It's all about the tourists, but not the foreign ones.

[caspernz]

This time of year is full of humour on the roads. Ok, let me get specific really quick, for there's nothing funny about the road toll.

It's that time of year when trailers/boats/caravans get dusted off and hitched up for the holiday trek to the bach or beach. Seeing as I spend my working day out on the road, it's been a repeated event year on year, or holiday period to holiday period I should say perhaps. Trailers/boats/caravans sitting on the side of the road, usually not too far out of the town of departure, with a busted tyre. I don't mean a flat, I mean a shredded no tyre panda is gonna fix this tyre. Now there's more than one reason for this of course, not enough air in the friggin tyre from the outset, or a tyre that just got old and tired from sitting in the sun for years on end.

One specific event I'll recall with good humour. A neighbour had a nice boat, bit on the big side for the trailer it was on, but hey the work ute he used to tow it with could handle it nicely. Imagine my surprise when he set off for a fishing trip, only to have a tyre go pop on the trailer at speed, and landing both boat and tow vehicle in the ditch. Once he was released from hospital and was up and about, we got talking about what happened. Over a beer or two I elicited some interesting facts. The trailer had never had a tyre replaced in the almost 15 years he'd owned it, nor had he checked the tyre pressures prior to setting off. Ooopps:devil2: His logic was that the tread depth was still around 4 mm, so the tyre was fine to his way of thinking. Yikes!

The tyre age and failure to check pressures oopsie would have to account for a good proportion of disrupted or ruined holidays me thinks. In the scheme of things tyres are cheap, but yeah that might just be my way of thinking...:weep::cool::rolleyes:

[Grumph]

Know just what you mean by the right distance from town...We see a shitload of caravan wheel bearings fail out here. During the summer there's usually one trailer or caravan on the side of the road - often with no stub axle left.

Rakaia garage used to be a byword for topping up Jaguar oil. Just the right distance from ChCh to boil off the condensation in the sump and give the driver a heart attack from falling oil pressure...

[Akzle]

fucken townies

[caspernz]

fucken townies

Damn straight...why do I hear banjos? :innocent::shutup:

[russd7]

Know just what you mean by the right distance from town...We see a shitload of caravan wheel bearings fail out here. During the summer there's usually one trailer or caravan on the side of the road - often with no stub axle left.

Rakaia garage used to be a byword for topping up Jaguar oil. Just the right distance from ChCh to boil off the condensation in the sump and give the driver a heart attack from falling oil pressure...

yup and boat trailors with wheels fallen off cause the boat was dragged a cple hundred k as fast as could get away with the previous year and backed straight in the briny as soon as they arrived so the nice hot wheel bearings sucked in a whole lot of salt with the instant cooling and sat in there till the boat was dragged out of the shed the following year. this was normally done after abusing the battery supplier because the new battery they put in last year was fucked because they were to stupid to either disconnect the battery or buy a battery tender.

[Woodman]

Wheels falling off trailers usually due to bearing collapse and/or stub breakage is a common thing this time of year around Motueka GoldenBay. Hear about some serious close calls every year. Its a good time of year to stay away from the buller gorge and takaka hill.

[neels]

Pretty much nobody throws a jack under the trailer and gives the wheels a spin to check the bearings, and you can't hear them screaming from the comfort of the car.

Last time I took my caravan in for a WOF the chap was impressed that it was a few weeks before the holidays, rather than come in on the last working day before the holidays and then bitch at him for failing the thing because the wheel bearings are fucked.

[AllanB]

Pretty much nobody throws a jack under the trailer and gives the wheels a spin to check the bearings, and you can't hear them screaming from the comfort of the car.

Meh I do it every Christmas (planned for tomorrow in fact) and check the inside sidewalls of the tyres. Even lower the spare for a peep.

Might check how old those tyres are as well .......

[eldog]

Check you nuts are secured properly. With a proper tool, do so again after 100 or so k’s if you have changed the tyre or rim....

i know I am going to receive some shit for this......


but but don’t ask me how I know


also good to check tyre age or for cracks on the rims or tyres....

[Laava]

Also make sure to take the boat keys with you.

[granstar]

Check you nuts are secured properly. With a proper tool, do so again after 100 or so k’s if you have changed the tyre or rim....

i know I am going to receive some shit for this......


but but don’t ask me how I know


also good to check tyre age or for cracks on the rims or tyres....

From experience check the prop is on good before you put boat in water too. Was out on Manapouri with some mates, way out, motor was lifted to start trolling for trout and prop went "Plop" and sunk out of view into the depths of the clear water never to be seen again. A long way back on the wee motor.:facepalm: Must have loosened in transit?

[Gremlin]

It's pretty much that reason I bought a van to haul the bike / other gear around. Trailer would get pulled out once a year, and didn't want to be that guy, plus the storage and messing around with it.

[eldog]

From experience check the prop is on good before you put boat in water too. Was out on Manapouri with some mates, way out, motor was lifted to start trolling for trout and prop went "Plop" and sunk out of view into the depths of the clear water never to be seen again. A long way back on the wee motor.:facepalm: Must have loosened in transit?

Split pins, is the way I have seen props attached.
stainless ones, but have a tendency to snap if straightened tooo often.
or the lack of one can lead to prop drop.

[onearmedbandit]

I dont think there is such a thing as an age limit for tyres is there as I have just replaced my car tyres after 15 years and if they had shown any deterioration due to age it would have been picked up during a WOF I would have thought. In the example you give if the trailor has been sitting for months on tyres that are half flat it would be the
damage due to them not being rotated regularly that would cause the ageing.

Words, why do you fail me so...

[eldog]

Pretty much nobody throws a jack under the trailer and gives the wheels a spin to check the bearings, and you can't hear them screaming from the comfort of the car.

