Advice needed--front tire, replace or run some more?

[petevandyke]

Metz 880 front, replaced last fall, about 5,500 miles on it. Am VERY careful about tire pressure after learning an expensive lesson, so the front is always at 42, the rear always at 48 psi.

I ride fairly aggressively when I get the chance, love curves when I can get to them, but much of my riding is completely upright.

Inspection of the tires when cleaning the bike this weekend, rear looks just fine, more than 5mm of tread depth throughout, no need to think about replacement for a long time.

FRONT, however is a little different.

Now, keeping in mind that I do not OVER-INFLATE, the outer edges have about 3mm tread depth, and some of the center tread is as deep at 2mm. However (see pics below), there are a couple spots that have gone almost completely smooth.

I'm thinking the WHEEL may not have been mounted completely square (I'm no genius, so that's a guess).

No "shimmy," no weird handling effects, no problems experienced when I rode in the rain the other day before noticing the tread issue, etc, and after reading the threads, the consensus is "1.6 to 2mm tread depth = time to replace."

So, the question is, should I push onward and ride the front tire for a while (as 5,500 seems low compared to what a lot of others have claimed for front metzelers) after making sure that the wheel is mounted in the forks properly, or say screw it and put a new one on, have it balanced and re-mounted now?

attached are two pics of the front tire


advice is appreciated.

Pete

[parishollow]

take a chance? I would change it out now. You will notice a quieter ride for one thing. Safe and secure another. And you won't be thinking to yourself,"how many more miles before I see steel belts and will I be far away from my replacement tire sitting at home?" Will those bare spots grip well in the rain?

[BecketMa]

At that rate of ware, you won't get more than a few hundred miles (not a proven fact-simply my opinion).

Having a flat tire any place other than in your garage is a real PITA.

You'll probably love the way your bike handles after putting on a new front tire.

Bob, 00hh LT

[dandiver]

If YOU are not sure, the answer is change it out. It isn't worth worrying about.

I just got in a similar situation today. Hit something on the interstate that sliced the front and back tire. I didn't notice it until I got home. Got to go ahead and order a front and back tire as soon as I can find the best source. I know a search on this site will pull it up.

[timderr]

i would change it ...i will never take a chance with a tire. for me its cheap compared to what may happen..when you have it changed i would ask what their opinion is about the funny wear...
i would be interested to hear...

[petevandyke]

Yeah, that's what I figured...

Dan, you're in for a wild ride on the tire search in the threads...Avon vs. Bridgestone vs. Metzeler...

there's only one official seller for Metzeler, all of the places in the US that re-sell them get them through the same place, so if you have 880's now and want to stick with them, you're best off googling Metzeler ME 880 and see what pops up...make sure you keep in mind that some sites will not charge you tax if you're out of state, and a couple don't charge tax...a combination that can save ya' up to $45 (learned THAT one the hard way, too...)

I guess I'd better discontinue doing "stoppies" with the LT to impress the chicks, maybe I'd get more than 5,500 miles on the fronts...


lol


Glad I have a spare set of unused tires, or the LT would be decommissioned for a while.

By the way, anyone in the Dallas Area hiring?

Pete

[jackd]

If the tire costs $125 to replace at the high end.. and you can squeeze another 1k of miles out of it you will be saving maybe $30 or so?

So on the upside you might save $30.. on the downside you say you ride aggressively, so how much skin are you willing to sacrifice for $30?

I would buy another one. I would also keep a good eye on the thread on the replacement (say as you gas the bike as a common check point) and see if you can see abnormal wear developing. It is possible, if you religiously monitor air pressure, that your abnormal wear is a defect in the tire.. I would assume that if it was improperly mounted that you would have had issues long before this time.

[dandiver]

I'm going to replace the Metz with Metz. I like the way they handle. I found the following site:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/

120/70 VB-17 $104
160/70 VB-17 $180 No charge for shipping /no tax. Guess it's time to order.

I'll check a little more to see what is out there. I called the local dealer and they want 148.00 and 257.00 + 75.00 to install both. $48.00 +

A little steep!

[kb0lxx]

Here's how I look at it. 90% of blowouts are on the last 10% of the tread. 10% of blowouts are on the first 90% of the tread.

Jim

[pieceofficer]

Dandiver,

Your post made me curious...I called my dealership and for Metz 880s and hee is what they said:

Front tire: 111.75
Rear Tire : 196.20

Labor Mnt & Blnce : 83.00

He also states again that the rear tire on the LT is only good for 6-8k miles.

