These days i dont think there is such a thing as a 'bad tyre'...just an inappropriate one for the task...cheers for the heads up mate, recommendation is the best advice..
Wow what a lovely comment! Thank you so much ... it's been astounding how many people gain use from the videos we make, we had no idea when we started that so many people wanted to learn, especially in this world of push button reliability and booking things at the dealer and coffee in the waiting room!... where maintenance and daily checks can often be forgotten as 'bikes just work', all we really promote is 'housekeeping' an safety procedures and we are so glad it's finding an audience! Del
I just want to thank you for taking the time and posting these videos and explaining everything in detail . You are truly a very skillful and highly knowledgeable person . Keep up the videos . I am a new rider just bought a 2013 iron 883 . looking forward to new videos
Trust me after 50 years of riding I can tell you that the last 1000 miles of tread will wear out roughly in 2/3's to 1/2 the distance that the first 1000 miles of use gave you. Using this estimation on my latest set of michelin road 5's I estimated correctly to the closest 200 miles of when i could just faintly begin to see cord trying to raise its noticeable ugliness. That rear tire lasted 7875 miles before removal and I was glad to take it off. Great set of tires and spent many super fast days of riding out in the western United States where speeds can get rather ridiculous for extended periods of time. I always do just what you suggested with a tread gauge at the beginning of a new set and measure at each thousand miles. This is a very valuable suggestion everyone should use!
Thank you most kindly Sir...its always good to hear form you, hope you are both well, good going on the tire log, it helps to be able to predict when that big expense is coming... take care, Del.
Why thank you kindly sir, its a pleasure to be of help, the only way we learn is from word of mouth...weather it be the mouth of a mate, or the mouth of a tutor....so with social media we can get that word out to loads more riders.. and knowledge is power...now you have new info and can pass it on... ride safe chap.. Del
Exactly mate, so much of maintenance, when it comes to wear and tear, is an unknown and knowledge is power.. money is hard earned and knowing what you can, and can't, get away with can be the difference between being able to get to work, or not, and feed the family!
Delboy. Keeping us informed and keeping us safe. Well done and thank you. Your explanations are spot on. Great effort mate. Keep up the fantsatic work.
Cheers Andy, thats very kind... we all like to get the very most out of our tyres when they cost so much, so this is just a simple way to know for sure whether you're pushing your luck, or still ok to go a bit longer.... every little helps aye mate..!!?
Del, Thanks bud. Another great video all about tires. Good to get opinions from other riders about tires and wear patterns and when to change. I've only been riding for about 10 years daily rider, I found i'l changing 2 back tires to 1 front. Keep new videos coming. Bandit 600 MK1 Bandit 6
Just recently found your channel, love your no crap style, the way you talk to people and not down to them makes your subjects interesting and easy to follow. I've picked up a lot of useful tips already, and yes a tyre depth gauge is on the shopping list. Cheers and safe riding Ray
Always helpful and informative for us new riders. You are a legend my friend :) Thank you very much, some of us really enjoy and appriciate these videos, and you can be damn sure you're making us much better riders, cheers.
Hi Del Thanks for another awesome video, something so easy to check and many people don't know ... I just changed the fork seals accordingly to your video and it was sooo.... easy! Thanks for saving us a money! Cheers. Peter
Hi Peter, thanks for your kind comments, im glad you can use the videos, its whay we take the time to load them up.... thanks for watching buddy, take care.. Del.
Another excellant video! I never thought about keeping a tire log. Will start one tomorrow. Thanks to your advice, I now check my tire pressure prior to every ride! Del, thanks so much for sharing your experience, I learn something from everyone. Also, your FRO videos help me keep my spirits up! Great camera work from the camera person! Hey Penny! :) Take care and God Bless!
Hi Delboy . I have just orderd a Digital tyre Gauge ,I just normally check when i have not Ridden My bikes for a While or that I am going on a Tour so thanks for this Vid. Oh and thanks for the vid about keeping on top of Your Brakes During the winter months . My 125 Ped which is My all Weather bike that has Snow Tyres and it is all weather.The front brake was binding . I have watch My mechanic service it and after watching Your Vid I had a go Myself followed Your instructions but had No Torque wretch to check the two bolts. so ended up taking it to My Mechanic/M.O.T. He said they were at the right torque and tested it on the M.O.T. Brake skid test "98%" so You have saved Me £70 and I will now keep on top of them and invest in a Torgue Wrench. I have been riding for 30yrs and You have given Me a Kick up thr Arse to Check and Maintain My bikes.
You are most welcome Roy, it's good to hear from you, and we're glad you've started taking care of your bike! Not only does it save you money, as you've found, but I think also it gives you a wonderful sense of connection with your bike to always be aware of it's state of health! Take care and enjoy your projects, and thank you for your feedback!
just about to change my rear tyre on my fireblade, and after watching this and inspecting both my tyres ill replace both with michelin pilot power 3. plus ill buy a tread deph and pressure gauge to keep a record, this is something i would never have done in the past, so great advice delboy cheers
i appreciate your response, i was going to message you last week but seen that you was busy moving, then its like you read my mind in making this video haha, i expected more than 3000 miles out of a set of tyres but ill remember not to neglect my pressures in future and go for a more sports touring like the 023. thanks again for your advice, your videos help alot of us new riders and even alot of the more experienced ones that just never learnt the tricks!
