On some of the other sites I have seen talk about wearing the pusher down to the second set of cords before changing. Is that just macho talk ?? My original Dunlop on the Harley is looking a little thin in the center at 3700 miles and I would not consider leaving it on a 2 wheel bike, but at $150.00 for a new one I want to get the max life out of it. So how much rubber do prudent people consider safe? Some tread, no tread, seeing cords ?
Also the original Dunlop is way to rounded for a sidecar rig IMHO...Does anyone know of a good substitute in either a sidecar tire or car tire for a Dunlop MT90B16 Wide white wall?
over here it's more about what is legal min 2mm, if you must have white wall ( you poser ) have a look at the Avon Gangster. Hank
We have yearly inspection here and I know that I would not pass the "legal" requirement. But then I don't need another inspection until September so have all summer to ride before I really need to change out the tire for inspection requirements.
I could live without a WW and never would have put them on myself but they came with the bike and I think two WW 's and a BW would look a little strange. Well, ya, I guess I am a poser or I wouldn't really care what it looks like, right?.
i have been turning wrenches 54 yrs. been riding 53 yrs. enjoy both but try not to do the 2 at the same time. put a tire on it.
fly
Originally written by Fly on 5/11/2009 9:11 AM
i have been turning wrenches 54 yrs. been riding 53 yrs. enjoy both but try not to do the 2 at the same time. put a tire on it.
fly
Agreed.
A better question is - what is the cost of a tire worth when the one you are riding on chooses to self destruct? It probably won't happen when you are sitting in your driveway, but at highway speeds is the value of your hide equal to the cost of a tire? Maybe black spray paint could cover the white wall?
Why not try to find a car tire for the rear. I get about 25K on the pusher of my R1200C/Champion Escort rig. Lots of highway and in town riding. Look around and ask this forum for what tire might fit your wheel. There is a ton of knowledge on this site.
Uber
ton of knowledge i like that, what he means is we have been doin it a while
When you look at the tire, (rotate it all the way around and look) if you think, Gee, I wonder if I need a tire? Buy a tire! As previously stated. most lives are worth $100.00 to $150.00. (I know a few folks I wouldn't give a plug nickel for, but that's another thread) I have a lot of tires laying around with 20% tread. Life is short enough and we take enough risks on MC's so why push the odds. D. Smith
OK, I am convinced I should get a new tire. Thanks for the advice and looking out for my skin.
I have looked at Coker for a car tire but to no avail. Also went to the Darkside site and was told there is no CT that will fit the Road King Classic. The problem is the belt drive is in the way.
In car terms the tire is a 130/80/R 16 Nothing even close... so I will bite the bullet and order up a Dunlop unless I can get a sidecar tire to fit.
As fast as the drive tire wear out, I get real nervous when there is no tread left. No way will I wait for the cord to show.
I recently purchased a 5.25 X 16" Excelsior car tire from Coker Tire. The previous tire was a Duro Median 130 X 90 X 16. I just mounted it so I don't know how long this will last. I'm hoping to get more than 2000 miles out of it.
if you want a squarer profile an Avon sm mk2 comes as a 500 x 16 i'm r4unning one on the rear of my flh seems ok so far downside is it needs a tube. and regarding white wall you can get rings of white rubber to turn a standard black tyre WW have seen em on ebay. Hank
Originally written by Mark in Idaho on 5/11/2009 6:46 PM
As fast as the drive tire wear out, I get real nervous when there is no tread left. No way will I wait for the cord to show.
I recently purchased a 5.25 X 16" Excelsior car tire from Coker Tire. The previous tire was a Duro Median 130 X 90 X 16. I just mounted it so I don't know how long this will last. I'm hoping to get more than 2000 miles out of it.
I gather from your post that you only got 2000 miles from the Duro? I was wondering about my mileage at 3700 wear out. I got about 5000 miles out of the Ural tires on my old rig but they had a square profile so had more than one small contact patch like the Dunlop on the Harley. Still plan to revisit set up and toe in just to make sure nothing has moved.
Looked again on the Coker site for an Excelsior car tire but couldn't find it so will give them a call today. Thanks for the info.
Kevin
Yes, the Duro only goes around 2000 miles. The good news is that they cost me $53 delivered and there is enough tread on them to drill and install tungsten studs for winter driving.
As for Coker tire, it took me a long time to decipher their site. I'll be interested to hear what you find out from them.
I can't tell you how many times I checked toe in and lean out trying to improve my tire wear problem. I think the excessive wear comes from heavy throttle and those broadsides through the left hand turns.
Hello
Legal limit in UK is 1mm across 3/4 of the tread for the motorcycle tyres and 1.6mm for the sidecar tyre unless you are using car tyres and that is a very grey area (do you apply M/C law or car law for the tyres)
However 2mm is what I consider the minimum.
Regards
Barry
