Tire Wear - How does this look?
borat:
Hi Folks:
I'm new here. Obviously a little late but here nonetheless.
My wife and I bought an '03 Valkyrie Standard with hard bags and Hondaline windshield. It looks like the Tourer but it's not. We bought it in January and look forward to riding as soon as winter is out of the way. I've been perusing VRCC site and I'm very much impressed with the knowledge base that has been assembled there. I plan to do a number of the recommended maintenance suggestions in preparation for the upcoming riding season. Accordingly, I've been going over what I consider very important items. The tires. The bike came with Metzeler 880s standard sizes front and rear. According to the Metzeler web site, they say the tire should be changed when the depth at the tire wear indicator (TWI) is less than 1.6 mm. So I went out and took some readings with my electronic caliper and got 3.0 mm at the TWI and 3.71 elsewhere on the same groove.
So, what I'd like is a real world measurement for tread depth before changing the tires. What do most of you use as minimum tread depth? How do these look? Here's some pics:
fudgie:
How many miles on the bike? To me, that looks good. Depending how many miles you are doing this year it should last. I wear my Metz done till the is no grove at the center. Some times till cords are showing! >:( I only get 1 riding season out of a rear tire anyway. :-X
John U.:
I've got much worse looking tires on one of mine right now, soon to be history. Those don't look like they need to be replaced. For maximum wear keep at least 42 psi front and 44 rear.
Master Blaster:
If its not cupped, or otherwise messed up I use cords showing as the wear indicator unless I am going on a trip. ;D then I make sure I have good rubber, dont want to do a change on the road if I dont have to. Seriously yours look good. When you get below the wear indicators whats left goes very fast. I usually keep spares on hand. Watch for the sales and pick up a pair cheap if you get the chance and will save you some bux later. I am an Avon fan, and like mentioned above the Valk likes higher pressures. I run minimum 42 F/45 R and get good mileage.
AussieValk:
The 880's are pretty good tyres down here in Oz. I just replaced the front on mine and that was only when there was no tread left and the tyre had three distinct 'sides'.
The rear is a different story. I've tried all sorts of different pressures but I can't stop it from cupping after a few thousand klms. It will handle fine but it does not last too long. Oh no, may have to go to the darkside.... 8)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page