Front tire at 13 psi but cracked

7oxSin · July 15th, 2012, 06:49 AM

ok so the title says it all, i was cruising around in the forum when i saw a thread that reminded me to check my tire pressure, the back tire is at 32 psi but the front is at a insane 13 psi. the thing that has me sweating bullets is the fact that the side walls of my front tire have small cracks in it

im afraid that if i fill the tire to the correct psi it might pop

any advise would help tons!

thanks guys.

Reyno2ac · July 15th, 2012, 07:08 AM

How old is the tire?

If you're worried, replace the tire. Remember, you only have one other tire to stand on when this one goes, not three.

Alex · July 15th, 2012, 07:09 AM

Surface cracking on the sidewall of a tire isn't that uncommon as they age, and often isn't a sign of impending doom. But - it does mean the tires are starting to get a bit old, and can be a reason to think about changing them out even if there is some tread left. How old are the tires? There is a 4 digit date code on the sidewall, the last two digits are the year of manufacture, and the first two digits are the week of that year. Either way, it's unsafe to be riding around on a front tire with 13 psi.

7oxSin · July 15th, 2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Surface cracking on the sidewall of a tire isn't that uncommon as they age, and often isn't a sign of impending doom. But - it does mean the tires are starting to get a bit old, and can be a reason to think about changing them out even if there is some tread left. How old are the tires? There is a 4 digit date code on the sidewall, the last two digits are the year of manufacture, and the first two digits are the week of that year. Either way, it's unsafe to be riding around on a front tire with 13 psi.

lol... the tire says 1502

so it looks like these where the tires that came on the bike when it was sold? tons of tread and the bike only has 7k miles on it. but i have had it for a little over a month now ive put a good 600 miles on it since i got it.

dirty nasty · July 15th, 2012, 07:39 AM

Don't worry about a thing. They're fine. It won't explode. Especially at 32psi with how thick motorcycle tires are. The tires on my BMX bike used to have to be filled to 120psi. Those were fun when they exploded!

As previously said, I'd think about replacing them in the future. Mine had 3k miles on them when I got them, but they were also twelve years old. The tread is in great shape, but there is cracking even worse on my tires, but not too severe. It passed MA state inspection! The tires still offer as much grip as the crap stock ones can, but I figured I'd ride them for this season before throwing away some okay shape tires.

Even worse were the original ones from my 1982 CB450. Even those 30 year old tires passed MA inspection! I know those shouldn't have at all. One cool evening when the road was slightly moist I was out and about accelerating up a left uphill from a stop. When I took off the rear end began washing out and I got a of wheel spin. This was no big deal to me as I had rode dirt bikes for 13 years before this. In fact, I found it fun and kept the wheel spin going all the way up the hill, imagining I was blasting out of a huge loamy berm roosting other riders behind me haha. To someone not used to the bike reacting like that, they might have found themselves in a low side or high side crash situation.

Alex · July 15th, 2012, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7oxSin

lol... the tire says 1502

so it looks like these where the tires that came on the bike when it was sold? tons of tread and the bike only has 7k miles on it. but i have had it for a little over a month now ive put a good 600 miles on it since i got it.

Get new tires. They don't have great grip when new, and at 5 years are marginal. At 10+ years, they are serving as rim protectors, and not much else.

http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Tire_options_-_pregens

and

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_ti...fit_the_250%3F

7oxSin · July 15th, 2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirty nasty

Don't worry about a thing. They're fine. It won't explode. Especially at 32psi with how thick motorcycle tires are. The tires on my BMX bike used to have to be filled to 120psi. Those were fun when they exploded!

As previously said, I'd think about replacing them in the future. Mine had 3k miles on them when I got them, but they were also twelve years old. The tread is in great shape, but there is cracking even worse on my tires, but not too severe. It passed MA state inspection! The tires still offer as much grip as the crap stock ones can, but I figured I'd ride them for this season before throwing away some okay shape tires.