Last time I took my caravan in for a WOF the chap was impressed that it was a few weeks before the holidays, rather than come in on the last working day before the holidays and then bitch at him for failing the thing because the wheel bearings are fucked.

Borrowed an old tandem trailer from a mate last year, noticed strange wheel movement after driving it from his place to mine, couple of k. Wheel bearings loose as..... he used to be a mechanic......

would like to purchase one of those lowering ones with tandem wheels.

[Voltaire]

I dont think there is such a thing as an age limit for tyres is there as I have just replaced my car tyres after 15 years and if they had shown any deterioration due to age it would have been picked up during a WOF I would have thought. In the example you give if the trailor has been sitting for months on tyres that are half flat it would be the
damage due to them not being rotated regularly that would cause the ageing.

Your first three words are right on the money. The rest is as usual gibberish.

[eldog]

I dont think there is such a thing as an age limit for tyres is there as I have just replaced my car tyres after 15 years and if they had shown any deterioration due to age it would have been picked up during a WOF I would have thought. In the example you give if the trailor has been sitting for months on tyres that are half flat it would be the
damage due to them not being rotated regularly that would cause the ageing.

Did you replace the spare?
Oh yeah it had been sitting for 15 years, not rotated, that wouldn’t have caused aging would it, according to you.

just how often do you change your mbike tyres?

Does anyone else do this?

you have a truly interesting viewpoint of half baked truths, good luck with that.
you should look further into rubber ageing.

[caspernz]

I dont think there is such a thing as an age limit for tyres is there as I have just replaced my car tyres after 15 years and if they had shown any deterioration due to age it would have been picked up during a WOF I would have thought. In the example you give if the trailor has been sitting for months on tyres that are half flat it would be the
damage due to them not being rotated regularly that would cause the ageing.

I call BS on your 15 yr old car tyre story. But yes I suspect sitting at reduced pressure for extended periods will do plenty of harm...


Check you nuts are secured properly. With a proper tool, do so again after 100 or so k’s if you have changed the tyre or rim....

i know I am going to receive some shit for this......


but but don’t ask me how I know


also good to check tyre age or for cracks on the rims or tyres....

Oh, the old retorque routine. Pays to heed that advice, as many an old trucker will attest :innocent:


Also make sure to take the boat keys with you.

And remember the sun block :sunny:


It's pretty much that reason I bought a van to haul the bike / other gear around. Trailer would get pulled out once a year, and didn't want to be that guy, plus the storage and messing around with it.

Just a pain to wash the van...:Punk:


Words, why do you fail me so...

Well it was a work of fiction I'd think :shutup:

[jasonu]

I dont think there is such a thing as an age limit for tyres is there as I have just replaced my car tyres after 15 years and if they had shown any deterioration due to age it would have been picked up during a WOF I would have thought. In the example you give if the trailor has been sitting for months on tyres that are half flat it would be the
damage due to them not being rotated regularly that would cause the ageing.

You get dumber by the post.

[R650R]

This is another issue that seesm to fly under the radar. Probably because there's been no major tragedy yet that has been attributeable to this.

Yeah those wheel nuts.... seen an axle damaged beyond repair when for starters the mechanic never told my swap driver the tyre had been changed during day and bit of murphys law my torch was flat when we swapped trailers...
Think seven studs out of twelve were still there when I rolled into Akld, the remaining nuts were as thin as washers..... FYI there was no discernible feel of vibration or noise either and I'm always pretty tuned into whats happening back there.

What annoys me is there was an instance of the boat wheel thingy filmed on motorway cops or ten 7 awhile back on a twisty road (coro?) where consequences could have been devastating and the whole theme was oh you poor bugger delayed on your fishing trip, no roasting from cop....

There seems to be more instances of this these days though, growing economy and population. I don't do holiday treaffic anymore but back when still carting veges seemed every holiday weekend you would see caravan or boat trailer missing wheel. The best one was just short of the mohaka bridge, what could have happened was unthinkable....

[ellipsis]

...I see at least half a dozen old fucked trailers on the side of the Akaroa highway every autumn when clowns who are carting firewood from out at the bach or cut while on summer holidays and attempting to get it back to the city, come to grief...some of these old, rusted pieces of shit are still running around on 16 inch, 40 year old tyres and who would even want to hazard a guess when the bearings were last checked or greased and adjusted...it's a bit disconcerting watching a recently liberated wheel rolling down your side of the road at 60k's, directly in your path...even more disconcerting when a 60k Haines, flying all it's fishing rods at half mast has just swung its arse into your path after the new rim on the new trailer towing the new boat has parted company with the rig and the sparks are flying...

[T.W.R]

:laugh:

Since the 80s tyres have had a DOM stamp and considered to have a usable life span of between 5-10yrs max

[Mike.Gayner]

No need to replace the spare as I had only ever used it once from brand new. If tires had a non wear related lifespan they would be date stamped like gas cylinders would they not?

Fuck you're an idiot. All tyres have a date of manufacturing marking for the EXACT reason, and tyre manufacturers generally recommend discarding tyres older than 10 years.

Honestly just piss off, you're such a trollish little cunt.

[T.W.R]

My tyres would have been manufactured around 2002 meaning they would have been made with a longer lasting compound technology wise than what was used in the 80s. I never saw any side wall cracking in them which no doubt would be an indication they had aged.

Ya fuckin thick cunt!! :wacko:

[caspernz]

If there was an age limit for tyres it would be stamped on them like gas bottles muppet.

Well actually, read below...


:laugh:

Since the 80s tyres have had a DOM stamp and considered to have a usable life span of between 5-10yrs max

Absolutely right. Only a problem on equipment that doesn't do enough distance to wear the tread before age guideline is reached, which is exactly where Joe Public gets caught out :rolleyes: not to mention the lax attitude to tyre pressure checks :eek:

[granstar]

I mean if you want grand kids sure.

