Triumphrat

tomsdad

Hi everyone

Just want your thoughts about tyres. The T bird I am trying to get ready for the spring has what I think are the original tyres. They are 9 years old. The bike has covered only 8000 miles.

My concern is about tyre life rather than tread depth. Do tyres go bad with age?

They seem good. No cracking around the side walls, plenty of tread, its just the age that worries me.

The tyres are Pirelli MTRO3 also has DRAGON GT on them.

If they need changing, any thoughts on what I should use? Should I change the inner tubes as well?

Thanks

Tomsdad

KD5QOQ

9 years? Ever had a front tire blowout?
I'm callin' it cheap insurance.
Remember: there's no such thing as a "fender bender" on a bike.

__________________
Jimbo
Kroger Plus Member
99 Adventurer
05YZ450F
89 CR500
81CR250

gregp

No kidding, KD. I got a flat rear tire last year (Dunlop D205) and it almost put me on my head! When I pulled over, I found that my tire and tube had been punctured by a rusty 3/8-16 x 1 1/2 bolt! Fortunately, my daughter was close by and she picked me up in my truck.
It was near the end of the riding season around these parts, and I wanted to continue riding, so I plugged the tire and clipped off most of the excess plug on the inside and out, and stuffed a 450x18 tube in there (the correct size for my Adventurer is 160/80-16). I rode gently for the following month, but it held just fine.
Now I have a new Metzler tube and a new Kenda Kruz in my garage, both correctly sized, waiting for me to put on.
I will replace the front tire/tube as well.

Greaser

YES! Tires will go bad with age!
The rubber will driy out and get "nasty".
That bike needs new tires and tubes. ASAP.
As for tires, that only I can say is stay away from Bridgestone BT 021's. I've had them and others who have had them generally have nothing good to say about them. The previos gneration BT 020 work well, but the new BT 021's are rubbish.

__________________
The picture says 1000 words, I want the negatives.

MarkBartels

I put new tires on last spring as the originals were starting to weather check. I put on Metzeler LaserTec's and am happy with their performance.

Mark

__________________
"You are either on something or onto something"........The Common Man

tomsdad

Thanks guys.

I pretty much thought I would have to replace them. Interestingly from the Avon website they reccomend a different front tyre to the rear.

They quote Storm ST for front and Azaro ST for the rear. I don't know much about tyres but I would have expected to put on a matching pair.

Strangely though for a TBS they quote Storm ST's front and rear.

Tomsdad

MarkBartels

When I had the LaserTecs installed I had considered putting a Metzeler ME880 rear tire on but had major concerns. Stopped at a Triumph dealership later and two of their new Bonnevilles had that exact combination so it should not be a problem. You should probably not put two different brands on (to state the obvious).

__________________
"You are either on something or onto something"........The Common Man

swamper650

I always replace tires and tubes at the same time. The piece of mind is worth the few dollars cost. That said I have just installed Bridgestone BT 020 tires on my 99 TBS. Great grip and confident feedback in the wet and dry.

lovecuba

Nothing wrong with putting two different brands of tyres on. ME 880 on the rear and a recently fitted Avon Venom on the front. Time will tell, but sure seems to handle well. Rode with this combination in heavy rain and some very slippery roads. No problems whatsoever.

Monty

Hi, i recommend Bridgestone BT45, they're hard wearing in the centre and softer/stickier on the edges, they last well.