how do you know when to change your tires?

maxwellca21 · February 16th, 2011, 02:51 AM

can anyone tell what to look for on my tires, a way to measure, a indicator of when to change my tires. i have a 09 250r got 5400 miles on it. the tires do have a light flats spots in the middle but all the threads are still there.

*edit: took some pictures of the tires.

gfloyd2002 · February 16th, 2011, 03:45 AM

Tread depth and general tire condition. Change your tire if fire tread depth of less than 1.6 to 2mm anywhere, cracking, any cuts or bruises on the sidewall, flat spots from skids, excessive scalloping, etc. While built in tread wear indicators don't kick in until .8mm (1/32 inch), I personally wouldn't wait for them -- that is the absolute legal minimum and some states (Virginia, for example) require 2/32. If you don't have a tread wear tool, you can use a penny to help judge. The space between the edge of the penny and the top of Lincoln's head is about 1/32nd of an inch - stick it in the groove and make sure you easily cover Lincoln's hair - by about double that width. If you can see the top of his head - on any tread - past time for new tires.

Think about bike history. Your bike history of tire inflation is useful to think about, too. Right now are they under/over inflated? That will give a clue as to possible tire wear issues. Overinflated tires will wear in a thinner line around the middle. Underinflated will scallop. Also, keep in mind any handling issues you've had on the bike - they'll tell you if something is up with the tires. Vibration, handling instability, rubbing or tire noise is a good indicator of a scalloping, flat spot problem requiring a new tire. Also keep in mind any history of shenanigans. If you've been doing burnouts or had a serious tire lockup in an emergency stop, you have an indicator of a potential tire problem that should help guide your inspection.

Generally focus on the front tire. Barring this type of hooliganism

, and assuming you are relying primarily on the front brake to stop, the front tire tends (generally) to wear more quickly since it takes the corners and is the primary braking tire, despite rear tire being the driving tire. (Of course, either way you would want to replace both tires - don't just replace one that has a problem.) A close up picture of your tires (front or rear) would help the group analyze wear patterns with you.

Focus on the left side. Since you are in the US, the left side of the tire is going to wear most quickly (left turns take twice the distance of right turns, and it actually adds up over thousands of miles of riding), so you'll want to focus your tread depth inspection there. For those in UK or Caribbean, it'll be the right side that wears about 15% more quickly.

Or, you can just replace the tire whenever you just want to upgrade to a better tire for improved grip.

n_aditya · February 16th, 2011, 03:47 AM

This might help http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/maint...ires-tyres.htm

All tires have tread wear indicators and determining the wear is not very difficult. You can do it at home

All you need is a coin to measure the depth of the treads or look at the tread wear indicator on the tires (this is a bar of rubber that runs between the treads).

V2Neal · February 16th, 2011, 08:48 AM

From what I can see in your pic, I'd probably consider changing the rear for sure. Can't really see the front, but I typicly get 2:1 rears to fronts.

Or you can wait awhile til it looks like this ... (Day two at Deals Gap)

Reswob · February 16th, 2011, 09:03 AM

I'd change it when the dealer says it will no longer pass inspection

bdavison · February 16th, 2011, 11:59 AM

Since thats a stock tire...it will probably only last around 6000 miles if you are agressive on the throttle. Thats when mine went south, it really started squareing off around 4500.

Just look at it...if its no longer round, and is starting to look flat in the middle...change it out.

If you look on the side of the tire, you will see a little triangle. Look in the tread groove the triangle points to, and you will see a little bump. If the tread is worn down to the bump...its time to replace it. Its a tire wear indicator.

I changed mine out to a dunlop GT501, and I like it so far. I went with the GT501 because it matched up with the stock front well....which still has a while to go before it needs replacing.

gfloyd2002 · February 16th, 2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

If you look on the side of the tire, you will see a little triangle. Look in the tread groove the triangle points to, and you will see a little bump. If the tread is worn down to the bump...its time to replace it. Its a tire wear indicator.

True, but the wear indicator only kicks in when you are down to 1/32 inch of tread left. Some states require more than that to be legal, as does good sense. Change out a bit early if you can. 2/32 at the least.

spooph · February 16th, 2011, 08:06 PM

I ride mine till the belts show. Once the wear bars show, I order another set so they are ready the moment I see shiny...

maxwellca21 · February 17th, 2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooph

I ride mine till the belts show. Once the wear bars show, I order another set so they are ready the moment I see shiny...

wow man...that's ballsy!

thanks everyone for replying. im going to use the penny trick and take some pictures with it so everyone can see and evaluate. im a cheap-scape i dont want to change my tires unless i really have to (but not cheap when its come to safety).

demp · February 17th, 2011, 06:43 AM

Well generally, when you buy the bike. I know it's been said a million times on these forums, but the stock tires REALLY DO SUCK.

Alex · February 17th, 2011, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demp

but the stock tires REALLY DO SUCK...

... starting with the 2009's. Kawi put perfectly good tires on the 2008's (BT-45's or GT501's).

demp · February 17th, 2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

... starting with the 2009's. Kawi put perfectly good tires on the 2008's (BT-45's or GT501's).

Ah, well I got screwed out of em, IRC tires are terrible

gfloyd2002 · February 17th, 2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

... starting with the 2009's. Kawi put perfectly good tires on the 2008's (BT-45's or GT501's).

