Bridgestone tire sidewall cracks

[MarkT]

I installed a Batlax BT45 on the front of my wing Aug '08.  This is a bias ply rear tire with deep tread, which I chose to increase mileage and also traction in the slop. Last year it wasn't holding air so I had the local Honda dealer fix it prior to our Canada trip.  Turned out the valve stem, rubber below elbow had cracked.  Went on the trip, no tire issues.  After getting back, the tire has never held air though it was a slow leak.  If the bike sat for 3 weeks, the tire would be flat.  Inconvenient but no big problem, just check the air before each ride - no big trips.  I would air the tire with the bike in place - not rolling it with the tire low.

While changing the oil yesterday, I noticed heavy cracking on the sidewalls close to the bead.  Mileage 14,659 on the tire.  Yeah I know, good mileage.  That's why I bought it - but I expect to get more than twice that with a bias rear tire on the front. The bike has always been stored indoors.  Checked the date, it's 4306.  IOW it was made Oct '06, 1 yr 10 mo old when installed.  It's still under 5 years old, and has LOTS of tread left - didn't measure it, but it's more than what is usually on a front tire when it's new.

Got the tire from Jake Wilson.  Always been happy with them, and I know they do huge volume so tires shouldn't be getting old in their inventory - seems a tire 22 months old when I got it is unusual.  Also - a brand name tire shouldn't be cracking at 4 yrs 5 mo. - especially when always stored in the shade.  Bridgestones are Japanese, which we expect quality from - not Chinese or Korean.

I need to replace the tire.  Don't have a lot of choices in finding a 130/70-18 in a rear bias. I'm happy with this tire if it wasn't cracking.

I haven't contacted jakewilson yet, which I'll do tomorrow.  I suspect they may make good on it.  Meanwhile, I'm looking for comments.  Any issues with Bridgestone tires cracking?  Experience with support on either Bridgestone or jakewilson?  Thx.

[roboto65]

Not trying to justify any thing but my Avon that I have on the front of my IS is almost at 20000 miles and ready for a change.   I do not know the date code on but it came with my bike when I got it about 2 1/2 years ago and was pretty new when I got it. But it has some cracking on the side of it and your tire is older than it but that is a guess since I am not able to look at my bike and get a date code for you.

[Warlock]

I installed a Batlax BT45 on the front of my wing Aug '08.  This is a bias ply rear tire with deep tread, which I chose to increase mileage and also traction in the slop. Last year it wasn't holding air so I had the local Honda dealer fix it prior to our Canada trip.  Turned out the valve stem, rubber below elbow had cracked.  Went on the trip, no tire issues.  After getting back, the tire has never held air though it was a slow leak.  If the bike sat for 3 weeks, the tire would be flat.  Inconvenient but no big problem, just check the air before each ride - no big trips.  I would air the tire with the bike in place - not rolling it with the tire low.

While changing the oil yesterday, I noticed heavy cracking on the sidewalls close to the bead.  Mileage 14,659 on the tire.  Yeah I know, good mileage.  That's why I bought it - but I expect to get more than twice that with a bias rear tire on the front. The bike has always been stored indoors.  Checked the date, it's 4306.  IOW it was made Oct '06, 1 yr 10 mo old when installed.  It's still under 5 years old, and has LOTS of tread left - didn't measure it, but it's more than what is usually on a front tire when it's new.

Got the tire from Jake Wilson.  Always been happy with them, and I know they do huge volume so tires shouldn't be getting old in their inventory - seems a tire 22 months old when I got it is unusual.  Also - a brand name tire shouldn't be cracking at 4 yrs 5 mo. - especially when always stored in the shade.  Bridgestones are Japanese, which we expect quality from - not Chinese or Korean.

I need to replace the tire.  Don't have a lot of choices in finding a 130/70-18 in a rear bias. I'm happy with this tire if it wasn't cracking.

I haven't contacted jakewilson yet, which I'll do tomorrow.  I suspect they may make good on it.  Meanwhile, I'm looking for comments.  Any issues with Bridgestone tires cracking?  Experience with support on either Bridgestone or jakewilson?  Thx.

I saw a guy today with the same tire you speaking of. Nice looking tire. I'm running the Avon 26 rear tire on the front of my Valkyrie turned backward. They have to size you need for the wing in this brand. I haven't run it long enough for mileage yet. I do know it hold the curves very well. It has the 9/32 thread dept also. Here's the link.
http://www.jakewilson.com/productDetail.do?navTitle=Motorcycle+Tires&webCatId=57&navType=type&webTypeId=443&prodFamilyId=22938&listingId=&sizeAttr=6993
David

[MarkT]

Thanks for the lead, Warlock.  I contacted JW and they said send in the tire, they want to examine it.  I'm thinking they might warranty it.  Meanwhile I ordered that Avon tire & it just got here today.  I asked them to look for a more recent number on the date - it's 2610 - halfway through last year.  This tire was also cheaper than the Battlax, and they covered the shipping even though it was under $99 at $84.  I note on their fitment info, there's only one bike you're SUPPOSED to put this tire on - a Yamaha XJ600S.  Might account for the old tire in inventory.  Though I would suspect they sell more of them to GL1800 riders for the front.  I've had good luck with Avons - run Cobras on the back of both the Wing and Valk.