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How to tell if the rear tire needs replacing

J

JimH

Member
I know there are lots of discussion about tires, but I am curious how to determine when I need a new tire. My read tire (is a Kenda) and looks okay in the outside but worn in the middle. The dealer I use said he will not put anything but Kenda's on it since it cannot pass Pa. inspection with a car tire on it. I don't feel I am overly aggressive with my driving habits. Thanks in advance - I am sorry to dredge up another tire thread.
Regards,
Jim
 
The manual says you need 4/32 tread depth or you should replace. Measure at several points around the tire. Usually this is around 8000-10000 miles on the OEM Kendas. YMMV
 
Last edited:
JimH said:
I know there are lots of discussion about tires, but I am curious how to determine when I need a new tire. My read tire (is a Kenda) and looks okay in the outside but worn in the middle. The dealer I use said he will not put anything but Kenda's on it since it cannot pass Pa. inspection with a car tire on it. I don't feel I am overly aggressive with my driving habits. Thanks in advance - I am sorry to dredge up another tire thread.
Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the EXACT tire regs. in Pa., however generally speaking - if any tread area on the tire is worn below the markers on the tire it will fail ( it's also unsafe from a driving standpoint - thin spots on a tire are prone to punctures ) ..... I don't trust Dealers in what they say to owner's .... so I advise contacting Pa. DMV and find out what the EXACT law is regarding tires ... A NOT well known fact about Spyder wheels /rims is they are certified to be " J " beaded wheels .... this means they REQUIRE " J " beaded tires ..... Kenda spyder tires are " J " type .... HOWEVER so are ALL auto tires ..... I'm not guessing about this .... so do some homework, and let us know what you find out ..... Mike :thumbup:
 
If you can't find someone to install a car tire at least get the new kenda kanine tire made for the spyder. They cost alot less to.
 
RE: The center of the tire wearing out first.

I have found that reducing the tire pressure by about two pounds PSI, in the rear tire, helps with the wearing out. The tires tend to heat up when ridden, causing ballooning of the tire. This makes the center more prone to wear.

I have less wear on my rear tires. I usually get 15K on the rear tires before they need replacement. True on five of six Spyders since 2008. My new one don't count yet.
 
As a former resident of Pa I can tell you there is NO regulation like that. If your dealer won't inspect it, take it to an independent shop that inspects motorcycles. As far as tire wear, look for the wear bars there will be a triangle on the sidewall near the tread to point them out. If you are near an auto tire shop ask them to check it with their tread gauge.
 
Highwayman2013 said:
As a former resident of Pa I can tell you there is NO regulation like that. If your dealer won't inspect it, take it to an independent shop that inspects motorcycles. As far as tire wear, look for the wear bars there will be a triangle on the sidewall near the tread to point them out. If you are near an auto tire shop ask them to check it with their tread gauge.
Click to expand...
:

:agree: I lived in PA for a short time. Just sounds like more dealer BS.
 
When having a new tire mounted tell the tech to be sure to place the RED DOT on the side wall at the valve stem. It is put there by the mfg to show the best place for balancing. Be sure it is done when they give the bike back to you, and if it's not, TELL THEM TO DO IT OVER, OR AT LEAST SHOW YOU ON THE BALANCING MACHINE. I told them that I wanted to see it on the machine BEFORE they put it back on the bike. I did this on all three of my new tires. If any of this wrong, please tell me.
 
If you have the means and motivation, take the wheel off yourself and take it to an independent tire shop. Get one of the highly recommended tires found on this page in a mountain of tire threads. Remount the wheel and take to an inspection station that does motorcycles. End of story.
 
ARtraveler said:
RE: The center of the tire wearing out first.

I have found that reducing the tire pressure by about two pounds PSI, in the rear tire, helps with the wearing out. The tires tend to heat up when ridden, causing ballooning of the tire. This makes the center more prone to wear.

I have less wear on my rear tires. I usually get 15K on the rear tires before they need replacement. True on five of six Spyders since 2008. My new one don't count yet.
Click to expand...

Think on the rear, 30 lbs is the max inflation pressure on the Kenda, so you're saying 28 psi is good, right?
 
Revalden said:
When having a new tire mounted tell the tech to be sure to place the RED DOT on the side wall at the valve stem. It is put there by the mfg to show the best place for balancing. Be sure it is done when they give the bike back to you, and if it's not, TELL THEM TO DO IT OVER, OR AT LEAST SHOW YOU ON THE BALANCING MACHINE. I told them that I wanted to see it on the machine BEFORE they put it back on the bike. I did this on all three of my new tires. If any of this wrong, please tell me.
Click to expand...

Actually you want to align the yellow dot with the valve stem. The red dot is the high point on radial runout, not the low weight balance point.
 
Highwayman2013 said:
... As far as tire wear, look for the wear bars there will be a triangle on the sidewall near the tread to point them out...
Click to expand...

Here's a picture from the '14 RT operators guide that shows where the tread wear indicators are at the sidewall indicator Highwayman mentioned. The two interior indicators are the first ones that usually appear first.Tread Wear Indicators.JPG
 
The Kenda rear tire will wear out in the middle regardless of tire pressure. Changing pressure after it is worn will not get you any more life out of it. Best thing is to go with a car tire instead.
 
I respectfully disagree with SpyderAnn.

My statements about 2# less reflect my actual experience. I did the tire pressure when new Kendas were installed. Never would consider trying to save a tire that had already gone worn.

It is now a moot point. Other than the fact that my newest (the F3) came with OEM Kendas, I am now an official darkside tire user.

I consistently have received 15 thousand miles per rear Kenda. The only exception was the 2014 and the "soft" compound. That one got 8,700 miles before I threw in the towel.

Those Kendas with 2# less tire pressure...had better looking centers than the ones that did not.

I used Kendas from 2008 through 2019. My local dealer would not install anything else.

That's my story. :bowdown:
 
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