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[2k]

Have wondered from time to time, might as well ask. The tread depth on most new car tires is 11/32, while motorcycles is about 5/32. Is that a reason bike tires only last + - 10k? 

[grc]

The tread depth on late model Touring rear tires is 10/32", while most fronts are around 5/32".

Jerry

[Chains]

The tread depth on late model Touring rear tires is 10/32", while most fronts are around 5/32".

Jerry

Thanks Jerry, that answered a question I had without having to ask it. 

[SmokeyJoe]

so would 1/8" remainobg be a good time to get one
on.order?

[2k]

so would 1/8" remainobg be a good time to get one
on.order?

I wouldn't, unless it takes a long time to get or you have a long trip planned. 1/8 = a little less than half gone on a rear.

[grc]

so would 1/8" remainobg be a good time to get one
on.order?

Depends on how long you think it may take to get one where you are and how much you ride.  The minimum tread depth per the manufacturer is 1/32", I prefer a minimum of 2/32" myself on a motorcycle tire.  If you use my 2/32" figure, finding and ordering one when you get to 4/32" (1/8") might make sense if it's hard to get one where you are currently located, especially if you're trying to find the best price and not just paying a local dealer whatever he thinks the market will bear.  Doesn't mean you should change it at that 4/32" figure though.

JMHO - Jerry

[r0de_runr]

Also depends somewhat on the climate and your riding style. 

I ride year round, rain doesn't slow me down much, but poor visibility will.  I need all the water shedding I can get.  I use the Harley air gauge with the tread depth thingy and when it hits the blue I get new rubber as a set.

Also, less tread depth makes your tire a little more vulnerable to punctures.

[grc]

Also depends somewhat on the climate and your riding style. 

I ride year round, rain doesn't slow me down much, but poor visibility will.  I need all the water shedding I can get.  I use the Harley air gauge with the tread depth thingy and when it hits the blue I get new rubber as a set.

Also, less tread depth makes your tire a little more vulnerable to punctures.

I agree wholeheartedly.  If you ride in the rain you definitely want sufficient tread to prevent hydroplaning, and a tire with full tread depth will resist punctures better than a worn out tire.  The trick is to find the minimum tread depth that suits your riding conditions while also allowing you to get a reasonable amount of miles before changing tires again.  Ideally we would all keep brand new tires on our bikes all the time, but of course unless you own a bike or tire shop and look like that biker in the insurance commercials with the dollar bills blowing off him as he rides, that isn't terribly practical. 

Jerry

[SmokeyJoe]

Thanx all - I think I will start price comparisons and get one one order.  Depending on the USPS service it can take as long as 60 days to get here to my Army Post Office.  That being said I have bought things from Amazon, shipped from the US and gotten it in 6 days!

[sadunbar]

We've gotten in the habit of taking at least once yearly trips of 4K to 7K miles.  And I don't want these trips to be the last 4k to 7k miles of a set of tires.  So we generally leave on these trips with new or near new tires - with plenty of "rain tread" left on them.  Which means I often take tires off that have many usable miles left, just not miles I want to head off on a long trip with... 

The upside is the kids in the neighborhood, or their friends, stop by from time to time to see if they can pick up a set of "used but nice" tires from me, which I'll give to them at no cost.  When I was a youngster, I had an old guy or two in the neighborhood I could lean on - and it's good to help out a young motorcycle enthusiast!  Not to mention the upside of some good will from the high school crowd in the neighborhood, when we leave our house sitting empty so often!   

[SmokeyJoe]

We've gotten in the habit of taking at least once yearly trips of 4K to 7K miles.  And I don't want these trips to be the last 4k to 7k miles of a set of tires.  So we generally leave on these trips with new or near new tires - with plenty of "rain tread" left on them.  Which means I often take tires off that have many usable miles left, just not miles I want to head off on a long trip with... 

The upside is the kids in the neighborhood, or their friends, stop by from time to time to see if they can pick up a set of "used but nice" tires from me, which I'll give to them at no cost.  When I was a youngster, I had an old guy or two in the neighborhood I could lean on - and it's good to help out a young motorcycle enthusiast!  Not to mention the upside of some good will from the high school crowd in the neighborhood, when we leave our house sitting empty so often!   

Nice - good going there, I like hearing about good will.