Even worse were the original ones from my 1982 CB450. Even those 30 year old tires passed MA inspection! I know those shouldn't have at all. One cool evening when the road was slightly moist I was out and about accelerating up a left uphill from a stop. When I took off the rear end began washing out and I got a of wheel spin. This was no big deal to me as I had rode dirt bikes for 13 years before this. In fact, I found it fun and kept the wheel spin going all the way up the hill, imagining I was blasting out of a huge loamy berm roosting other riders behind me haha. To someone not used to the bike reacting like that, they might have found themselves in a low side or high side crash situation.

yeah i have lost a back wheel out from under me, but not on this bike. thanks im going to fill em up right now

whats the best psi for front and back tires? they just say weight limits at 40 psi on the tire.

Alex · July 15th, 2012, 07:56 AM

28 front / 32 rear is a good starting point. But even at optimal pressures, the tires are miles off what a good quality newer set will feel like.

dirty nasty · July 15th, 2012, 08:31 AM

I don't think the stock tires are THAT bad. They're nothing great, but I wouldn't call mine rim protectors either, nor would I even call them marginal.

Who knows, maybe I'm ignorant of the world of fresh tires.

Alex · July 15th, 2012, 08:43 AM

Yes.

7oxSin · July 15th, 2012, 10:21 AM

these tires are Bridgestone Spitfire Touring tires in size 100/90-16 so i dont think they where stock.

Motofool · July 15th, 2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7oxSin

these tires are Bridgestone Spitfire Touring tires in size 100/90-16 so i dont think they where stock.

You are correct.

As explained above, the cracks are only on the rubber film that covers the mesh that actually holds the pressure.
Rubber alone is not rigid and strong enough as to hold either the pressure or the shape of the tire.

Rolling the tire at low pressure flexes that film (already hardened due to age) much, generating lines of fracture.

Inflate them up to the recommended pressures and check the front one for leaks (spraying soapy water all over it).

Then, order new tires and learn how to remove and install these tires.

Read this article about what is inside these tires:

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/tires...res/index.html

The danger of under-pressure is that the tire and the air inside can heat up so much during a long trip that can make the tire blow up.

alex.s · July 15th, 2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7oxSin

front is at a insane 13 psi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirty nasty

Don't worry about a thing.

i need to finish reading replies more often

7oxSin · July 15th, 2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i need to finish reading replies more often

lol

and tires are now inflated to the right psi, after i super inflated my front one cuz i had my air compressor set too high. now i need to ride it and test it out.

alex.s · July 15th, 2012, 01:21 PM

just my personal opinion here. i think if the side walls are cracked it communicates that the rubber is dry. it wont stick very well at all. especially in the wet. me personally- i would replace them both being that old.

dirty nasty · July 16th, 2012, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i need to finish reading replies more often

If could couldn't figure out that the pressure needed to be increased, then you've got no business being near a bike. C'mon, quit trollin'.

7oxSin · July 16th, 2012, 07:07 AM

If you are talking to me then you need to read the thread before you troll. The thread is about if its safe to fill the tire with the cracks, I have had a tire blow up in my face off a car, so I thought I would ask the forum since MOST of the people here are smart, nice, and awesome.
Posted via Mobile Device

alex.s · July 16th, 2012, 07:57 AM

but i like trolling?

Miles_Prower · July 16th, 2012, 08:34 AM

they see him trollin'...they hatin'..!!

Old Lemon · July 16th, 2012, 09:48 AM

Don't trust him, he's wrong

alex.s · July 16th, 2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles_Prower

they see him trollin'...they hatin'..!!

they see me trollin', they hatin'. drivin' carolla, been tryin'ta catch me writing wordy.
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)
my exhaust is so loud. im squiddin'! they hopin they gon catch catch my writing wordy!
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)

