small crack in tyre, serious or not so serious?

[miguel_costello]

just got back from watching the first day of the MotoGP at Donnington, amazing! my ears are ringing.... i have a maintenance question for you helpful lot!

as i got on my bike to return home i noticed a small crack in the deep part of the tread of the rear tyre, its not very wide but im afraid it might be deep enough to prompt a new tyre. i know by the book that crack in tyres = never good, but i'm wondering if i can get away with it for a few more miles without worrying.

it got home ok, apart from kinda cacking myself a few miles from my door when the back end went all loose and drifty as i came to a stop at a roundabout (thought i had a flat back tyre - i pulled over and checked it, tyre seemed totally fine) - immediately after that the back end felt totally fine. maybe i ran through a patch of diesel?

the tyre seems very new, i have had my bike 3 months now but have only used it for 1 month, (maybe done 2000 miles on it? been out of the country for most of that time), and i was led to believe it was a newish tyre when i bought the bike.

if anyone can shed some light on whether i need to start panicking or can relax about it for the time being...

(i intended to take a photo, its a bit dark now! i will post up a picture in the next couple of days to show you what i mean!)

many thanks!

[iooi]

[stinkwheel]

And what sort of bike?

I'd be a lot less worried about a crack on a 125 with tubed tyres than on a superbike with tubeless tyres.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[miguel_costello]

its a Suzuki '00 GSF600 unfaired, the tyres are Bridgestone Battlax i believe.. and therefore possibly tubeless? i will post up pictures tomorrow when its light outside!

i think it occured parking on the sharp n' spikey gravel at donnington

thanks for your help guys, much appreciated..... watch this space for pics tomorrow (monday)!

[el_oso]

friend of mine had a large gash in his tyre for best part of a year with no problems. this gash went 2/3 of the way across the tyre and was deep but not down to the thread and he was fine. personally i wouldn't worry too much unless you can see thread. get a picture up and lets have a look.
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Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[miguel_costello]

ok so here's some pictures of said crack - the rear tyre is a Bridgestone Battlax BT-020 :

small i know but looks quite deep on a closer look!
https://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/georgemichael/bike/IMG_0591.jpg

here's a close up.
https://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/georgemichael/bike/IMG_0593.jpg

i also noticed a tiny but very sharp looking stone buried in the thicker part of the tread! best to leave it in there or try and get it out?
https://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/georgemichael/bike/IMG_0594.jpg

here's a closer look of that too!
https://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/georgemichael/bike/IMG_0595.jpg

the_godfather: looks like nothing compared to what you described with your friend's bike!

do you think sealing this crack up with something will do the job for now? it seems a shame to replace the tyre, it still looks pretty new if you ask me..

thanks for your help everyone! i realise these are quite newbie questions and i do appreciate your advice..... do these pictures help get a better evaluation? am i worrying about nothing or is it time to replace tyre...... cheers!

[D O G]

The stone in the deep rubber is no problem, it will probably come out by itself, although there is no issues with taking it our yourself.

The other one looks ok too, if you cannot see the carcass at the bottom then no biggie really. The tyre's strength does not come from the rubber coating.

If I was you I wouldn't change the tyre.

[iooi]

Tyre should be tubeless... Unless someone has had a tube put in to fix a puncture, not something that is supposed to be done.

I would very carefully remove that stone, as while it may fly out on its own. It can also be pushed further in eatch time it hits the ground.

The split looks like you have run over something sharp.

Personally i would carry on using the tyre. Just keep a eye on the split. And maybe think about some tyre sealer in your spare kit.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[miguel_costello]

cheers guys, very helpful! i will attempt to hook the stone out carefully then fill up both areas with some form of tyre sealant......

many thanks!

[jumpzy]

theres a simple test to do to check for an air leak either spit on the part u ar checking and use ur finger to spread it over the hole and check for air bubbles or wat i do is mix some water and washing up liquid and pour it over the hole, a gash like that on a car tyre is nowt to worry bout its the shape that could be a problem the most pressure will be on one little spot on a bike tyre so keep a close eye on it and check it bout once a day before u hop on
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10 feet drops, stoppies and 20 feet skids all on a 50cc

[veeeffarr]

Take it to a professional, if in doubt, change it, I wouldn't risk that gash in the tread.

[miguel_costello]

thanks jumpzy i will give that test a go!

to be honest i'd like to avoid replacing the tyre, the rest of it is is good condition and theres nothing to stop a tiny crack like this forming in a brand new tyre if i run over something sharp eh?

i will let you know how i get on, hopefully the tyre has got a lot of life left in it

cheers all!

[miguel_costello]

Tony R: thanks i will try to take it up to the tyre place this week, could do with their opinion too.. just thought it would be best first to ask people in the know who werent trying to make money from my situation!

thanks everyone for your advice..

[D O G]

[veeeffarr]

Fuck me, people call still call me Tony when it's WRITTEN DOWN?!??!!

I give up

To be fair a lot of tyre places are decent and should give you proper advice, just tell them you've bought a new tyre already and have got a mate that can fit them?

[miguel_costello]

good advice, i will also try that tactic at the tyre place!

Toby R : sorry about the typo, genuine mistake.... the B & N keys are quite close and i was dehydrated after spitting on a tyre all day

[_sketch_]

You can get some quick tack adhesive, simular to the glue in puncture repair kits and seal the gash up - worked ok on my last bike.
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A sucker for 2 strokes
Cagiva Supermoto project

[veeeffarr]

You're having a laugh aren't you?

[_sketch_]

No, worked ok for me


I cant see the above pictures on my work PC - They may be a lot worse then im imagining...

I will take a look when i get home
____________________
A sucker for 2 strokes
Cagiva Supermoto project

[_sketch_]

[miguel_costello]

just took it to a reputable bike shop/garage nearby and they said its nothing to worry about. they sell tyres and change them as a service, so i don't think it's time for a new one just yet... here's hoping

thanks all!

p.s. if anyone's interested here's a picture of said bike.. not bad for 9 years old eh.. cheers!

https://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/georgemichael/bike/IMG_0596.jpg

[veeeffarr]

Smart looking bike that, I really like them in that bright red they used to do as well.

Good on the tyre place for not fobbing you off, what's the name?

[miguel_costello]

thanks man, that was after i spent all day yesterday tinkering with and cleaning it, only to get it totally mucky in the rain again today. bastard weather!!

yeh i thought so too, its MTC Motorcycles in Reading, i buy most of my kit in there. a top bunch for sure, highly recommendable.......