Hey all. I was wondering who here has worn out a set of BattleWings, and how the rear tire wears towards the end of its life.

Here's the situation. I put a set of BattleWings on my Wee-Strom a little under 6500 miles ago. The front is still in great shape; the rear is fairly flat-spotted, with maybe 3-4mm of tread depth remaining in the center.

In a couple of weeks I leave on a trip to West Virginia and the BRP, a little over 2000 miles in all. Few highways, lots of twisties, lower average speeds, so wear on the center of the tire won't be as bad as slabbing it for an equivalent distance.

I'm a little worried that I might run out of center tread before the trip is over. There's probably enough remaining tread depth to last the trip, but not knowing how quickly it wears towards the end, I can't be certain. So I'm curious what other people's experience with this is.

Also, has anyone run a rear BattleWing down to the cords? I'm curious how much rubber remains once the center tread has been worn down (just in case I have to limp home the last few hundred miles with the tread scrubbed off).

I know the obvious answer is to just throw on a new rear... but I'd really like to squeeze the remaining mileage out of this tire for two reasons, first because I'd like to know what I can realistically expect out of a set of BattleWings (got 8200 miles out of the stock TrailWings, and that was in the summer heat), and second because I really want to try the new Shinko 705s when they come out. If I put a new BattleWing rear on now, I'll be good for another six months or more and won't get a chance to try the 705s for some time.

Advice/opinions? Thanks!

--mark

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2001 Triumph Bonneville cafe racer
2003 Honda XR650L
2008 Suzuki V-Strom 650

Assumming this is a legit post, buy a rear tire before you leave. Do it and let someone else write the product review on the Shinkochensan.

???

Is there some reason you think it isn't?

--mark

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2001 Triumph Bonneville cafe racer
2003 Honda XR650L
2008 Suzuki V-Strom 650

Tire life seems to vary for a lot of people, but I've got about 8-9000 miles on my rear BW. My rear tire still has tread all the way across, but the center of the tread will be disappearing within the next 1000 miles, I'm sure. Wear rate seems to be consistent all the way down, as far as I can tell. Haven't been taking measurements or anything.

I think you could make it fine on your tire. Although it will likely be well worn when you get home. Personally, if I was in your shoes and getting ready to leave on a 2000 mile trip, I might be inclined to leave on new rubber.

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If you're not moving forward, you're probably in somebody's way!

Current ride:
2006 Yamaha FJR1300AE, Cerulean Silver
2005 Suzuki DL1000, blue - sold

No, I just had a monumental PITA time last year when heading back from the Adrinodacks, I ran through the last of the life a Maxxis Detour in Albany NY on my way home to NC. I got the royal kiss off from the BMW shop, the Kawa shop and finally found a great guy (small private AVON dealer) who dragged out the closest thing he had, mounted it and got me on my way. It's not worth the hassle to start out with a tire you're already questioning; bags, twisties and general touring through the greatest MC roads in the world will turn it to toast. I wasn't trying to be a SA (I don't have to try), I just wanted to discourage you from starting out thinking about limping home.

Why question it ? For me, my safty is more important to me than relying on a few mm's of tire tread. How much will you really save ? just get the new tire.

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2006 DL1000
2003 KTM450
1999 ZRX1100
1993 KLX650
1991 KLR250
1984 ES200
1973 RD350
1967 T200
1967 TRAIL50

If you are "considering" should I do it.....than you probably should. I have about the same mileage on my rear BW that you do, and I probably have another 2k left. I am leaving for Maine in June, I already have a new rear BW in my garage to be mounted before the trip. A wet rear tire that is getting toward its service life, is VERY DANGEROUS. Really awesome tires by the way, nothing but great things to say about them.

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BRIAN

2008 WR250R 2008 CONCOURS 1400 "Dearly departed 2005 DL1000"

When in doubt, change it. I've never regretted putting on a new tire.

I promised myself a long time ago to quit riding on bald tires. Even if the old tire has the miles in it, you'll worry about it and it will take away from the fun of the trip. I suggest a new tire and ditch the worries.

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09 DL650 ABS

MadStad + stock shield, JCW large topbox, Tuturo chain oiler, Heaterz grips, Suzuki hand guards, GIVI side guards, Aprilia Tuono mirrors, 36l Givi panniers, Richland Rick fork brace, Pipercross Air Filter

http://www.aldntn.bravejournal.com/

im going to change my tire a bit early because the risk of a flat tire , worn tires will puncture easyer than new ones , the cost of a flat i cant fix in a remote area is something a cant afford .

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swann strom