new tire last year shows checking

Put a new rear on last summer. It has less than 200 miles on it and I noticed that it is checking on the sidewalls like the 10 year old tire I took off. I was going to replace the front tire this season that is checking but has excellent tread. How much of an issue is sidewall checking?

 

Good question, but I'd keep an eye on it for sure. What brand of tire are we taking about here? The reason I asked is I'm in need of a new front tire on my bobber and want to stay way from problem brands.

 

Check the date code on the tire. They do sometimes sell an Old tire as "New" just because it has never been on a bike.

 

Ah yes, I also forgot to mention that little detail myself. I just learned about that a short time ago myself. Now that's the first thing I look at when buying tires. Another reason I won't buy tires off Ebay unless they can tell me the manufacture date on them first. Good point!

 

It is a cheng shin. The only stamp I see on it that may be a date code is 119. The front tire is a Metzler that is probably ten years old and has less checking on the sidewalls than this one.

 

I see. The old Cheng Shins are nutorious for checking. They have come a long way since then with better rubber compounds however.
I'm thinking about going with a Kenda brand. I've had good luck wlith them in the past and they seem to have good reviews. And the rpice it right ($46 thru Dennis Kirk)

 

After some research I found out that my new Cheng Shin (bought off Ebay) was made in the 11th week of 1999! I bought a new Kenda Challenger from the same guy (not yet installed on the front) that dates 2000. Here is a link to a 20/20 segment that should be a must see for any biker. I learned something important today. http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

 

I like to run the dunlop D404. I get about 4k out the rear but that's because of how I ride(I went through 3 rear tires last year :lol: ) I just ordered a D404 for the front I'm expecting 2 seasons out of the front. The tire is a softer compound so it hooks up very well from knee draggin corners to wet roads. I road in the rain a lot last year and traction was never an issue if I road like a human.
The tires for our bikes cost about $80 for the rear and I got a front for $65 today.
Hope this helped,
James

 

Cheng-Shin quit making street tires over a year ago. No brand new ones out there.

For anyone in SE Michigan wanting a Kenda tire I can get them at great prices. I just got my oldest Kenda ever from my supplier, 6 months old. Usually they're still warm.

 

But wait- - there's more.
I bought AVON tires for my 750 that date code to summer 2007, bought in fall, and started drywall cracking a year and a half later.
Meanwhile a Chen Shin of the same era is STILL not cracking.
My bikes sit on a covered porch or in a shed. No direct light.
I'll edit in the date codes - - 3507 .

 

Hmm.. my Avons are almost two years old now and no signs of deterioration at all. Never thought to check the codes on new tires.

The thing about Sears and old tires is inexcusable, but not surprising.

 

Pete,

Go have a look at the VentureRider forum. Avon apparently had a problem with their rubber compound for awhile and are warrantying the tires that crack.

I really liked the Barracudas I had on my Maxim. Sorry they quit making them.......

 

A retailer can sell a tire that is up to 4 years passed the date of production. Shelf life 4 years only.

 

UPDATE on my Avon tires that cracked- -
Avon shipped brand new replacements without pro-rating them, so I got 6,000 free miles !! I have to pay for mounting.

 

I found the Kenda i had on the bike when i bought it (the tire was like a month old) was VERY soft, and i lost tread like crazy. My spitfires, still are going strong, no significant tread loss after 8k or so km's. I've put about 14k km/s on the front, looks almost new still. Minus the little rubber spikes of course

 

here's some pics from TimetoRide, these are AVON tires with a date code of 3507

 

Bought a flat nosed bus motorhome to drive from Portland, OR to Portland, ME and back for vacation one year. It had 34,000 miles at the time the trip was to start. All tires had been recently replaced just before I bought it as they all had excellent tread depth and looked virtually new. No checking, no abraded sidewalls, Nothing! Took the rig to a tire shop to have rear drivers dismounted and checked. The tires ran at 100-110 psi and when the air was let out of them you could put your hand between the tread band up to the third knuckle almost all the way around the circumference of the tire. In fact, 5 of the 6 tires! Replaced all 6 with Coopers, best tires I have ever owned! No problems on the 8000 mile trip. Can't imagine what would have happened if I had lost a front tire at freeway speeds.

Check the dates! Do not use them if they are over 3 or 4 years old.

Loren

 

Thanks Schooter,
These tires should get everyone on their knees, checking date codes.
Just a few weeks ago, I had these tires at 105 MPH !!
But no pulled belts, as in the 900F front tire, of my friend's bike, which is also 2 years old.
Take a look at your tires. Seriously !!

--------------------
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=24618.html

further reading on date codes ^^

 

I just bought Kendas but I will check the dates. How is that done or is it in plain english?

 

Doug, have a look at the top photo, you will see, from left to right,
DOT AT0Y 8 3507 ( 3507 is sort of in a little oval of its own).

The 3507 is the tyre date..... 35 is the week of manufacture and 07 is the year. So that AVON tyre was made in the 35th week of 2007.


and as an aside, that avon tyre should be in the bin too