My 96 GS has 6000 miles.  The front tire looks fine but the rear has some wear.

If it says "Bridgestone Excedra" on the side, it's time to replace them

Kidding aside (excedras were the crap oem tires), first look for cracking on your tires since they may be 10+ years old.  If that's the case I would definitely replace them.  If the tread is almost gone or if it's squared off you should probably replace at least the rear.

You may want to post a pic of the tires to see what others think

That's a good question, as most people don't take pictures of their worn out tires.

5,000-10,000 miles on the stock tires is usually a good time to change them out, but yours is a '96 and 6000 miles; if your tires are the originals, they are 11 years old = time to change them.  Both of 'em.

Flattened in the middle, cracked, wavy...  All bad.  The front tire will usually keep tread a lot longer than the rear, but it begins to cup and get wavy.  If you run your hand along the front tire it feels /\/\/\/\/\/\/\ wavy, then you should also think about a new front.  Some people advise keeping the same brand and model of tire on the front and back, since they will be complimentary tread patterns and made of the same rubber (Same Sticky).  There's some more info here (LINK) about checking out the tires and checking the date codes on the tires.


But...  If you know they're cracked, flattened, or wavy... There's no point in figuring out the date... Just get some new ones.


When I replaced my stock, warn, cracked, flattened, wavy tires I was BLOWN AWAY at how much better the GS rode.  It was seriously like a new bike...  I finally figured out why people like the GS.   

Some sage once said that if you think you understand quantum physics then you don't.

With tyres, however, if you think you might need new tyres you probably do.
There is some great information, mostly from GSJack probaly on FAQs, if you are on Excederas almost anything will feel a lot better on the road.

Regaurdless of mileage.I'd change them ever couple of years for safety.
Dry rot can be hard to detect until the tire starts visually seperating.
I had this happen on a set of tires that were 3 years old and 10,000
miles.Guess how I found out they were bad.The side wall blew out.
The tires still looked brand new,but where it blew out,the inside was
dry and cracking.So buy some Kenda 671's and ride the sh!t out of it.
They last for ever.Stay away from Bridgestone Excedra.I have one and
the sides still have a little curve,but the center 4 inches is flat as a board.
Ride like hell too.You never said if your wheels are factory or upgraded.
Mine are stock front and bandit 600 rear.This set up allows me to run
sticky tires.Try it you might like it.  

So do you think the one on the right is ready for replacement, or can I give it another couple thousand?


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Quote from: thirdman on June 01, 2007, 03:12:11 PM
So do you think the one on the right is ready for replacement, or can I give it another couple thousand?


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Na, you got like another 2,000 left on that easy

Quote from: thirdman on June 01, 2007, 03:12:11 PM
So do you think the one on the right is ready for replacement, or can I give it another couple thousand?


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If you're going to throw those out, I'll take them.

Those look new to me. 

dammit man ! 

put $8 in the tank and burn that Buddha Loves You to nothingness.

then wash and replace it !   

I should take a pic of my rear tire...  It's ready to be replaced IMO...  But...  I keep on riding on it...