Can assure there has been no crack on the sidewalls.



Only a problem on equipment that doesn't do enough distance to wear the tread before age guideline is reached, which is exactly where Joe Public gets caught out Caspernz.

And any YAAF running on tyres manufactured 2002. Jeez if ya haven't burn out a tyre in that time you should sell the bike and join a car forum, or keep riding on those, what colour bike ya good so I know to stay well clear.

[Jeeper]

If there was an age limit for tyres it would be stamped on them like gas bottles muppet.Tyre do have a date of manufacture stamped on them. Typically its DOT NNMM where NN is week of manufacture and MM is year of manufacture. In US, and with most sensible owners, tyre life is 6 years regardless of use. Search for rubber rot.

[granstar]

It could be argued that as the NZTA does not see tire age as an issue as opposed to condition the purpose of the date stamp could be just for any recall notification if a faulty batch has been manufactured.

Cannot be argued at all, nothing to do with NZTA, it is rider responsibility to ensure tyres are suitable and safe especially on a motorcycle; very basic FFS!

[Jeeper]

It could be argued that as the NZTA does not see tire age as an issue as opposed to condition the purpose of the date stamp could be just for any recall notification if a faulty batch has been manufactured.It could only be argued by someone as illogical as yourself only. Tyre manufacturers themselves say tyres need to be thoroughly and professionally checked annually after 5 years, with a maximum 10 years of service life.

It may not be a law, but its called preventative maintenance. BTW, NZTA has no law on how long should the engine oil last, do you not check your engine oil? If you do, why? There is no NZTA regulations for it. If you don't, I concur with Azkle.

[caspernz]

It could only be argued by someone as illogical as yourself only. Tyre manufacturers themselves say tyres need to be thoroughly and professionally checked annually after 5 years, with a maximum 10 years of service life.

It may not be a law, but its called preventative maintenance. BTW, NZTA has no law on how long should the engine oil last, do you not check your engine oil? If you do, why? There is no NZTA regulations for it. If you don't, I concur with Azkle.

You're now venturing into an area that used to be referred to as common sense. Sadly we had the funeral for this rare commodity some time ago, although the memorial for it will be second weekend in January :laugh::innocent:

[WALRUS]

I'm new here and after trawling through posts for a while and seeing this Cassina name pop up, I thought they were taking the piss and even got a couple of chuckles out of it.. I worry now that they are a real person and genuinely think like this?

Speaking as someone who used to work for my state's Michelin distributor and has also done some work for other manufacturers; If you don't think that tyres have a best before date and confidently take something out with 15+ year old tyres because the pressures are set about right and they still have some tread, you are one terrifying arsehole sir!

Back to the OP though, I know all too well what it's like over here where we get flooded by tourists (international, interstate, and local) and Grey Nomads every Spring to Summer. They all end up with full on tyre blowouts, shagged out bearings, leaking fluids, etc etc conveniently just far out of town enough to make it a real pain in the arse to get in the van/truck and go to help them. On top of that, people who live in cities and don't understand how to go around corners on twisty roads (I found one of those stopped in the middle of the road on Takaka Hill to take a photo of the view once!) or don't know how wide their obnoxious 4x4 and Caravan are and borderline force you off the road as they slowly amble their way around narrow roads in the middle of the bloody thing!

Some riders are just as bad though. The guys (and gals) who wait until the first hot day of summer, dust off the Fireblade and Daineses, hop on and instantly try to Marc Marquez their way around a country road only to find that they're a bit rusty after not riding since the end of last February, their chain is full of tight spots, and their tyres are nice and old, hard, nasty piles of crap.. I don't know why people don't just maintain their vehicles more and develop their abilities of using them??

[Jeeper]

In all seriousness and going back to topic, I have seen people swap out to aftermarket alloys and not bothering to check that the lug nuts need to be different styles to match. They just use old lug nuts, and the wheels falls off. Wondering why!

[caspernz]

In all seriousness and going back to topic, I have seen people swap out to aftermarket alloys and not bothering to check that the lug nuts need to be different styles to match. They just use old lug nuts, and the wheels falls off. Wondering why!

Yes thanks for bringing us back to the topic at hand. After all, we've now had comprehensive evidence that some folks are indeed dumb enough to think a tyre is safe if it's got tread. Oh and the WOF is a magic instrument that absolves us from having to do any preventative maintenance between WOF checks. Maybe it is time for NZTA to tighten the regulations regarding tyres...:msn-wink:

So who's coming to the memorial for common sense in January? :confused::devil2:

[R650R]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11966023

[pete376403]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11966023

A Honda Odyssey with 9 people on board and the police were unable to catch up with it? Were the cops on bicycles?

[jasonu]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11966023

That's some dagum shitty policing right there.

[caspernz]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11966023


A Honda Odyssey with 9 people on board and the police were unable to catch up with it? Were the cops on bicycles?

What's the full story though? Bet you there's more to that than meets the eye...:blink:



Below is something I copied off my Facebook feed, from Waikato Police. I found it worthwhile...


‘You never know who you’re following’

Whilst driving home from the Mount after enjoying a day off yesterday; I was travelling on SH29 between the Matamata turn off and SH1. (im in my own car)

I was following a vehicle which was doing around 90-95kmph. It’s the holidays and I’m definitely not in any hurry so I happily keep my distance and cruise along listening to the fine tunes of Six60 with my arm out the window.

I’m approach from behind at speed by a silver merc who’s driver decides it’s a good idea to tailgate me, knowing very well that I can’t go any faster than the vehicle in front of me. By tailgating I mean l can’t even see his number plate in my rear vision mirror.

The car ahead of me turns off so I can increase my speed to 100; however the vehicle behind me still tailgates me. He backs off, then comes racing up behind me again. This happens a few times over the next few kms.

