Tire cracks

[F14CRAZY]

When I picked up my K75 from the dealer last Saturday after receiving new steering head bearings, from their usual once-over check, they noted that my tires were in need of replacement. I admit my rear Dunlop D404 from last year is a bit squared and doesn't have much tread left. They noted that my front D404 was weather checking though.

Looking closely at it, they're right. It was put on late last summer and has like 2k miles or so. The read looks great but inside the tread you can see little cracks. They're pretty tiny compared to the weather checking I've seen like on old tractor tires. I hadn't really bothered to look before but they're dated from 2011 despite getting them from a non-BMW dealer last year (so in 2014).

Do tires really age on a shelf? It seems like weather checking and cracking would only be an issue if they were stored outside, or next to a window or something.

Should I be concerned about the cracking? I have a feeling I'll get answers ranging from replacing it immediately to disregarding the cracking.

I've always run it at max pressure (41 psi) and it hasn't ever decreased

Thanks guys.

[TimTyler]

 

[F14CRAZY]

...I figured as such. I'll get some later today

[billday]

My D404s started cracking long before the tread was used up. (In the treads, not the sidewalls.) The guy who does my state inspection told me the D404s are known for that.

[F14CRAZY]

[Motorhobo]

Gnarly, dude. Remind me not to buy any of those.

[johnny]

dunflops... were bad when i used to race for honda... aints never gotts better...

bought a spare rear wheel a few years back... it had a new dunflop on it... didnt want it butts the seller didnt wanna take it off... blasted the sierra foothill twistys on that thing... never again... would rather ride on metezeler cords than dunflop rubber...

j o

[F14CRAZY]

It seems that Dunlops have a 6 year warranty from the date of manufacture...if I can find my receipt I can likely get it replaced

[drut]

Current advice in the uk is tires should be changed at 7yrs old,although it is not widely known and no legal requirement to do so.From the pics your tires look to be mortally wounded but not in danger of anywhere near imminent blowout/failure.Problem with age cracking is that it is so hard to predict results so the choice is yours.

[F14CRAZY]

I called the dealer I got it from and explained the situation. They had to call me back after speaking with their tire representative but said I could bring it in and they'll replace it. I'll post some more photos soon.

[F14CRAZY]

I had a busy week but was able to take my front wheel off and bring it to the dealer. They replaced the front D404 with a new one. Didn't even charge me for mounting or balancing, so Villiage Motorsports in Holland gets my approval for their good customer service. The new one is still dated from 2011 though but we both inspected it carefully and saw no cracks in the new one. They did say to avoid using harsh chemicals on it...I have used some automotive wheel cleaner before. I can't remember the brand at the moment but I bought some biodegradable, rubber-safe cleaner from them for the wheels. I'm hoping this one will last. They seem to be good tires otherwise and it helps that they're like the cheapest name brand in that size. I think I paid $78 or $86 or something like that for it last year from that dealer.

[billday]

Well, right there is a good argument for buying tires from a store rather than online.

[Scott_]

The new one is still dated from 2011 though but we both inspected it carefully and saw no cracks in the new one.

Seeing no cracks or not, it's still 4yrs old......before it's even mounted.  Personally I'd be leery of it, but that's just me.

[F14CRAZY]

I was looking at the tire today...cracks again, after about a month and a half. This one was mounted on March 27th.

I am wondering if age is an issue as its dated from 2011, like the old one, as I mentioned before.

I called the dealer and asked if I can exchange it with another brand of tire. I'm not a safety Nazi but I don't like the cracks. The parts counter guy understood me and said he'd call me back though he did mention that swapping it for another brand should be possible. The D404 crack issue has sucked but their handling of the issue has been excellent so far

[mjydrafter]

To me the golden rule for replacement is 5 years.  Now that said I have tires on 4 wheeled vehicles that are older, but 4 is not = to 2.

In my opinion they have no business selling tires that old to anyone, without a caveat that they are too old.

I'm guessing they will help you out, since they sold you 2 old tires.

I am a certified GY tire re-treader, and have worked with tires for a long time.  I think most of the tire companies will say 5-7 years old is time for replacement.  Most of the tire companies try to keep their stock "fresh".  They will deteriorate just sitting.

[F14CRAZY]

I am not an expert but it seems like they would last considerably longer being stored away from UV light but it seems I'm wrong.

Also to note: they did say to avoid using harsh chemicals to clean the wheels but to be honest I haven't cleaned anything but the windshield on the bike since then

[pinhead]

I live in the mediterranean climate of Sacramento, CA.  Dry rot, as the term is used, occurs in buildings here frequently more so than in any other climate I have lived in.  Actually up in the NW where it rains much more, they get less dry rot in buildings.  It is because Sacramento gets extremes in temperature and humidity.  In the winter it rains a lot and heats and cools a lot . Summers are blistering, 105F is not uncommon.

I have noticed on the tires on my vehicles develop cracks very quickly here.  I replaced the tires on one truck less than 5 years ago and just replaced them again before tread wear was complete because of the cracking.  The tire people use the same term, dry rot, the term used for wood decay also. 

I think tires, especially the cheap ones, will dry rot regardless of if they are mounted and used if they are exposed to extremes in humidity and temperature.  So if they are kept in a non climate controlled warehouse, they are aging just like they would if they were mounted.  Especially where climates vary greatly and often in humidity and temperature. 

[F14CRAZY]

I'll start a new thread with a link to this one but today I ordered front and rear Shinko 712's for my bike. JT Cycles of Battle Creek, MI was the closest dealer for them according to Shinko's site. I made my order over the phone...no prepayment required. Had to be ordered but should be in tomorrow and I'll travel with my wheels and have them mounted and balanced tomorrow if it fits their schedule. He knocked a bit off and I'm getting a front 100/90-18 for $56.95 and a rear 120/90-18 for $66.95. That's $10 or so off of MSRP (on Shinko's site). Mounting and balancing (I told him I'll have my wheels off of the bike) is $35/each.

The Dunlop D404's locally were $94 and $96. Not a bad tire but I was getting tired of the cracks developing and having to get them to warranty them out.

He wasn't able to give much of a description between the 712's and the 230 Tour Masters aside from what Shinko says about them...

712:

The 712 is designed for mileage and performance with a staggered tread pattern that provides excellent wet weather performance.

Features include:

    Designed for mileage and performance
    Staggered tread pattern provides excellent wet weather performance
    H rated tubeless, 4 ply nylon carcass

230 Tour Master:

The 230 Tour Master is designed to carry high loads for long distances, in wet or dry conditions.

Features include:

    Designed for long distance, high speed riding
    Aramid belted
    Staggered tread design offers a quiet ride with excellent handling
    V rated tubeless (unless noted), 4 ply rated

I asked for a quote on the 230's...$65.95 front and $95.95 rear.

I'll report back with what happens tomorrow in a new thread

[TimTyler]

I had a set of the 230 Tourmasters and they felt "ordinary". Nothing special although I confess they were used mostly on slab.

I just installed a set of the 712's. Haven't ridden them at all yet. Too damned hot here to suit up. Maybe Wednesday.