Avon Roadrider cracking Again

[waterman]

Can't believe my eyes. It has only been a month since I received this replacement tire for another roadrider that had developed cracks in sidewall near rim. I literally have less than 150 miles on this tire and it is now starting to crack identically to the last one. I am sure this a unique situation but I am starting to question my luck.

I really could use some advice on what I should do at this point. I am sure that if I call Tires Unlimited they will ship another replacement tire but I will again end up paying shipping the reject back to them ($22). My dilemma is whether to try another Roadrider or switch to something different. Good old once bitten, twice shy.

For those who didn't see the first post:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=138804&highlight=avon+roadriders+cracking

 

[tkent02]

Curious, what pressure do you run?
Used any weird chemicals around these tires?

 

[Billy Ricks]

How much pressure are you running?

 

[Nessism]

Also, how much pressure did you use to seat the bead?

 

[waterman]

Curious, what pressure do you run?
Used any weird chemicals around these tires?

Been running 32 psi cold, still has 32 psi currently. Mounted using a very dilute mixture of Murphy's oil soap and water, didn't use more than 50 psi to seat bead. About only strange chemicals may be a male cat has marked them as his. Not sure what is in cat spray but does it ever stink.

 

[bwringer]

Sounds like a defective batch of tires, and it sounds like the replacement tire was from the same batch as the original.

TU needs to raise some hell with Avon, and you damn sure should not be charged shipping.

 

[posplayr]

I just mounted a set within the last couple of weeks and will be watching the side walls as well. If issues arise i will post serial numbers

 

[twr1776]

What is the date stamp on this tire?

 

[bwringer]

You also might want to contact Avon directly:
http://avontyresusa.com/contact.html

I emailed them with a question when I first started using RoadRiders (never had a problem yet, which hints to me that there's a defective batch in your size) and they responded quickly and completely.

Tire companies take this sort of thing very seriously, and they should make it right.

 

[waterman]

Sounds like a defective batch of tires, and it sounds like the replacement tire was from the same batch as the original.

TU needs to raise some hell with Avon, and you damn sure should not be charged shipping.

I wonder how long a batch takes to make. The original tire was DOT stamped at 3706, the replacement was older 5105 which infers 38 weeks difference (plus the fact that the replacement was made during Xmas week). Not sure if it is a batch problem as it may be a specific size problem (do they use molds for these?)

I understand TU wanting shipping, nothing is free anymore. I don't really have issue with them, they have always been courteous and shipping is almost immediate.

If I didn't have a large and demanding family, I would simple hop in van and drive to Dayton and let them deal with tire. Road trip anyone.

 

[salty_monk]

How heavy are you? 32PSI seems a little low...

Dan

 

[waterman]

How heavy are you? 32PSI seems a little low...

Dan

32PSI is recommended for dual riding, normal conditions. 28 for solo, 32 for dual normal. 36 psi for high speed continuous solo and 40 dual riding high speed continuous.

As for my weight, I am not a lightweight, that why I hedge with 32 psi for my riding. In a sense, 32 is a very useful psi for most tire applications.

Should I be running higher pressures? I tend to follow the owner's manuals for this info and try to not let them get low.

 

[ReTread]

I've got a new set on a Z1R and the front tire keeps going flat if parked for a week or so. No cracking on the sidewals but something is going on with the bead.

 

[argonsagas]

The dates suggest one was made in late 2005 and the original in mid-2006, so the newest is closing in on three years old.

Five years is usually the recommended limit.

Sunlight and the presence of ground-level ozone affect tire "aging", while on the shelf, through hardening of the rubber compound. Having the same failure on tires that were manufactured so many weeks apart may mean improper storage.

Contact the manufacturer directly and give them the same description you gave here, plus the photos.

Whether it is tire defect or defect caused by and/or conributed to improper storage, this is something the manufacturer needs to deal with, as the retailer is their representative, and unsafe tires should not be sold to the public.

 

[salty_monk]

The figure you quote are for old tech tyres. I don't know what you should be running at but Avon recommends (on their website) 36f & 42r for my 1000G/E under all running conditions.

I ran mine at 36r (high speed solo continuous or around town two up according to Suzuki) 28f for a long time without the probs you are experiencing though.

I am only 160 / 165 though. My wife is only 100 & really it was only here who rode pillion & generally around town etc.

Maybe improper storage, perhaps UV as stated above...

Dan

 

[Guest]

hang on here. you sent that tire back and they sent you an EVEN OLDER TIRE? um, i call bull**** on that.... i'm not saying that is necessarily the issue, but i would be hacked if i got a tire more than, say, a year old.

 

[Old Colt]

If those tires have been in a warehouse that long, I wonder if they are stored near the utility panel such as where the power comes in the building. Nice fresh ozone from electrical devices or electric motors will wreak havoc on a tire.

 

[Clone]

I think this needs a sticky as the Avon tires I have are also starting to crack, I will keep an eye on it, but I am shopping and not for Avon's.

I wonder if this is a more global issue with Avon?

 

[schlyme]

i got my avons from bikebandit and both where less than 1 year old. one was less than 6 months if they sent you anything then a 2 year old tire, they sent you crap stock :| i agree what was said earlier, write avon directly about what happened, i would be surprised if they didn't do anything about it. good luck.

 

[sachsaca]

They look dry as if it's been sitting warehoused for awhile??? have a tire sales place look at it if you know somebody.