Front tire is shot

Before our trip to Montana I ordered a set of Michelin Anakee2's with the intention of using the new tires on my vacation. The tires were ordered and arrived a couple of weeks before I left but after a cursory inspection, I thought that the tires that came with my bike would last. I purchased my V-strom new in 2009 and I thought that the tires were wearing quite well. I had nearly 13K kilometers on it when I had the bike last serviced and my mechanic also looked at the tread and it was thought that it would make the trip



I never gave the tires much thought and I did look at the rear tire a few times but never really paid any attention to the front tire. One morning while at the cabin in Martin City, MT I looked at Ron's tire and his lack of tread. He eventually purchased a new tire and had it installed in Kalispell but then I looked at my front tire more closely and noticed that it was cracking between the tread



The cracking was throughout the whole circumference and I also saw that I was down to the Wear Bar Indicators. Basically my front tire was shot and I was only half way during our riding vacation. We still had many miles to cover.



I was worried a bit but I thought it would get me home and just keep an eye on it and don't do anything crazy. I would just hate to have to purchase another tire while on the road when I had two new ones at home, just waiting.



Somehow I knew that I should have just stuck with Plan "A" which was to install them before the trip. The funds had already been spent and it would have been safer with the new tires. Yesterday when I got home I decided to bring my tires to my mechanic and set up an appointment to install the tires on the weekend. I got home, bunggied the tires to the bike and arrived there around 6:20pm



before you know it, Ted has pushed my bike onto the lift


(here is the old Bridgestone Trailwing)

Even though the rear tire has 18K kilometers on it, it probably could have lasted the rest of the season but I wanted to mount both new tires so that I have the same tread and same rolling resistance.



Ted asks me how I want the tires balanced ? Weights, Dyna beads, or this new stuff he recommended call Ride-On



It coats the inside of your tire with stuff 6x stronger than steel and can seal punctures up to 1/4" in diameter LINK HERE


I don't usually post video that are not my own but this is from their website



Cool, now my tires have built in puncture resistance



Both tires are nearly installed



After my tires are done, I ask Ted to do an LOF: Lube, Oil, Filter and do a visual inspection of my bike to make sure everything is in order.


(New rear tire)

I have to take it easy for the first 50 miles to scuff them in



I rode to work the next morning (Today) and the tires seemed quieter and it is probably my imagination but seemed to roll with less rolling resistance. My bike is now ready for another adventure