Tire inspection reminder

[tonUPRacer]

Did a little tire inspection this morning and found this. New tire ordered.

 Glad I found it now rather than "experience it" later.

[ITSec]

Fair bit of dry cracking in the sipe channels - good catch.

[oldbike54]

 YES , some real world tire advice . Thank you thank you thank you 

 Dusty

[oldlegs]

Just got a reply from Pirelli for a very similar problem on the front of my V7 11 mine looks much worse and appears to be delaminating. Steve.

[Tom]

TonUPRacer, What make of tire?

[Triple Jim]

I had some serious sidewall cracking on a couple Goodyear motor home tires and contacted them.  I started getting excuses like age, UV, ozone, so I asked "Is there a safety problem with continuing to use them?"   They immediately offered two new free tires if I paid for the installation.  I took them up on it.

I had a lifetime guaranteed muffler that rusted open.  I contacted the manufacturer, who told me I had to go to MD where I had originally bought it.  Again, I mentioned that it would take a while to get up there, and asked if it would there would be a safety problem to continue to drive until I could get the replacement.  And again, they immediately told me to get a new one locally and send them the receipt.  I did, and they paid me back.

I noticed a pattern... ask about the safety of continuing to use the product and they wake up fast.

[Tom]

Good point Jim.

[tonUPRacer]

TonUPRacer, What make of tire?

Tom, they are the OEM Pirelli Sport Demons. This is the original front, 3 years 9,200 miles so I'm satisfied with life. I didn't expect to see the type of wear (cracking/splitting) however. I replaced the rear last year at 7,500 miles. Overall I'm happy with the Pirellis and staying with them.

Andy

[Groover]

I'll have to keep an eye on mine. Is there a batch number or some other marking to look for?

[Triple Jim]

I wonder why your Sport Demon went twice as far as the one I had on the rear of my Mille.   It wore out at 3,800 miles.  I don't use a a lot of rear brake, and I'm not heavy on the throttle.

[ejs]

Maybe you used the motorbraking alot??

[Triple Jim]

Good question, but I intentionally do not. 

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Blowouts are natures way of reminding you to inspect your tires.

[pehayes]

I wonder why your Sport Demon went twice as far as the one I had on the rear of my Mille.   It wore out at 3,800 miles.  I don't use a a lot of rear brake, and I'm not heavy on the throttle.

Is it possible there are some other dynamics at play here?



 

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[SeanF]

I wonder why your Sport Demon went twice as far as the one I had on the rear of my Mille.   It wore out at 3,800 miles.  I don't use a a lot of rear brake, and I'm not heavy on the throttle.

Tire pressures
Pavement quality

Oh, just noticed you mentioned you're talking about a Mille. So there's a not insignificant bike weight difference vs a modern smallblock.

I wore out the rear Sport Demon on my '14 v7 Special at around 4200 miles.

[rocker59]

  they are the OEM Pirelli Sport Demons. This is the original front, 3 years 9,200 miles so I'm satisfied with life. 

I'll say!  I can't believe you got 9200 miles out of a Sport Demon.  No wonder it was coming apart!

[Triple Jim]

Oh, just noticed you mentioned you're talking about a Mille. So there's a not insignificant bike weight difference vs a modern smallblock.

Yes, I think that's probably the reason, but 20% more weight causing 1/2 the life means the Mille must be over some critical load per contact area number or something like that.  I weigh 175 lbs, so I don't think it's all my fault.   

[SeanF]

Yes, I think that's probably the reason, but 20% more weight causing 1/2 the life means the Mille must be over some critical load per contact area number or something like that.  I weigh 175 lbs, so I don't think it's all my fault.   

Fair enough on the motorcycle & rider weight diff. 
There's a horsepower difference too.
There may also be a difference in how one defines "worn out"...some say the wear bars, others may go until the cords start peeking through the carcass. I am more on the "wear bars" end of the spectrum.

[atavar]

I just took the rear off my Norge and ordered the replacement.  With the PR4's there is a magic dark clean line about as thick as a pencil line that shows up in the center of the tread moments before it wears through to core so when I saw that I figured it was time.  I figure it is the last hundredth of an inch of rubber that for some reason cleans itself. 

[Tom]

Andy.....I suspect the age of the tire plus where you live has a lot to do with the "problem" with your front tire.  The range of low to high temp. wouldn't have a positive affect on your tires with that age.

[oldlegs]

I wonder why your Sport Demon went twice as far as the one I had on the rear of my Mille.   It wore out at 3,800 miles.  I don't use a a lot of rear brake, and I'm not heavy on the throttle.

TonUPRacer's tyre is a front yours is a rear would explain millage difference

[Penderic]

I just took the rear off my Norge and ordered the replacement.  With the PR4's there is a magic dark clean line about as thick as a pencil line that shows up in the center of the tread moments before it wears through to core so when I saw that I figured it was time.  I figure it is the last hundredth of an inch of rubber that for some reason cleans itself. 

Thats a good idea! Different colors for marketing.



Colored cords for safety.

[tonUPRacer]

Andy.....I suspect the age of the tire plus where you live has a lot to do with the "problem" with your front tire.  The range of low to high temp. wouldn't have a positive affect on your tires with that age.

My intent on the post wasn't to get input on why my tire was failing, I know why, it's old and has reached its limit on miles. I replaced the rear last year, because I monitor the wear. The purpose was to remind folks to check their tires. I knew I was going to have to replace the front this year, it was just a matter of time, and now the time has come.

[Triple Jim]

TonUPRacer's tyre is a front yours is a rear would explain millage difference

I was referring to his rear tire, which he said he replaced at 7,500 miles, about double what I got from my rear.

[atavar]

If I got 7500 from a rear I would be doing a happy dance..  but that's on me and my binary throttle control..  lol

[tonUPRacer]

I was referring to his rear tire, which he said he replaced at 7,500 miles, about double what I got from my rear.

I also weigh in at 130lbs which is partly why I get longer life than most.

[Tom]

My intent on the post wasn't to get input on why my tire was failing, I know why, it's old and has reached its limit on miles. I replaced the rear last year, because I monitor the wear. The purpose was to remind folks to check their tires. I knew I was going to have to replace the front this year, it was just a matter of time, and now the time has come.

Age is probably the main factor but the range of temp.  Probably exacerbated it.  Good that you caught it.  Same age tire in the Phoenix area would not have the separation of belts.

[sib]

I changed the rear Sport Demon on my V7II at 8100 mi and the front one at 10,100 mi.  I think that both could have gone a few hundred more mi before the treads would be gone.  For the record, I weigh about 190 lb starkers, figure another 10-15 lbs with full gear on, and my luggage and racks probably weigh another 20 lb or so.  I don't ride particularly fast, but not particularly slowly, either.  My unscientific hypothesis is that tire longevity is correlated with age (the rider's, not the tires'), and all that that implies.  I'm 74-ish.  YMMV!

[Kev m]

Another point of reference.

I was at cords on the Sport Demon Rear by 6000 miles, but I recently replaced the front early at 12000 miles because of an then upcoming track day. I suspect it had another 1-2k in it.

Changed to Michelin Pilot Activs. Currently have almost 7k on the rear and hope for a couple thousand more. Front is new so should have it a couple of years.

Was VERY happy with their on-track performance, despite there being 6k on the rear at the time. The Demons were stickier and even more confidence inspiring, but the Activs have done everything I've asked right up to the very edges of the tire

[Groover]

Good info on the Michelin Pilot Activs.