Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Bad Tires?

With the chance of sounding really stooopid I will ask anyway. I have always had GREAT luck with the Avon tires and they last between 7500 and 8000 miles. This last set I had wore out REALLY fast, less than 3000 miles. They almost look dried out or at a rotting stage and have the cord showing in three places. They are not worn like any of my other tires, all from the middle and hardly anything on the sides are worn. For those that want to beat me up about checking my tires, well I do check them often but this really caught me by surprise. Anyone have anything similar to this happen with tires in general? I have thought back, I keep the tire pressure within 2 lbs of what it should be. The only thing I did that was different this time was scrub them with (here it goes) simple green. I have not read anything that simple green eats rubber, but could this be the cause? At this point Right now I have reached the conclusion that they where just old tires, but would like some input from the board also.

I think a lot depends on where you buy your tires. There are places on the internet that sell tires that have been in storage, sometimes for years. The rubber is old and hard. These tires wear out quickly and also because they are hard they offer less grip than they should, making them dangerous. Be careful where you get your tires. It doesn't always pay to buy the cheapest.

The place I normally get tires has always been good. This paticluar set I had the guy that changed them go ahead and get them for me. This is one of the reasons I am thinking old tires. Thanks for the input kenny.

Wow! 3,000 miles that is fast. I had those avon tires on and really liked them. Mine lasted ~8,000, but the rear gave out, although it appeared to me there was some tread available. Was it an aged tire? I don't know, I did buy it online. And no I didn't check to number codes. I have Dunlops on now, and they seem to be a very good tire, although they don't "feel" quite as sticky or grippy as the avons. I think they will be slightly higher mileage tire than the avons were.

Side note: I was fighting slight wobbles and front end bouncing in the corners last year, that is gone now. I have to think it was either an unbalanced or uneven wearing front tire, or both.

JH

I just got my new tires in from Motorcycle Pro Shop Time for me to get back to my trusted supplier. I ordered the Venom tires for both front and back, with tubes and rim strips. Total cost delivered to my door was $284.40 (includes CA sales tax). Rubber is pliable and new.

I have made a move to change and balance my own tires from now on. The best price I can get around here is $20.00 for each tire. Some places as much as $45.00 each and that is with me taking the wheels off.

I ordered a MC tire changing center and balancer and should have them by the end of next week. If anyone is interested I will get prices for those together and post how well they work out. There are 2-4 of us around here going in on these and will pay for themselves in short order as I usually have to change tires twice a year.

There should be a date on your tires (embedded in a series of numbers that looks like a serial #). Check & see how old they are.