How do you know when your tires are done?

[Botch]

I almost posted this in the "How many miles did your tires last?" thread but thought it might be best to make it separate.
Can you use the "copper-penny-does-Lincoln's-head-touch?" test on MC tires? Or is there some other depth we should look for? Wrightme mentioned "tread wear indicators" in the other thread, do they appear as they do on some auto tires?

[nlheikki]

I'm glad you posted this, because I need to know the same info.

[greenthumb]

tread wear indicators exist on all street legal tires.
youll see the letters T.W.I on the sidewall near the tread in several spots around the tire. if you follow across the tread youll see there is a raised bar in the tread grooves. when the surrounding tread is flush with the bar at any point, the tire should be replaced according to the manufacturer.
many people use a tire beyond this point, but that is entirely up to you. often because the wear is concentrated in the center. with less tread, the ability to move water out from between the tire and road is greatly reduced. heat dissipation is reduced. you can wear into different layers of rubber in the carcass that were never meant to contact the road.

[sportrider]

thw wear bars on your tire can be found in the rain grooves, they are little lines that run acrossed the width of the tire(on a michelin pilot powers) or along the circumferance(on a dunlope k630). as the tire wears out these lines will become flush with the tread. that is one indicator that the tires life has been used. other indicators for time to replace a tire are, dry rott, cracking, excessive cupping (also a sign of under inflation) here are some pictures of the wear bar

[Hellgate]

When the transition into the corner is funny. I know that is vague, but once the square up they begin to handle funny.

Once they get to that point get a few cups of bleach, make a puddle and then SMOKE 'EM!

[sportrider]

Originally Posted by Hellgate

When the transition into the corner is funny. I know that is vague, but once the square up they begin to handle funny.

Once they get to that point get a few cups of bleach, make a puddle and then SMOKE 'EM!

LMAO!!!

[wrightme43]

When they get close to the tread wear indicator they are trash. Think about it like this. Every single thing you do, is comunicated to the road by your tires.
You may save 7 or 10 dollars by pushing the tire wear further.
If something bad happens you stand to lose your life. If you even start to think your tires are iffy, get new ones.

The rubber compounds change over time and heat cycles. The good sticky fades over time, and its not even noticed.

[Hellgate]

Originally Posted by wrightme43

When they get close to the tread wear indicator they are trash. Think about it like this. Every single thing you do, is comunicated to the road by your tires.
You may save 7 or 10 dollars by pushing the tire wear further.
If something bad happens you stand to lose your life. If you even start to think your tires are iffy, get new ones.

The rubber compounds change over time and heat cycles. The good sticky fades over time, and its not even noticed.

Boy that is SPOT ON. Time can be as big as a factor as miles. For example. A bud had his '96 Duc 900SS in storage for a few months. We got it out, had to bump it to start it and he took off around the business a park. I'm waiting, and waiting,,,,and,,,,waiting. Well he comes back all road rashed in his work clothing. He wasn't even over much and the front tire let go! Just like that at 35mph. We looked at the tire and it was dry rotting. In a simpple three or four months of non use. Now he need bars, fairing, etc.

[Botch]

Thanks guys!