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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Budz on April 12, 2015, 03:07:27 AM

Title: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: Budz on April 12, 2015, 03:07:27 AM
Washed my GT300i today and noticed cracks on the side wall (see attached photos). How do these happen and how soon do I need to replace them? It is a 2012 with 2,008 miles on it...
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: de dee on April 12, 2015, 03:26:37 AM
  how old is the tire ,  look for the DOT letters and the date of manufacture is after that,.   
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: NeoGenesisMax on April 12, 2015, 05:46:32 AM
I'm sure sombody will correct me if I'm wrong, but. It looks like dry rot. It is not abnormal but is a sure sign that you should replace them. Rubber ages and dries and sun and heat speed it up.
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: BettinANDlosing on April 12, 2015, 07:32:29 AM
Could the bike have been ridden with low tire pressure? That could crack the sidewall like that.
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: bleys on April 12, 2015, 01:47:52 PM
Same thing happened with my Xciting...bought it new in 2012, but it had been sitting at the store for over a year.  After a 2 years of riding and 2 winters, I noticed the sidewalls were cracked.  This is only my opinion, but it affects the integrity of the tires and should be replaced.  It is a sign that the tire is not  100%.
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: Budz on April 12, 2015, 01:54:00 PM
Same thing happened with my Xciting...bought it new in 2012, but it had been sitting at the store for over a year.  After a 2 years of riding and 2 winters, I noticed the sidewalls were cracked.  This is only my opinion, but it affects the integrity of the tires and should be replaced.  It is a sign that the tire is not  100%.

I agree, I am not sure of why technically but I wonder what condition the inside of the tire is in! now the next question, which tire to buy? City Grips and Meltzer seem popular with the scooter crowd. I ride fastish (40 MPH - 70 MPH) living in the city with some country rides so I like quick take offs and leans in the turns.
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: vespbretta on April 12, 2015, 05:01:09 PM
As de dee wrote, look for the DOT Number on the tryres sidewall. Its a 4 digit code and it gives you exactely the productdate of the tyres.
For example DOT 4711 means: 47th week of the year 2011 or .... eau de cologne....  ;)  :)
Therefore it might well be that also your tyres are at least 3 years old or even older.

Which brand to replace with? Well, probably everything is better than these chinese/taiwanese Shing Zen or Kendas the scooter came with...

Michelin, or also Heidenau Tyres. Metzelers also good, but probably a bit soft with quick wear.
Heidenau is interesting because of the stiffer sidewalls and well balanced allround capabilities (wear/milage/wetriding/safety).
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: Budz on April 12, 2015, 05:12:11 PM
Sting had mention in an earlier post about Dunlop ScootSmart tire.
I am leaning towards the City Grips at the moment unless anyone has a better recommendation. I value safety over saving money so I am will to spend more given I ride fastish and lean on turns
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: Budz on April 12, 2015, 05:14:11 PM
Also, tire balancing, I have heard it both ways (for and against) including "Kymco does not balance the tires when the bikes are shipped from the factory". Any thoughts on that topic?
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: 2wheelfun on April 12, 2015, 05:19:56 PM
Those tires look bald with no tread left, could be wrong the way the pics are. I don't see any wear bars at all. How many miles on them?
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: Budz on April 12, 2015, 05:34:12 PM
Those tires look bald with no tread left, could be wrong the way the pics are. I don't see any wear bars at all. How many miles on them?

My bike is a 2012 model with 2,008 miles on the bike and tires. Lots of tread left on the tires. The photos are taken from the side of the wheel...
Title: get
Post by: boo on April 12, 2015, 11:21:40 PM
rid of those tires quick!.
Dangerous.
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: Budz on April 13, 2015, 02:06:59 AM
okay, it will be Dunlop ScootSmart or Michelin City Grip.
I am leaning towards the Dunlop ScootSmart
Title: Re: get
Post by: 0BARK4322 on April 21, 2015, 08:53:03 AM
rid of those tires quick!.
Dangerous.
plus
Title: Re: Tire side wall cracks...?!!?
Post by: Budz on April 21, 2015, 12:25:09 PM
I agree, tire need to go ASAP! The Dunlop ScootSmart are not available so I am between the City Grips and Metzler Feel Free...