Very informative video pal, even if was made 3 and a bit years ago the info is still relevant. Coincidentally very time apt as I am just away to change my front but don't recon back needs changed. Cheers
Hi mate, always good to hear from you...glad it could help...its just house keeping aye, and if it saves you money, then all the better... cheers fellah... Del.
thanks del ,been watching your videos as just started out and got myself a bandit 600s year 2000.brilliant tips makes me more confident on doing some jobs myself.keep up the good work pal
Cheers Del. Once you pointed out that frequent depth checks allows you to gauge when you'll need to replace the tyres it seemed so obvious; but I wouldn't have thought of it myself. Some great advice there
Thanks Del & Penny ,great vid as usual.Love the way you explain things nice and simple, as some one who can wreck my bike just by walking past it holding a spanner i find what you call basic stuff very helpful. keep up the good work ...... oh btw dispersion or displacement was maybe the word you were looking for :)
Bloody great advice Del, Gonna head out tomorrow and buy myself on of those little Tread Depth Measurement tools. I think ive got plenty of tread left but i better check them just incase. Thanks for upload, Great Help
Great info when I got my Honda transalp needed new tyres straight off plus new bearings and chain and sprocket have to save up for new front springs next
Great vid, as I've gotten used to from you both. I used to work in a tire shop (for cars), and I couldn't have done a better report on tires. As you've said in other vids, motorcycles funnel everything down through only two tires, and any problems are multiplied by an exponent. This is literally where the rubber meets the road. And it is also where a lot of money is either saved or lost through care. It's amazing how people will clip coupons to save pennies but mismanage their vehicle care.
Hi mate, welcome to the fold, it's great to have you aboard... often I think that post-40 is the best time to take up biking as you've got free time and free money to enjoy it properly... I remember as a lad I was always skint, which probably led me to learning how to fix my bikes with scotch tape & string LOL! Thanks mate, Del
i would just like to say as a new start to bikes your advice is very welcomed ps iam the wrong side of 40 late starter cheers mate keep up the good work
Hello Guy,a buddy of mine runs an MOT station & if I buy the rubber from him, run the bike over there & take the wheels out myself, he'll pop the boots on for free & balance them properly on a machine worth more than my bike! If I had a spare £10k I'd build a workshop with every machine I want, but part of good maintenance is knowing where to draw the line before you enter into a false economy. I have tyre levers, it's no problem to do myself,but it's a good excuse to visit a mate & have a brew!
this one just popped up in suggestions, watched it first time around of course, but it made me take a "proper " look at my tyres ...gsx are new I put them on(had them put on ) but the xjr is maybe going to need new ones this season ..plenty legal but cupping front and rear ...in fact I've removed about o.5 mm of rear side tread in 150 miles..bt23s were never that great for torque monsters..and the previous owner never leant on corners ..must have got of and pushed it round .. cheers Del boy this is still valuable info ..probably the most important info...other than pumping up the front brakes after a pad change or fluid change ..😁
Love your videos, even when you're talking about something which some may consider obvious (not me) you are never condescending, years ago we did't need wear bars cos the tyres had proper treads just like a car P.S I love Pennys laugh,
thanks guys, really helpfully, i when and bought one of those tire measuring tool online for 3 dollars!!, now i have no excuse for worn tires, when i can work out how long they will last
Well said fella, as an ex-tyrefitter myself I totally agree with your analysis of the tread wear indicators, marked with a TWI all round the tyre. Good video and good infrmation for new guys with no knowledge. Keep them coming bud, RSM8
Hi mate, yeah there are deals to be had, and most tyre garages will work hard to be competitive... the main dealer is always pricey as they dont sell many tyres and dont get the discounts from the tyre companies that a tyre garage gets due to high turnover....well done on finding the mobile guy, they are great.. take care and make sure you scrub them in ....cheers, Del.
I keep watching your vids as i said before I just got a 2009 bonnie s e so I had a right result with all the info on that model thanks I know very little about bike mechanics cause 30 years ago I just rode them not worrying about much at all. Now being old I am so much more aware of my shortcomings so thanks again for all the knowlege I am enjoying working on and riding much more now. One more thing got a digital vernier calliper with which i can measure all manner of things, disc width tread depth etc cost around £15 and a big display that I can see
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated... and it's great to have more with your bike than just riding it aye?! Appreciate your support, enjoy many sunny miles, ride safe, D&Px
Good information as usual Del, thanks. Some of your subs may have Metzelers as I do. The wear indicators are really small and hard to detect. On the sidewall there is a TWI stamp, if you go straight across the tire tread you can pick them up. I missed mine at first and went in scratching my head. Did a search and found the above, then found them on the tires.
Well explained as ever Del. Very intriguing about the new tyres. Honestly, I've been guilty of leaving it too late, as most of us have at some point. But you're right, there is no excuse. Now I'm saving for new tyres so that I have the money for them before I need them, and that money is untouchable. I have to work that way or the cost will come at the worst time. Pay attention to uncle Del people, don't scrimp and then whinge 'cos you're in the hedge because your bike let go on a bend.
