Triumphrat

05-23-2002

I have more than 11,000 miles on my original Bridgestone Battlax Tires (spoke wheels, tube tires) on my two year old, 2000 Legend. Plenty of tread depth on both front and rear tires, and no cuts in sidewalls or surfaces of either. Likewise, no flatspots in the tires, and no chunks of the tire are falling off.

I ride year round and keep tires properly inflated, and haven't had a flat or any problems with my tires.

Having closely inspected my tires, I've noticed very fine hair line cracks within all of the treads of the tires, both front and back. I suppose that these may qualify as "dry rot."

I was planning on keeping my 12,000 mile service operation as simple as possible, and replacing the tires a couple of thousand miles later during a separate operation. However, if these fine cracks are dangerous/not normal for two year old tires, I will replace at the 12,000 mile service operation a month from now.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance....Jerry

glgavin · 05-23-2002

The OE Avon's on the Thunderbird Sport did that almost immediately. I have not read posts concerning your tires. I'd check with your dealer and Bridgestone. Avon replaced some of the tires for owners.

Will · 05-23-2002

I am a little surprised that your tires are showing signs of oxidation like that after two years, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. My tires don't usually last long enough to get like that on the bike, but I have some 22 year old tires on a car. They have lots of little cracks, but hold air and are generally fine for driving a car on.

The thing that would concern me, especially on a bike, is that tires get harder as they age. After they get to a certain point, you won't see much tread wear, but you also won't stick to the pavement very well, either! I don't push it in the car (it is 34 years old), partly because it WILL spin out on the old tires. You don't have to be going that fast on old, hard tires to get a good, lurid slide.

If you are going about 6000 miles a year, you will be buying new tires at about the end of the summer. That way you would have fresh tires for winter riding- sounds like a good plan to me.

05-23-2002

Hi, Gary. Thanks for the comment (here and on "tubes").

I'd feel kind of guilty complaining about the tires after close to two years and over 11000 miles (sort of like complaining about a meal after cleaning the plate and asking for seconds!).

The problem for me is that I can't be certain whether the cracks were in the treads from day one, or developed more recently (Given my experience with the selling dealer, I'd bet on the former).

Anyway, I take it from your comment that you vote in favor of getting new tires sooner rather than later. I'll discuss with my dealer when I schedule the 12,000 mile service....Jerry

Ballacraine · 05-23-2002

I would change them, Jerry!

Tyres are not a thing to take a chance on with a motorcycle!

At 11,000 miles, I would say you have had your moneysworth anyway!

Regards,

Nige

05-24-2002

Hi, Will, Nige. Thanks for your comments. I've looked at the tires on the other dozen or so bikes that park where I do. Some tires have much less tread; some have much more. None of them have any of the cracks that are in mine. Though the rubber still appears flexible and the cracks are relatively thin, I think that I'll likely go the new tire route.

Incidentally, I noticed that the OEM tires are "radials," and have tubes in them. While checking on some tire web sites, I found some manufacturers that warned against using tubes in radial tires. Seems odd. Anyway, I'll let the dealer recommend some good tires.

Thanks again to all....Jerry

Will · 05-24-2002

You can use radials with tubes, you just have to use tubes designed for radials.

05-24-2002

Hi, Will. Well, I took the afternoon to visit my dealer. Unfortunately, my regular service manager and mechanic both quit. I did get to speak with the parts manager. Long story short: They said that the cracks probably wouldn't pose a problem and that I probably had a couple of thousand miles left.

Since the tires were two years old and I didn't want to take any chances, I ordered new tires front and rear: Since I'm very conservative, I ordered the closed thing to OEM. I got Bridgestone T020 120 70 ZR 17 on frony, and 160 60 ZR 17 on the rear. I'll talk about the sprockets in another post....Jerry

07-27-2002

Hey check out a new set of tires Metzler or what ever discounttire.com or mawonline.com don't keep riding on the cracked tires when they fail it could be a total failure. Tires that have dry rotted fly to pieces and you may loose all control of where the bike goes. Match front and rear tires make sure they are a matched set.

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