I have a 2001 Honda RC51. I think i might need new tires well at least a new rear one. The tire still has a good tread pattern. But i‘ve that that is what the tire is supposed to do to ensure performance throughout the life of the tire. So how do i know that the tire is worn and needs repalcing?
Assuming that you live in the U.S., the D.O.T. legal limit is 2/32 or approx. 1 mm of tread depth. If you don't have a tread depth gauge, then use a penny. Put the penny into the tread with the top of Lincoln's head in the tread; the edge of the coin to the top of Lincoln's head is approx. 2/32. The tread cannot be any less then 2/32' at any spot. If the center of the tire is bald, but the edges have 4/32, it is still not legal. Remember, the tread (really the grooves or voids) is very important; it is what channels the water out from under your tire. without them, your tires will hydroplane on water and you will crash! Being that your bike is a 2001, I can assume that the tires are less then 6 years old. Industry standard life for a tire is 10 years max. If your tires have dry rot, then a tire change may be necessary. If there is dry rot and you can see the cords, then a tire change is mandatory. If this does not help, it is probably best to consult a tire professional.
The RC is extremely hard on back tires - tons of torqe mean lots of rubber gets spun off on the pavement. Average mileage for a really sticky performance tire would be less than 4,000 miles. A high-mileage 'touring' tire will last 6,000 miles. In most cases (unless the previous rider was a pro), you'll still have nearly max tread on the sides of the tire, with a flat spot down the center. I ride hard, but since there's still more straight road than corners (bummer!), I still wear the middle first. Some tires don't have much tread in the middle, so it's hard to use the penny method. Look at the tire, is the center flat? Does the rubber look different in this area? If you answer yes to either of these, then most likely you're due for a new tire. If you're still not sure, take it into your local Honda dealer and ask. While you're at it, ask them what they look for and how they determine when to replace - they can show you better than we can describe it here!
