 Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 39
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 39 |
I recently purchased a '02 America. The machine has 6500 miles on the odometer and the person I purchased the bike from said they are original miles.
My question is, should I be concerned about the integrity of 11 year old tires. The America was kept in a garage for it's lifetime.
I have plans to ride the Triumph from SE Alabama to the Texas panhandle in the very near future.
I am reentering the sport after a lengthy hiatus, so I know nothing about tire brands. Doing research within this forum, so opinions about your favorite brands are appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts and opinions.
Last edited by RJinTX; 07/11/2013 6:29 PM.
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 Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,471 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,471 Likes: 3 |
Check the manufacture dates on the sidewall. If any doubt, buy new tires! They're probably hard as a rock and won't grip in rain or a panic stop. Your life depends on that little bitty contact patch. If that garage had a refrigerator or freezer, the ozone generated has probably damaged them. Is your life and peace of mind worth < $400?
There's lots of tire threads under General Tech and under Accessories discussing various brands.
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17 |
If it still has the Bridgestone on the front throw it away no matter what the date says, it's junk  Seriously if I were you planning this trip after a lengthy layoff from the sport I would replace the tires without question. I recommend the Metzlers or Avons.Also play close attention to the rear brake pads, the originals were toast at around 6k Oh, welcome back to the game.
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
The stock Bridgestones were junk. I like the IRC Wild Flare for rear and running Dunlop 505 up front and like it so far. Got a really good deal on the 505 from J&P Cycles. The IRC I just search to find the best buy on it.Could probably do both of those for less than $300.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Ditch those tires if you can afford to at all. New tires will be "grippier" and safer. (Huh! I should talk. I blew a tire on my Russian military bike last year. Pretty sure they were original. FROM 1973!!! Tread was fine, didn't think about it, blew a tire out in a parking lot.)
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Welcome to the site Russell! Call up Gulf Coast Motorcycles of Fort Myers to schedule a date for new tires (and tubes). If you want a set of tires that will last until they dry rot (well maybe not  ) stay away from IRC and other cheap pieces of brown art. Go with ME880s. 41 psi front 42psi rear. The Excedra you have now on the rear is a long lasting tire who some hate and some love. However they retail for about the same price as the metzelers. Might want to change the oil too. Check the air box for nest. Adjust the chain. Do a load test on the battery (and tighten up the connections). BTW, your tires are likely 12 years old... PS: What colour colonial cruiser er Bonneville America do you have?
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
I beg to differ on the IRC, they are good quality and hold the road better than the 880 I had on before wet or dry. They tend to wear a little faster but they are also less expensive so it about evens out cost wise in the end. Any time you gain something with a tire you give something else up, I sell tires for a living. Look at your DOT number the last 4 tell you the week and year of manufacture. Fist 2 are week last 2 are year so 2313 would be 23rd week of 2013, that will tell you exactly how old they are.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
I would like to add if IRC had a tire for the front same size as stock I would buy one for the front too.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Definitely ditch the tires. They were just to begin with and now they're even worse with age. For an inexpensive set, yet not bad quality consider replacing with Kenda tires. I've got a set on one of my bikes and like them just fine.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 39
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 39 |
Quote:
Welcome to the site Russell!
Call up Gulf Coast Motorcycles of Fort Myers to schedule a date for new tires (and tubes). If you want a set of tires that will last until they dry rot (well maybe not ) stay away from IRC and other cheap pieces of brown art. Go with ME880s. 41 psi front 42psi rear. The Excedra you have now on the rear is a long lasting tire who some hate and some love. However they retail for about the same price as the metzelers.
Might want to change the oil too. Check the air box for nest. Adjust the chain. Do a load test on the battery (and tighten up the connections).
BTW, your tires are likely 12 years old...
PS: What colour colonial cruiser er Bonneville America do you have?
The 6000 mile check was reportedly done by the Triumph dealer in Pensacola FL. Unfortunately the dealer has gone to computerized records and no records prior to the change are available. So yep, new fluids, general look over and new shoes. Oh yes, the color - Red.
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17 |
Nice, Cardinal and Silver, the best color and fastest
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
For an inexpensive set, yet not bad quality consider replacing with Kenda tires. I've got a set on one of my bikes and like them just fine.
+1 I've had a few Kenda tires. They're ok.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Tire Dryrot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Stay away from Shinko's, they are CRAP!
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