Met the front tire tread indicator

[linuxology_imp]

Met the front Tire tread indicator. What are the comments about driving when reaching this point? Should one avoid riding it? I want to take a 300 mile round trip that will traverse one dirt road for about two miles. Would you recommend against? I'm pretty much a motorcycle noob when it comes to this type of thing. I plan to bring the bike for a tire soon, but won't help me tomorrow.

[jedd_imp]

As far as riding on a dirt road w/ street tires, a bald tire vs. a new street tire (w/ a deep center groove), both are still going to feel loose and squirrel-ly either way.

[Jim21680_imp]

I'd let the ball roll and go for it. Take it easy on the dirt road section (as I would with any tire), but 300 miles isn't all that far for a tire in that stage of its life.
Just think back through history (Europe in WWII, for instance)...People have ridden on worse tires on worse bikes in worse conditions, and probably still got to where they were going.

Of course, give the tire a good inspection before heading out. Any serious cracks or other abnormalities? Common sense will take it from there.

[Matt F._imp]

What he said ^^

[flynrider]

I usually end up putting 500 to 1000 miles on a tire after I first see a wear bar. I generally try not to go on long trips after the bars start to show, but a 300 mile round trip should be fine.

On my CB11's OEM Bridgestone I first saw wear bars at 5K miles and replaced it at 6K. Tires seem to wear faster at the end of their lives and by the time I replaced the tire it was truly bald in the center.

[kmoney_imp]

I'd ride on it as well -- there is definetely a safety factor built into those wear bars.

The only thing I have noticed is that worn tires seem to be much more vulnerable to punctures from road debris than newer ones (though mostly for rears), so you may want to be sure you have some form of flat repair if you don't already.