I was going to go out on my hayabusa today ,but checked my tyres and my front one is shot its well out of shape on both sides.So going to book it in tomorrow for new one.Great video buddy keep up the good work
Hi Craig, oh i get it...i cant understand why it would wear square, as in, flat in the middle not on the sides like a rear wears...because fronts wear on the sides first..if its doing that and wearing on the shoulders then sadly thats Busadome brother.. they are a heavy old bike and eat front boots for a pastime..the only rubber i ever hear to last really well is the proper Bridgestone Battleaxe Busa tyres...they were designed for the bikes lardy weight distribution, plus they run at 42psi too.
Hi Chris.. if the tyre is cracked its due to the rubber drying out over time...the reason on those kind of bikes is that they hardly ever wear out, they supply hard wearing tyres from new and that could well be the factory original ... no other solution than to replace it mate... With the forks, they arent hard to dismantle, i cant explain it all on here, but why not get a proper manual as that kind of job is usually covered in detail, and its real easy on little bikes... hope that helps Del.
Hi mate, by all means as long as you use the same tyre, make and model, that's fine... not so long ago the way back tyres used to wear so quick it was two backs to one front anyway ... thanks for your kind comments as well, ride safe, Del
Well done James, its not only safer to rude on correctly i9nflated tyres...but they last longer too....make it an OCD habit at least every two days...keep the tyre gauge by the garage door (I set mine on the light switch so its the last thing I see as I lock...
Just bought my first bike. Aprilia shiver 2014. thanks for all the great vids man. Do you have one on what to do when bringing home a used bike for the first time? What to change, look for, adjust ext... Thanks Chap. :)
There you go mate, never comes along at the right time, glad you got away with the puncture! That could have gone very wrong .. thanks for watching, mate, it's always good to hear from you, we appreciate your loyal support, Del
Great advice. If you follow this fella's guide you want go far wrong. Thank you for the safety information. I've been riding for years, buI don't have a tread depth guage!!! Important rules. Nice one Delboy! :)
Hi Simon, rear tyres do wear in the centre, which is opposite to the fronts that wear on the sides...as long as you are inflating it properly and checking it daily it will be fine until you reach the wear bars, then it's time to change... if you are doing lots of straight line riding, why not try a dual compound tyre for your next rear, which has a 2" wide harder section in the middle which stands up to wear better? And they rarely cost more... good luck, Del
You make a very good point, my friend, what you speak of is simply known as 'vehicle sympathy' or 'mechanical sympathy' and it's not about riding slowly either, a MotoGP rider has to make a pair of tyres last a race and you and me have to make our tyres last a season at least... building up speed progressively, less harsh acceleration, vigilant pressure checks & not braking late will all prolong the life of your consumables including your chain & brake pads too...try some dual compound next time
Hi Neil,a good point you raise- rubber is a chemical product & it's properties change constantly, affected by heat, cold & humidity & yes, very much so, a tyre can indeed be well past it's sell by date even though it's not cracked- the only time you'll really notice this is when you ride on them for a day or two, then put new tyres on - the instant difference is astonishing! The worst damage is done by over-heating, harsh use in hot weather can oxidise the rubber & it's starts to go powdery
Great video for novice riders like me. I had a nasty experience ready to ride home from work and the back tyre was flat. It turns out that the tyre had multiple holes and cuts in it. From now on I'll be checking the tyres regularly to make sure that never happens again.
Riding on B roads 40 miles a day due to only having a CBT didn't help. I think it might be time to get something bigger and start cruising along the motorways! Thanks again for the videos. They're all very informative.
Thanks for that tid-bit of info at the end. You're right, I never verify when I get new tires, don't check that for a year easy! Then when somebody asks me about the tread life I'm all like "uhh, well I got them a year ago....and I think they're like half worn...and blah blah blah" - but the point is w/o tracking it you really have no idea.
Thanks for the kind comments buddy... it's just housekeeping, if you keep a track of it it'll not only keep you a bit safer, stop a ticket from the Police and also gives you time to plan and save for your next tyres, as it's always a big expense! Ride safe buddy, Del
nice vid del , need some advice , whats the deal with cracked tyres ? i take it there not road legal , i crashed my cbr just got a moped and it needs a m.o.t front tyre has plenty of tread but are cracked down the middle in the tread lines , also i got slight back and forth play in my front usd's u got any advice for dismalting usd forks or would it be better to pay someone else to replace fork bushes and seels ? cheers chris
more good tips :) thanks m8 :) random question. for your fabrications, where do you get the metal from ? got some bits i want to do on my bike (and elsewhere) but struggling to find the steel. ride safe. YF
Thanks del, this came just at the right time for me, rear batlax has only done 4000 and now its worn out, it doesnt seem many miles for a rear tyre to me ..one thing i am confused is the GSR manual gives the tyre pressure the same for solo riding as well as pillion. is that normal. cheers del.
