Old Tyre or New Tyre? Oh, and it's Raining!!

[CairnsDuc]

Well,

This is a small problem, It is raining up here in Cairns at the moment, and my OEM front tyre is as smooth as a baby's bum, I haven't been slipping and sliding around on the Tyre, I have been taking it very easy knowing the tyre is rooted. Unfortunately I have to commute on the bike as my Wife is working long odd hours at her job and can not pick me off or drop me off, Taxi's are too expensive($40 each way), Public transport is useless.

Here is my Dilemma, My dealer is booked solid at the moment (No time for the next 2 weeks), but a spot has come up tomorrow and he can fit a new tyre tomorrow (He's also replacing my springs and oil in my front forks), now the rain is supposed to hang around until next week.

So what's worse?
An old tyre with no way to clear water correctly or a nice new softer compound tyre with nice deep grooves to clear water, but with dreaded release compound?

[Super T.I.B]

Second option maybe but for only two weeks till he is right to go, you should be good, just take it easy.My front has been rooted for a couple of months now and been riding on it rain, hail or shine.

Did the wet change months ago on a rear, just had to take it easy for a little while.

So, it's up to you.   

BTW, I will be up your way start of October, can you stop the rain before I get there.

[loony888]

the front tyre is as smooth as a babys bum eh?
i know time can get away from you and sometimes money can get tight, but really, you do understand that tyres are the only things between you and the road? if it's insured you're wasting your time you know, one look at a tyre like that by an assessor and you'll be lucky to squeeze a cent out of them. it's not good you have painted yourself into a corner with the help of the weather but anything can and does happen, lets hope the weather clears and you don't put yourself, your bike, or anyone else in harms way eh?


paul.

[DosVerde]

I'd go with having tread on my tyre if it's wet. A couple of easy trips and that new tyre should be OK.

[CairnsDuc]

the front tyre is as smooth as a babys bum eh?
i know time can get away from you and sometimes money can get tight, but really, you do understand that tyres are the only things between you and the road? if it's insured you're wasting your time you know, one look at a tyre like that by an assessor and you'll be lucky to squeeze a cent out of them. it's not good you have painted yourself into a corner with the help of the weather but anything can and does happen, lets hope the weather clears and you don't put yourself, your bike, or anyone else in harms way eh?


paul.

Silly part is I changed the rear tyre a few weeks ago and the front tyre was worn, but I figured that it was still legal and maybe had a couple of more months left in it, but amazingly the thing has just gone so quickly, even the dealer got a shock how bad it was when I went into to see him to make a booking to get the tyre changed.

The only reason I can figure why it went down hill so fast is the new rear shock and new rear tyre has put a lot of strain on the undersprung/underdamped front end and has just destroyed what little tread was left of the front tyre.

And yes, I replace tyres as soon as they look worn or a bit sad:
1. For Insurance reasons (As noted by Paul)
2. The wet season and crap roads here in Cairns

[Spider]

yeah, I'm going to vote that you go the change...

you change and you'll have to be careful for a few rides = a few days

you stay and you have to be careful for 2 weeks = 14 days

mathematically speaking your diminishing your risk by minimising time and distance spent on a bad tyre.

[brad black]

yeah, I'm going to vote that you go the change...

you change and you'll have to be careful for a few rides = a few days

you stay and you have to be careful for 2 weeks = 14 days

mathematically speaking your diminishing your risk by minimising time and distance spent on a bad tyre.

spoken by a man with a rooted front tyre himself.

[dragonworld.]

Surely your shop man has some tyre prep??? If not get some acetone, it'll clean the mould release compound off and the tyre will be pretty well ok from the getgo. 

I had to ride with new Pilot R's in the rain and didnt have a drama with them!! They gripped pretty well right off. 

Bugger the babies bum tread depth, its only a matter of time before gravity takes over .

[ducmeister]

+1 for the tyre prep/acetone suggestion.  Get off the dodgy rubber asap.

[Spider]

new motto for the board:

OzMonsters: we are ugly...but we are also wise!

[brimo]

You'd think the mob that fits the tyres would clean em and make them safe to go out on the street.
Has "service" gone the way of the dodo?

[techno]

When I had my new tyres fitted they gave them a rub over with acetone and gave me the standard warning. If you really want to make sure, give them a light sandpaper rub.

Gotta be better than the slicks your currently running.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[CairnsDuc]

Well my bike is still at the Dealer, New tyre was fitted, but while fitting the fork springs, one of the Fork tops was so tight the Fork cap was damaged on one of the forks.

They had to go and get a new drill press and stand to get the cap off, so they have machined the old one to at least get me back on the road tomorrow, and they'll fit new cap's on both forks when they arrive in a couple of weeks.

Doesn't worry me, the guys at the dealer have been good about it, and I can only imagine the situation if I had been trying to do this myself, So I'm happy that they are the one's sorting this mess out and they did me a big favor by fitting my bike in there busy schedule, great bunch of guys!! 

In the meantime, They have let me take this while the work is done. 
"Bring around the Loaner!"

[Spider]

ride report Cairns.

good priorities though - do the picture THEN tell us about it!

[CairnsDuc]

I would love to tell you how it went, but I rode it home in the pissing down rain.
My Jacket and rain pants were stuck in the car at home (Missus had decided to go home early and have a snooze, would not answer the phone  )

So I rode home from work in my work pants, boots and polo shirt, went very slow and got some weird looks from people sitting in there cars.

Hopefully it's a little clearer tomorrow so I can open the taps and she what she can do.