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alph
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« on: July 10, 2011, 06:52:21 PM » |
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I’ve got about 3000 miles left on my rear tire, and probably 1000 on the front. I know I’ll need new tires with in the next couple weeks, but I’d like to be able to get as much out of ‘em as possible.
How low do you go?
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Promote world peace, ban all religion. Ride Safe, Ride Often!!   |
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Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
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Posts: 13836
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
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« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2011, 06:59:49 PM » |
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I’ve got about 3000 miles left on my rear tire, and probably 1000 on the front. I know I’ll need new tires with in the next couple weeks, but I’d like to be able to get as much out of ‘em as possible.
How low do you go?
Was wanting to get that one last road trip out of it...Looked like it would not be a problem when I rode out for Britman's Memorial Weekend Ride in Clayton, Georgia.....I had to turn around in Helen , Georgia cause it was very clear to me I did'nt need to be playin' in the mountain twisties on this tire.Once they look like they need changing it's time to change them ....Lesson learned on my part  |
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 I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
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« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2011, 07:06:23 PM » |
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The last 500 miles of tread will disappear in less then a 100 DAMHIK  |
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Maddog vrcc#508
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Posts: 111
Belly tank, heated gear you can go any where.
Seattle Wa, The "Vermin Nation"
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« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2011, 07:06:33 PM » |
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My experience, the way your bike handles tells it all. My first tire change, my rear tire was worn to a flat profile. After the new tires were on I could not believe how much better it handled. It was night and day.
You get used to the way it corners as the life of the tire wears on. I say replace them now instead of waiting if you can. You will be very surprised at the cornering characteristics of the new tires... Good luck.
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  In the Vermin Nation |
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3fan4life
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Posts: 6986
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2011, 07:26:43 PM » |
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I have been known to let the rear go a "little" too long:  I'm somewhat more particular about the front:  |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2011, 07:31:10 PM » |
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I would ask everyone who lets a tire get down to the cords to inspect the tire after removal. Poke the worn area with your finger. Be amazed at how THIN the tire is. If very worn it will feel as thick as 3 layers of tissue paper. That's all that's between you and a dramatic get off.  |
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RoadKill
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« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2011, 07:33:54 PM » |
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I let it go until I can fit a new one in the budget ! I'd ride on duct tape before I did not ride at all.  Disclaimer : I have several bikes I can ride while waiting for a tire  |
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« Last Edit: July 10, 2011, 07:49:53 PM by RoadKill »
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donaldcc
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« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2011, 08:56:04 PM » |
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Why ride on an unsafe tire? it is always great to have new tires and i do not understand why someone rides their tire to the cords. Unsafe, dangerous and just not right. If you can't afford to have a quality tire under your bike don't ride until you can. maybe you can squeeze a couple thousand miles out of a piece of crap tire, but would you take your child or grandchild out for a ride on that tire? |
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« Last Edit: July 10, 2011, 08:58:11 PM by donaldcc »
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Don
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RoadKill
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« Reply #8 on: July 10, 2011, 09:22:15 PM » |
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Why ride on an unsafe tire? it is always great to have new tires and i do not understand why someone rides their tire to the cords. Unsafe, dangerous and just not right. If you can't afford to have a quality tire under your bike don't ride until you can. maybe you can squeeze a couple thousand miles out of a piece of crap tire, but would you take your child or grandchild out for a ride on that tire? I dont have children or grandchildren and my Valk has no passenger seat and it is not even able to accept one with out serious modification including welding/drilling/new sheet metal. the only passenger I have had in 4 yrs is Joe Studebaker for a 2 block ride and I had my feet down most of the way because he was gettin fresh ! . I have enough miles under myself (on several different machines including this very one) that I have experienced tire failure under most all circumstances. The next may be my last but who wants to sit on the sofa in a protective bubble saying "what if". NOT ME ! |
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Fudd
Member
Posts: 1733
MSF RiderCoach
Denham Springs, La.
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« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2011, 09:33:38 PM » |
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I usually go until the rubber has worn even with the "wear indicator bar." Isn't that what they are there for?
