Time for new tires?

[aschrauth]

Hello everyone!

So I have around 9,000 Km on my current set of tires that I changed on my kymco when I noticed that the OEM ones were badly dry rotted at around 1,000 KM. I examined both of them and noticed that the back one is worn more than the front which is normal for a motorcycle from what I was told. The question is how do I measure how much tread is currently on my tires? I have a tread depth gauge but I assume it is only good for car tires and not motorcycle tires. The tires that I have on now are Duro all-season tires that look like the ones that I have pictured below. In the future, I will probably be installing the exact same brand because of the handling and I like that they ride well in the rain and snow.

[Neil955i]

Yes, it’s normal to get twice the life out of a front compared to a rear tyre.  My X-Town did about 5,000 miles on a rear and was on course for 8-10K on the front.

Your car depth gauge is good for the scooter and there should also be 1mm wear bar indicators in the grooves. Personally, I ignore those as I’d change them out at about 3mm. Bikes have only 2 palm size contact patches, I prefer them to be in tip top shape!

As for which brand / type, go with what works for you. I like Michelins, but I don’t think they do enduro type in scooter sizes.  That’s what I’ll be needing (enduro) for my  DTX360 when they need changing, so I’m actively looking ready for then.

[Ruffus]

TWI is written several times at your tires flanks. Could also be several arrows pointing towards grooves.

Tread Wear Indicator means if you go vertical up to your tires profile, you will find lower portions between the blocks. If this level is reached, tires are to be changed.

Pls see link
https://www.atmaindia.org.in/tread-wear-indicator-twi/

[randyo]

It's tire time for my K-Pipe, I'd like something more aggressive for a little off road, but having a hard time finding something in tubeless, and don't want to go to a tube type tire 

[aschrauth]

I jsut checked the tread on my rear tire, currently Im sitting at a three whitch is not safe Imho. I guess I will replace both of them when the weather warms up, Not looking forward to it though. I do plan on purchacing a pair of rimshield protectors, the ones that came witht the tire spoons that I purchaced were junk and ended up marring up my rims. I ended up repainting them

[randyo]

I jsut checked the tread on my rear tire, currently Im sitting at a three whitch is not safe Imho. I guess I will replace both of them when the weather warms up, Not looking forward to it though. I do plan on purchacing a pair of rimshield protectors, the ones that came witht the tire spoons that I purchaced were junk and ended up marring up my rims. I ended up repainting them

agree, what's legal, and what's safe are not the same, I replace tires at 40%

[Neil955i]

agree, what's legal, and what's safe are not the same, I replace tires at 40%

Totally agree.  Police motorcycle cops here change at 3mm, they regard anything less as sub-optimal.  It's my rule of thumb too.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Totally agree.  Police motorcycle cops here change at 3mm, they regard anything less as sub-optimal.  It's my rule of thumb too.

Makes sense. The UK is under water 11 months a year....
Stig

[randyo]

Makes sense. The UK is under water 11 months a year....
Stig

for me, it's the unpaved roads that I encounter, also hard to plan a long trip when your tread gets low.

[Neil955i]

Makes sense. The UK is under water 11 months a year....
Stig

Seems like it sometimes 😂🤣

[Viper254]

If you like the Duros, stick with them. I quite like those tyres.

I have learned over the last 15 years what tyres I do and don't like, and it doesn't necessarily align with what *should* be good.

An ex-racer friend of mine (he'd done the Manx, whatever that meant) swore by Maxxis towards the end of his riding career.

[randyo]

If you like the Duros, stick with them. I quite like those tyres.

I have learned over the last 15 years what tyres I do and don't like, and it doesn't necessarily align with what *should* be good.

An ex-racer friend of mine (he'd done the Manx, whatever that meant) swore by Maxxis towards the end of his riding career.

I always liked Avon

[Neil955i]

An ex-racer friend of mine (he'd done the Manx, whatever that meant) swore by Maxxis towards the end of his riding career.

“Whatever that meant”? Really Viper?  Shame on you!  The Manx GP held every September on the IoM is the stepping stone to the TT and a specialist meet for classic machinery ineligible for the TT. Been a few times and for my money it’s a better event than the TT as it’s so much more laid back and friendly. Last went in 2016.

[aschrauth]

So I ordered tires yesterday and found out that tire beads exist. Apparently they balance the tire as it is spinning. Do these actually work? or anyone have experence with them

[Stig / Major Tom]

So I ordered tires yesterday and found out that tire beads exist. Apparently they balance the tire as it is spinning. Do these actually work? or anyone have experence with them

I have them in my Liberty tires.
Do they work.....no way to prove if or how much they do, unless you have a tire shop to run quick comparisons.
So, I  hope they do.

Stig