New Rear Tire

[Brad Badgett]

~04/'08, replaced rear w/ Metzler over-sized.  Did fine until 06/'09(2 nails found in it). Put some Slime in it, went to MM7, never lost air, but when Buddy Hammond and I went to Topeka in Aug./'09, there were a several areas where Slime was seeping out. So replaced the Metzler with a Dunlop in Topeka. Seemed to ride a tad smoother, but in a ride in early Apr., this year, the 8 month old Dunlop found a large 4 in. nail.  That was also the day that the R/R went South, so replaced the rear again, with a Metzler.  I was told that the Metzler lasts longer( as long as it doesn't find nails).  The Metz I changed in Topeka had ~12k mis. on it and looked like it could go another8k. The Dunlop with the lg. nail had ~5k on it, with over half tread left.

Brad Badgett
MOOT #164
1996 VF750C
OK Region

[Charles S Otwell]

I still believe that the road surfaces you ride on make a big difference in tire life. If you have doubts, inspect your tires closely then ride Hwy 11 from Pittsburg to Sulpher Springs and check them again.

[lragan]

Charles, I think you are right.  Some bright person from TxDOT decided that we needed a rough surface on RR1826, and it was repaved with it.  Aside from tire wear, the noise was unbelievable.  The highway is about a mile as the crow flies from my house, and when I walked out in the morning, I could no longer hear the birds chirping for the noise from the road. 

The neighbors along the road got up a committee, enlisted the aid of our state senator and representative, and finally got it repaved again -- with ordinary asphalt.  Much quieter now, and tire wear is back to normal.

Maybe the rougher surfaces are safer, I don't know.  In our neck of the woods, we concluded the added safety was not worth the noise.  Tire wear was a secondary, but important, issue.

I noticed that Hwy 32 from Dripping Springs to Blanco (including "the Devil's backbone") was paved with the same stuff, which began to wear unevenly right away.  I think it has been replaced, as well.

I have been told that Arizona uses old tires, chipped up, in a pavement mix with some success.  Texas might consider this approach, instead of grinding them into enormous piles (one is/was near Fort Worth) only to catch fire and burn for months, fouling the air...

[ryjb]

I went with the Dunlop K555 for $103.99 w/ free shipping and handling at www.jakewilson.com  this is the same company as the rockymountainatvmc.com. 

I hope I can put a few more miles on this one and get my $$ worth. 

Have you received your tire yet?  I am curious to know what you think of it.  Also where are you planning on getting the Tube? 

[Fitzgerald]

I got the tire in last Monday.  I've been really busy at work.  The guy who was going to install it fell thru (his machine is broken).  My father in law took the bike while I was out of town for the holiday and changed the tire for me.  He's good like that!  BTW, no tube needed. I'll be test riding it later this week!

[Troystg]

Say when and I may go join you.  Went ride (in the rain) Sunday with Robert in Ville Platte. 

[Fitzgerald]

I've been wanting to ride all week but these summer pop up storms aren't my favorite.  I may be riding to work Friday and Saturday. I'll call you if I can break away for more than that.