We turn right on SH1 and the moment he gets the passing lane he’s gone, and flys past 10-12 vehicles (at a guess probably doing 130-140). I can see him in the distance; sure enough tailgating as the passing lane ends.

I phone the Police comms centre (via my hands free) as this is a driver that needs speaking to. The comms operator advises me that the vehicle has had numerous driving complaints throughout the year.

After speaking to Comms who has dispatched the job as priority; i get in touch with a colleague who I know is working. One of his team manages to clock the vehicle at 130 going the opposite way, he can’t turn around due to the median barrier. I continue following giving updates of the vehicles location and a few minutes later my colleague passes me and stops the vehicle in the distance. I pull up behind and speak to my colleague.

Moral of the story - ‘The next vehicle you are following could be a off duty police officer . We’re never on holiday❗️

1 infringement for tailgating ✅
1 infringement for excess speed. ✅
1 spoken to about his driving behaviour ✅
A possible accident prevented ✅
Safer communities together ✅

Remember - 2 second rule at minimum; and if it’s wet increase your following distance to 4 seconds.

*555 is the port of call for ‘urgent but non life threatening road incidents’

It’s the festive season and we’d all like to get to and from our holiday destinations safely.

- Pete 👮🏼*♂️

Many thanks to Highway Patrol Constable Cam and Richard.

[Akzle]

i dealt with an constabulary the other day. he was telling me about wearing seatbelts to save myself when someone crosses the centreline. i adivsed him that i maintained enough forward observation to mitgate the risk, and hey it's my own fucken skin eh. he went a shade quieter when i asked how many infringements he'd (issued) noticed "failing to keep left"

i also had the misfortune of being stuck behind some fuckwit (aucklander) who held up one kilometer of traffic from kaukap to fucken tauhoa (including the artic truck right behind him - now, if you're holding up a fucken artic, surely to god you gtfo) that was the closest i've come to a) pulling over behind him and bollocking him and b) *555ing the cunt.

so while your feel good story might be a minor win for the enforcement, it's pretty much just a fucken circle jerk because road manners at large remain shit.

[Akzle]

A Honda Odyssey with 9 people on board and the police were unable to catch up with it? Were the cops on bicycles?

no. but close: holdens

[Kickaha]

No need to replace the spare as I had only ever used it once from brand new. If tires had a non wear related lifespan they would be date stamped like gas cylinders would they not?

I've seen several "brand new" spare fail shortly after being fitted, they were all 13-15 years old, if it's over 10 years old treat it as fucked whether it's been fitted or not, one of them did $1200 worth of damage to the vehicle



In all seriousness and going back to topic, I have seen people swap out to aftermarket alloys and not bothering to check that the lug nuts need to be different styles to match. They just use old lug nuts, and the wheels falls off. Wondering why!

Yes, I've seen that often when people have bought secondhand alloy wheels

[FJRider]

I've seen several "brand new" spare fail shortly after being fitted, they were all 13-15 years old, if it's over 10 years old treat it as fucked whether it's been fitted or not, one of them did $1200 worth of damage to the vehicle.

Perhaps she should google tire rotation ... :blank:

[FJRider]

Just a pain to wash the van...:Punk:

Women's work ... :innocent:

[FJRider]

If there was an age limit for tyres it would be stamped on them like gas bottles muppet.

There is a code stamped into each tire. You just have to know what that code means.

[GazzaH]

Gorn, giveusacloo

[Moi]

There is a code stamped into each tire. You just have to know what that code means.

I wonder if his wally-trolley owner's manual has a page or two about tyres... perhaps he should have a wee look...

[R650R]

What's the full story though? Bet you there's more to that than meets the eye...:blink:



Below is something I copied off my Facebook feed, from Waikato Police. I found it worthwhile...



Hmmmmm a fishy better work story.... for starters who listens to music at open road speed with window down (all the way as he has his arm out the window).
Sorry rob but this clearly shows how out of touch with reality the police and justice system are. Seriously on a major route this is all the guy has to write home about. COME ON! Cut the fluff and read the end again, he got a guy ticketed for tailgating and minor(130k) speed ticket...
What an absolute waste of police resources. If it was as bad as he made out it should have been a court appearance for dangerous or careless use, not just an easy ticket.

I wonder if this was why there were no cops on waikato expressway to deal with a real dangerous incident late in november. BTW i didnt *555 as I was too far back to accurately see model let alone rego but im sure the cars up front did.
Long stream of traffic nth bound sh1 past tauranga turnoff. We drop down to passing lane alongside karapiro. couple hundred metres in on that long left curve a blue mazda gets frustrated behind a ute that is doing the classic 104km/h over take, he shoots from passing ane into oncoming lane at worst moment, oncoming car is luckily very alert executes awesome braking and swerve to shoulder. Would have easily turned into 4-5 vehicle crash. Kinda glad i was hanging back as needed to take a leak soon. Pulled over briefly then moving again several minutes later and saw about zero cops all way to hamilton....
Going through town think i saw same car judging by erratic driving manner but not 100% sure....

Anyway back to the better work story

So I've made some corrections for you....


‘You never know who you’re following’

Whilst driving home from the Mount after enjoying a day off yesterday; I was travelling on SH29 between the Matamata turn off and SH1. (im in my own car)

I was following a vehicle which was doing around 90-95kmph. It’s the holidays and I’m definitely not in any hurry so I happily keep my distance and rocket just under the speed limit thats not a target, DISTRACTEDLY trying to listen to the fine tunes of Six60 above the roar of wind and road noise with my arm out the window so it can be severed in the event of a sideswipe collision and also to limit my chance to effectively steer my vehicle.

I’m approach from behind at speed by a rich bugger who earns more than me and has a flasher car who’s driver decides it’s a good idea to tailgate me, knowing very well that I can’t go any faster than the vehicle in front of me. By tailgating I mean l can’t even see his number plate in my rear vision mirror, kinda just like we do before 3T a vehicle so we can provoke an innocent motorist into a fearful error.

