Tourance wear rate?

[suarvharv]

I'm off on a 2500m tour of Spain shortly. My rear Tourance has got 3.5mm of tread left. Anyone out there know if it's likely to last? No pillion, mainly A roads. Got 9000m on it so far - I think, since I bought bike s/h at 4000m.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

buy a new one..... times up.

 

[Gecko]

Ride it till you see the canvas - and I bet you've got more than 3.5mm on the edges

I think they are 6mm new (I'm sure someone can confirm) so you are less than half way - QED should be good for at least another 3000 to 5000km depending how you drive.

 

[Possu]

Nearer 8mm from new. With 3.5mm left, you've only really got 2mm or so (legally) to play with for a 2.5k trip. I'd replace it, not worth the hassle if it goes wrong when abroad.

Keep the old tyre as a spare at home in case of a puncture or just use it up when the new tyre wears out.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

9mm new and its not impossible that the tyre was relatively new when you got it (though unlikely). Personally I'd change it; better than worrying whether you've got enough left to get you home.

 

[TheJoker]

I'd change it - small price to pay for peace of mind. Also, tyres seem to wear a lot more when they're worn than when they're new...

Have a good trip!

 

[suarvharv]

Thank you guys for your quick and reasoned replies. Off to the tyre shop for me...

 

[Possu]

Thank you guys for your quick and reasoned replies. Off to the tyre shop for me...

If you have trouble getting Tourances, try Busters. Bought a pair of H-rated Tourances for an 1150 for £132 inc. p&p.

 

[suarvharv]

Thanks Steve but I'm going to give 020's a try. So if anybody can recommend a tyre shop in SE london...

 

[GSmonkey]

Thanks Steve but I'm going to give 020's a try. So if anybody can recommend a tyre shop in SE london...

Watlings in Catford.

 

[laughingBob]

Go with the ones you have and if necessary buy a new set in Spain or better still, Andorra and pay 30 or 40% less for a new set.

 

[Joe]

Go with the ones you have and if necessary buy a new set in Spain or better still, Andorra and pay 30 or 40% less for a new set.

This is true, and if your bike is due a service get it done well your over there, you'll save £££££££'s

I went over to Italy three years ago, my mates battery packed in, we took the bike to the dealer,, he bought a new battery had the bike serviced, can't remember how much he paid but it was about 3rd cheaper then uk prices.

 

[Possu]

This is true, and if your bike is due a service get it done well your over there, you'll save £££££££'s

I went over to Italy three years ago, my mates battery packed in, we took the bike to the dealer,, he bought a new battery had the bike serviced, can't remember how much he paid but it was about 3rd cheaper then uk prices.

Getting a service & tyres may well be cheaper abroad but he's in the shit if there's no room in the workshop schedule to fit him in at short notice or the tyres are not in stock and he has to wait a couple of days.

Not much point going on holiday & then sitting about for a couple of days twiddling your thumbs waiting for things to happen that are beyond your control. False economy in the long run IMO.

I needed a tyre (Tourance or similar) for my airhead GS in Spain in 2002. I could not find a single dealer who had one in stock, delivery times were 2 days minimum. Couldn't wait as I had to get back to Cherbourg for a ferry, had to ride all the way with a bald tyre.

 

[Eddy802]

A timely post for me.

I've been doing similar math regarding my 6000 service and tyre wear/mileage between now and a 2000+ mile loop of Europe this summer.

By departure date I'll have very close to, if not very slightly over 6000 miles on my bike. My first stop is for several days near Frankfurt to visit family (a planned route of about 480 miles).

My dilema is:
Do I arrange the 6000 service prior to departure, and get a new rear tyre on (to be happy that I have available wear for the trip), saving the old one and the life left in it (as a spare).

Or

Do I just get the tyre done before departure (for the reasons stated above) but plan to have the service in Frankfurt because I've fallen out with my local dealer and arranging a service here before departure has it's own logistical headaches. The quoted price is actually a few quid more expensive in Germany.

I appreciate your wisdom and experience and therefore would appreciate hearing what you think?

Cheers

Eddy

 

[Possu]

Get it done before you go unless you're able to book yourself in for a service in Frankfurt in advance.

 

[laughingBob]

Had a full service at a BMW main dealer in Slovenia on my R100GS. The price including two new tyres was under £250. I was lucky as I called in and they did it for me the following day.

Had two new tyres on my AT in Spain. Again I called in and the Honda dealer got the tyres for me the following day and fitted them for about £120 for the pair.

Obviously it takes a bit of planning but, if your prepaired to plan a little ahead you can save a fortune.

 

[MasterDabber]

I just did a check on mine.
The rear Tourance has been on for about 5000 miles and has about 5mm of tread left in the centre... a lot more on the sides
The worrying bit is that in the bikes 11500 mile life it's on its 3rd rear Tourance.
The first had a big piece of wire/metal in it and Micheldever Tyres wouldn't repair it.
The second got a BIG piece of flint imbedded in it... took two repair plugs in the same hole to get me home. That resulted in tyre number three being fitted... whilst checking the tread depth today I did an all round check of the tyre... and found 3 more flints imbedded in the blocks, one was quite large. None of these resulted in a tyre deflation but it's a bit worrying.

Do you think I've just been unlucky or are Tourances a bit prone to this happening.

btw. I don't go off road to any extent.. just a very mild bit occasionaly, but do a lot of B road riding.

 

[Eddy802]

Thanks for the advice Steve.

I was able to book in Frankfurt but having doen the math again I find that I'm more comfortable to have both the service and the tyre change done before I set off.

I'm booked in at Sawbridgeworth 10 days before departure.