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« Last Edit: July 11, 2011, 08:42:32 AM by Fudd »
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 Save a horse, ride a Valkyrie |
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donaldcc
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« Reply #10 on: July 10, 2011, 09:36:36 PM » |
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I let it go until I can fit a new one in the budget ! I'd ride on duct tape before I did not ride at all. : I dont have children or grandchildren and my Valk has no passenger seat and it is not even able to accept one with out serious modification including welding/drilling/new sheet metal. the only passenger I have had in 4 yrs is Joe Studebaker for a 2 block ride and I had my feet down most of the way because he was gettin fresh ! . I have enough miles under myself (on several different machines including this very one) that I have experienced tire failure under most all circumstances. The next may be my last but who wants to sit on the sofa in a protective bubble saying "what if". NOT ME ! No disrespect Roadkill and i am sure you have lots of experience on motorcycles but i just don't like running any part of a motorcycle to its failure point. Why would you want to experience tire failure when it is avoidable?? Not the way i ride.  |
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Don
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MP
Member
Posts: 5532
1997 Std Valkyrie and 2001 red/blk I/S w/sidecar
North Dakota
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« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2011, 04:10:34 AM » |
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Alph: You are going on a high speed, at least the first part, 1600 mile round trip next week. You will probably ride at least 1000 miles in the twisties while there. CHANGE THE TIRES NOW! See you next week in Maggie Valley for the VOAI Reunion there. On new tires!  MP |
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 "Ridin' with Cycho" |
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FryeVRCCDS0067
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« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2011, 04:21:49 AM » |
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I generally change them when I spot the first wear bar touching the pavement. Sometimes a little earlier if it's time to check the splines anyway or I just don't like the tire.
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"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.'' -- Barry Goldwater, Acceptance Speech at the Republican Convention; 1964  |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2011, 05:29:33 AM » |
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I usually go until the rubber has worn even with the "wear indicator." Isn't that what they are there for?
+1 |
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DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4118
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2011, 06:06:48 AM » |
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I'm with you, Frye! Keeping the splines well greased is by far more important than wringing out a few more miles of tire useage. Besides, traction is reduced for cornering and stopping (particularly on wet surfaces), and a thinner tire is somewhat more vulnerable to road debris that can cause punctures. Riding them down to the cord seriously exposes one to being stuck alongisde a busy highway with a flat.
Squeezing a few extra hundred miles or so out of a tire doesn't save us another tire... it merely postpones the purchase for a brief time. Over the life of the bike I figure I've probably bought one or two more sets of tires than I might have by riding them bald, but I ain't gonna risk my million dollar a$$ just to maybe save a couple of hundred bucks!!!
If you ride long and far enough, the law of averages will catch up with you sooner or later. I prefer to keep the odds in my favor as much as I can. 'Good tires' is sort of a scared rite with me... You've all become important members of our family here... take care of yourselves for us... pahleeze!
DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!
See ya down the road...
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hotglue #43
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« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2011, 06:19:27 AM » |
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What DDT sez!!!!!!
But ...... DDT..... I've seen yer butt.........1 million bucks?????? LOL
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 blue=3 times green=at least 4 times When they are all 'green'.. I'll stop counting. |
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DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4118
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2011, 06:25:17 AM » |
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I'm busted!!! Yer right, of course... however, it IS worth that to me!!!
DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!
See ya down the road...
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Hoser
Member
Posts: 5844
child of the sixties VRCC 17899
Auburn, Kansas
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« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2011, 07:53:49 AM » |
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I got a cord showing on a Metzler I used once at 5000 miles, was expecting more miles than that, I don't use them anymore, and I check tires more often than I did then, to be fair it was early in my Valk ownership and I was really into spinning the rear tire. I run bias ply american eagle by dunlop on the back now. Seems to last better than radial tires.  Hoser |
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I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motor sickle  [img width=300 height=233]http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/ |
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #18 on: July 11, 2011, 08:06:57 AM » |
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I poked a # 2 pencil through a buddy's tire to make him buy a new one. I thought I was kidding when I told him what I was going to do, but it went right through.
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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hubcapsc
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Posts: 16793
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #20 on: July 11, 2011, 08:55:30 AM » |
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Depends... I coulda ridden back and forth to work for a month on this tire...  But I changed it before going on a long ride... Texas, I think... When it seems like it is near the last 1000 miles or so, I change it at my first leisurely
convenience to avoid screwing something up while rushing at the last instant... -Mike |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #21 on: July 11, 2011, 09:05:19 AM » |
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Probably the best thing to do with tires, is have your replacements on hand well before the ones on the bike get close to gone. Most go too far when they have no replacements on hand. Especially true when you have multiple bikes. This is also true of ordinary maintenance items like plugs, brake pads, oil and filters. My next tires are hanging on the wall of my shed.
