How often must you replace motorcycle tires?

Question

I'm looking at getting a 2001 ZX-6R or similar (R1, R6 etc).
I'd drive mainly locally some highway, but never racing or spinning the tires etc.
How often must the tires be replaced? How much does it usually cost?

Also, how often must oil be changed and whats the price on that?
Thanks!

Answer 1

I buy inexpensive tires, about 50 bucks a piece. And I usually mount them myself. Last year I had the Honda dealer mount and balance them. Charged me an hour apiece at shop rate ($75.00!!!!). I usually get about 9K on a rear, the front cracks before it wears out. Original Dunlop on the HD has gone 10K, it's about done. I don't ride hard..........

Answer 2

In certain types of riding, a squared tire is a fact of life. If you replaced the tire at the first sign of it, you would be throwing away money way more often than you have to. It really does change the handling characteristics of the bike though. Depending on your riding style, you may notice it, and you may not. It's not exactly dangerous in the way that you are risking your life every time you throw a leg over and ride. It's just dangerous in that anything that degrades the handling of your bike is less safe than if it was perfect. I would just change it when it comes close to the wear indicators. The best way to judge how it changed the handling is to pay close attention to your last ride before you change and the first ride after you get new ones (or at least after the new ones have been scrubbed in). I thought my Cyclone was a nice handling bike with the old slightly squared tires. It actually was a good handling bike I guess. When I had a brand new set of Road Attacks put on, it was like I got a new bike. The new rubber was more pliable and absorbed minor imperfections way better than the old set. The bike felt more stable on the highway, and MUCH more lively in the corners. It didn't follow rain grooves and cracks like the old tires did, and in the wet weather, the bike was much more confidence inspiring. Just ride it the way it is for now, but if it ever doesn't "feel right" don't mess around. Just get new tires and count it as money well spent. If you don't put a lot of miles on your bike, remember old rubber is often more dangerous than slightly worn rubber and the way old tires let you down can be catastrophic and deadly. (Lots of good advice here today.)

Answer 3

When To Change Motorcycle Tires

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How often must you replace motorcycle tires?
I'm looking at getting a 2001 ZX-6R or similar (R1, R6 etc).
I'd drive mainly locally some highway, but never racing or spinning the tires etc.
How often must the tires be replaced? How much does it usually cost?

Also, how often must oil be changed and whats the price on that?...

Answer 5

Unlike car tires, Motorcycle tires have a greatly varied tread life, depending both on the tire itself, and the rider's habits.

A sport tire, made of softer rubber, will not last as long as a touring tire, which is harder. However, the touring tire will not provide the same amount of traction. Also, the same tire will preform differenlty on different motorcycles, even with the same rider.

My suggestion would be to find internet forums that talk about your bike, and ask what tires they are using. Better would be to and see the tires on the bike, if there are events in your area where riders meet (ask at a local dealer about bike nights), and talk to the riders to get a better idea of what sort of riding they do.

Costs will depend on the tires you go with, and you local dealer. Rear tires generally get replaced twice as often as fronts, and tires start as low as 50 bucks and go as high as 300 (That is each). My local shop charges $15 is I bring in the rim, and $60 if I bring in the bike, that is on the low end of the price scale.

As far as oil changes, I change my oil every 3,000 miles, and the oil filter every other time I change the oil. Some people go 4,500 miles, and change the filter once a year, and that seems to be fine. I change my own oil, but my shop will do it for $45. Again, there is a lot of difference from one shop to another.

Hope that helps, and good luck.

Answer 6

Because of the safety involved with tires check with your local motorcycle dealership. Tires are not cheap but are a worth while expense.
General rule of thumb; Check for any age wear..cracking of the rubber on the sidewall of the tires and tread depth.
There are usually wear bars within the tire tread that are an indicator for you to replace.There are also tread depth gages to measure wear.Maintain proper air pressure!
Oil changes follow the manufacturers specifications. If you run the bike all the time it's generally no different than changing oil in a car.
There are many selections of oils today. Be sure to choose the best.
You know the saying pay now or pay later.

Answer 7

Hi,
I would expect you will probably be replacing your tires about every two years on the smaller bikes depending on how you ride. I ride a Hayabusa and go through a tire about every year.. If you buy the R1 or similar, then you might be in the 1 year replacement club. As for price... They are about 150 -250 depending on how good of a shopper you are. If you are really pinching pennies, just ask yourself one question, how much is your life worth. The tires are the only thing that keeps you on the bike and not on the ground.

Oil changes are another question of how long you want your motor to last. Regular oils are for cars that very rarely, if ever see 6000 RPM. Bikes see 10 - 12K RPM. I would change every 3K - 4K miles along with the filter. I change my oil myself for about $8/liter for oil and $10 - 15 for the filter. I would change both every time, which some people say you don't have to change your filter. But again, you have to ask if your bike is worth 10 - 15 bucks.

Riding is an expensive hobby.. Insurance, tune-ups, tires, etc... But I have yet to find anything as rewarding.

Keep the shiny side up and the oily side down..

Answer 8

It depends on how many miles you drive on an annual basis. When the tread wear is getting down to 1/4 of an inch you should replace your tires. If you don't race or spin your tires they will wear much better and can last up to two years depending on how many miles you travel. Any quick stops will wear your tires out quicker. The price to replace the tires depends on the quality of tires you want to purchase. The best thing to do is shop around with places like Tires Plus, Firestone, or other tire companies. You should change the oil on your motorcycle every 3000 to 5000 miles. Check your oil every week and when it starts to look like the color of the oil is changing you need to change it. It usually costs about $12- $18 depending on where you get the oil changed. Good luck with your motorcycle and be careful of the other drivers on the road.

Answer 9

i ride a 650. my first rear tyre was replaced at 12,000km's and cost me $280 (160/60 RZ17 Michelin Pilot). the front is still going at 14,500km, but i will probably replace it at 15,000. i ride my bike to and from work everyday, some highway, and some local street riding. it's about 50/50 as to when i ride normally, and when i ride it hard...

I Change my oil at LEAST every 3000km. you're looking at about $20 - $30 for 5L (of which i use 3L per oil change) for decent caltex, up to $70 of something like decent penrite or similar. i change the oil filter every 5 - 6000km (requires 3.3L for filter change). This costs about $25 for the filter itself. Local dealer will probably charge you $10 for labour, but it's a very easy DIY job.

I should mention yes it is a sports bike, not a tourer.

Answer 10

Tires and brakes are the most important parts on a Motorcycle. Never replace just one tire. Do the front and the back. Brakes you can do yourself so do them often. Same with oil & filter. Also air filter. I will also add. Always wear a helmet the first time some fool pulls in front of you and you hit the street. You will kiss that helmet. "Ride to live,Live to Ride" Never get mad a someone driving a car. You will loose that arguement.

Answer 11

Bought for my Honda Shadow VLX 600 Deluxe. So far it is going great. I had a shop change the inter-tube and mount the tire (which I would recommend, a wheel failing is the last thing you'd want going down the highway). Installing the tire on the bike was a simple process for those wondering.

The rubber is sold, tread is still good 1500 miles after installation. No signs of wear, and has great traction.

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