17,000 on Heidenau TK60 front tire - Replace or Milk it for 3,000 mile road trip?

Great feedback and conversations from the GS Giants yesterday on my tire question.  Details follow:

Seperate topic: Front Heidenau... 17,000 miles and not bare... Do I replace it here in CA or milk it for 3,000 miles from here to FL?

Like ·  · Share · 21 hours ago

• Cesar L. Diaz likes this.
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  Lance LeFort Sometimes that last bit disappears quickly. If you're gonna do it have a patch kit handy 

  21 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Jeff Kurtz Good thought, Lance LeFort. I have a low tolerance for pain or inconvenience.

  21 hours ago · Like
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  Ollie Carter Change it in that case 

  21 hours ago · Like
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  Ian Schmeisser New tire, definitely. That one is long since done

  21 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Rony Baenziger I'd change it. You did well with 17k

  21 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Steve Smith New tire now.

  21 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Dave Wachs New tire now.

  21 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Ron Duncan new now - sucks being stuck and costs more

  21 hours ago · Like · 2
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  Kevin Birr You got your money worth. Now change please.

  21 hours ago · Like · 3
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  Jeff Kurtz OK, guys!!! Thanks for the resoundingly unanimous response! Love being among Giants.

  21 hours ago · Like
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  Gs John I think you gave gotten your monies worth, I'd replace before trip at your convenience , rather than having an issue mid trip and finding a replacement out of necessity.

  20 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz No doubt, Gs John. Heidi TK60 Scout goes on front tomorrow at Cycle Specialties.https://www.facebook.com/.../Cycle.../126495850744221...

  

  Cycle Specialties BMW Triumph Husqvarna Vespa Piaggio

  The central valley's leading BMW, Triumph, Husqvarna and Vespa Motorcycle shop.

  Motorcycles: 360 like this

  20 hours ago · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
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  Randy Owens You shop wise, that's my dealer too for over 25 years:). My GSA has same tires and my front has over 12000m now, no issues yet for mine. My rears on the GSA go 10000+ miles. MENTION my name for a discount:). They'll probably laugh, WHO?

  20 hours ago · Like
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  Richard Seaton a KLR rider would keep it for another 17K.....

  20 hours ago · Like
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  Randy Owens My KLR uses Shinko's, but tire life is only 5000m. Good tires though. Now Ive seen a plenty cord showing on BMWs too:).

  20 hours ago · Like
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  Jade Laughlin Replace

  19 hours ago · Like
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  Rambo John What part of fla?

  19 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Headed to Cedar Key to do the CADS/ADV trans FL Reversed Ride 3/6. Then Bike Week. Then idle around until March Moto Madness in Telico Plains. Then working at Osceola Natl Forest for April.

  19 hours ago · Like
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  Rambo John Very cool. Might catch you at bike week if I make it

  19 hours ago · Unlike · 1
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  Larry Reed Milk it!

  17 hours ago · Like
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  Randy Owens What that adventure ride??? Cedar Key?

  17 hours ago · Like
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  Stigo Rider All pavement or dirt
  
  That is the question?

  17 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Like most peeps, I do both. I carry dirt rear tire strapped on the luggage when going cross-country. The Heidi goes well either way. I have the street tire on now until I get to FL. Once there I will mostly ride dirt so will put knobbie back on. Heidi on rear didn't last as long on highway as I would have liked.

  16 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Someday I'll buy a complete rear wheel and a Moto-Mule trailer to have one wheel set for hwy with 47 teeth and dirt wheel with 49.

  16 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Reid Are you serious? How much trouble would a failure or crash be? Or how much would either cost?

  16 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Yes, Jeff... read the other notes. new tire tomorrow.

  16 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Gs John Jeff Kurtz, how many miles were you looking to get on the Heidi ? I got 9K+ on the rear and only changed it because it wasn't dirt worthy , I need both. I went from NY to Oregon and back plus a couple months once I got home. Still running the front with 12K although I'll put a new one on this spring. I don't really like the way it tracks in the dirt.

  16 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz I got 9,000 on rear, mostly on-road. The front has done fine... even the last 4 months in CA desert. all sand.

  16 hours ago · Like
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  Gs John I'm happy with the mileage , could be better off road, not bad on the easy dirt but need more on the slick muck . I think I'm going to try some Mitas next.

  16 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Jeff Kurtz Ya... That's why I am traveling with one dirt and one street tire.

  16 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Jeff Kurtz Nothing attracts attention on the interstate than a GS with a tire strapped on the top box!

  16 hours ago · Like · 2
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  Rick Giroux Kramer would take it beyond what is sensible....

  16 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz I'm hauling the heidi to FL just for the curb appeal en route.

  16 hours ago · Like · 2
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  Dale Strunk if ya can afford the trip, then let loose of $ 200 bucks and eliminate the maybe it will, then again maybe not..........

  15 hours ago · Unlike · 2
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  Jeff Kurtz $128 installed at cycle specialties in Modesto tomorrow.

  15 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Kyle L. Brandenburger Trans Florida GS Randy OwensRally!http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=944411

  

  TRANS FLORIDA GS RALLY II March 8th, 9th 2014 - ADVrider

  advrider.com

  TRANS FLORIDA GS RALLY II March 8th, 9th 2014 The Sandbox - AKA Flatistan

  14 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
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  Jeff Kurtz Yes.

  14 hours ago · Like
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  Brent Massey I'd milk it for another few thousand...

  14 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Matt Dusty McTinker Mahmet Kyle L. Brandenburger may try to get back for that ride looks like fun... Or I may just try to stay down .. Got to see If I can get my camping gear down..

  13 hours ago · Like
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  Kyle L. Brandenburger Have John and Sue send it down for you.

  13 hours ago · Like
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  Lance LeFort u might want to cut back on the armorall. That thing is shiney

  13 hours ago · Like
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  Ron Grace If you're riding through Denver,... I'll give you a Heidi front tire that's got about 5,000 left on it....way safer.

  13 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz This is California, Lance LeFort. Out here they wax EVERYTHING... arf!

  11 hours ago · Edited · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Thanks, Ron Grace. Not this trip.

  13 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Alan Bowen Stick a fork in it, it's done!

  12 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Randy Owens My GSA is ready:). I may be crossing your paths en route to So. Florida:). Maybe I join the rally too. I will hang close to Mexico and gulf as I cross. White Sands and Big Bend are repeats for me this trip. New Orleans and so on.

  12 hours ago · Like · 1
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  Randy Owens Hey Jeff, the guys at cycle specialties know me well:). You wanna discuss crossing USA, call me. They have my phone no.. I won't be ready for about another week plus. My bike is ready.

  12 hours ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Will stay in touch.

  11 hours ago · Like
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  Dredd Scott ... gotta vote with the underdogs - "milk it" ! ['cause now i wanna see if you could've made it !]

  24 minutes ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Tell you what... I will HAUL it to the east coast and then put it back on this summer for a few road trips.

  about a minute ago · Like
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  Jeff Kurtz Let's do this: Wrap up this GREAT conversation from yesterday and I have a NEW topic for today... in light of the weather patterns finally bringing rain and winter to California... stand buy!

  a few seconds ago · Like