3000 Mile Tires and Trip

[gregory]

Greetings all,

Can't post in the NEPRT's for some reason, so here I am.

I am going to go to the Hells Canyon Rally in Oregon this year :yahoo: Here is my quandry:

I currently have all of 2k on my '08. I am going to SW-FOG, so I anticipate about 700-800 miles there and about another 700-800 (if that) between now and the HCR in June. I am thinking that I will be leaving with about 3000 to 3500 on my stock tires. I will be taking the senic route (as little superslab as I can) up, which will be about 1400 miles one way, and as much of the HCR as my *** will allow (which should be lot's with my new Bill Mayer Saddle) ending up at my buddys home in western Oregon with about 6000 to 6500 on my stockers. Here is my question,

Should I just replace here, should I have tires shipped to my buddy's house and replace there or should I expect them to make the full trip ( I am not a very aggresive rider just yet)

Thanks in advance,

Greg

 

[Foxhuntr]

I'll jump in here! My originals on my '07 lasted 5700 miles (BT020's). I could have eked out another few hundred miles, so I'd say change them at your Buddy's place.

 

[Randy]

depending on what tires you get, you should be able to get them delivered in 5 days or less. see where you're at in june. most likely, you'll be doing other rides between now and then, so, it's tough to say how many miles you'll have on them at that time and what shape they'll be in. my crystal ball tells me that you'll have closer to 4000 miles, if not more, before you leave for oregon and your rear will be getting worn, but, your front will be fine. get the new skins delivered to your house and have them ready just in case. if you're in real good shape, save them for when you get back. if questionable, ship them from your house to your buddy's house. if one/both need changed once you get there, do it. if they're still good once you get there and you feel comfortable you can make the trip home, ship them back home. keep a close eye on your tire pressure. low tire pressures and heavy loads will chew up gobs of rubber.

 

[HaulinAshe]

I'm of a different opinion when it comes to trip preparation. I would much prefer to mount the new tires and put 100 miles or so on them around home, before starting the trip. Anything can happen and it can happen anywhere. However, if something is going to go wrong, I'd rather it occur around home where I am better prepared to handle it.

My advice, put on the new rubber one week before you leave on the trip. This gives you time to handle any issues, like a bad sidewall seal, poor balancing etc. Save the old tires as spares and use them to experiment mounting your own tires.

 

[rushes]

I'm of a different opinion when it comes to trip preparation. I would much prefer to mount the new tires and put 100 miles or so on them around home, before starting the trip. Anything can happen and it can happen anywhere. However, if something is going to go wrong, I'd rather it occur around home where I am better prepared to handle it.
My advice, put on the new rubber one week before you leave on the trip. This gives you time to handle any issues, like a bad sidewall seal, poor balancing etc. Save the old tires as spares and use them to experiment mounting your own tires.

That makes a lot of sense. But I might even give some thought to putting new tires on now, and have a set of spares with only 2000 miles on them.

 

[gregory]

Those are some good points that I hadn't though of.

Thanks guys, much to consider.

Greg

 

[rockmurf]

I got about 15k miles on my original fjr tires.. Just check air pressure 40f 42r and you should be in good shape.

 

[Jagermeister]

Gregory,

You didn't mention which OEM tires you have. BT021 or Z6?

The front BT021 lasted 4k for me, on decent roads (usually not the sandpaper Jeff rides on), mixed 1&2 up, mixed slab & curves. The Z6s last a bit longer, especially up front.

 

[okmac]

I got 8500 miles on my origional Bridgestone 020 tires , the back needed changing but the front had at least another 1-2 thousand left on it. Just keep your air pressure up and you should not have a problem. I have 6500 on my Bridgstone 021's and according to the tread left I should get another 2500 on them.

Mac

 

[gregory]

I am running the Z6

 

[GunMD]

I am running the Z6

Then this should be easy...they'll split down the middle long before you actually wear them out. Problem solved.

 

[worldbound4now]

I am running the Z6

Then this should be easy...they'll split down the middle long before you actually wear them out. Problem solved.

ROTFL