Tire Life

[ChuckDiesel]

How long do your tires last you?

I bought my Shinko 777 front tire in May/June of last year and it looks like it needs to be replaced. I've put about 10,000 miles on it. Does that seem right?

The tire is looking a little dry rotted, and the tread is wavy when I put rub my hand across it, almost like the belt is separated, except all the way around. I HOPE it's not separated anyway.

[Paulie]

I use Avon cobras on mine and get about 10k out of them. I could squeeze a little more out of them but I don't like how the bike handles once the tires start to cup.

[ChuckDiesel]

Originally Posted by Paulie

I use Avon cobras on mine and get about 10k out of them. I could squeeze a little more out of them but I don't like how the bike handles once the tires start to cup.

I think that's what happening to mine. I'm starting to get some vibration in the handlebars. It's been a really good tire though. Better than the stock Dunlops. Especially for $55.

Do you think I should order a new tube as well, or will the be able to reuse the old one?

[old dad]

I believe that "wavy" thing on the tread you describe is called "cupping"

[rmw]

I had Cobras on my Sabre and had around 11k on them when I sold it and they looked fine. Since the purchaser wrecked the bike 3 days later, I'll never know what kind of mileage they would have gotten.

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by rmw

I had Cobras on my Sabre and had around 11k on them when I sold it and they looked fine. Since the purchaser wrecked the bike 3 days later, I'll never know what kind of mileage they would have gotten.

Rick, I could have easily gotten 12K out of my last two sets of Cobras. I have gotten spoiled over the handling with new cobras on the 850+ lb stratoliner, so I spoil myself a little. What do you run on the HD and what kind of mileage are you getting on her.

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by ChuckDiesel

I think that's what happening to mine. I'm starting to get some vibration in the handlebars. It's been a really good tire though. Better than the stock Dunlops. Especially for $55.

Do you think I should order a new tube as well, or will the be able to reuse the old one?

I should have given you a better answer than I did. There are some stratoliner owners on this forum who never get more than 5K on a rear tire and I always get at least 10k, same bike, same tires, different drivers, different, road surfaces. Anecdotally, it seems that most riders get 10 to 12k on the rear tire and a little more on the front. So you're probably ready for a new tire. If you change the tire, why take a chance on an old tube. They're susceptible to dry rot and fatigue and wear just like any other piece of rubber so why take a chance on an old tube. New tire, new tube is my suggestion.

[kokopellioh]

Originally Posted by ChuckDiesel

Do you think I should order a new tube as well, or will the be able to reuse the old one?

Local dealer says they "inspect tubes", local motorcycle tire shop puts a new one as part of the price.

Go figure ... if i get a new tire at the dealer, I think I'll just tell them to install a tube. I really don't want to go through the hassle and cost of removal over a leaky tube 500 miles down the road.

[rjdaines]

Originally Posted by kokopellioh

Local dealer says they "inspect tubes", local motorcycle tire shop puts a new one as part of the price.

Go figure ... if i get a new tire at the dealer, I think I'll just tell them to install a tube. I really don't want to go through the hassle and cost of removal over a leaky tube 500 miles down the road.

What is the name of the local shop and where is it?

Thanks

[gdb069]

Originally Posted by ChuckDiesel

Do you think I should order a new tube as well, or will the be able to reuse the old one?

Honda Owner Manual "...remember to replace the inner tube whenever you replace a tire. The old tube will probably be stretched and if installed in a new tire it could fail."

G