Tire Replacement

[wildfire]

What are your thoughts on changing tires that came with the bike when you bought it from previous owner.

My front tire looks in very good shape with lots of thread left but I don't know how long ago the tire was put on.

I suppose what I am asking is if a tire has been on a bike for a long time but not used does the rubber deteriorate?.

[FJmonkey]

What tire is it? Find the date code. Don't ride on it if you are not sure...

http://blog.unsafemotorcycles.com/2010/09/motorcycle-tires-age-matters.html

[wildfire]

Thanks FJ, very useful link. So by date code my tire is almost 4 years old.

[Capn Ron]

I wouldn't be too worried about 4 years and good tread left. 

On the other hand, I picked up a set of used wheels with tires in a similar condition.  First thing I did was balance them both and I fount the front to be WAY out of balance!  Sorted that out with some extra weights and figured I'd get the 4000 miles of the 2014 WCR out of them.  The day I left to head to Willits, I discovered that the front tire induced a SEVERE front end wobble.  I had to suffer through it for 600 miles and get a replacement on the road.

[wildfire]

I wouldn't be too worried about 4 years and good tread left. 

On the other hand, I picked up a set of used wheels with tires in a similar condition.  First thing I did was balance them both and I fount the front to be WAY out of balance!  Sorted that out with some extra weights and figured I'd get the 4000 miles of the 2014 WCR out of them.  The day I left to head to Willits, I discovered that the front tire induced a SEVERE front end wobble.  I had to suffer through it for 600 miles and get a replacement on the road.

Good point Capt Ron.I think will get a new one just for peace of mind. I replaced the rear one with a Conti Motion so may get the same for the front.
I have found a guy not far from me that charges $25 to mount and balance the tire which I think is a great price compare.

[FJmonkey]

Thanks FJ, very useful link. So by date code my tire is almost 4 years old.

4 years is not bad, do you see any cracking in the side walls? And what tires are they?

[FJmonkey]

I like the Conti Motions, a great tire for the price. Now we need to get you to mount and balance them your self. It is more work but less expensive... So do you have more time or money? If you make good money then let others do the work. Or you might be like Ron and I and not trust the mechanic that is likely younger than our bike that works on it.... I prefer to do my own work when possible... If I owned a plane, it would be the same, I do the work and know that it was done proper. My ass is literally on the line and I want it done proper... 

[wildfire]

I like the Conti Motions, a great tire for the price. Now we need to get you to mount and balance them your self. It is more work but less expensive... So do you have more time or money? If you make good money then let others do the work. Or you might be like Ron and I and not trust the mechanic that is likely younger than our bike that works on it.... I prefer to do my own work when possible... If I owned a plane, it would be the same, I do the work and know that it was done proper. My ass is literally on the line and I want it done proper... 

I know what your saying. I do everything I can by myself rather than pay someone else and that goes for everything  not just with bikes ( theres a joke in there for someone  ) But in this case for $25 I think its worth it.

[movenon]

I like the Conti Motions, a great tire for the price. Now we need to get you to mount and balance them your self. It is more work but less expensive... So do you have more time or money? If you make good money then let others do the work. Or you might be like Ron and I and not trust the mechanic that is likely younger than our bike that works on it.... I prefer to do my own work when possible... If I owned a plane, it would be the same, I do the work and know that it was done proper. My ass is literally on the line and I want it done proper...  

+1    Who was it here that got there rim back and the tire was on backwards ? .
George

[Pat Conlon]

Dunno Markus, any work on your plane would mean diddley squat unless you had your FAA certification in what ever system you worked on...I guess you could wash, polish and wax....

If I make a mistake on my FJ and take myself out, that's one thing, but taking my family with me is another.

[FJmonkey]

Dunno Markus, any work on your plane would mean diddley squat unless you had your FAA certification in what ever system you worked on...I guess you could wash, polish and wax....

If I make a mistake on my FJ and take myself out, that's one thing, but taking my family with me is another.

Fair enough, but I would not work on a plane unless I had the proper training. If I owned one I would need to include the cost of training for the maintenance as part of the package. I want to know its done proper... So owing and flying a plane right now is cost prohibitive.... 

[wildfire]

Ok so what did I miss?. Where did planes come in to it?

[FJmonkey]

Ok so what did I miss?. Where did planes come in to it?

Just some banter between Pant and I... As you were...
"these are not the droids you are looking for"

[Mark Olson]

I like the Conti Motions, a great tire for the price. Now we need to get you to mount and balance them your self. It is more work but less expensive... So do you have more time or money? If you make good money then let others do the work. Or you might be like Ron and I and not trust the mechanic that is likely younger than our bike that works on it.... I prefer to do my own work when possible... If I owned a plane, it would be the same, I do the work and know that it was done proper. My ass is literally on the line and I want it done proper...  

+1    Who was it here that got there rim back and the tire was on backwards ? .
George

Happened to me one time at a ducati mc store where I got a smoking deal on a set of pilot powers mounted and balanced for 200 bucks.

I should have know something was wrong when I picked them up a 4:20 pm on a friday and everybody was wasted.
Brought them back the next day and the guy was all "ahh dude whoa , nn-kay , chill , we'll get-em flipped around ."
Never went back there again .. I have  blue jeans older than these "dudes".

[aviationfred]

I like the Conti Motions, a great tire for the price. Now we need to get you to mount and balance them your self. It is more work but less expensive... So do you have more time or money? If you make good money then let others do the work. Or you might be like Ron and I and not trust the mechanic that is likely younger than our bike that works on it.... I prefer to do my own work when possible... If I owned a plane, it would be the same, I do the work and know that it was done proper. My ass is literally on the line and I want it done proper...  

+1    Who was it here that got there rim back and the tire was on backwards ? .
George

That would be me.I had a new rear tire installed the day I was departing for the Central Rally and found that the tire was installed backwards when I went too install the wheel on the bike. 


Fred