[Big_Z]

Hello,
I have an '07 VTX 1300 R with original tires. there is 7844 miles on the bike. The tread doesn't seem to bad, but I worry about age of the tire.

There are some small cracks on the front tire insidee the treads. I don't know if this is a problem or natural aging?
Here is link to the front tire: https://picasaweb.google.com/azuercher/Tires#5873165939314381794

ALso found a deeper crack in the rear tire.
Here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/azuercher/Tires#5873165962988316898
https://picasaweb.google.com/azuercher/Tires#5873165980810103650

What do you think? ride or replace?

Thanks!

 

[FloridaLarry]

You got the dough? Replace. Tires are at least 6 years old & photo of front tire looks like early stages of dry rot. Now if I was short on cash I would ride them & replace ASAP maybe one at a time. I’ve run tires a lot worse than yours. Got my ‘05 X in Oct. 2012 tires original ran them 4 months until I had cash for new ones. Good luck.

 

[DanR]

Well, think about that cracked tire next time you run it up to 90 mph. I spun out on a bald-ish back tire, went down and ruined my windshield once. Lose a tire on your car, not so bad. On your bike? I hate to think about it.

 

[fixitmanhimself]

What he said. I just ran one a year with lots of weatherchecking and just repaced it. It still had tread.

 

[DKS13827]

I have had 2 car tires that age ( different cars ) that exploded at 40 mph, in the past year. Now, on a bike, are you kidding ?

 

[goodricht]

My front tire on my 05 VTXc had the same problem. Mine was starting to get some weather cracking in it or drying out like one person said. My back tire is still original, but no signs of cracking yet. I replaced my front tire tho, put a Perelli Route 66 or what ever the model was. I know you have the R model, but my tire was only $89 for the front. If I would've done the back it was $130. It's not too unreasonable. Mounting was another$40 for each tire. I'd play it safe and replace, better spend the money than have your tire blow. :cheers:

 

[happyPuppy]

Keep an eye out on places like Craigslist. I have picked up new tires for dirt cheap when they sold the bike but forgot about the spare tires.

 

[Engineoops]

That looks like something tried to puncture the tire but didnt ,or did and someone patched it on the inside? Manual says Minimum tread depth on rear is .080 inches or a little more than a 16th of an inch ,I think that means your good at .080 but not less than that.

 

[Big_Z]

I'm leaning towards replace. I can swing the dough. I'm just not sure about what tires or where to get them or where to get them put on the bike. I don't have the tools or know-how to do it myself. I guess I have some research to do.

I've heard good things about Metzler ME880s? any recommendations? what is a good price for a set of tires installed? I don't want to get taken at the shop.

 

[desert rat]

Frount is shot. A hard frount tire will slide sooner on hard stops and thats not fun to deal with. The rear looks to be ok but that said If you run in high heat or high speeds for long periods, 90mph for an hour, you need to watch it close. Don't be like me and push the edge, not everyone lives past this point

 

[Bassdude404]

Replace them...My life may not be worth much to some people, but it's sure as hell worth more than the price of a couple tires to me...

 

[FloridaLarry]

I just got 2 tires for my 1800F. $337.30 final cost rubber to the road with tires from Motorcycle Super Store. Bridgestone Exedra G851 front & G850 rear $262.13. I took wheels to local M/C shop mounting & balance $35 each plus 7% tax $74.90. Don’t forget Honda moly paste $8 to 11. Not included in total because I had some. Some shops will not mount tires unless you buy from them especially Dealership. Good luck.

 

[IndyX]

Replace.

I rode on my 07 with original tires and maybe got 50 miles on them before the sidewalls started cracking all the way around...
Was enough to get me home from the guy I bought it from but it stayed parked until I had them replaced.

 

[Vince in FL]

I just got a new rear tire for my 2003 1300s Michilen Comander 2 love the tire so far.
It cost me $153.00 for the tire and $17.00 to mount and bal. I took the wheel off the bike.And that was at my local honda dealer.(they had the best price around)

 

[Philscbx]

There are some small cracks on the front tire insidee the treads.

It's not a huge Problem - Micro Age cracks - from letting it sit in the Sun 24/7.
When one see's motorhome tires covered - this is why.

You'll be replacing those soon enough anyway before age cracks are a concern.

 

[Elixir]

I'm leaning towards replace. I can swing the dough. I'm just not sure about what tires or where to get them or where to get them put on the bike. I don't have the tools or know-how to do it myself. I guess I have some research to do.

I've heard good things about Metzler ME880s? any recommendations? what is a good price for a set of tires installed? I don't want to get taken at the shop.

I just bought the ME880s, for both tires and labor I paid $500. I am pretty sure I got taken because the tires were much cheaper online, but they were gonna charge more to change them if I didn't buy from them. I live in an apt and they get mad when you start working on anything in the parking lot, so I just took the bike to them. I didn't price around for this place is close enough for me to walk to, I guess sometimes you pay more for convenience. Hope that helps a little.

 

[Big_Z]

Thanks for the info guys.

Due to the $$$ i'm looking at ordering Shinko Tour Masters from ebay and getting the mounted locally. Looking on ebay I can't find a shinko tourmast front tire in 140/80-17 which is stock size. There is a 150/80-17. Will that fit OK?

 

[Philscbx]

There is a 150/80-17. Will that fit OK?

It's stock on the Neo - Should be the same for the R.