View Full Version : Advice on a tyre split?
Found this split in my rear tyre today, there's nothing in the split. I haven't checked my tyre condition for a month (2 rides, 130 miles total) so I don't know how long it's been there. I do check the pressures regularly though.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/issues/tyrecut.jpg
It's an inch long and I'm not sure how deep it is. I'll keep a eye on it but I'm a bit paranoid. Can I get away without changing the tyre? I need to do a trip on the bike tonight.
I've got a similar split in my Pilot Power. Checked the pressure for a week after I noticed it, but it didn't change. I've done 3 figure speeds on it since and it has been ok. Get a proper tyre place to check it out. If you are really paranoid change it. Better to spend a ton on a new tyre than fall off and injure yourself and the bike.
I cant see the picture because of works filters, but a 1" split in one of my tyres would be a swap job.
People dont realise how much a tyre expands with increased speed and temperature....I would never want to risk the split increasing in size and loosing pressure suddenly or worse a blowout at speed on the motorway.
Hmm.. I can't change it before tonight even if I wanted to, so I'll keep an eye on it during route training, looks like I'll be taking it easy.
Check the depth and if it's less than the depth of the remaining tread, I'd (personally) keep using it.
I might be tempted to let the tyre down and glue the cut closed with puncture repair glue and see if it reopens.
Carl
It didn't get any bigger tonight after 60 miles, some on the motorway. Only done 3750 miles on the tyre so I have loads of tread left on the tyre so I doubt it is deeper (though it looks quite deep). I'll get a professional opinion when I next take the bike out (whenever that'll be!).
Check the depth with a tooth pick, small crewdriver or tyre tread tool.
Any "professional" opinion (from a tyre fitter) will say replace it IMHO.
I would say if it's not getting any bigger, then it's no different from the tyre tread so it would be fine.
Can bring my tread depth gauge to Sunday's rideout for you to measure it's depth?
SoulKiss
13-09-07, 04:29 PM
Any "professional" opinion (from a tyre fitter) will say replace it IMHO.
I would say if it's not getting any bigger, then it's no different from the tyre tread so it would be fine.
Can bring my tread depth gauge to Sunday's rideout for you to measure it's depth?
Thats right, because they are all mercenary and will screw you if you let them.
My experience is different.
Went into Essential Rubber with a nail in my tyre, thought it was a gonner, but had left it there as it wasnt leaking.
In the end they pulled 3 sizeable pieces of shrapnel out of my tyre, none of which had cause fatal damage to the tyre.
Must have taken them at least 10 mins by the time the got the bike on the stand, checked it out, had a chat while doing it etc.
In the ends dropped it off the stand, told me nothing wrong with it and to have a safe journey home.
Was told to not be silly when I asked them what I owed them for their time/advice.
When I did need new tyres guess where I went.
Thats right, because they are all mercenary and will screw you if you let them.
Yes that was my thinking, but also what kind of position are you putting them in trying to make them liable if they say it's OK then it starts growing & you have a problem? Why would they take on that potential responsibility?
...
told me nothing wrong with it and to have a safe journey home.
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I imagine a nail hole is either OK or not, whereas a split is OK 'til it starts growing.
Any "professional" opinion (from a tyre fitter) will say replace it IMHO.
I would say if it's not getting any bigger, then it's no different from the tyre tread so it would be fine.
Can bring my tread depth gauge to Sunday's rideout for you to measure it's depth?
Thanks for the offer but I already have a tyre depth gauge, the split is 3mm deep but the tread in that area is 5mm.
SoulKiss
13-09-07, 08:45 PM
Yes that was my thinking, but also what kind of position are you putting them in trying to make them liable if they say it's OK then it starts growing & you have a problem? Why would they take on that potential responsibility?
I imagine a nail hole is either OK or not, whereas a split is OK 'til it starts growing.
I would expect them to have the knowledge to have seen it before and say its ok or not.
What I would also expect is if they were not sure and said they think its best to replace would be to do some slighty more risky testing - ie probe the split to see if its to the carcase, having already said that its knackered they can then say, wait a minute, seems ok, just keep an eye on it, but its YOUR call.
Hence they are not liable and you may have saved money, and they should know if they do that in a month or two when it needs replacing you will be down to see them.
Law, if you have time, bring it up to London on the weekend and I'll take you up to Essential if you dont know the way and you can get them to look at it.
I got horribly lost in London for hours on Saturday, and there was no where to stop to ask directions as it was all red route.
I took it to Steve Jordans today and was told it was ok but recommended not to do trackdays on it.
SoulKiss
17-09-07, 02:39 PM
I got horribly lost in London for hours on Saturday, and there was no where to stop to ask directions as it was all red route.
I took it to Steve Jordans today and was told it was ok but recommended not to do trackdays on it.
DOH!!!
Should have made sure you had my number.
DOH!!!
Should have made sure you had my number.
I did but I didn't have anywhere safe to stop. Traffic in London is mental. by the time I found somewhere to stop, it was time to go home.
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