The car ahead of me turns off so I can increase my speed to 100 even though its not a target; however the vehicle behind me still tailgates me just like we do at work. He backs off, then comes racing up behind me again, maybe he's a cop as this is one of our ambush techniques. This happens a few times over the next few kms.

We turn right on SH1 and the moment he gets the passing lane he’s gone, and flys past 10-12 vehicles (at a guess probably doing 130-140). I can see him in the distance; sure enough tailgating as the passing lane ends. OBJECTION your honour, impossible to accurately measure following distance of another vehicle that must be at least several hundred metres ahead by now...

I phone the Police comms centre (via my hands free) as this is a driver that needs speaking to about his very minor transgressions. The comms operator advises me that the vehicle has had numerous allegations throughout the year, that clearly are also minor as they havent been followed up, the guy still has car and license.

After speaking to Comms who has dispatched the job as priority WTF!!! (We look after our own people); i get in touch with a colleague who I know is working. One of his team manages to clock the vehicle at only 130 going the opposite way, he can’t turn around due to the median barrier. Despite being in an unmarked civilian vehicle not as thoroughly safety checked as police cars and in holiday traffic, I continue following giving updates of the vehicles location. Of course despite the 'offender' travelling at an alledged 140km'h at times with at least 12 vehicles between us I manage to follow without breaking any laws at all or endangering other motorists, and a few minutes later my colleague passes me and stops the vehicle in the distance. I pull up behind and speak to my colleague.
Boy was he pissed. He had been about to bust a suspected P dealer gang car with four hoodie wearing ganf members that was weaving though traffic at 190km/h but he got called away from that as I felt inadequate and insecure without my light bar and costume while being tailgated....

Moral of the story - ‘The next vehicle you are following could be a off duty police officer . We’re never on holiday❗️

1 infringement for tailgating ✅
1 infringement for excess speed. ✅
1 spoken to about his driving behaviour ✅
A possible accident prevented ✅
Safer communities together ✅

Remember - 2 second rule at minimum; and if it’s wet increase your following distance to 4 seconds.

*555 is the port of call for ‘urgent but non life threatening road incidents’

[Moi]

Thats proof then that age is not an issue otherwise a best before date or expiry date would be stamped directly. If there is a code only that would be so they can trace any batch of tires that maybe defective.

Then why is this warning in the Owner's Handbook for my vehicle?

I quote:
Tyre age
Tyres degrade over time, even when they are not being used. Regardless of the remaining tread, it is recommended that tyres generally be replaced after six (6) years of normal service. Heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading conditions can accelerate the aging process. Failure to follow this Warning can result in sudden tyre failure, which could lead to a loss of control and an accident involving serious injury or death.

[Viking01]

Thats proof then that age is not an issue otherwise a best before date or expiry date would be stamped directly. If there is a code only that would be so they can trace any batch of tires that maybe defective.


Even though it was spent with the outlaws, it was a nice four day break
away. Thanks for asking. And no internet ! Couldn't even browse the news
(or Kiwibiker) online, even if I had wanted to do so.

Probably not much posted on KB in the interim, but thought that I'd just
have a quick browse anyway.

A post on drivers (not the foreign ones) over the holidays - uhmm, that
should have triggered a few comments.

Ah, no, we've already skidded off the road by the end of page 1, due
to some "debate" on the benefits of riding (or driving) on tyres older
than 10 years.

Heaven sakes, you wouldn't read about it - well, actually, you would,
but only here on KB, and only on threads visited by a "certain local
expert".

What can we possibly expect next in the way of other top tips ?

1. Engine Oil

Don't change your engine oil if there's still enough showing in the sight
glass (or on the dip stick)? [ Luckily, Jeeper managed to intercept that
one first - well done, Sir ]

Ponder: Perhaps that's how the name 'dip stick' came about. Maybe the
vehicle manufacturer was quietly trying to imply that it was the vehicle
operator (and not the vehicle itself) that needed checking. Maybe past
their "Best By Date" ?. In need of recall ?.

2. Brake Fluid

How about: Don't change your brake fluid if there's still some brake fluid
showing in the reservoir sight glass ?

What do you mean, change it every 18 months or 18K ? What does Honda
know? What an absolute waste of money !

Every 10 years should be fine - look, if it's good enough for tyres, then
it should be good enough for brake fluid. I mean, what could possibly go
wrong ?

You heard it here first ! Saving you time and money. You can thank me
later.

Cheers,
Viking

[Jeeper]

There are people who just follow the law and live by the code. Then there are people who use their brains and do preventative maintenance to mitigate any future breakdowns and increase life (their own, other road users', and of their equipment).

[FJRider]

Thats proof then that age is not an issue otherwise a best before date or expiry date would be stamped directly. If there is a code only that would be so they can trace any batch of tires that maybe defective.

I think YOUR use by date has long expired. The code can be googled if you really want to know how old those tires of your's really are.

Remember tires are made of rubber which perish's in sunlight. If you only drive (and ride) at night ... you'll be fine.

[FJRider]

I wonder if his wally-trolley owner's manual has a page or two about tyres... perhaps he should have a wee look...

That's why they invented Google ... ;)

[Woodman]

So how many deaths and serious injuries occur each year because a car has aged only tires? No such crashes have made the news media that I have heard of? With the law of probability you are far more likely to get run over by a bus than get hit by a car with aged tires. Maybe you would like all the parking wardens to give tickets for tires over 6 years old as well as for expired reg and WOF. I am sure the councils would love the increased revenue generated by your suggestion.

Maybe it is just good advice so you don't get a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere. Also why are you against basically anything that costs you money?

