Help-are They Safe?

[Red Ryder]

Hey, checking air in tires yesturday and just above the rim on Rear Tire all around it, there are cracks. Wide enough to put a finger nail in and some as long as 4". Last year I put on these Avons (Great Tires) and have 8000 miles. Tread is still excellent, but these cracks have me greatly conserned as I am supposed to leave tommorow on a trip for three weeks. Just wondering has anyone else had this problem and Are They Safe? Is this a Tire Defect? Thanks-

[IH Truck Guy]

I"ve seen old tires do this,but you said they were new last year,so unless they were old stock,I would think this is not normal.The Dunlops on my bike are doing the same thing,but the PO couldn't remember when he changed them last.:confused24:My tires are wore out anyway,so Im changing them in the next week and going to put on Avons..

[V7Goose]

This is a tough one to comment on - they are probably just surface cracks that are completely safe, but even if I could see them first hand, I would hesitate to "advise" you one way or the other - lots of risk and liability here, and I am not a trained expert! The 100% safe answer would always be to replace them.

 

The first thing I would do is check the manufacture date code just to see how old the tires are. But even if relatively new, some tires can do this if stored in an environment with any sort of fumes that attack rubber (chemicals, paints ozone, etc.). This is especially prevalent in any area with significant air pollution. Last year we had a member note that this happened with virtually new Avons they had to buy while out of state, and I don't think we ever did figure out what was causing it.

 

Anyway, the decision about using them or not is strictly up to you. I have had a lot of old tires show surface cracks (mostly on my truck), and I personally have never replaced one for this alone.

Goose

[Black Owl]

Don't know a whole lot about tires, but side wall cracks in tires are usually the result of one, or a combination of, the following:

 

1. Rubber tires exposed to low temperatures for an extended period of time will harden and become brittle and are more susceptible to cracking.

 

2. Cracks on the sidewalls which are isolated, deep and concentrated around the lettering are indicative of an aged tire.

 

3. Fine surface cracks are more usually the result of ozone attack and may indicate that the tire has been in storage or left standing for a long period.

 

Other local irregulatities are usually an indication of flexing stress.

 

 

But this is just my opinion and may not be worth the time to read.

 

[sarges46]

I had the same thing with my Avons a couple years ago. I bought them at Sturgis (out neccessity not choice, location I mean, not the tire itself. I love the Avon.). The next spring there were those awful cracks (like you describe) on the front tire. The tire was replaced under warranty from Avon.

 

My dealer here had to take the tire and do some tests on it that Avon wanted for warranty....tire tread depth, air pressure.

 

It took a little bit but Avon did give full retail return. Of course I had to eat the installation costs again...but what are ya gonna do.

 

I refused to take a chance on the tire...period. My yammi dealer said if it was his bike he would change it too.

[bongobobny]

^^^^^^ What he said!

[BOO]

It's sure an individuals choice.

The tires I have on the BSW are so cracked no one will even ride close to me but they don't bother me, I ride them along about 60 mph.

I usually ride on the rear tire until the tread is all gone but I wouldn't tell anyone else to do that.

Jerry

[1sttenor]

Just my two cents worth...what is our lives worth? We've got two fist sized contact patches, with the noted exception of our brothers running car tires on the rear. Having good rubber keeping me up and getting me home is worth alot!

[Red Ryder]

Hey, Decided to use good ol common sense. Love to ride but, not worth taking a chance. After I wrote this post, I Rode down to where I purchased the Avons. Supplier said he would not ride them a long distance and is contacting Avon to see if he can get them replaced under warranty. Looks like I'm in a Cage for three weeks. Thanks for your help.

[nickle]

hey i went to pick up new tires and the date on them was three years old. so i had them order new ones. if i keep them for three more they might do the same.