to buy the pair for the same price as one Venom.
The Shinko's have a 'V' rating on the size tires I would be buying. What's the difference between 'V' and 'H' ratings?
- framickie
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
Rated speeds
Q 99 mph 160 km/h
S 112 mph 180 km/h
T 118 mph 190 km/h
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h
V 149 mph 240 km/h
W 168 mph 270 km/h
Y 186 mph 300 km/h
Z Over 149 mph Over 240
km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h
S 112 mph 180 km/h
T 118 mph 190 km/h
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h
V 149 mph 240 km/h
W 168 mph 270 km/h
Y 186 mph 300 km/h
Z Over 149 mph Over 240
km/h
- newomij
- Posts: 87
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- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100A Aspencade
Re: When should I buy new tires?
Lincoln head penny. TWI. On my E2's, there is no TWI but rather little arrows that point to tread grooves. I will assume they are the same as TWI's. So, if the little arrows point to where I am to check for tire tread wear, closer to the side of the tread, I have a lot of tread left. At the apex of the front tire, there isn't much tread but that is not where the indicators point to. This indicates to me that the apex of that tire will almost be smooth before needing to be replaced. Looking at these pics of front tire tread, I am feeling rather good about not needing new tires for awhile. However, of course, I am looking for confirmation.
- seabee_
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
I don't know what the arrow indicates but from the looks of the tire you need to get one soon. That one won't do any good in the rain.
Paul
CE1 Navy Seabees/RET
1981 to 2002
ASE Mechanic
CE1 Navy Seabees/RET
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- thrasherg
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
I tyre wear indicator will never be on the side of a motorcycle tyre as that part of a tyre almost never wears. I am not sure what the little arrows are pointing to, but you need to check the tread depth in the middle of the tyre as that is where it will wear fastest and is the part that displaces water when riding in the rain (An important function for a motorcycle tyre!). As stated, checking tread depth in the middle of the tyre with a coin is the oldest, easiest and most trusted way to check.. From your photo's I think you should be looking to replace your tyres.. If you never ride in the rain or on wet/damp roads you can keep them a bit longer, but I would be changing them..
Gary
Gary
- framickie
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
Looking at your photo and several of my tires, believe your TWI is as marked
some TWI's are very low and hard to see
personnally some of these are so low that i would change the tire before I reach them for my own peace of mind
especially if riding in wet weather.
also found one tire has TWI stamp then further around only has arrow
Frank
try running a small key or similar through tread and feel for bumpsome TWI's are very low and hard to see
personnally some of these are so low that i would change the tire before I reach them for my own peace of mind
especially if riding in wet weather.
also found one tire has TWI stamp then further around only has arrow
Frank
- framickie
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1981 Yamaha TR1,
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
P.S. there should also be one in the centre tread along the same line as arrow
Frank
Frank
- newomij
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:12 pm
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Re: When should I buy new tires?
So, the bottom line test is the Lincoln head penny test in the middle of the tire.
Looks like it was good I had my life insurance paid up.
Thanks for yet another education in GW maintenance.
As soon as the tires are shipped, I'll be coming back to the DIY GL1100 forum.
Looks like it was good I had my life insurance paid up.
Thanks for yet another education in GW maintenance.
As soon as the tires are shipped, I'll be coming back to the DIY GL1100 forum.