Another question about tires

I'm looking at replacing the tires just before September ..... but maybe it would be wise to do so sooner than later and I would appreciate comments based on the following.

My Silverwing is a 2005 (600-ABS) with close to 15,000kms on it. Not sure how many of these are on the present tires but my hunch is that all of them. The rear is fairly well worn to flat in the center (no cords showing yet) and the front seems to be evenly but gently worn. The close visual check of both shows the fine cracks older tires gain in the side walls. For this reason I'm inclined to go for new tires now...also: the oval on the side wall with what I think is the date code shows 2804 for the front and 3704 for the rear. Makes them about 11 years old and no wonder the cracks. Too old already ? Probably. So ... opinions please ... change as soon as possible or does your experience say wait until September ...or when they go flat ... whichever comes first. How many years are tires "supposed" to last when considering only the deterioration of the rubber. These tires are IRC 530 F &
IRC 530 R

Thanks,

Mike

Would replace them ASAP. Waiting until they go flat is a bad idea, especially if you're riding it at the time. My recommendation is based on your description of their age and condition.

Change--throw away

Thanks for the replies ... they confirm my thoughts. To tell the truth, I had no idea the tires were this old nor had I looked as closely at them to notice the cracks. Tomorrow the plan is to order some tires and get rid of these before they get rid of me. I found since "posting" my question that 6 or 7 years is considered the shelf life of the tires. This is something I should have dealt with in the middle of the winter. Last October I had gotten a quote on a set of Michelin City Grip tires and held off on the purchase. Hindsight is 20/20 ! The front Michelins have an aspect ratio of 70 whereas the Bridgestone Hoop for the front is 80. I prefer the Michelin but, this means the front tire is 12mm smaller in outer diameter than recommended. Next dumb question: will 1/4" on the outer radius make a difference that I shouldn't accept?

Thanks, once more.
Mike

Before buying tires-----check Honda recommendation for front----aspect ratio 80 I believe. Michelin 70 aspect ratio is for earlier tire. Power SC is current size for SilverWing. I would go for IRC as SilverWing works just fine with them

Thanks again, John!
Yes, 80 is the aspect ratio for the front and that was my concern with the Michelin City Grip with aspect ratio of 70. That drops the OD by 12mm. In reading the shop manual last night, if I understand correctly, the ABS light might flash 71 times in indication of the wrong tire size. If things are this sensitive, I won't be going with the City Grips. I'm pretty well settled on the Power Pure SC tires but will check with the dealer on the availability if the IRCs. These lasted for the 15,000kms on the bike and still have some tread life remaining. It is the date code and the cracks which I found yesterday that have me motivated into action to replace now. More online searching and off to the dealer this morning ! (CanadaMotorcycle.ca have no listing for the IRC tires.)
Mike

I received my second pure sport from canadas motorcycle last week . I have about 35 to 40 k kl on my front tire. the centre tire look new but the side walls are close to the ware bars cause by riding with a trike kit wares the tire different then riding on 2 wheels.IMO the pure sport is one of the best out there.

tinman wrote:

I received my second pure sport from canadas motorcycle last week . I have about 35 to 40 k kl on my front tire. the centre tire look new but the side walls are close to the ware bars cause by riding with a trike kit wares the tire different then riding on 2 wheels.IMO the pure sport is one of the best out there.

Great to hear of the great mileage the pure sport is capable !  And also to hear that you feel it is a good tire.

I'm just home from ordering front and rear Pure Sports for my S'wing from the local Honda dealer.  $189.73 in including taxes with arrival expected by Friday this week.  Installation at the dealer for $12.75 having bought the tires from them.  ($23 otherwise) Now I just need to take the wheels off the bike for Friday.  Kind of cool to think I likely will be riding on new rubber this weekend.

John, I priced the IRC at the dealer as well but with their price of $344.00 for the pair, the Michelins won out easily.

I really appreciate the comments. Thanks.
Mike

Mike, I put Metzlers front and back. I got them both for $153.00 at the Atlantic Motoplex in Moncton last year. They are doing just fine and I like the ride on them. I am also using dyna beads for balance. I am very satisfied thus far.
Jay.

The only tire I don't recommend is the Avon Stryker ( piece of crap). I don't think IRC tire are available in Canada.

tinman wrote:

The only tire I don't recommend is the Avon Stryker ( piece of crap). I don't think IRC tire are available in Canada.

BOY HOWDY!!!, I'll second that. I could hardly wait till spring to get rid of the Avon STRYKER on my Silverwing and it had only about 2000 miles on it. It had horrible wet pavement performance. It kept trying to slide out on the wet road without even goosing to get it to break loose. Made me nervous every time it rained. So I put my 165/65R12 car tire on the rear and that fixed it... no more sliding or loosing grip on turns, breaking or accelerating.

I agree , Avon tires are junk! Dave

If you're going to slag off Avon tyres then at least get the name of their scooter tyre right. Go and have a look at your tyre walls, it's called the Viper Stryke not the Stryker. The Stryker is a family of 8 wheeled armoured fighting vehicles currently in use with the U.S. and Canadian Armies.

I think AVON are maybe ok tires....and should be ok in wet, coming from UK BUT I had a matched set on my Kawasaki Concurs, maybe 2009, in Germany---they scared me---wet about 35-40 degrees F, going straight-----rear would try to pass front, several times. Got rid of them. and the bike at 56,000 miles.

I have had an Avon Viper Stryker delaminate down to the "canvas" in less than 2000miles and certainly would not contemplate using them again. I currently use Bridgestone Hoops

I went with the Michelin Power Pure SC tires .... and I'm very glad I did (so far) These are proving to be very quiet and give a smooth ride. The ride is really more responsive to swerving around pot holes ... of which we have way too many ! The dealer could get the IRC but the cost would have been more than 1/3 more than the Michelins. Thanks for all the comments to my original question. Also, through the help of the site and the postings I found here, the removal and installation of the wheels was a breeze. The re-installation of the muffler gave me a bit of a challenge but that was a simple problem with an even simpler remedy.
Mike

When the Diablo will be replaced,i will try the Bridgestone Battlax SC, speak well in  Italian Forum SWCI

I've just had a Bridgestone Hoop fitted to the rear of my Silverwing - I wasn't given a choice but I'm content with it as a known make and model.

I had one fitted to my X9500 some years ago and that boosted my confidence in the bike dramatically - it was a super tyre!

I guess what one buys is totally governed by what's available in particular countries.