I ditto the advice that when you think you have another thousand miles to go on a tire.... you don't. They wear much faster at the end. This is the reason I did the only crazy fishtail, near lowside-highside-lowside on my bike...... a greasy, hot, nearly bald rear tire and a hot throttle hand are a poor mix.
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bscrive
Member
Posts: 2539
Out with the old...in with the wooohoooo!!!!
Ottawa, Ontario
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« Reply #22 on: July 11, 2011, 10:41:02 AM » |
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I, for one, will not jeopardize my life on an unsafe tire. I pull a trailer a lot so my tires only last about 4k, they really square off. If it blows and you dump your bike the cost will be much greater and I cringe at the thought of having a blowout and having to get the tire fixed on the road even. The cost to transport it to a garage and have it changed would be ridiculous.
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 If global warming is happening...why is it so cold up here? |
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flamingobabe #44
Member
Posts: 1655
# 44
Friendswood, Texas
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« Reply #23 on: July 11, 2011, 01:00:34 PM » |
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We like good tires on the bikes!!!!!! but don't pull a Good tire off to change for new before a trip. Our trips are usually 10,000 miles plus..... we are going to have to get a new tire somewhere on the road anyway..... just part of the plan. But when close to the wear bars..... it's off the bike.
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GotValk
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« Reply #24 on: July 11, 2011, 01:29:59 PM » |
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I've never been able to wear a set out, I have always picked up a nail/screw and I don't run with plugs. (for any lenght of time) It's always best to run new rubber, when in dought change it!
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Fudd
Member
Posts: 1733
MSF RiderCoach
Denham Springs, La.
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« Reply #25 on: July 11, 2011, 01:34:51 PM » |
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My attitude has really changed about tires with time. In college I used to "run them so thin, you could see the air in them." I now consider, "How bad would it hurt or how long would it take me to recover" if this tire blew while muscling around twisties? By the way  I have an 1/8" of rubber before I get down to the "wear bars." |
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Save a horse, ride a Valkyrie |
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JimC
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« Reply #26 on: July 11, 2011, 06:13:25 PM » |
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Alph:
You are going on a high speed, at least the first part, 1600 mile round trip next week. You will probably ride at least 1000 miles in the twisties while there.
CHANGE THE TIRES NOW! cooldude
See you next week in Maggie Valley for the VOAI Reunion there. On new tires! [/color] I agree with MP JIm |
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Jim Callaghan SE Wisconsin
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mhallock
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« Reply #27 on: July 11, 2011, 06:21:08 PM » |
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I love your reply Britman!! How true it is. Twice I have inspected my tires before a trip.......I have discovered (both times) that I am a terrible judge of "Remaining Miles" on a M/C tire.....It is a bad feeling being 1,000 miles from home with 100 miles left on your tire.  The last 500 miles of tread will disappear in less then a 100 DAMHIK Mark |
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JimC
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« Reply #28 on: July 11, 2011, 06:26:43 PM » |
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OK ALPH,
Look at it this way. (your mileage and costs will vary somewhat)
New front tire including mounting is about $200. (maybe more, maybe less, not the point)
Average mileage on front tire 8,000.
Cost to run that tire for the entire 8,000 is $0.025 per mile. (2.5 cents)
Cost to run that tire another 1,000 miles $25.00
Is your life worth $25.00
Only you and your family can answer that one.
Change it out buddy, there are not enough Wisconsin Valkyrie riders as it is.
Jim
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Jim Callaghan SE Wisconsin
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Sodge
Member
Posts: 139
01 I/S bought 07/09 with 1,850 miles
Southwest VA
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« Reply #29 on: July 12, 2011, 01:33:09 AM » |
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Hey Fudd.... How many miles did you get out of that tire? By the way
I have an 1/8" of rubber before I get down to the "wear bars."
![](http://By the wayI have an 1/8" of rubber before I get down to the "wear bars.") My E3 looked some worse than that with 9,000 miles |
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Sigrún
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« Reply #30 on: July 12, 2011, 03:13:12 AM » |
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Hey Fudd.... How many miles did you get out of that tire? By the way
I have an 1/8" of rubber before I get down to the "wear bars."
My E3 looked some worse than that with 9,000 miles I've pulled off an E3 from under mine at about 10 000 miles and it looked exactly like that. Also, I seem to be not that great on estimating the remainder of the tire and yes indeed, those last couple of hundred miles go REALLY fast..... |
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IBA #54465
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