View Full Version : Decision of the Day...
I fail at making decisions...
I could do with a new rear tyre, it has plenty of tread, but it is now a tad square.
I'm supposed to be going to the ARTNW on the 29th, and I really want to go.
Do I
a. buy new tyres and fit them, then trundle to the ARTNW and back on the motorway...
or
b. go with the old tyre and put the new ones on when I come back?
What would you do?
JamesMio
21-04-11, 10:06 AM
Ride down on the old one (assuming it's got enough tread to make it?), then get a new one fitted whilst you're almost down there, (say, Cheshire area somewhere). Scrub it in on the final stretch to the campsite, then melt a few faces on the rideout the next day.
I did PM Ed to find out if there was anywhere near by - I had kind thought about that.
The old tyre will have enough tread to do the whole lot, but a shiny new tyre would be nice.
Also - someone would need to come with me, cos I'd get hopelessly lost.
fizzwheel
21-04-11, 10:30 AM
New tyres. Doing a big rideout and not enjoying it because you are worried / fretting about your tyre, takes all the fun out of it.
christopher
21-04-11, 10:36 AM
Depends if his work schedule allows, and that you don't mind a small detour depending which way you're coming down... but there's F&B Tyres (Steve - 01270 760795) in Wheelock, Sandbach (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Wheelock,+Sandbach,+UK&z=9) who's always been very good on price and service.
You couldn't just call in though, would need to phone him to see what shifts he's on and give him chance to order the tyre in if he doesn't have one already.
Hard to tell without seeing them, but as you remember, I had a massive puncture when heading to the GM and needed to replace the rear tyre. The punctured tyre was only 2k miles old (front was brand new).
Best bit of unluck that has happened to me :)
Dunno where exactly the rideout is, but you can use backroads to get there, B7076 to head south for example - runs close to the motorway, a bit twisty but allows good pace :)
JamesMio
21-04-11, 10:38 AM
There's Preston SuperBikes and the head office of J&S (in Northwich), which sell bikes rather than just clothing etc like the one up hwre. Either of which wouldn't be much of a diversion on the way down...
Luckypants
21-04-11, 10:49 AM
a. buy new tyres and fit them, then trundle to the ARTNW and back on the motorway...
Don't do this! Why replace a squared off tyre with a new one then run down a motorway squaring it off? :confused: Go with the old tyre down the motorway and then round it off back to shape on the twisties on Ed's rideout :cool:
If you are really unhappy with the handling due to a square rear then I would second Chris's suggestion of calling Steve at F&B tyres to have a new rear fitted en-route, Tilt did that on his way south from GMII after his tyre wore out on the motorway. If you are worried about getting lost on the way to/from a tyre place, I'm sure that someone going to ARTNW could escort you - failing that I'm off next week and could meet you if needed.
Quiff Wichard
21-04-11, 01:43 PM
or there is 2 wheel bikes in Middlewich- bang off the M6 .. about 2 mins off junction 18 at Byley father and son business real nice guys ..
http://www.bizwiki.co.uk/tyre-dealers/1493320/two-wheel-tyres.htm
and you can then pick up middlewich to nantwich road which is ace and twisty and then nantwich to prees heath and get a brew at the midway truck stop cafe or the raven then on to the camp site.. lovely cross country roads they are.
bear in mind it is a bank holiday cos of wedding and folk may not be working..
I cant find their own website ..?? hmmm they still goin as far as I know.. worth a bell to check ..
better solution, dont take the motorway and round off the tyre you have.
think of it as a day out on a run.
put a picture up of the tyre you have.
Wonder if the link will work...
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150280388414745.385009.539524744&l=803e75e367
Failing that:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207599_10150280400689745_539524744_9334626_6107661 _n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215835_10150280400789745_539524744_9334627_7428574 _n.jpg
Luckypants
21-04-11, 03:35 PM
That don't look too bad. I'd go on a weekend with those no worries. Better to finish those off and fit fresh rubber after the motorway haul back home IMHO.
I was really tempted just to go on them - the probably feel worse (to run your hand over, not when riding) than they look. A couple of folk who saw them last year said I should probably replace them and I'm useless at stuff like that so thought I'd ask for help.
I didnt want to put new ones on to run there and back, but at the same time wanted a back up option if I had to get new tyres on the way or when I was there.
All other opinions welcome.
:)
peterco
21-04-11, 04:04 PM
Looking at your pics,
tyres seem ok.
As luckypants says go enjoy the weekend.
yorkie_chris
21-04-11, 06:17 PM
I'm rubbish at judging mm of remaining tread by pictures. What tyre is it? Didn't the standard wooden ones come with that pattern?