[Jeeper]

Tyres do have an expiration date printed on them. It works like DOT NNMM + 10 years. So when the tyre says on sidewall DOT 1215, it was produced in 12th week of 2015. And then the expiry date is of course 12th week of 2025. Simple. If you need a law to work that out, then you are indeed what everyone here calls you starting with F....

[Jeeper]

Do you remember the issue that Ford (with Exploder) and Bridgestone tyres had in US. If not, search for it.

[caseye]

Tyres do have an expiration date printed on them. It works like DOT NNMM + 10 years. So when the tyre says on sidewall DOT 1215, it was produced in 12th week of 2015. And then the expiry date is of course 12th week of 2025. Simple. If you need a law to work that out, then you are indeed what everyone here calls you starting with F....

Yes!@#$%! there is life after Fuckwittery, well done that new poster and if I haven't already welcomed you to Kb, WELCOME.AND please, stay! We need more people coming here who can and do see through this thick as pig shit bitch to come right out and say it.
I just swapped out two expensive Pirelli GT Angels, I got 15 Thou out of them on the bandy and the front was rooted, camber side, rear could have gone another couple of thou, not worth the risk, spent the money Changed the chain(had a tight spot for a while) Sprockets were checked,OK. Changed the oil and filter at the same time, The folks at DPC also checked all the fluids, got out of there with my wallet battered and brusied but I was a happy camper, no worries about the little things that can and do go wrong, cause I'd just had them all sorted at once, thanks again DPC wont stop talking about your great service and attention to detail.

[Moi]

So how many deaths and serious injuries occur each year because a car has aged only tires?

"42", says Ford Prefect...


No such crashes have made the news media that I have heard of?

Just because you haven't heard of it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen...


With the law of probability you are far more likely to get run over by a bus than get hit by a car with aged tires.

No, because I don't walk out in front of buses...


Maybe you would like all the parking wardens to give tickets for tires over 6 years old as well as for expired reg and WOF.

I'm quite happy for them to ticket muppets who don't understand how bus and transit lanes operate, and where not to park a vehicle...


I am sure the councils would love the increased revenue generated by your suggestion.

Would you like to quote where I made such a suggestion?

[Moi]

Not everyone is made of money on here like most which explains why I am in the minority wanting lower ACC premiums too.

The expression, "cost of everything and value of nothing" springs to mind...

[Kickaha]

Do you remember the issue that Ford (with Exploder) and Bridgestone tyres had in US. If not, search for it.

It wasn't actually as much of a tyre issue as a Ford Explorer issue and it was Firestone tyres

[Moi]

Did you not suggest tires should be dumped/replaced after 6 years? If it was to become law dont you think the councils would love to ticket for it? Also tyre places would love the increased business too.

Quote my exact words where I said that...

[Jeeper]

It wasn't actually as much of a tyre issue as a Ford Explorer issue and it was Firestone tyresFirestone and Bridgestone are the same company, BTW (Bridgestone Firestone, Inc in USA). It was about tread separation.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firestone_and_Ford_tire_controversy

https://one.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/Firestone/firestonesummary.html

[Viking01]

So how many deaths and serious injuries occur each year because a car has aged only tires? No such crashes have made the news media that I have heard of? With the law of probability you are far more likely to get run over by a bus than get hit by a car with aged tires. Maybe you would like all the parking wardens to give tickets for tires over 6 years old as well as for expired reg and WOF. I am sure the councils would love the increased revenue generated by your suggestion.


I continue to shake my head in wonder.

The point made by earlier posters was that while it was not currently
illegal to drive on "old tyres", it was simply considered to be unwise.
Due to a natural progressive degradation in rubber condition.

Resulting in a possible drop-off in either steering control or stopping
capability.

And that sensible people (interested in their own safety) or companies
(interested in staff safety and avoiding financial penalty) generally
choose to be pro-active.


1. "So how many deaths and serious injuries occur each year because a
car has aged only tires? No such crashes have made the news media that
I have heard of?"

Tyres, not tires. Tired is what we get.

Given that the vast majority of vehicle tyres will get consumed by normal
daily "wear and tear" within several years of manufacture, crashes due to
"aged tyres" is not a summary statistic likely to be collated (by Police or
any other agency). Let alone reported to the public.

Though an individual instance might well be noted within a related Police
crash report (if applicable to a cause of accident and in establishing driver
culpability).

Those happening to have vehicles with "old tyres" (e.g. own classic cars or
with vehicles in long term storage) are probably aware of rubber degradation,
and are likely to take some preventive action to ensure that their vehicles
will be on tyre rubber in "good condition" when next required to be driven.

Next question !


2. "You are far more likely to get run over by a bus than get hit by a car
with aged tyres".

Even if your assertion was able to be proven statistically correct, so what?
What point are you trying to make ?

There is no point to your question.

Next question !


3. "Maybe you would like all the parking wardens to give tickets for tyres
over 6 years old as well as for expired reg and WOF".

Why ? Is it illegal ? No ? So why should drivers be financially sanctioned
(at this point in time) ?

There !

Hopefully that's answered all your current dumb ar$e questions for you.
I won't say it was a pleasure.

[Akzle]

...



No, because I don't walk out in front of buses...
?

holy shit you're so lucky!!

[caspernz]

It wasn't actually as much of a tyre issue as a Ford Explorer issue and it was Firestone tyres

Didn't help that Mr Ford wanted to run the tyres at pressures below what the tyre manufacturer recommended. The Explorer also didn't fare too well when a tyre had deflated, which is indeed a Ford Explorer design issue.

[caspernz]

The topic of tyre failure due to age and deterioration is an old one. It's not just trailers/caravans that are affected by this issue. Any vehicle which does low mileage annually will age its tyres before the tread is worn off. Whether it's camper vans, the farm truck, the boat trailer, a runabout car that never ventures out of town, or even the car owned by a retired couple that only goes to the shops. Any of these examples are prone to failure when the tyres are properly stressed for the first time in ages.

