Hi folks; En route to Argentina writing to you from Harbin Hot Springs in California. Thinking I was a smart cookie and well prepared I ordered a pair of Shinko 705 tires in advance to be ready for me in San Diego. Problem is, my tires are looking pretty sore and I probably should have replaced these in Seattle before I left. I've attached some photos here: Photo Album - Imgur of the rear and front tires. The rear tire looks like I'm almost at the wear bar. I also noticed some slight cupping to the rear tire. I put 3,000 miles on these tires before I got the bike (the tires had mileage on them before I got them). I did some Google Maps calculations and it looks like its 100 miles to San Francisco, and 662 to San Diego via Highway 1. So my question is: 1) What would you as a fellow rider do? Replace the rear tire in San Francisco? Go for San Diego so I can grab the tires I already bought? 2) If you'd replace the rear tire, what would you replace it with?
What PSI would you throw in them? Spec says 33 up front; 38 in rear (for 2 up riding, which I'm counting as I have luggage) I *was* running 36 up front and 41 in rear but I've heard that over inflating wears the middle part of your tire more. Your advice is appreciated :)
What will you save if you blow a tire crash and get hurt.? What will you save if you blow a tire in the middle of nowhere and spend two days plus hundreds getting towed and fixed? You may have to brake hard and blow a tire. Or you may make it 2000 miles more no problem. They look good enough to do the 662 if you take it easy. Try max inflation printed on the side of the tire. It creates less heat and makes the tire last longer. I have taken a Tourance down further than those. Afterwards I cut the tire in half and there was about a dimes thickness of rubber left. I thought that too, but the experts on the thread about running max psi said no and I found it to be true. Max psi printed on side of tire equals max life on the tire (more miles)
An easy ride on the PCH is an oxymoron. Hard to do. Well, at least for me. Then again, fresh tires merit a little respect also. I think I'd change em out in SF. Unless I was jammed for time, then I'd ride them to SD. Course, if that means you have to do the PCH on Saturday versus tomorrow, I'd def ride tomorrow.
If the PCH is twisty you should get more miles. Looks like there are more curving miles left than center miles.
I'd change it in SF. Maybe someone from ADVRider would give you an old tire they have sitting around with enough tread to get you to San Diego? You could put a post up in the West- California regional thread: http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=29 .............shu
Harry says, you've got to ask yourself one question, "Do I feel lucky". Well punk, do ya'? As someone who's ridden tires down too far (I didn't know they would turn from black to gray inside), I'd go for it, plenty of rubber there. But then, I felt lucky.
The closest I've ever come to dying on a motorcycle was trying to get the last few miles out of a set of Goodyear HST's on my XS1100. Now, I DO NOT strive to finish them out.
Yesterday I saw a tire on a guys bike that had cords showing and he rode it here that way and had around a hunnert miles to get home. Do whatever you are comfortable with. When my tires get to the wear bars I get new tires.
Well if you find yourself in a jam when you get to San Francisco give me a ring. What size rear tire do you need anyway?? 415-661-0957
I would slab ride them but not dirt. 600+ miles is a days riding and if you underinflate alittle and dont over heat them no worries Thats assuming the cupping is not cuaseing drivability issues :eek1
I used to ride them like that. Until I high sided my K100 in Ireland because of it. Cost me a bit more than what I saved on the tire. Now I'm a little more careful about it. But if all the roads were completely dry, and you didn't hit anything, and didn't do a burnout, and didn't have any bad luck, they might make San Diego without popping. Two factors to think about, the rubber under the tread is much harder than the tread itself, so there is much less traction on a slick surface once you get to that point. You are very close now. And, the rubber is very thin on modern radial tires, they are not as foolproof in this respect as the old bias ply tires. You would be surprised how easy it is to puncture a tire once it has worn to that point. Once you change it out, cut into it with a knife, you will be surprised at just how thin the carcass is.
I'd stick to the original plan and change them in San Diego. How fast do you normally ride? If you are super concerned (I wouldn't be but it is your body and not mine) just ride a bit slower than what you usually would. Hell, if you kept to the side roads and 40 mph you'd probably get all the way to Argentina without mishap.