Tire side wall cracks...?!!?

[Budz]

Washed my GT300i today and noticed cracks on the side wall (see attached photos). How do these happen and how soon do I need to replace them? It is a 2012 with 2,008 miles on it...

[de dee]

  how old is the tire ,  look for the DOT letters and the date of manufacture is after that,.   

[NeoGenesisMax]

I'm sure sombody will correct me if I'm wrong, but. It looks like dry rot. It is not abnormal but is a sure sign that you should replace them. Rubber ages and dries and sun and heat speed it up.

[BettinANDlosing]

Could the bike have been ridden with low tire pressure? That could crack the sidewall like that.

[bleys]

Same thing happened with my Xciting...bought it new in 2012, but it had been sitting at the store for over a year.  After a 2 years of riding and 2 winters, I noticed the sidewalls were cracked.  This is only my opinion, but it affects the integrity of the tires and should be replaced.  It is a sign that the tire is not  100%.

[Budz]

Same thing happened with my Xciting...bought it new in 2012, but it had been sitting at the store for over a year.  After a 2 years of riding and 2 winters, I noticed the sidewalls were cracked.  This is only my opinion, but it affects the integrity of the tires and should be replaced.  It is a sign that the tire is not  100%.

I agree, I am not sure of why technically but I wonder what condition the inside of the tire is in! now the next question, which tire to buy? City Grips and Meltzer seem popular with the scooter crowd. I ride fastish (40 MPH - 70 MPH) living in the city with some country rides so I like quick take offs and leans in the turns.

[vespbretta]

As de dee wrote, look for the DOT Number on the tryres sidewall. Its a 4 digit code and it gives you exactely the productdate of the tyres.
For example DOT 4711 means: 47th week of the year 2011 or .... eau de cologne....   
Therefore it might well be that also your tyres are at least 3 years old or even older.

Which brand to replace with? Well, probably everything is better than these chinese/taiwanese Shing Zen or Kendas the scooter came with...

Michelin, or also Heidenau Tyres. Metzelers also good, but probably a bit soft with quick wear.
Heidenau is interesting because of the stiffer sidewalls and well balanced allround capabilities (wear/milage/wetriding/safety).

[Budz]

Sting had mention in an earlier post about Dunlop ScootSmart tire.
I am leaning towards the City Grips at the moment unless anyone has a better recommendation. I value safety over saving money so I am will to spend more given I ride fastish and lean on turns

[Budz]

Also, tire balancing, I have heard it both ways (for and against) including "Kymco does not balance the tires when the bikes are shipped from the factory". Any thoughts on that topic?

[2wheelfun]

Those tires look bald with no tread left, could be wrong the way the pics are. I don't see any wear bars at all. How many miles on them?

[Budz]

Those tires look bald with no tread left, could be wrong the way the pics are. I don't see any wear bars at all. How many miles on them?

My bike is a 2012 model with 2,008 miles on the bike and tires. Lots of tread left on the tires. The photos are taken from the side of the wheel...

[boo]

rid of those tires quick!.
Dangerous.

[Budz]

okay, it will be Dunlop ScootSmart or Michelin City Grip.
I am leaning towards the Dunlop ScootSmart

[0BARK4322]

rid of those tires quick!.
Dangerous.

plus

[Budz]

I agree, tire need to go ASAP! The Dunlop ScootSmart are not available so I am between the City Grips and Metzler Feel Free...