Decided today to skip waiting for tires to wear down and alter my plan to just work the living h*ll out of my crappy IRCs to make them wear out ASAP. Just bought Pirelli Sport Demons, waiting for them to be delivered, will either save the IRCS for backups or do a ceremonial tire burning to reflect my feeling about their performance.

coondog · February 17th, 2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

Since thats a stock tire...it will probably only last around 6000 miles if you are agressive on the throttle. Thats when mine went south, it really started squareing off around 4500.

Just look at it...if its no longer round, and is starting to look flat in the middle...change it out.

If you look on the side of the tire, you will see a little triangle. Look in the tread groove the triangle points to, and you will see a little bump. If the tread is worn down to the bump...its time to replace it. Its a tire wear indicator.

I changed mine out to a dunlop GT501, and I like it so far. I went with the GT501 because it matched up with the stock front well....which still has a while to go before it needs replacing.

So you have the worst possible tire for this bike up front with the best (for racing) in the rear. Get rid of that rock up front and won't believe the ride, trully.

coondog · February 17th, 2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

Decided today to skip waiting for tires to wear down and alter my plan to just work the living h*ll out of my crappy IRCs to make them wear out ASAP. Just bought Pirelli Sport Demons, waiting for them to be delivered, will either save the IRCS for backups or do a ceremonial tire burning to reflect my feeling about their performance.

Can't picture you burning tires for what they do in a polluting way. In fact I know you never would. Peace out, glad you got rid of the rocks.

February 16th, 2011, 03:45 AM	#2
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	Tread depth and general tire condition. Change your tire if fire tread depth of less than 1.6 to 2mm anywhere, cracking, any cuts or bruises on the sidewall, flat spots from skids, excessive scalloping, etc. While built in tread wear indicators don't kick in until .8mm (1/32 inch), I personally wouldn't wait for them -- that is the absolute legal minimum and some states (Virginia, for example) require 2/32. If you don't have a tread wear tool, you can use a penny to help judge. The space between the edge of the penny and the top of Lincoln's head is about 1/32nd of an inch - stick it in the groove and make sure you easily cover Lincoln's hair - by about double that width. If you can see the top of his head - on any tread - past time for new tires. Think about bike history. Your bike history of tire inflation is useful to think about, too. Right now are they under/over inflated? That will give a clue as to possible tire wear issues. Overinflated tires will wear in a thinner line around the middle. Underinflated will scallop. Also, keep in mind any handling issues you've had on the bike - they'll tell you if something is up with the tires. Vibration, handling instability, rubbing or tire noise is a good indicator of a scalloping, flat spot problem requiring a new tire. Also keep in mind any history of shenanigans. If you've been doing burnouts or had a serious tire lockup in an emergency stop, you have an indicator of a potential tire problem that should help guide your inspection. Generally focus on the front tire. Barring this type of hooliganism , and assuming you are relying primarily on the front brake to stop, the front tire tends (generally) to wear more quickly since it takes the corners and is the primary braking tire, despite rear tire being the driving tire. (Of course, either way you would want to replace both tires - don't just replace one that has a problem.) A close up picture of your tires (front or rear) would help the group analyze wear patterns with you. Focus on the left side. Since you are in the US, the left side of the tire is going to wear most quickly (left turns take twice the distance of right turns, and it actually adds up over thousands of miles of riding), so you'll want to focus your tread depth inspection there. For those in UK or Caribbean, it'll be the right side that wears about 15% more quickly. Or, you can just replace the tire whenever you just want to upgrade to a better tire for improved grip. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake Last futzed with by gfloyd2002; February 16th, 2011 at 09:35 AM.

February 16th, 2011, 09:03 AM	#5
Reswob ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Richmond VA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black Posts: 627	I'd change it when the dealer says it will no longer pass inspection __________________________________________________ '08 Bonneville Black sold->'08 Ninja 250R \| OES Swingarm Spools \| EBC HH brake pads \| reflector delete \| no-cut brake light modulator \| DIY fender eliminator

February 16th, 2011, 08:06 PM	#8
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	I ride mine till the belts show. Once the wear bars show, I order another set so they are ready the moment I see shiny... __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.

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February 16th, 2011, 03:47 AM	#3
n_aditya ninjette.org member Name: Aditya Location: Bangalore, India Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (for the weekend's) and the Suzuki Fiero for office commute. Posts: 80	This might help http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/maint...ires-tyres.htm All tires have tread wear indicators and determining the wear is not very difficult. You can do it at home All you need is a coin to measure the depth of the treads or look at the tread wear indicator on the tires (this is a bar of rubber that runs between the treads).

February 16th, 2011, 11:59 AM	#6
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Since thats a stock tire...it will probably only last around 6000 miles if you are agressive on the throttle. Thats when mine went south, it really started squareing off around 4500. Just look at it...if its no longer round, and is starting to look flat in the middle...change it out. If you look on the side of the tire, you will see a little triangle. Look in the tread groove the triangle points to, and you will see a little bump. If the tread is worn down to the bump...its time to replace it. Its a tire wear indicator. I changed mine out to a dunlop GT501, and I like it so far. I went with the GT501 because it matched up with the stock front well....which still has a while to go before it needs replacing.

February 17th, 2011, 06:43 AM	#10
demp ninjette.org sage Name: Matthew Location: Toronto Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 V-Star 950 Tourer (Deep Blue) Posts: 570	Well generally, when you buy the bike. I know it's been said a million times on these forums, but the stock tires REALLY DO SUCK.