New tires for the Bonneville

[Rocky]

That is not bad use on them at all for both of you

The T100 had just rolled over 15,000 km's (9375 miles) when I put it away last fall. The rear tire was worn down to the wear bars/indicators built into the tire. The front tire was worn down to just a hair above the wear bars and wouldn't pass vehicle safety inspection this year.
That's good mileage and I'm happy with that.
Regardless of the safety inspection, I was going to replace them anyway. Tires and brakes are no place to be cheap.

 

[CarlS]

I am well pleased with longevity on the Tiger. On the other hand I am wanting them to wear so I can replace them a more aggressive off road tread.

 

[Rocky]

I am well pleased with longevity on the Tiger. On the other hand I am wanting them to wear so I can replace them a more aggressive off road tread.

That's funny, actually wanting your tires to wear out
But of course, I understand why.

 

[devo]

On the other hand I am wanting them to wear so I can replace them a more aggressive off road tread.

Why dont you swap them out anyway, and put them away until you do your big road trip and refit them then.

 

[CarlS]

I had considered that. The tires won't last 4000 miles/6437 kilometers and that is what my cross country round trip will be. If I had been able to go this past summer as I had planed before my dad passed, I would have had to install tires on my way back home. I only had 6500 miles on the bike then. I am looking for a 70/30 (onroad/offroad)tread; the stalk tires are 90/10. Assuming I get to make the trip next summer, I will put new tires before the trip. That should get me there and back. I have about decided to go with the Shinkos, at least on the rear.

 

[DaveM]

The thing is doing the trip you may not want more aggressive off-road unless you are thinking of doing a lot of it on off-road of course

 

[CarlS]

Of course the majority of my riding on the trip will be on pavement. But once I get to the desert and the high plains, I will take a lot of unpaved roads and trails. For those I need a little bet more aggressive tread, especially in the rocky terrain. The ladies that took the trip to the Arctic Circle used K60 Scouts and they held up really well. The tires had plenty of tread left at the end of the trip.

The problem with the Scouts is the 150 size has a hard center strip. On hard surfaces with higher pressure in the tire, you are essentially riding on a slick. The 140 size does not have this strip.

 

[DaveM]

There must be some good reason they designed them that way

 

[CarlS]

Yes, there is. It is supposed to give less wear on pavement. But it sacrifices some grip when you raise the air pressure for the road. Some of the riders use the 140 instead of the 150 for this reason. I want to stay with the 150 for the extra flotation it gives riding in sand. There is no doubt the K60's are very good tires. However, the Shinkos are less expensive and wear very well.

 

[1965T120R]

I feel bad for anybody buying Bike Tires these days. The costs here in the states are going up and outrageous. In our area it seems since we are in the mountains and everybody is off and on the throttle so much and with our roads tires getting eaten up quickly. My bike builder has mainly gone to carrying Metzlers now because of the cost.

 

[golfingirl]

Another new tire related question here.

My T100 run on Avon Roadriders. They have lots of tread left but my rear tire's wall is showing some cracking so I fear it must be replaced. I'm quite pleased with the Avons so far. No issue with them other than the cracking (grrrrr). Right now I have 130/80-17. What is the advantage of going to a 140? Am I going to notice a difference? I'm not a particularly aggressive driver. I mainly ride in the city and am starting to do some day trips with some easy twisties.

I suppose the best thing to do is order the tire online then take it to the dealer or mechanic and have it installed and balanced etc??? thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[hemibee]

I'm not sure what difference the 140 will be over a 130 for the Bonnie so I'll let someone else take that question.

Be sure and check with your area dealers to see if they will install the tire. Some won't do it unless you bought it there. If you were in the area I would mount and balance it for you. Another option is someone like Cycle Gear, their tire prices aren't too bad and my local store will mount a tire you bring in and not charge you an arm and a leg to do the work.

 

[CarlS]

There is no real advantage of the 140 over the 130 except for a tad bigger contact patch (where the the tire meets the road) and that is a good thing. I have a 140 on mine. Avons are good tires and they stick well. I currently have Avons on mine.The seem to wear a bit faster than the Metzlers.

 

[Rocky]

I installed a 140 on my bike too. As Carl said, there is only a small difference (larger) that you will not even notice.

 

[The Seeker]

I swear by Avon tires. Great traction in the rain in case you get caught in it.

I don't care about wear so much as feeling safe in bad conditions. If I get killed, I won't get to wear any tire out anyhow!

 

[Rocky]

We didn't address the sidewall cracking issue.
Yes indeed, Avon makes great tires, but any tire that is showing sidewall cracking needs to be replaced.
The date your tires were manufactured is stamped into the sidewall and will tell you how old they are.
It will be in a block impression into the tire by itself and would read - for example - 1811 - which means that it was made in the 18th week of 2011.
Once my tires get to be 7-8 years old, regardless of tread remaining, I'm ready to replace them.
Most riders will have worn their tires out long before that, but I have several bikes and have to spread the joy around

 

[Rocky]

This may be a little hard to read, but the sidewall impression on my new Bridgestone reads 2512. That means it was made in the 25th week of the year 2012. This is just to give you an idea what I was talking about.

 

[golfingirl]

Thanks guys for the advice and pictures. I never did check to see when my tire was made. I guess it was irrelevant since it needed replacing anyway. I did get it replaced through a local British bike mechanic who came highly rated and is only 1 mile away from my house. I had him put on the Avon Roadrunner. I went with the 130. Frankly, nobody says I can tell a difference and it was a little cheaper. Plus, it's what my mechanic, Erik recommended. Excellent service. I also had my front and rear brakes replaced. Everything looked pristine! Ready for the summer.

 

[Rocky]

Thanks guys for the advice and pictures. I never did check to see when my tire was made. I guess it was irrelevant since it needed replacing anyway. I did get it replaced through a local British bike mechanic who came highly rated and is only 1 mile away from my house. I had him put on the Avon Roadrunner. I went with the 130. Frankly, nobody says I can tell a difference and it was a little cheaper. Plus, it's what my mechanic, Erik recommended. Excellent service. I also had my front and rear brakes replaced. Everything looked pristine! Ready for the summer.

Good for you
You can't put a price on safety.

 

[1965T120R]

Ride it hard!!