Suggestions for tire service in San Diego

[extrememarine]

I will be going to San Diego at the end of April to attend at 7 week course there. I'm going to attempt an IBA 50cc ride from South Carolina to San Diego, CA. My concern is tires. If I put on new front & rear tires when I depart, any input as to how well they hold up? I'll be running one-up, all three hardbags, plus a duffle strapped to the pillon for 2500 miles each way, plus some playing on the weekends while I'm there. I plan to stick to mostly slab on the way out (to make the 50cc timeframe), and then on the return run mostly 2 lane/scenic roads SoCal to Denver & then slab back to SC.

I just put on a new PR because I toasted a relatively low mileage PR on this ride: (N. Ga Frosty Balls Ride) This tire only had about 4000 miles on it, which seemed alittle early to be showing cords. All of the long distance type ride reports I've read have not mentioned tires.

SO, the options I'm considering are:

a. new front now, with the 1000 miles on the rear now, will put me in SD with 5500 miles on the front & 6500 on the rear(est. 2000 miles between now and April). Get new avons in SD for the return trip. (in which case I'd need suggestions for tire change service in Socal)

b. Put on new avons 1 week prior to departure and run them coast to coast and back.

Any suggestions or recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

wr

 

[Fencer]

I would say put the new Avons on before departing.

The reason is the 50 CC timeframe. otherwise I would do the switch in SD.

Unless you have someone post a REALLY GOOD RELIABLE shop in SD that can have the tires in stock when you get there and FIT YOU IN on your time frame (remember april will be the bring the bike out of the closet month for maint). You might hit a big snag in your 50CC.

 

[ADHinVA]

Congrats on the trip! I went to San Diego last summer, from VA...

San Diego's House of Motorcycles

4904 El Cajon Blvd

San Diego, CA 92115

(619) 229-7700

Darryl Gayagas is the service manager.

A GREAT place with great service. They helped me with a few things last Summer...

Have Fun.

 

[SkooterG]

I would choose "b". But then I have never gotten less than 9,000 on a rear Avon, and much more on the front. I would think with your loading conditions, and mostly slab, as long as you are not too agressive with the accelaration and engine braking, you should easily be able to do your whole trip on one set of tires. At least that's been my personal experience.

 

[stryg8r]

My 2 cents....

You need to ask yourself two questions.

1. How many miles do you normally get out of a set of tires?

2. How many miles are you going to have on your current tires when you leave?

Subtract answer 2 from answer 1. If that number is greater than 3,500 (50CC mileage +1,000 for insurance) then I'd run your current tires. If it's less then spoon on those Avons and don't worry about it. Keep in mind you may be in the same situation on the return trip depending on how much riding you get in while in San Diego.

I was in a similar situation last year with a big trip coming up (5,000 miles) and I was running a set of PR's with a few thousand miles already on them. I'm one of the original 'cheap bastards' so I seriously considered running those PR's on the trip. But in the end common sense prevailed and I pulled the PR's and mounted a set of Avons for the trip because I'd be pushing 9,000 miles on the PR's. And anyone can tell you how expensive it can be to get tires changed on the road. Now I've got a "spare" set of tires with 4,000 miles sitting in my basement.

Not to get into a tire wear discussion but 4,000 miles on a set of PR's sounds really low. Is that your normal mileage or did these wear faster than normal for you?

 

[extrememarine]

Thank you all for your input. Great points from all which is way I posted this question. I have settled on putting on new treads on about 2-3 weeks before I roll out. The CycleGear.com store here give MSF instructors a 30% discount and they can mount tires in the store. The manager is getting a price for avon storms, and I don't think I'll find a better deal.

Fencer; I'll have 7 weeks in san diego while at school, but you're right, it could be a challenge to get the tires & a shop to get it in & out while I wait. With new tires, I'd have less to worry about on the trip out, as it's going to be a balls to the wall run out for it. Return trip will be more moderate pace.

ADHinVA; Thanks for the shop info, I'll put that with my registration & roadside service info. Unfortunately, the ride out is really the only up side to this "school". The Marine Corps has decided that it requires my efforts to be directed at finding a few good men and women to serve our great nation. Needless to say, today's world situation is not the most condusive to convincing mom&dad that this is the best way for Jr. to get college paid for. In short, I'd rather pull another tour in Iraq, but recruiting duty will be my mission for the next 3 years and I'll put 110% into it as with anything else Marines do. Do you have a trip report for your run out? What route did you go out & back?

SkooterG; New tires seems to be way I'm leaning. Here's a tip I got from an insider at the place I got my last tire. Get the road hazard coverage, which covers punctures amoung other things. When you hit 50% or less tread, find a screw to run over and get the tire replaced (new tire discounted based on remaining tread). So if the rear is showing any signs of wear; I can get it replaced while out there if I have to.

stryg8r; I've only had the fjr since October. I really have no frame of reference for tire wear on this bike yet. From the maint. reciepts I got with the bike, the rear was put on in Mar 06. No mileage was listed as the previous owner purchased it online then had it mounted locally. I do know that he less than 5000 miles total on the bike between Feb 05 and Oct 06. That's why I was really suprised that the PR was toast after my run up to Atlanta and back (870 miles in 16 hrs running 80 to triple digits). I've had really good experience with Avons on my cruiser, so the next set of shoes for the fjr will be avons.

Thanks again for the suggestions & comments.

wr