Yeah, and thats part of the reason they do it Andy, all i can say is go for the 021 as its the closest to yours, and then upgrade the front when its due...unless you can get a good deal on a pair...also, as mine are due on the Busa in a few weeks...im gonna fit a matches pair of Maxxis Diamonds....read all good things about them and they are mega cheap too..
Indeed you're right my friend, its both stupid and selfish to take the safety checks for granted... you can pick up a nail at any time, ive lost count of the amount of riders who tell me their bike was handling weird and they check the tyres to find 10psi in the front...then argue that they cant understand it as they only checked them two weeks ago......give me strength..!.. the tyres are gonna look mad mate..cant wait.
That question comes up on the motorcycle theory test, as the legend Del has told you, always consult the manual ! Also, when picking new tyres, make sure you check the speed rating on them, as it makes a massive difference on how fast they will heat up ! mine are H-rated as i'm on a low speed 125 haha, if i put high speed tyres on they would never heat up properly !
You are a great speaker - clear and concise. Thank you for the tutorial. I was curious if the flat edges from the front tire aren't signs of improper suspension. I herd that it could be a sign that you need to service the fork. Is this true?
Forks are serviced on a periodical basis, usually change the oil every 2yrs, but it's not likely to make much difference to tyre wear, tyre inflation (or incorrect tyre inflation) has a far more damaging effect on tyres.
Love the vids, one thing to add especially regarding touring bikes, the Pan European I'm particularly referring to (but not limited to by any means), is when a tyre with good legal tread going by the legal standards gets ''squared'' down the centre most used portion. Often very hard to see by eye and only noticable once riding but can be LETHAL especially to a newish rider. Get squared off tyres on a Pan and try and gently lean it into a corner, only to find 700lbs of machine doesn't want to lean but rather go straight on... makes the whole riding experience horrible indeed. In this situation currently on my Pan and getting new boots tomorrow, even though the current ones would very much pass an inspection by most people (and the law and MOT tester) as they are perfectly legal but ''squared'' and therefore utterly useless in reality. Ride safe people and keep up the great work Del.
+cossiep Unevern tyre wear can casuse many problems indeed, as you are investing in your new tyres tomorrow, am sure you're considering some dual compund touring tyres to combat the effects of straight line riding and also you can vary your tyre pressure in the rear by up to 5psi provided you are riding solo...this will also extend the tyre life and combat flat lining... thanks for your input buddy!
Love so like to observe that the nice thing about not having a front tire that actually wears well. Is it displaces much of the water that the rear tire is going to ride through at least when you're heading straight down the road.
James, well done mate, there's lots of information there, your tyre pressures are way low there, I would always run 36psi front & 38psi rear, this is the default setting for all middle weight bikes with 17" rims...the under inflation causes the front to wear on the sides as the elipse of the carcass is not retained & on the rear, you've seen, as many are now finding, that tyre companies are designing the rears to last longer as they know that when the front wears out you will replace the pair
These days i dont think there is such a thing as a 'bad tyre'...just an inappropriate one for the task...cheers for the heads up mate, recommendation is the best advice..
Wow what a lovely comment! Thank you so much ... it's been astounding how many people gain use from the videos we make, we had no idea when we started that so many people wanted to learn, especially in this world of push button reliability and booking things at the dealer and coffee in the waiting room!... where maintenance and daily checks can often be forgotten as 'bikes just work', all we really promote is 'housekeeping' an safety procedures and we are so glad it's finding an audience! Del
No Bullshit. Just the Basics. Not only have you saved people a lot of money by now. Youve probably saved someone an injury. AWESOME
I just want to thank you for taking the time and posting these videos and explaining everything in detail . You are truly a very skillful and highly knowledgeable person . Keep up the videos . I am a new rider just bought a 2013 iron 883 . looking forward to new videos
I watch your videos every single night for hours on end you are a legend and I really appreciate how much time and effort you put into your videos
I learned something I did not know, wear bars. Your videos are always a new learning experience, well done and keep them coming.
Trust me after 50 years of riding I can tell you that the last 1000 miles of tread will wear out roughly in 2/3's to 1/2 the distance that the first 1000 miles of use gave you. Using this estimation on my latest set of michelin road 5's I estimated correctly to the closest 200 miles of when i could just faintly begin to see cord trying to raise its noticeable ugliness. That rear tire lasted 7875 miles before removal and I was glad to take it off. Great set of tires and spent many super fast days of riding out in the western United States where speeds can get rather ridiculous for extended periods of time. I always do just what you suggested with a tread gauge at the beginning of a new set and measure at each thousand miles. This is a very valuable suggestion everyone should use!
Thank you most kindly Sir...its always good to hear form you, hope you are both well, good going on the tire log, it helps to be able to predict when that big expense is coming... take care, Del.
Why thank you kindly sir, its a pleasure to be of help, the only way we learn is from word of mouth...weather it be the mouth of a mate, or the mouth of a tutor....so with social media we can get that word out to loads more riders.. and knowledge is power...now you have new info and can pass it on... ride safe chap.. Del
Thank you! It's just what the doctor ordered. I now need to get one of those gauges and keep track. Brilliant idea!
