Changed Rear Tire Manually

[Fred W]

I take my tires to a local car tire shop and they do them both for $20. Guess that's a great deal!!!

No, that is a fantastic deal. I'd probably still do my own ('cause I'm a glutton for punishment) but there is certainly no financial incentive to DIY at $20 a pair.

Don't know how to make the front tire last longer? 12K seems to be my upper limit no matter what I do. I'm using my first PR2 now so maybe I'll be establishing a new upper limit.

Easy. More wheelies!!

 

[Fred W]

Fred W --

Would you measure the tread depth of your new front and rear 023GT's?

Finally getting around to your request:

The rear GT tire measures 7/32" to the wear bar near the center of the tire, with another 32nd after the bar (8/32" total)

The front GT measures 9/64" to the wear bar (between 4 and 5/32) with the same 32nd after the bar.

I don't think that the GT has deeper tread, but it is different on the front. That was also not the case with the Pirelli Strada E spec or with the PR2 B spec tires. I think that the GT rear has stiffer sidewalls, maybe more belt plies, and that allows the tire to run cooler under the load of the beefy Feejer.

 

[Dale2010]

Fred W --

Would you measure the tread depth of your new front and rear 023GT's?

I'm about ready for a new replacement for my BT021 rear. This tire has lasted the longest (13k+ miles) on my '04 FJR. The 023 is supposed to have enhanced life over the 021. I've always used the generic versions on the rear since they usually have the deepest treads (fewer tread plies). The 021 rear had a tread depth of approximately 6 mm. That's not the deepest I've measured on a new tire but it's lasted the longest anyway -- must be a very hard compound in the center section.

I'll probably choose the generic 023 rather than the GT version. I've never noticed any abnormal behavior from the generic rear tires I've used. But, I always ride solo with little additional weight on the bike.

I'll get you those tread depths tomorrow sometime. Bike Bandit shipped me the two tires separately (that can't be cost effective) and only the front showed up today. Which is weird because they left the same exact place at the same time. :huh:

Gawd... I only hope that these 023GT things last me 13k miles. I'd be happy as a pig in poop.

My last few PR2 rears have only lasted 9500, then 8100, then I split one at 4300 and the one I need to replace now has only 7600. I think maybe I'm getting harder on those PR2's?

Fronts have been 11.5k, 11.4k and this one only has 7100? :huh: And it has taken a set like a crosscut saw blade.

Funny thing it I've actually been more conscious of keeping my tire pressures up.

I'll be very surprised if you are able to get anywhere near that kind of mileage wear on the 023s. I'm removing a pair now and was only able to get a little over 10 000 km (~6000 miles) on the rear tire. The front one is still OK.

I got better than that with the original Metzelers which came on the bike. The 30% greater wear claim by Bridgestone is wishful thinking at best.

I do ride two up most of the time and frequently drive 110 to 130 kph on the open highway.

 

[RadioHowie]

And how does a cave man balance the wheel ? Not a trick question, just wondering about the next step...

Throw a bunch of driveway gravel in your tire and call it "dynamically balanced".

I think Wheatie's on to something here!!

Nope.

If I was on to something, I would be selling that gravel to others, calling it something like "Dynagravel" and make money off of that driveway gravel.

If tiny little beads (or bits of gravel) work, why not a fluid?

Just piss in the tire???