Now I looked at the set of tyres I peeled off my bike a couple of weeks ago. Front tyre was manufactured in week 17 of 2016, denoted by 1716. Rear tyre was made in week 20 of 2016, marked by 2016. Yes I've worn them out already, for my bike gets around enough. Compared this with a mate of mine, he has a bike but hardly rides it. So this will crack you up, it's a 2008 first rego model, still on its OEM tyres. He was complaining of the bike feeling a bit squirrelly in the wet. The date codes on the tyres were 1206 and 1406. Oh and rather squared off, which wouldn't help the confidence any, least of all in the wet. Had a bit of a chat on tyres, wonder if he'll take the plunge and spend a few bucks on a new set...

The holiday period shows up all manner of problems with "occasional use vehicles" anyway. In the past few weeks, apart from the dozen or more tyre failures I've seen, there's been a number of drawbar failures, towball and drawbar disconnections in transit, and even one which looked like the suspension on a trailer had given way. The 7/8 inch vs 50 mm towball nonsense cracks me up, but then I come from a different part of the world where this type of stuff was sorted out decades ago. The number eight wire mentality has a lot to answer for in NZ...

[Jeeper]

TPMS = Tyre Pressure Monitoring System..... Yup, it basically was thrust in general use following Ford Explorer fiasco. A way for the manufacturer to shift responsibility off to the driver (which it should be anyway).

[R650R]

At least no ones mentioned nitrogen filled tyres yet.... *runs away from thread*

[Moi]

At least no ones mentioned nitrogen filled tyres yet.... *runs away from thread*

But, but, BUT!

Isn't air nearly 80% nitrogen...

[Graystone]

Thanks for the tyre age reminder, got 4 xx11s in my fleet, the ones on my project bike certainly look in better nick than those on my car.


But, but, BUT!

Isn't air nearly 80% nitrogen...

Only until 20% leaks out... Skip that step and just fill them with 100% Nitrogen to begin with :D

[Kickaha]

Firestone and Bridgestone are the same company, BTW (Bridgestone Firestone, Inc in USA). It was about tread separation.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firestone_and_Ford_tire_controversy

https://one.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/Firestone/firestonesummary.html

I am well aware of that but it was Firestone branded tyres and it wasn't just a tread separation problem, there were 2500 of those tyres in NZ without one reported failure of the same type

Also they had failures on those vehicles of just about every brand of tyre fitted to them but Firestone took the brunt because they had by far the majority of them being OE fitment, Ford also paid Bridgestone back the money involved in the recall

[Voltaire]

I got new tyres the other week
They were going grey and past their peak
Born agains here they try hard to boss me
But square does fine as I’m no Rossi
The tyres have dates from when they were made
They last even longer when parked the shade
:woohoo:
30 degrees in the shed.... ice cream time

[Akzle]

I agree with you about when the back tire squares off it impairs handling but as I dont corner like Rossi I find it managable until the tread depth is longer WOF compliant.

you're a fuckwit

[Moi]

... Only until 20% leaks out... Skip that step and just fill them with 100% Nitrogen to begin with :D

So you fill up with fresh air which is 80% nitrogen and then 20% of the fresh air leaks out, so you fill up with fresher fresh air and that's 80% nitrogen and 20% other stuff...

Ah... can't bothered going any further...

Far more important things to know...


... ice cream time

What flavour you eating?

[caseye]

Nitrogen in car/bike tyres isn't necessary on our roads, Normal super saloon rear tyre filled with ordinary compressed air would heat up and inflate to at least 6-10 pounds more during a standard race.
Fill em full of compressed Nitrogen and the differential was only ever as high as 2 pounds sometimes less, much better for performance statistics and set up notes from track to track. Tyres did heat up, but the air inside didn't expand, keeping the tyres working at optimal size and profile for a whole race instead of burning up at the 3/4 mark.

[Jeeper]

I am well aware of that but it was Firestone branded tyres and it wasn't just a tread separation problem, there were 2500 of those tyres in NZ without one reported failure of the same type

Also they had failures on those vehicles of just about every brand of tyre fitted to them but Firestone took the brunt because they had by far the majority of them being OE fitment, Ford also paid Bridgestone back the money involved in the recallNZ driving conditions are different. It was a combination of heavy vehicle, lighter tyres and US driving conditions.

Which actually raises another important point, people overloading tyres and fitting passenger tyres on heavy SUVs. I run mud LT tyres on my Jeep, passenger tyre would not last long. So why take a chance. I know muds will reduce my braking, so drive to the conditions.

[Voltaire]

So you fill up with fresh air which is 80% nitrogen and then 20% of the fresh air leaks out, so you fill up with fresher fresh air and that's 80% nitrogen and 20% other stuff...

Ah... can't bothered going any further...

Far more important things to know...



What flavour you eating? Alas only Tip Top, salted caramel, mint chock chip. Discovered Kapiti ice cream in Bulls on recent trip to SI, had to stop on way back too ... fig , lemon grass n ginger numnumnum.

[caspernz]

At least no ones mentioned nitrogen filled tyres yet.... *runs away from thread*

Haha, that prank only works on those who don't know the air we breathe in is around 80% nitrogen. Proper dry nitrogen works in tyres, but the cost/benefit analysis doesn't stack up for road use :facepalm:

[caspernz]

Thanks for the tyre age reminder, got 4 xx11s in my fleet, the ones on my project bike certainly look in better nick than those on my car.

Even if your tyres read XX11, doesn't automatically mean they go to the bin, just be mindful to check their condition.

[Graystone]

Even if your tyres read XX11, doesn't automatically mean they go to the bin, just be mindful to check their condition.