Wise points, mate on the coupons comment ...and really appreciate an endorsement from a tyre professional, thanks Del
Sound advice, we all count the pennies but safety is paramount, thanks Del.
Exactly mate, so much of maintenance, when it comes to wear and tear, is an unknown and knowledge is power.. money is hard earned and knowing what you can, and can't, get away with can be the difference between being able to get to work, or not, and feed the family!
Delboy. Keeping us informed and keeping us safe. Well done and thank you.
Your explanations are spot on. Great effort mate. Keep up the fantsatic work.
Cheers Andy, thats very kind... we all like to get the very most out of our tyres when they cost so much, so this is just a simple way to know for sure whether you're pushing your luck, or still ok to go a bit longer.... every little helps aye mate..!!?
Del, Thanks bud. Another great video all about tires. Good to get opinions from other riders about tires and wear patterns and when to change. I've only been riding for about 10 years daily rider, I found i'l changing 2 back tires to 1 front. Keep new videos coming.
Bandit 600 MK1
Bandit 6
I am now buying a bike once again after 16 years in a car.
Great videos. Confidence building stuff.
Welcome back to the fold my friend, enjoy your bike, and ride safe.. Del.
Be careful. Stay alive to ride another day.
Just recently found your channel, love your no crap style, the way you talk to people and not down to them makes your subjects interesting and easy to follow. I've picked up a lot of useful tips already, and yes a tyre depth gauge is on the shopping list. Cheers and safe riding
Ray
+whorayful THanks mate, much aprpeciate your mind comments.. always good to hear from our fellow riders !
Always helpful and informative for us new riders. You are a legend my friend :) Thank you very much, some of us really enjoy and appriciate these videos, and you can be damn sure you're making us much better riders, cheers.
Hi Del
Thanks for another awesome video, something so easy to check and many people don't know ...
I just changed the fork seals accordingly to your video and it was sooo.... easy!
Thanks for saving us a money!
Cheers.
Peter
Hi Peter, thanks for your kind comments, im glad you can use the videos, its whay we take the time to load them up.... thanks for watching buddy, take care.. Del.
Another excellant video! I never thought about keeping a tire log. Will start one tomorrow. Thanks to your advice, I now check my tire pressure prior to every ride! Del, thanks so much for sharing your experience, I learn something from everyone. Also, your FRO videos help me keep my spirits up! Great camera work from the camera person! Hey Penny! :) Take care and God Bless!
Awesome, Awesome video. Explained so simple and very effective knowledge he has pertaining to tire and wear. I learned a lot...Thanks man!
Good informative video mate, thanks as I'm always debating how far I can squeeze the life of my tyres.
Just done CBT at 58 Loving these vids so much to learn.
Congratulations Alwyn, and welcome to the biker family... hop you have lots of fun.. Del.
Hi Delboy . I have just orderd a Digital tyre Gauge ,I just normally check when i have not Ridden My bikes for a While or that I am going on a Tour so thanks for this Vid. Oh and thanks for the vid about keeping on top of Your Brakes During the winter months . My 125 Ped which is My all Weather bike that has Snow Tyres and it is all weather.The front brake was binding . I have watch My mechanic service it and after watching Your Vid I had a go Myself followed Your instructions but had No Torque wretch to check the two bolts. so ended up taking it to My Mechanic/M.O.T. He said they were at the right torque and tested it on the M.O.T. Brake skid test "98%" so You have saved Me £70 and I will now keep on top of them and invest in a Torgue Wrench. I have been riding for 30yrs and You have given Me a Kick up thr Arse to Check and Maintain My bikes.
You are most welcome Roy, it's good to hear from you, and we're glad you've started taking care of your bike! Not only does it save you money, as you've found, but I think also it gives you a wonderful sense of connection with your bike to always be aware of it's state of health! Take care and enjoy your projects, and thank you for your feedback!
Thank you, Sir, glad you enjoy!
just about to change my rear tyre on my fireblade, and after watching this and inspecting both my tyres ill replace both with michelin pilot power 3. plus ill buy a tread deph and pressure gauge to keep a record, this is something i would never have done in the past, so great advice delboy cheers
pa mcgeown You're most welcome mate, merticiulous and dilligent tyre care can double the life of a pair of boots! Good plan mate... ride safe, Del
i appreciate your response, i was going to message you last week but seen that you was busy moving, then its like you read my mind in making this video haha, i expected more than 3000 miles out of a set of tyres but ill remember not to neglect my pressures in future and go for a more sports touring like the 023.
thanks again for your advice, your videos help alot of us new riders and even alot of the more experienced ones that just never learnt the tricks!
Thanks Del for the advice! I am new to bikes and your video helped me a lot. Just ordered a Tyre Air Pressure & Tread Depth kit.
Thanks Lord... keep an eye on them tyres and they'll last you a lot longer... ! Cheers Del
Very informative video pal, even if was made 3 and a bit years ago the info is still relevant. Coincidentally very time apt as I am just away to change my front but don't recon back needs changed. Cheers
Hi mate, always good to hear from you...glad it could help...its just house keeping aye, and if it saves you money, then all the better... cheers fellah... Del.
Excellent video for a new bike rider, thanks !!
