should i change tires before my trip

[chap]

I have michelin pr3 tires on my 2010 concours. I have about 13,000km on them so far. They are worn down to about 3-4mm left. My new tires are about 6mm. I am planning a 3-4,000km trip in the next week. Should I change them before the trip.

[twowheeladdict]

Depends on how much risk you want to incur.  Do you change them yourself?  If you buy a tire on the road you are going to pay premium, or spend time away from your trip hunting down the proper tire, then time at the changer's shop.  That is what happened to me summer of 2013.  The different road surfaces, high speeds, and prolonged riding of 600 plus miles a day wore the rear tire quicker than I though it would. 

[chap]

So i was considering  just doing the rear. I da have both here though.

[max1138]

I would swap em out, that last bit of tread goes a lot faster than u think it will. 

why risk interrupting a trip when you have the means to avoid tire wear issues altogether at hand.

[chap]

Yes that is a very good point. I guess i can keep these tires as emergency spares for later.

[ZG]

yes

[Cuda]

Had to look up km ?
So you put about 8,000 miles on a set of P3 tires and they are almost 1/2 used up and your afraid about the next 2,000 miles
I'd wait .

[Son of Pappy]

What does your magic 8 ball say?

[Gsun]

Are you measuring in the middle of the tire? How far is the wear bar? I have 3's on and will not get anywhere near 13kms out of them! Have about 7 now and the wear bars are getting close.

[VirginiaJim]

Where are the wear bars on the 3?  The sipings still look good in the center.  Never mind, I found them...  Cheeky things...the way the front is wearing it's down to the wear bar on toward the outside but has a way to go in the middle...  I guess as long as I stay on interstates I should be fine.

[Rhino]

8,000 miles already, planning another 2,000 miles. I've never had a rear tire go 10,000 miles on my C14. If you don't plan on breaking any speed records or carving any twisties you will probably be OK. But I wouldn't feel comfortable in the rain with tires that worn.

[chap]

Thanks guys. New tires are on. Kawasaki Set the tire pressure to 37 lbs ?? so topped them up to 42 myself. this is my second change, 30 mins to remove both, and 45 mins. to reinstall.
The old tires are good as spares if I need them.

[Cuda]

There is no such thing as a GOOD old tire , I've had lots of belts let go  on tires that were over 5 years old, two years ago I was pulling a loader on a trailer behind my 2500 truck It was a E rated Michelin and when it blew at 45 mph It cracked a forged alum wheel ripped off my wheel flare and bent up my rear fender, lots of tread left
This spring I was going to a boat race started to feel a vibe pulled over right away front tire  belt shifted the tires looked brand new , I bought the tires and wheels cheap last year $1,000.00 the Guy is a very wealthy said the wheels had too much offset , for his new truck, stuck out too much what a deal! tires list for $460 per tire and   20" x 10 " new wheels what a steal ! I never checked the production date on the tires old tires are JUNK tires , I would have used the tire up, I NEVER want to be on a bike when a tire gives out , a slow leak no problem a BLOW out OMG.

[Flienlow]

One thing I have always found is that a 30-40 mile commute/rides are no big deal. But 400-900 straight miles in a day will wear a tire out quickly. I rode from Seattle to Salinas in one day, and then back in 2 days. My tires were still good, but I only got about 4000 miles or so out if as they get flat spots ect.
You did the right thing by swapping.  Being stuck along side the road or high-sided in a ditch sucks. Tires are cheap brother!

[Daytona_Mike]

You need to change those tires. It is always better to error on the safe side besides- 8k on a rear PR3?   You did well. Time to change them.

[tbanzer]

Good time to smoke that tire down to the cords. Win win situation. I personally do a few second gear burn out to finish off my tires. In the scope of things tires are cheap for the amount of miles you get out of them. Not very comforting having to watch the tire getting thinner and thinner during a long trip.

[jimmymac]

I can't imagine 8,000 out of a tire. I don't get half of that.

[PH14]

I can't imagine 8,000 out of a tire. I don't get half of that.

I got 8200 out of the stock front Stone and 10,000 out of the stock rear, hated every mile of them, but got good mileage out of them. Wore from edge to edge thanks to the nice twisty roads here in Western PA and West Virginia as well as a lot of long interstate trips.

[maxtog]

I got 8200 out of the stock front Stone and 10,000 out of the stock rear, hated every mile of them, but got good mileage out of them. Wore from edge to edge thanks to the nice twisty roads here in Western PA and West Virginia as well as a lot of long interstate trips.

Similar to you, I got  9,000 miles on the stock front and the rear still had lots left on it, but had TPS issues and HATED the stock tires so I replaced both with PR4GT.  So much happier.