[newday777]

imported post

There are posts on fitting HD take off mufflers for $15-50 a set and some will give them to you.
The Austone is a good CT to run. 6 ply. I have a Vredestein 175/75-16 on the rear but last I knew they are no longer available this side of the pond.
I got 10,000 out of my last set of E3s, lots of twisties for me.

 

[newday777]

How do you know when to replace a tire if it still has some tread left? How can you tell if it is too old ?
Thanks

Replace if you are not comfortable with loosing traction. There are wear bars on M/C tires too just as on C/Ts.
Are there cracks in the sidewalls or in the tread.
If you are going to ride that tire out a bit more, check it very often for pressure, cracks in tread, cuts and punctures. Do it each ride when the tread wears thin and uneven like that. Put the bike on the centerstand and spin both tires inspecting them.

Age.... after 5 years, Trash them especially if riding any distance at speed.
At the end of the tire vin is a raised box with 4 numbers in it,
first two are week of the year, 01-52
Second two are year of MFG

I'm running a Michelin Active (Rear 130/70-18) backwards on the front, has over 12,000 miles on it and still lots of tread and very minimum starting of cupping, it handles great now that it is broken in. It has deeper tread than the front tires.