That tip of measuring tread depth on a new tire is brilliant
i think is one of the best channel out there, plenty of info and very professional!
+Jonny Go Hi Johny, thats very kind of you buddy, im glad you enjoy the videos.. Del.
As usual another excellent video loaded with super useful information thank you very much for your time man and keep it up happy new year!!!
Hey Rene, good to hear from you Sir, thank you for your kind and loyal supoprt!
You have the most informative videos.
Thanks you Andree, very kind of you, and glad to know the videos can help you out !
thanks del ,been watching your videos as just started out and got myself a bandit 600s year 2000.brilliant tips makes me more confident on doing some jobs myself.keep up the good work pal
Thanks mate, really kind of you to say, and so glad to hear the videos help you out, ride safe, Del
Cheers Del. Once you pointed out that frequent depth checks allows you to gauge when you'll need to replace the tyres it seemed so obvious; but I wouldn't have thought of it myself. Some great advice there
Useful tip about measuring every 1000 miles to help with budgeting for replacements, I will do that next time I get new tyres.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Del & Penny ,great vid as usual.Love the way you explain things nice and simple, as some one who can wreck my bike just by walking past it holding a spanner i find what you call basic stuff very helpful. keep up the good work ...... oh btw dispersion or displacement was maybe the word you were looking for :)
Bloody great advice Del, Gonna head out tomorrow and buy myself on of those little Tread Depth Measurement tools. I think ive got plenty of tread left but i better check them just incase. Thanks for upload, Great Help
Great info when I got my Honda transalp needed new tyres straight off plus new bearings and chain and sprocket have to save up for new front springs next
Thnx, Del! You're the man. Respect. 💯
Thanks mate, apparently I am related to Irene Handl - glad you like the videos and find them useful, that's why we do it, Cheers Del
Great vid, as I've gotten used to from you both. I used to work in a tire shop (for cars), and I couldn't have done a better report on tires. As you've said in other vids, motorcycles funnel everything down through only two tires, and any problems are multiplied by an exponent. This is literally where the rubber meets the road. And it is also where a lot of money is either saved or lost through care. It's amazing how people will clip coupons to save pennies but mismanage their vehicle care.
well del another brilliant video for me the newish rider always learn so much, thanks
Hi mate, welcome to the fold, it's great to have you aboard... often I think that post-40 is the best time to take up biking as you've got free time and free money to enjoy it properly... I remember as a lad I was always skint, which probably led me to learning how to fix my bikes with scotch tape & string LOL! Thanks mate, Del
i would just like to say as a new start to bikes your advice is very welcomed ps iam the wrong side of 40 late starter cheers mate keep up the good work
Some usefully tips there cheers for that a few more things to look out for now
Hello Guy,a buddy of mine runs an MOT station & if I buy the rubber from him, run the bike over there & take the wheels out myself, he'll pop the boots on for free & balance them properly on a machine worth more than my bike! If I had a spare £10k I'd build a workshop with every machine I want, but part of good maintenance is knowing where to draw the line before you enter into a false economy. I have tyre levers, it's no problem to do myself,but it's a good excuse to visit a mate & have a brew!
Thank you for that good information!. Iv learnt alot and I know now what to check
You're welcome Eileen.....glad it could help... take care, Del.
this one just popped up in suggestions, watched it first time around of course, but it made me take a "proper " look at my tyres ...gsx are new I put them on(had them put on ) but the xjr is maybe going to need new ones this season ..plenty legal but cupping front and rear ...in fact I've removed about o.5 mm of rear side tread in 150 miles..bt23s were never that great for torque monsters..and the previous owner never leant
on corners ..must have got of and pushed it round ..
cheers Del boy this is still valuable info ..probably the most important info...other than pumping up the front brakes after a pad change or fluid change ..😁
Love your videos, even when you're talking about something which some may consider obvious (not me) you are never condescending,
years ago we did't need wear bars cos the tyres had proper treads just like a car
P.S I love Pennys laugh,
Love that tank cover friend.
Wow, thats all I can say with such a well explained video
thanks guys, really helpfully, i when and bought one of those tire measuring tool online for 3 dollars!!, now i have no excuse for worn tires, when i can work out how long they will last
Thanks Davey, much appreciated, mate
Thanks matey, it pays to listen to Grandpa's old tricks aye....glad you likes itm and thanks for watching... Del
Well said fella, as an ex-tyrefitter myself I totally agree with your analysis of the tread wear indicators, marked with a TWI all round the tyre. Good video and good infrmation for new guys with no knowledge. Keep them coming bud, RSM8
New sub by the way, keep them coming!
Thanks Ian, good to have endoursement from the trade.... and welcome aboard buddy... .take care.. Del.
Most welcome mate
Hi mate, yeah there are deals to be had, and most tyre garages will work hard to be competitive... the main dealer is always pricey as they dont sell many tyres and dont get the discounts from the tyre companies that a tyre garage gets due to high turnover....well done on finding the mobile guy, they are great.. take care and make sure you scrub them in ....cheers, Del.