Police think they can see me lean
Im pint sized- aint easy to be seen.
When they see me ride by they see that glean
and my whine on the blacktop and the oil screen.
ride with a squid chick, she like hold up
next to the mechanix gloves is a half helmet and my mowhawkaah
turn a cager into a killer
girl you aint know, im crazy like ghost rider
just tryin to ride her aint tryin to have no babies.
bike dont clean itsself, i pull in ladies
laws of trollin, you know they hate me.
exhaust turned all the way up until the maximum
i can speak for some squiddeis tryin to race for some
but we packin dick, and we have... umm...
ill get locked up for doin the maximum.
GMR is hell, I'm grippin choke
exhaust loud, and my ass is rippin slow.
"twist and twistin" like im not slow.
Police pull up from behind and is in his throat
Windows down gotta stop pollution
MCs change people like who is that burnin out.
This the Play-N-Skillz when we out and cruisin
Got warrants in every city except Houston but I'm still ain't losin

Miles_Prower · July 16th, 2012, 11:30 AM

WOW.
how long did that take..or did you just lil wayne it? lol

alex.s · July 16th, 2012, 11:32 AM

just call me big-waynge

CZroe · July 16th, 2012, 03:54 PM

If it was 13PSI, I'd wonder if there's something else you're missing that caused it to lose all that pressure.

dirty nasty · July 16th, 2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

they see me trollin', they hatin'. drivin' carolla, been tryin'ta catch me writing wordy.
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)
my exhaust is so loud. im squiddin'! they hopin they gon catch catch my writing wordy!
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)
tryin'ta catch me writing wordy (tryin'ta catch me writing wordy)

Police think they can see me lean
Im pint sized- aint easy to be seen.
When they see me ride by they see that glean
and my whine on the blacktop and the oil screen.
ride with a squid chick, she like hold up
next to the mechanix gloves is a half helmet and my mowhawkaah
turn a cager into a killer
girl you aint know, im crazy like ghost rider
just tryin to ride her aint tryin to have no babies.
bike dont clean itsself, i pull in ladies
laws of trollin, you know they hate me.
exhaust turned all the way up until the maximum
i can speak for some squiddeis tryin to race for some
but we packin dick, and we have... umm...
ill get locked up for doin the maximum.
GMR is hell, I'm grippin choke
exhaust loud, and my ass is rippin slow.
"twist and twistin" like im not slow.
Police pull up from behind and is in his throat
Windows down gotta stop pollution
MCs change people like who is that burnin out.
This the Play-N-Skillz when we out and cruisin
Got warrants in every city except Houston but I'm still ain't losin

Damn. I like it.

July 15th, 2012, 06:49 AM	#1
7oxSin MSF Coach! Name: Lupe Location: Antioch, Tennessee Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 ninja 250 Posts: 886	Front tire at 13 psi but cracked ok so the title says it all, i was cruising around in the forum when i saw a thread that reminded me to check my tire pressure, the back tire is at 32 psi but the front is at a insane 13 psi. the thing that has me sweating bullets is the fact that the side walls of my front tire have small cracks in it im afraid that if i fill the tire to the correct psi it might pop any advise would help tons! thanks guys. __________________________________________________ Hey Unregistered wanna ride the dragon? Ninjette group ride! May 16th-20th Join the Ride!!http://www.ninjette.org/forums/group.php?groupid=35

July 15th, 2012, 07:09 AM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Surface cracking on the sidewall of a tire isn't that uncommon as they age, and often isn't a sign of impending doom. But - it does mean the tires are starting to get a bit old, and can be a reason to think about changing them out even if there is some tread left. How old are the tires? There is a 4 digit date code on the sidewall, the last two digits are the year of manufacture, and the first two digits are the week of that year. Either way, it's unsafe to be riding around on a front tire with 13 psi. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 15th, 2012, 07:56 AM	#8
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	28 front / 32 rear is a good starting point. But even at optimal pressures, the tires are miles off what a good quality newer set will feel like. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 15th, 2012, 08:43 AM	#10
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Yes. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 15th, 2012, 10:21 AM	#11
7oxSin MSF Coach! Name: Lupe Location: Antioch, Tennessee Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 ninja 250 Posts: 886	these tires are Bridgestone Spitfire Touring tires in size 100/90-16 so i dont think they where stock. __________________________________________________ Hey Unregistered wanna ride the dragon? Ninjette group ride! May 16th-20th Join the Ride!!http://www.ninjette.org/forums/group.php?groupid=35 Last futzed with by 7oxSin; July 15th, 2012 at 10:25 AM. Reason: added pic

July 15th, 2012, 07:08 AM	#2
Reyno2ac ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Michigan Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Red 2009 Ninja 650r Posts: 209	How old is the tire? If you're worried, replace the tire. Remember, you only have one other tire to stand on when this one goes, not three.

