The wallet is a bit lighter!

The new Dunlop Elite 4 tires are on the wing and my wallet is a bit lighter.  The 2 tires were around $750 and mounting was another $200.  Add to that new left front brake pads and we are over $1000.  At first blush the tire price is a shocker but when you consider that the Elite 4's should get from 15,000 - 20,000 miles it is not so bad.  That is if you don't take a screw or nail in the tire before you wear it out, like I did.  I am pretty fussy about my tires.  It's the only thing that keeps my ass off the pavement.  When I do a long trip I usually do it on new tires so I don't have to find replacement tires and get held up on price in some far off locality.  When you compare it to the BMW the tires on it usually last 7-8,000 miles and a pair is now around $500 plus mounting.  So now the Wing is ready for my trip next year.  In a couple of weeks I will be changing the oil & filter in both bikes.  I will flush the brakes in the BMW and next year the Wing will be due for the brake flush.

I don't feel so bad now.

Disaster averted!

Saturday, September 19th the BMW Club had their monthly meeting at Water's View Restaurant on Lake Gaston.  I was wrestling with which bike to take since my back was feeling better but not ready for the twisties.  The Goldwing was the choice since I would take I-85 all the way there, 65 miles, with just 15 miles of back roads.  I had posted my bicycle stand for sale and a neighbor was coming over to buy it so I was in the garage waiting for him, checking the bike.  I decided to check the tread depth and was looking for the wear marks on the Dunlop tires when I spotted this:

Both views show the same thing, a philips head screw in the tire.  How long it has been there I don't know.  These are the tires I traveled out West on for 8,000 miles and I have added 3,000 more.  They probably have another 3-5,000 miles left on them.  It seems to be holding air and I have checked it multiple times but since these are what keeps my butt off the ground I have ordered 2 replacement tires.  The screw appears to be well worn on one side and it may have been deflected by the steel belting so it didn't pierce the inner wall.

I am afraid to pull it out and see if it holds air still.  The dealer is only about 15 miles away so I will carry a patch kit and air pump with me and go over tomorrow and get them replaced.

The BMW was all ready to go and I had a great ride up and back on what was a clear day in the high 80's.  My back felt great after the ride so I may be getting close to a camping trip.