I keep watching your vids as i said before I just got a 2009 bonnie s e so I had a right result with all the info on that model thanks I know very little about bike mechanics cause 30 years ago I just rode them not worrying about much at all. Now being old I am so much more aware of my shortcomings so thanks again for all the knowlege I am enjoying working on and riding much more now. One more thing got a digital vernier calliper with which i can measure all manner of things, disc width tread depth etc cost around £15 and a big display that I can see
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated... and it's great to have more with your bike than just riding it aye?! Appreciate your support, enjoy many sunny miles, ride safe, D&Px
Good information as usual Del, thanks. Some of your subs may have Metzelers as I do. The wear indicators are really small and hard to detect. On the sidewall there is a TWI stamp, if you go straight across the tire tread you can pick them up. I missed mine at first and went in scratching my head. Did a search and found the above, then found them on the tires.
Well explained as ever Del. Very intriguing about the new tyres.
Honestly, I've been guilty of leaving it too late, as most of us have at some point. But you're right, there is no excuse. Now I'm saving for new tyres so that I have the money for them before I need them, and that money is untouchable. I have to work that way or the cost will come at the worst time.
Pay attention to uncle Del people, don't scrimp and then whinge 'cos you're in the hedge because your bike let go on a bend.
Good video. Just one thing, what is ropes on your Bandit for?
Good info as usual Del, Ride safe buddy
Well done Mark....make sure you check them at the shallowest point, then above the wear bars too so you know how much you have left... take care, Del.
I was going to go out on my hayabusa today ,but checked my tyres and my front one is shot its well out of shape on both sides.So going to book it in tomorrow for new one.Great video buddy keep up the good work
Nice one Steve, Im glad the video could help buddy.
Hi Craig, oh i get it...i cant understand why it would wear square, as in, flat in the middle not on the sides like a rear wears...because fronts wear on the sides first..if its doing that and wearing on the shoulders then sadly thats Busadome brother.. they are a heavy old bike and eat front boots for a pastime..the only rubber i ever hear to last really well is the proper Bridgestone Battleaxe Busa tyres...they were designed for the bikes lardy weight distribution, plus they run at 42psi too.
Great video as usual 👌
Hi Chris.. if the tyre is cracked its due to the rubber drying out over time...the reason on those kind of bikes is that they hardly ever wear out, they supply hard wearing tyres from new and that could well be the factory original ... no other solution than to replace it mate... With the forks, they arent hard to dismantle, i cant explain it all on here, but why not get a proper manual as that kind of job is usually covered in detail, and its real easy on little bikes... hope that helps Del.
Hi mate, by all means as long as you use the same tyre, make and model, that's fine... not so long ago the way back tyres used to wear so quick it was two backs to one front anyway ... thanks for your kind comments as well, ride safe, Del
Well done James, its not only safer to rude on correctly i9nflated tyres...but they last longer too....make it an OCD habit at least every two days...keep the tyre gauge by the garage door (I set mine on the light switch so its the last thing I see as I lock...
Just bought my first bike. Aprilia shiver 2014. thanks for all the great vids man. Do you have one on what to do when bringing home a used bike for the first time? What to change, look for, adjust ext... Thanks Chap. :)
Another great video as always
There you go mate, never comes along at the right time, glad you got away with the puncture! That could have gone very wrong .. thanks for watching, mate, it's always good to hear from you, we appreciate your loyal support, Del
Great advice. If you follow this fella's guide you want go far wrong. Thank you for the safety information. I've been riding for years, buI don't have a tread depth guage!!! Important rules. Nice one Delboy! :)
Hi Geoff, thanks matey, you can buy those little tread gauges form gar accessory shops for not much money... thanks for your kind support.. Del.
Hi Simon, rear tyres do wear in the centre, which is opposite to the fronts that wear on the sides...as long as you are inflating it properly and checking it daily it will be fine until you reach the wear bars, then it's time to change... if you are doing lots of straight line riding, why not try a dual compound tyre for your next rear, which has a 2" wide harder section in the middle which stands up to wear better? And they rarely cost more... good luck, Del
You make a very good point, my friend, what you speak of is simply known as 'vehicle sympathy' or 'mechanical sympathy' and it's not about riding slowly either, a MotoGP rider has to make a pair of tyres last a race and you and me have to make our tyres last a season at least... building up speed progressively, less harsh acceleration, vigilant pressure checks & not braking late will all prolong the life of your consumables including your chain & brake pads too...try some dual compound next time
thanks for clearing that up for me del, do you run the bike with just one disc now if so would it be a problem when it comes to the MOT?
Great tire information Del. :-)
Thanks mate, Del
Hi Neil,a good point you raise- rubber is a chemical product & it's properties change constantly, affected by heat, cold & humidity & yes, very much so, a tyre can indeed be well past it's sell by date even though it's not cracked- the only time you'll really notice this is when you ride on them for a day or two, then put new tyres on - the instant difference is astonishing! The worst damage is done by over-heating, harsh use in hot weather can oxidise the rubber & it's starts to go powdery
What up dude surely the tyre is worn out when there loads of smoke and a bang !! Great vid mate something for everyone.
Thank buddy, good thoughts. and yeah, a slide on a bike certainly focuses your attention lol!