Scythe92
21-04-11, 06:30 PM
Depends if his work schedule allows, and that you don't mind a small detour depending which way you're coming down... but there's F&B Tyres (Steve - 01270 760795) in Wheelock, Sandbach (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Wheelock,+Sandbach,+UK&z=9) who's always been very good on price and service.
You couldn't just call in though, would need to phone him to see what shifts he's on and give him chance to order the tyre in if he doesn't have one already.
Steve's your man. Quality guy, very helpful.
Electro
21-04-11, 06:54 PM
The tyres will be rounder by the end of the rideout Jen :)
It would be a waste of rubber as others have said to change before te rideout.
appollo1
21-04-11, 07:04 PM
That's not as square as my rear tyre at the moment and you have seen how square mine is!
Yup - and with a bit of luck they'll last the entire weekend.
Otherwise I'll be hoping there's a tyre place open on Sunday!
pffft. there is at least another 1k left on those. as i said dont take the MW and have some fun.
BanannaMan
22-04-11, 03:54 AM
I've been known (on several occasions) to take off tyres that were close just to have fresh rubber for a rideout but you have plenty of tyre left there. No worries as to it wearing out.
As others have said, go enjoy the weekend.
Take the easy way home on the motorway and get new tyres fitted once you get back home.
I've been known (on several occasions) to take off tyres that were close just to have fresh rubber for a rideout but you have plenty of tyre left there. No worries as to it wearing out.
As others have said, go enjoy the weekend.
Take the easy way home on the motorway and get new tyres fitted once you get back home.
I agree. It's not worth putting fresh tyres on and then squaring them off on the trip to Wales and back. If you have enough tread depth make the most of it and round the tyre back to a normal profile on the rideout through the twisty bits.
When you get home you can fit new tyres if you're still not happy with them.
-Ralph-
22-04-11, 08:15 AM
Loads of tread left on them Fenjer, you don't need a new tyre, look at it again after ARTNW
In general though, I wouldn't recommend anyone do England/Scotland kind of distance rideout on tyres that are coming to the end of their life. There, back, and the ride out is generally 1000 miles, which is 1/4 of the life of a rear tyre! I think every GM so far, at least one person has needed to get a tyre half way through the trip, either planned, or in an emergency because they didn't realise they needed a 1/4 of a tyre for the trip, and the steel belt poked through.
JamesMio
22-04-11, 02:24 PM
1000 miles, which is 1/4 of the life of a rear tyre!
Not on that thing of mine it aint... more like 2k, 3k at a push if I've been very well behaved.
I'd imagine the big Daytona is going to be fairly similar?
yorkie_chris
22-04-11, 06:18 PM
Loads of tread left on them Fenjer, you don't need a new tyre, look at it again after ARTNW
In general though, I wouldn't recommend anyone do England/Scotland kind of distance rideout on tyres that are coming to the end of their life. There, back, and the ride out is generally 1000 miles, which is 1/4 of the life of a rear tyre! I think every GM so far, at least one person has needed to get a tyre half way through the trip, either planned, or in an emergency because they didn't realise they needed a 1/4 of a tyre for the trip, and the steel belt poked through.
Me included, we wouldn't have got to do the applecross bit if not for davepreston lending us a tyre.
Turns out my estimation of "be right" based on normal mileage was not valid when riding flat out, 2 up.
Not on that thing of mine it aint... more like 2k, 3k at a push if I've been very well behaved.
I'd imagine the big Daytona is going to be fairly similar?
Michelin Pilot Road 2s lasted 8K rear and 12K front on my 2004 Daytona 955i, and I'm not kind to my bikes. It really shocked me, because the BT014s I was using before that were absolutely bolloxed in 3K miles tops. I didn't notice any lack of grip from the Michelins either, in fact the bike was much more stable mid corner on them and gave me far more confidence in wet conditions.
-Ralph-
22-04-11, 06:39 PM
Yep, it depends on the tyre. If I put a sports touring tyre it will last longer, a sports tyre it will last less. I got about 4500 out of the Pirelli Diablo Strada's on the SV.
Yep, it depends on the tyre. If I put a sports touring tyre it will last longer, a sports tyre it will last less. I got about 4500 out of the Pirelli Diablo Strada's on the SV.
That's about what I got from them on SV and Versys. I've found most modern sports touring tyres to be as long lasting as the most concrete from a few years ago (Mich Macadam), but with the grip (and more) of some of the best sports tyres from the same era (BT014). They've come a long way in the last 10 years, that's for sure.
The rear Pirelli Angel ST I have on my bike at the mo has been on for 5000 miles, it's half worn and not really squared off. I've done 4500 of those miles at 80-90 mph on European motorways so you'd expect it to be trashed but it's not. The front is a Diablo Strada, it's done 8000 miles, has a plug and 3mm of tread left. It's staying on til it's bald.
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