twitch

Imagine my shock last fall when I looked down as I was buttoning up my saddlebags and noticed that the wear bars were showing on my tires after only 7,000 miles! Granted, I ride at WOT a lot, but still--that's really quick!

The Honda dealer told me that's pretty common for those tires and that there are no tires available for the Rebel that would last longer.

Do you concur?

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Soul Searcher

My experience with stock 1999 Rebel tires. Started servicing the Rebel at 700 miles. Replaced stock tires at around 15,000 miles. Replacement tires are manufactured in Korea. At present, I have over 14,000 miles on the replacement tires. Expecting to get another 5,000 plus miles wear.

Before I ride my Rebel each day, their are three checks I do, before doing the safety and mechanical checks. First I check the engine oil level. Next the front tire pressure. Last, the rear tire pressure. With a known accurate gage.

Think what the demand is on the Rebel's tires. OEM tire inflation. From minimal load to max load capacity of 345 lbs. With only 29 psi recomended for inflation pressure.

The tires are select by OEM according to their specfications. Some of the things that are considered, such as, tire wear, rubber coumpound, dry braking ability, wet braking ability, ride quality, handling quality, road noise generated, load carring capacity and above all. OEM's cost.

Selecting a replacement tire, with all the choices available. Can be a very daunting task. The life of a tire is in your hands. With proper selection and care, a tire will last longer than 7,000 miles.

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socalmarcus

Front's often last for 2 rears.

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'07 VN900 Classic
'99 Rebel 250
'73 XL 175

rebelCAFE

if you want better tires, get some ME880 metzlers. front-(90/90-1, rear-(130/90-15). they are the best tires you can get. or, atleast i think so.

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have a REBEL of a day!

rkl56119

I have a question regarding replacement tires. I just replaced the OEM tires with Dunlop D404's. I have not check what the manufacturer's suggested pressure is for the front but the rear one is suppose to be 35psi. Should I use the manufacturer's settings or should I go down to 29psi per Honda owner's manual?

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Guba

I personnally inflate to tire pressure molded into the side of the tire. However, the tire pressure recommended by Honda will allow more tire/ground contact and give better traction. Another reason to inflate to just 29 PSI is to allow for expansion of air inside the tire due to heating up. But it's been my experience that tire pressure really doesn't go up too much. At least that's my understanding.

My front tire was worn out at 7,000 miles. My back tire needs replaced now with almost 12,000 on it.

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

Soul Searcher

Reread the inflation pressure again. I think that it reads 35 psi at max load. The max load rating will be imprinted on the tire in (Kg & lbs). The OEM recomended tire inflation pressure is for the size of the tire, not the manufacture.

Over the years, I have learned to adjust the tire pressure, according to the way the tire wears. An example. My conversion Van recomended tire inflation pressure is 34 psi. This is for an unloaded, bare bone, stock cargo van. With an approximately weight of 3,800 lbs. After the conversion, this van now weights over 6,200 lbs. I have increased the tire pressure from 34 to 40 psi. By increasing the tire pressure, I have regained the original tire tread contact area with the road surface. By doing this, I have prevented excessive outer tread wear. Increasing the tread life of the tire.

At present, the tires on my Rebel, are inflated to 31 psi cold. Checked after sitting overnight.

As the tire temperature increases. For each 10 degrees F. rise in temperature, the inflation pressure will increase by 1 psi.

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Jakeman

Yep a gotta agree. The big ol meats I have on my lifted truck only need about 23-25 psi. If i run the mfg recomended 35psi it eats the center out of the tire.

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twocoolgliders

You should not go by the max inflation number on the side of the tire! You should use the Motorcycle manufacturer's recomendation. (29 psi for rebel).

Tire pressure should be checked "cold" that is before your ride.

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