Great video for novice riders like me. I had a nasty experience ready to ride home from work and the back tyre was flat. It turns out that the tyre had multiple holes and cuts in it. From now on I'll be checking the tyres regularly to make sure that never happens again.
Blimey, probably a good idea to watch where you're riding bud! Good job you spotted it, keep safe! Del
Riding on B roads 40 miles a day due to only having a CBT didn't help. I think it might be time to get something bigger and start cruising along the motorways!
Thanks again for the videos. They're all very informative.
Thanks for that tid-bit of info at the end. You're right, I never verify when I get new tires, don't check that for a year easy! Then when somebody asks me about the tread life I'm all like "uhh, well I got them a year ago....and I think they're like half worn...and blah blah blah" - but the point is w/o tracking it you really have no idea.
Thanks for the kind comments buddy... it's just housekeeping, if you keep a track of it it'll not only keep you a bit safer, stop a ticket from the Police and also gives you time to plan and save for your next tyres, as it's always a big expense! Ride safe buddy, Del
nice vid del , need some advice , whats the deal with cracked tyres ? i take it there not road legal , i crashed my cbr just got a moped and it needs a m.o.t front tyre has plenty of tread but are cracked down the middle in the tread lines , also i got slight back and forth play in my front usd's u got any advice for dismalting usd forks or would it be better to pay someone else to replace fork bushes and seels ? cheers chris
more good tips :) thanks m8 :) random question. for your fabrications, where do you get the metal from ? got some bits i want to do on my bike (and elsewhere) but struggling to find the steel. ride safe. YF
Thanks del, this came just at the right time for me, rear batlax has only done 4000 and now its worn out, it doesnt seem many miles for a rear tyre to me ..one thing i am confused is the GSR manual gives the tyre pressure the same for solo riding as well as pillion. is that normal.
cheers del.
Yeah, and thats part of the reason they do it Andy, all i can say is go for the 021 as its the closest to yours, and then upgrade the front when its due...unless you can get a good deal on a pair...also, as mine are due on the Busa in a few weeks...im gonna fit a matches pair of Maxxis Diamonds....read all good things about them and they are mega cheap too..
Indeed you're right my friend, its both stupid and selfish to take the safety checks for granted... you can pick up a nail at any time, ive lost count of the amount of riders who tell me their bike was handling weird and they check the tyres to find 10psi in the front...then argue that they cant understand it as they only checked them two weeks ago......give me strength..!.. the tyres are gonna look mad mate..cant wait.
hi Bill, yeah not all boots have the big obvious blocks....thanks for pointing that out.. Dragon Corsa's are the same
That question comes up on the motorcycle theory test, as the legend Del has told you, always consult the manual !
Also, when picking new tyres, make sure you check the speed rating on them, as it makes a massive difference on how fast they will heat up ! mine are H-rated as i'm on a low speed 125 haha, if i put high speed tyres on they would never heat up properly !
You are a great speaker - clear and concise. Thank you for the tutorial. I was curious if the flat edges from the front tire aren't signs of improper suspension. I herd that it could be a sign that you need to service the fork. Is this true?
Forks are serviced on a periodical basis, usually change the oil every 2yrs, but it's not likely to make much difference to tyre wear, tyre inflation (or incorrect tyre inflation) has a far more damaging effect on tyres.
thank you del, am ordering a tread and pressure gauge now.
Wise investment my friend... will keep you in touch with how your tyres are doing!
Great advice thanks
Love the vids, one thing to add especially regarding touring bikes, the Pan European I'm particularly referring to (but not limited to by any means), is when a tyre with good legal tread going by the legal standards gets ''squared'' down the centre most used portion. Often very hard to see by eye and only noticable once riding but can be LETHAL especially to a newish rider. Get squared off tyres on a Pan and try and gently lean it into a corner, only to find 700lbs of machine doesn't want to lean but rather go straight on... makes the whole riding experience horrible indeed. In this situation currently on my Pan and getting new boots tomorrow, even though the current ones would very much pass an inspection by most people (and the law and MOT tester) as they are perfectly legal but ''squared'' and therefore utterly useless in reality. Ride safe people and keep up the great work Del.
+cossiep Unevern tyre wear can casuse many problems indeed, as you are investing in your new tyres tomorrow, am sure you're considering some dual compund touring tyres to combat the effects of straight line riding and also you can vary your tyre pressure in the rear by up to 5psi provided you are riding solo...this will also extend the tyre life and combat flat lining... thanks for your input buddy!
Hehehe....bet you made the bloke in the tire shop giggle mate. The madness approaches!
Love so like to observe that the nice thing about not having a front tire that actually wears well. Is it displaces much of the water that the rear tire is going to ride through at least when you're heading straight down the road.
Delboy can you explain how the age of the tire affects the riding? When is a tire definitely outdated?
James, well done mate, there's lots of information there, your tyre pressures are way low there, I would always run 36psi front & 38psi rear, this is the default setting for all middle weight bikes with 17" rims...the under inflation causes the front to wear on the sides as the elipse of the carcass is not retained & on the rear, you've seen, as many are now finding, that tyre companies are designing the rears to last longer as they know that when the front wears out you will replace the pair