Is this true?

If someone would also clarify at what tread depth the tires should be replaced..if even wear...obviously in his situation with any abnormal wear I would replace immediately.

Just trying to figure out if I should put new tires on before I take off in a few weeks.

[Jinks]

5,500!?? I have 42,400 on my bike, & am "near" the wear limit on my *second* front tire.

Your pressure is good, so there's either something seriously wrong with that tire, or the mount/balance is way off........ Unless, or course, you're being modest about your aggressiveness..........

Yeah, you need to replace that tire, & you might want to be particular about who does the work............

[PMitchell]

Had an Econ prof over 30 years ago lecture on the economics of real life to poor students, more interested in weekend beer bashes, skirt chasing, etc.

However, he gave me a life lesson that I have since passed on to my children . . .

Is your life worth the cost of a set of tires? :confused:

That lecture and sentence has burned a permanent impression into my gray matter. No matter what, I have always kept good rubber on my cages and bikes. Also, for some reason as you get down to the nubs (2-3 mm) the tires seem to wear faster.

Trash the tires and make an investment in life!

[Woolly]

Pete, I'd go for 'Stones every time - wet weather grip is THE BEST - longevity - not that hot. The LT is one of the few bikes that trashes the front tyre before the back (I got 6k front, 12k back - alledgedly 'Normal' - 'Stones apparently wear out more quickly than the competition, but for wet weather grip there is no other option. And don't forget, for post 2004 bikes, must be Bias Belted, not radial.

[astuber]

I'm going to replace the Metz with Metz. I like the way they handle. I found the following site:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/

120/70 VB-17 $104
160/70 VB-17 $180 No charge for shipping /no tax. Guess it's time to order.

I'll check a little more to see what is out there. I called the local dealer and they want 148.00 and 257.00 + 75.00 to install both. $48.00 +

A little steep!

I checked with Southwest Moto. Their prices:

120/70 VB-17 $111.95
160/70 VB-17 $131.95 No tax and Free shipping.

While I have only used them once, I know that others on the board speak very highly of them.

[mikeinpgh]

5,500!?? I have 42,400 on my bike, & am "near" the wear limit on my *second* front tire.

Your pressure is good, so there's either something seriously wrong with that tire, or the mount/balance is way off........ Unless, or course, you're being modest about your aggressiveness..........

Yeah, you need to replace that tire, & you might want to be particular about who does the work............

Am I reading this right?
You are getting 21,000 miles average on a front tire?
How?

[Jinks]

Am I reading this right?
You are getting 21,000 miles average on a front tire?
How?

Yep! You're readin' it right. I got just over 20k out of the first one & it wasn't really in bad shape. I've been watchin' the current tire, & was plannin' on changin' it recently but checked the tread depth against a new one & decided I could get another thou. or two if I wasn't goin' on any long trips. Current tread is *just* under 3/32" & wear is even.

I do my own tire work, balance the wheel before mounting a tire & then balance both tire & wheel after the tire is mounted. I run 42/43 psi. front & 50 psi. rear, & get about 14,000 out of a rear ('cept for the one that got the nail in S.C.). I could have worn out two tires for what the dealer got to replace that one.....

Uh, on the rear tire mileage I get the max by keepin' a tire mounted on a spare wheel. I use the tire with the best tread for trips, & the most worn tire when riding locally. Insures that I have plenty of tread when I leave for a trip.

[dandiver]

I checked with Southwest Moto. Their prices:

120/70 VB-17 $111.95
160/70 VB-17 $131.95 No tax and Free shipping.

While I have only used them once, I know that others on the board speak very highly of them.

I would call him immediately. They think the tires are made of gold in Tampa. Best deal I could find is from the Honda Dealer;
Front: 134, Rear: 186, Installation $75.00 for both.

Maybe a ride out west for tires. Wonder if the wife would believe me?

[dandiver]

Dandiver,

Your post made me curious...I called my dealership and for Metz 880s and hee is what they said:

Front tire: 111.75
Rear Tire : 196.20

Labor Mnt & Blnce : 83.00

He also states again that the rear tire on the LT is only good for 6-8k miles.

Is this true?

If someone would also clarify at what tread depth the tires should be replaced..if even wear...obviously in his situation with any abnormal wear I would replace immediately.

Just trying to figure out if I should put new tires on before I take off in a few weeks.


Local BMW dealer wants about 25% more! Honda dealer 15 minutes away- BMW dealer an hour!

