Tyres

[Diver]

I put 2 new good quality tyres on my GS850 1979 about 4/5 years ago, at the most. I now have it ready for the road. I put a tyre pressure monitoring kit on it 3 weeks ago and set them at 24psi Front and 26psi Rear. Pressure has held steady in the 3 weeks.
My problem is as follows. I have not put 500 miles on these tyres since I had some medical issues to get sorted before I could take it out and the bike was always garage indoors. However, both tyres have perfect thread but also have developed cracks in the side walls and also between the threads.
At seventy 74 I won't be riding it any more than 50 mph and approximately 100 mile round trips.
What would be your advice or recommendations in this case. Would they be safe to use.
Look forward to your comments.
Chris.

 

[Nessism]

Avon? Metzeler? I've seen low usage tires crack from both of these brands. Most likely not a problem, but I wouldn't take a chance.

Oh, and your tire pressures are way too low...

 

[rphillips]

If you didn't understand what he ^^^^ said, go back and read it again and pay more attention. Everything exactly spot-on, especially the wouldn't take a chance part.

 

[Diver]

Thanks Ed. I was going by the Pressure given in the Manual. What would you recommend.

 

[Diver]

Hi Phillips. I don't fully understand what you are saying.

 

[Diver]

I would like to pay something towards the upkeep of the site. How can I do this.
Regards
chris.

 

[Nessism]

Typically, the tire company websites list a recommended pressure for their tires. Modern tires typically run more pressure than tires from 40 years ago. For example, 32 psi front, 36 psi rear.

https://www.thegsresources.com/supportus.php

 

[rphillips]

Sorry, I's just too lazy to write it again. Read what he wrote again and pretend I wrote it this time. I totally agree and advise exactly what he did.

 

[Nessism]

If Shinko tires are available in your market, I'd go for a set. The forum members here love them, both the 230 and 712 models. The only knock against them is that they don't last as long as some premium tires. On GS bikes, particularly those ridden by 74 year-olds, that shouldn't be an issue, though.

 

[Burque73]

If Shinko tires are available in your market, I'd go for a set. The forum members here love them, both the 230 and 712 models. The only knock against them is that they don't last as long as some premium tires. On GS bikes, particularly those ridden by 74 year-olds, that shouldn't be an issue, though.

Even some 50 year Olds get 10k miles or more out of Shinko's.
Just sayin.

 

[Diver]

Great, I will check them out. Would take me years to cover 10k miles at this stage.

 

[Grimly]

www.oponeo.ie and www.tyreleader.ie are my two favourite sources for bike and car tyres in Ireland.
https://www.tyres-pneus-online.ie/ too, but not so much.
Ok, they're not Irish, but they consistently beat local sources by a fair margin.
I try to buy local when possible, but not when I'm being ripped off, as in tyres.

 

[Diver]

Hi Grimly.
Thanks for that. Typical, this country has become just one big rip off every where you turn. I will check out the sites you mentioned. 42 psi is stamped on both tyres.
What part of the Country are you from ?.

 

[KiwiAlfa156]

Correct tyre pressures are the pressures that work for you.

 

[Grimly]

Hi Grimly.
Thanks for that. Typical, this country has become just one big rip off every where you turn. I will check out the sites you mentioned. 42 psi is stamped on both tyres.
What part of the Country are you from ?.

42psi is the max pressure when the tyre is under max load, which will also be stated on the tyre wall.
However, your running pressure is entirely dependant on what the maker says as a starting point.
On the 850, for solo use, 28 front and 32 rear was recommended, and did me fine for years. Nowadays, with modern tyres, I tend to run them at 32F and 34to36 rear.
Oh, how I laughed when I found the local tyrefitter was routinely blowing tyres up to the figure on the sidewall when he fitted them to customers' cars. Turns out, that's a common misconception amongst tyre monkeys everywhere.
No wonder some cars are deathtraps.
I'm in the South East.

 

[Diver]

Thanks. I will run with 32 and 35/36.

Sunny part, aren't you the lucky one. I am in the Midlands.

 

[Diver]

Sorry. 32 and 34/36

 

[argonsagas]

There is a simple truth about tyres.....they ALL age, and the aging begins as soon as they are made, not after you buy and mount them.
Check the sidewall for the manufacturing date.

How quickly they age/deteriorate depends on weather, ozone prevalence, use and storage conditions.
Even if bought new and unused, if they were not stored properly with the distributor/seller they may be "older" than you think.
The more exposure they get to sunlight and invisible ozone makes it happen sooner.

The rubber hardens as they age, thus progressively providing less grip to the road surface.
The harder it gets the less traction it provides, so a general rule is the best years of their lives is about five years.
Still usable after that, yes, but they will not stop degrading. .