Safe Minimum Tire Tread Depth?
 

Guys,

What is the safe minimum limit for tire tread depth to prevent hydroplaning? At what tread depth should a motorcycle tire be replaced?

I've seen it vary from our owner's manual, which states 2.5/32" (2mm) on the front and 3.8/32" (3mm) on the rear to as little as 1/32" (0.8mm). This difference in tread depth can translate into a lot of miles gained or lost.

What is the best balance between road safety and tire life?

Thanks,
Jeff

There should be wear bars on the center of the tires tread. It will be a hump of rubber in one of the tread grooves, when its flush with the rest of the tread, its definitely time to replace. However err on the side of caution. Its always safer to have a new tire even if yours is only %50 used.

I'm thinking wear bars are 2/32" but could vary by tire type. For me, some tires will have other issues to warrent changing. After wrestling all these years, I bought a Harbor Freight changer (thanks for the push, Joe), makes it much easier.
I still have memories of a Norton rally 25 years ago of a guy sorting through the dismounts for something better than he had on. ("I'm on a low budget"). But at least he was there.

Jim

Does anyone know the website for the Harbor Freight changer?

www.harborfreight.com

Changer
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I thought bikes didn't hydroplane at all or at least verry little.Modern tires on motorcycles(esspecialy rears) actualy don't have that much thread to begin with.I think the rubber compound(100% silica best for rain) is the biggest influence on wet weather riding.So therefor I try not to ride with tyre's older then a year cause after a longer period the rubber tends to loose grip(altough normally you wear true a couple of tires during a year so this isn't a problem for me)The contact patch is so small that this is rarely a problem.For the front I normaly look att the wear bars but with the rear I probably ride a bit longer in case of emergency untill the point where there's almost no thread left(not in the winterseason though).
Look at this rear for instance(mez6) almost no thread in the center of the rear the front has to ride the road dry for the rear wich is the case with most modern tires.
http://www.i-bike.com/images/parts/tires/MEZ6S.jpg

I think that we all go through this question but with differnet tolerances I am always suprised how much nicer the bike rides with new tires especially if the front has any cup in it