[sheldan2]

www.ronayers.com has fronts for $102.81 and rears for $116.81

[ltcanup]

I get about 13000 on the rear and 25000 on the front.2001 model.What are you guys doing wrong? I ride pretty agressive too.Sounds like yall need to lay off the brakes so much.

[billybiker]

I get about 13000 on the rear and 25000 on the front.2001 model.What are you guys doing wrong? I ride pretty agressive too.Sounds like you need to lay off the brakes so much.

Not quite but close to these mileages here as well - but wasn't going to say anything!

[DaFlake]

Metz 880s:
Rear tire life: 1st: 10,784 miles (to wear bars)
2nd: 8,737 miles (to wear bars)
3rd: 9,419 miles (partial cord exposed) miscalculated long trip
4th: 6,849 miles (to wear bars)
5th: 6,956 miles (to wear bars)

Front tire life: 1st: 12,395 miles
2nd: 10,392 miles (pulled early due to coming long trip)
3rd: 11,998 miles
4th: 8,023 miles to date and still going.........................

Rear Brake Pads replaced 35,789 miles
Front Brake Pads still on bike to date at 42,745 still within specs

My tire life expectancy started going downhill after installing Ohlins. What's up with that? ;)

[ibbones]

I have 13XXX on my 880's and want to replace the rear just because I have a plug in it. The front tire has good tread depth and the rear is OK but I would not want to go on a long trip on it.
My next set will be the 880's.

[ronlray]

Man ,this is a "no brainer"! Change that puppy out immediately if not sooner!
How much is your life worth? You obviously have a bad tire or at minimum irregular wear. My original Bridgestone BT20 went out at 6,000 miles due to cupping. Once a tire starts wearing improperly, it will continue to do so. My last set of ME880s got 17,000 on the front tire and 15,000 on the rear. I check the tires religiously and keep them at 40 lbs. front and 46 rear. I also change my own tires and am meticulous about the balancing. I use the "Marc Parnes" balancer. Proper tire pressure and proper balancing plus driving the bike like a Touring bike instead of a sportbike = long tire life. Ron Ray

[K1200LTryder]

Hey there Pete, I'm a bit suprized that nobody has mentioned a problem with the front shock absorber. Not sure about how many miles you have on your LT, but the picture of that tire show signs of front end wear, particularly a bad front shock....I think you are getting only 1/2 the mileage out of the Metzler that most here get.

Bad Shock IMHO

[brianbeemer]

Hey there Pete, I'm a bit suprized that nobody has mentioned a problem with the front shock absorber. Not sure about how many miles you have on your LT, but the picture of that tire show signs of front end wear, particularly a bad front shock....I think you are getting only 1/2 the mileage out of the Metzler that most here get.

Bad Shock IMHO
Agreed. That wear pattern is an indication of a shock problem in my experience.

[PATTERSON]

PETEVANDYKE

Just exchanged my 880's for a set of Dunlop 205's (because of a head-shake issue)......but I wanted you to know that I had in excess of 15,000 miles on BOTH the front AND the rear. I think the mileage difference between your tires and mine is the type of roads we drive on.............

Pat

[petevandyke]

I have an appt. to have the rear suspension checked because even with it dialed all the way down, I am "bottoming out" once in a while in right hand curves when on not-perfectly-smooth roads (and yes, I am countersteering, not leaning through--and yes, I understand the differences between hang length of the centerstand, but hell, I lost 100 pounds, with the shock adjusted all the way clockwise, it shouldn't bottom out period).

Now i am wondering if maybe it's the FRONT and not the rear...


All good advice, thank you all



(unfortunately, the answer lately to "is your life worth more than a set of new tires?" seems to be no, but I'm workin' on it...)


Pete

[steamboatjohn]

Sheet, change 'em if there is an issue, or plan on new tires while you're on your trip......Dandiver,

Your post made me curious...I called my dealership and for Metz 880s and hee is what they said:

Front tire: 111.75
Rear Tire : 196.20

Labor Mnt & Blnce : 83.00

He also states again that the rear tire on the LT is only good for 6-8k miles.

Is this true?

If someone would also clarify at what tread depth the tires should be replaced..if even wear...obviously in his situation with any abnormal wear I would replace immediately.

Just trying to figure out if I should put new tires on before I take off in a few weeks.

[torso]

I got 12,000 on the least rear running the 880's. I replaced both tires even though there was some life left on the front. I don't ride very hard, but didn't want to risk loosing a tire - I agree with most everyone else - you risk a lot for very little if you try to run your tires down too far.