tread limit for inspection

[splatt]

does anyone know the minimum tread depth for bike tires to pass inspection?  i'm getting mine inspected next week and i'm worried she won't pass.  i'm in ny.  thanks.

[Daniely]

If your that worried about your tires why not shell out 200 bucks and get em fixed anyways? If its low enough to make you worry, i think peace of mind is worth it.

[splatt]

i'm cheap and want to get the maximum life out of my tires.  there's still decent tread on the rear, but it's starting to get pretty thin right down the middle of the tire.  not so thin that it's bald or getting ready to blow out or anything.  anyone know minimum requirements?

[JetSwing]

both of my tires failed the inspection. :x

they were stock tires on 2001 with 3000 miles.

[paternoster2012]

We dont have inspections in MI

I bought some shinko tires for my GS
havnt tried themout yet tho

[vfrocket]

Im pretty sure they will be good if the tread wear indicator is not showing yet.....

Dont know for sure.

[ukchickenlover]

i'm cheap and want to get the maximum life out of my tires.  there's still decent tread on the rear, but it's starting to get pretty thin right down the middle of the tire.  not so thin that it's bald or getting ready to blow out or anything.  anyone know minimum requirements?

I think it is 1mm for at least 2/3 around the tyre. Try driving in the rain with low tyre tread and your cheap attitude may change a bit. It's a little scary.

[Rema1000]

Insert penny into tire tread at center; if the top of Abe Lincoln's head is below the tread depth, then you'll probably pass inspection:



Personally, I wouldn't let mine go that long.  New cheap tires grip better than worn expensive tires.  Maybe look at Maxxis Promaxx or Avon AM52 for a decent budget tire; or Bridgestone BT45 if you want to do it right.

Image from http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/ab_tires/article/0,2021,DIY_13697_2271505,00.html

[mp183]

At 3,000 miles there is no way the front tire could have failed due to tread depth.  Even the back should not have been a problem.
There might have been other "issues".
I would ask him what is the minimum depth allowed.
The Abe Lincoln trick works for car tires.  I think the depth is 3/32" on autos I think it might be the same for bikes.
I changes my first rear at about 8,000+ and the front at 15,000+.
The back was a little "square" but otherwise useable.

both of my tires failed the inspection. :x

they were stock tires on 2001 with 3000 miles.

[splatt]

i thought the abe lincoln trick was for auto tires and it seems like the requirements for bike tires would be less.  i'll probably order a new rear tire when i take it to get inspected, but i figure i can get another 1,000 miles out of this rear tire before it really needs replacing.  ukchicken is right though, riding in the rain on worn tires is not fun.  that's why i drive my car when it rains.

[splatt]

so i took the bike to be inspected today and the rear tire did fail, just like i feared.  in any case, for everyone's information, the tread limit for bike tires in nys is 1/16th of an inch.  that's a bit less than the distance between the top of abe lincoln's head and the edge of a penny.  the inspector said it's about the distance between the top of roosevelt's head and the edge of a dime.  that is roosevelt on the dime isn't it?

[Rema1000]

Yep, it looks like 2/32 inch (http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/NewYork/nytires.htm).  2/32 inch is 1.5875mm.  That's a bit higher than I'd expect (UK requires 1.6mm for cars, 1mm for bikes, and 0mm for scooters   , I think).  It's always surprising when the US has tighter tolerances than UK/EU (other than EPA, which is often tighter).  Heck, in DE, your car can fail inspection due to body rust!  Try enforcing THAT in Michigan or Ohio!

Anyways, even if it's more conservative than many states/countries, 1.6mm is still about where I'd want the tire changed-out anyways.  RedPhil's 2mm recommendation is also sound advice.