July 15th, 2012, 07:39 AM	#5
dirty nasty ninjette.org sage Name: Karl Location: MA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Kwak Ninja 250 and 1998 Yamaha YZ400F Posts: 534	Don't worry about a thing. They're fine. It won't explode. Especially at 32psi with how thick motorcycle tires are. The tires on my BMX bike used to have to be filled to 120psi. Those were fun when they exploded! As previously said, I'd think about replacing them in the future. Mine had 3k miles on them when I got them, but they were also twelve years old. The tread is in great shape, but there is cracking even worse on my tires, but not too severe. It passed MA state inspection! The tires still offer as much grip as the crap stock ones can, but I figured I'd ride them for this season before throwing away some okay shape tires. Even worse were the original ones from my 1982 CB450. Even those 30 year old tires passed MA inspection! I know those shouldn't have at all. One cool evening when the road was slightly moist I was out and about accelerating up a left uphill from a stop. When I took off the rear end began washing out and I got a of wheel spin. This was no big deal to me as I had rode dirt bikes for 13 years before this. In fact, I found it fun and kept the wheel spin going all the way up the hill, imagining I was blasting out of a huge loamy berm roosting other riders behind me haha. To someone not used to the bike reacting like that, they might have found themselves in a low side or high side crash situation.

July 15th, 2012, 08:31 AM	#9
dirty nasty ninjette.org sage Name: Karl Location: MA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Kwak Ninja 250 and 1998 Yamaha YZ400F Posts: 534	I don't think the stock tires are THAT bad. They're nothing great, but I wouldn't call mine rim protectors either, nor would I even call them marginal. Who knows, maybe I'm ignorant of the world of fresh tires.

July 15th, 2012, 01:21 PM	#15
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	just my personal opinion here. i think if the side walls are cracked it communicates that the rubber is dry. it wont stick very well at all. especially in the wet. me personally- i would replace them both being that old. __________________________________________________

July 16th, 2012, 07:07 AM	#17
7oxSin MSF Coach! Name: Lupe Location: Antioch, Tennessee Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 ninja 250 Posts: 886	If you are talking to me then you need to read the thread before you troll. The thread is about if its safe to fill the tire with the cracks, I have had a tire blow up in my face off a car, so I thought I would ask the forum since MOST of the people here are smart, nice, and awesome. Posted via Mobile Device

July 16th, 2012, 07:57 AM	#18
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	but i like trolling? __________________________________________________

July 16th, 2012, 08:34 AM	#19
Miles_Prower One Loyal Fox Name: Rahul Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R (RIP), 2011 ZX-6R Posts: 869	they see him trollin'...they hatin'..!!

July 16th, 2012, 09:48 AM	#20
Old Lemon Lays er down Name: Michael Location: Maryland Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Lime green Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Don't trust him, he's wrong

July 16th, 2012, 11:30 AM	#22
Miles_Prower One Loyal Fox Name: Rahul Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R (RIP), 2011 ZX-6R Posts: 869	WOW. how long did that take..or did you just lil wayne it? lol

July 16th, 2012, 11:32 AM	#23
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	just call me big-waynge __________________________________________________

July 16th, 2012, 03:54 PM	#24
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	If it was 13PSI, I'd wonder if there's something else you're missing that caused it to lose all that pressure.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
cold weather tire PSI	professor gascan	General Motorcycling Discussion	6	November 12th, 2012 02:41 PM
Cracked Tire	BlueHairSar	General Motorcycling Discussion	8	September 9th, 2012 05:24 PM
[roadracingworld.com] - Bridgestone: New Spec Front Tire Is Now The Standard Front Ti	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	June 12th, 2012 10:20 AM
tire upgrade question: front tire?	stryder	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	1	April 5th, 2010 07:40 AM