GS-Riders International

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Frequently asked questions around tires.

Q: As a result of a technical problem engine oil splashed onto my rear tire. Can I clean the tire and continue using it?

A: Oils, gasoline and other (similar) chemicals go with the tires rubber mixture into a chemical degradation process, which cannot be cancelled. This reaction changes the structure of the rubber mixture and makes the tires useless. It depends also on the quantity of the oil, and on the time spent on the tire. Very small quantities, which stayed only briefly on the tire can possibly washed out with hot soap solution. Large quantities with hours of staying time on the tire cannot be removed in such a way.
Source: Translated from an email reply by Metzeler Germany, customer service, case no. 112495

A: You may not be able to entirely avoid cupping. However, there are steps that can be taken to minimize cupping and uneven wear:

1. Maintain your motorcycle suspension and particularly your front forks. Unresponsive suspension can be the cause of cupping.
   
2. Avoid hard braking when possible. Braking causes the tire to grab and wear in one direction. When hard braking is applied to the front tire, the load transfer over-flexes the tire and increases the tendency for cupping.
   
3. Maintain your tire pressures. Underinflation or overinflation in motorcycle tires are significant causes of cupping and uneven wear, particularly in association with constant hard braking.
   

A: If it was only the release agent, we could remove it. Actually it is the surface texture, which the tire gets unavoidably after the vulcanisation process, which requires riding it in, and through this roughen the tires surface.
Ronald Kabella, Dunlop Germany

We consider any tire up to three years age as a 'fresh' product. Tire manufacturers offer up to 6 years warranty and full functionality of their products. I personally would not have any problem going on a race track even with 7 years old tires. Important however is, that the tire is stored under good conditions: Dark, cool, and flat on the side. UV rays and heat does promote the rubber softeners to evaporate quickly, in which case the tire will turn hard, the grip decreases and in the end cracks might develop.

I do not see any reason for worries, if your tire was stored correctly. Despite of that it would have been nice the dealer had offered you a discount, say 10 or 15 %.

source: Carsten Heitz, tire wholesaler, www.motorradreifen.de

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A: Small cracks like this



often appear on tires with big rubber blocks in the tread pattern, such as our adventure tourer tires. Lock at them closely.

3 examples in close-ups:








It's cosmetic in nature if they don't extend past the rubber's outer surface, or may be a reason to replace the tire if they reach deep into the rubber.