Well according to the big C, parking wardens will be putting my car on blocks and throwing the hoops on the local tyre fire when they see those numbers... Yeh the bikes ones will be fine, not plasticy and no cracking, the car's are getting a bit past it though with some minor cracking around the sidewalls and treadblocks...

[Viking01]

I agree with you about when the back tire squares off it impairs handling but as I dont corner like Rossi I find it managable until the tread depth is longer WOF compliant.


You are just such a star !

Does this explain your ability to just keep going in circles ?
Over and over again ?

Heaven forbid that you ever need to brake hard in a straight
line on your marginal squared-off tyres ?

Or do you just lean over a little, and brake using the shoulder
of the tyre where there is a little more tread ?

You know, you're wasted and unappreciated here on KB. You really
should look at getting funding to start your own riding school.
Just a thought for 2018.

[Jeeper]

So 15 years is ok if no cracks are showing? Some on here will be spooked though and have possibly already got their new tyres fitted after reading about the recommended limit of 6 years on tyres.And those people will be much safer for everyone on the road.

[caspernz]

Well according to the big C, parking wardens will be putting my car on blocks and throwing the hoops on the local tyre fire when they see those numbers...

Well as long as they take the hoops off the car before lighting them up...:drool:

[Moi]

Well as long as they take the hoops off the car before lighting them up...:drool:

Might solve a problem...

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--BiDuk5-e--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/18r85ngkfb5mqjpg.jpg

[caspernz]

So 15 years is ok if no cracks are showing? Some on here will be spooked though and have possibly already got their new tyres fitted after reading about the recommended limit of 6 years on tyres.

If you've managed to get tyres to last 15 years on a car, my first thought is why do you have the car? But I'd be dubious about a 15 yr old tyre personally, regardless of how it looks externally.


And those people will be much safer for everyone on the road.

No doubt about that!


Might solve a problem...

For a minute I thought you'd got hold of some Ford Exploder, err I mean Ford Explorer, action footage. :innocent::facepalm::love::confused:

[Swoop]

Not everyone is made of intelligence, which explains why I am in the minority too.

Corrected that post for ya.

[eldog]

But I'd be dubious about a 15 yr old tyre personally, regardless of how it looks externally.



No doubt about that!



For a minute I thought you'd got hold of some Ford Exploder, err I mean Ford Explorer, action footage. :innocent::facepalm::love::confused:

I would be dubious about 15 yr old tyres’ personality too.:Punk:

your not the first person I have heard referring to Ford Exploders

[jasonu]

NZ driving conditions are different. It was a combination of heavy vehicle, lighter tyres and US driving conditions.

Which actually raises another important point, people overloading tyres and fitting passenger tyres on heavy SUVs. I run mud LT tyres on my Jeep, passenger tyre would not last long. So why take a chance. I know muds will reduce my braking, so drive to the conditions.

I've got 2 2000 Exploders, LT all season tires on both, haven't had one roll over or any other tire related issue but I do regularly check the pressures and rotate them at every oil change.

[Kickaha]

NZ driving conditions are different. It was a combination of heavy vehicle, lighter tyres and US driving conditions.

It was related to tyre pressure and heat although the Decatur plant certainly had problems, the majority of failures were in the States with a hotter climate and with the low pressure specified heat build up was a problem

That same tyre was used on other vehicles with none of the failure problems the Explorer had, Explorer 26psi which is unheard of in a vehicle that size, other vehicles (Ranger)ran 36psi

In NZ we ran 36psi and a cooler climate, Ford here were recommended to use another Firestone product but they declined and the end result was just a heap of punctures due to the lighter construction of the OE fitment

[SVboy]

I just got back from a 2200km tour down south, touching all the tourist driving black spots. Mckenzie, Kawarau gorge, Milford Sound,Catlins, Roxborough, Haast pass etc. Did not have a single moment APART from 2 dickhead kiwi drivers in the same queue traveling down the Glacier hiway. Both pulled out to pass at the same time with oncoming traffic ( me) and not enough space. They were forced to both push their way back in. I was suprised by the adequate standard of driving by the tourists but in perspective the weather was perfect and roads in good order. I always felt vulnerable on the Milford road despite its good order and heavy signage, one bad call by them or me and we would have been bonnet ornaments on a rental Corolla!

[BMWST?]

So how many deaths and serious injuries occur each year because a car has aged only tires? No such crashes have made the news media that I have heard of? With the law of probability you are far more likely to get run over by a bus than get hit by a car with aged tires. Maybe you would like all the parking wardens to give tickets for tires over 6 years old as well as for expired reg and WOF. I am sure the councils would love the increased revenue generated by your suggestion.

they dont tell us such things.Even if it only one its too many.Any report the someone"lost control" could be an old tyre issssue.Any "blowout" will most likely be an old tyre issue.
Old tyres are real and dangerous,as already demonstrated here with the stories of trailers etc with shredded tyres.I would say that it is ussually trailers etc as most cars will wear out the tyres before becoming too old.
Would you serously ride a new to you motorbike with tyres that could be 15yrs old on a long ride at open road speed.?

[Woodman]

they dont tell us such things.Even if it only one its too many.Any report the someone"lost control" could be an old tyre issssue.Any "blowout" will most likely be an old tyre issue.
Old tyres are real and dangerous,as already demonstrated here with the stories of trailers etc with shredded tyres.I would say that it is ussually trailers etc as most cars will wear out the tyres before becoming too old.
Would you serously ride a new to you motorbike with tyres that could be 15yrs old on a long ride at open road speed.?

He would ride the bike because it is not illegal therefore any accident caused by the tyre would not be his fault.

[Moi]

... I would say that it is usually trailers etc as most cars will wear out the tyres before becoming too old...

Well, not quite...

Last two cars got so little use that on the previous-previous car front tyres began to de-laminate well before they were half worn, probably about 5 years old. The previous one the tyres were due for replacement as getting on in years but still had 5mm of tread. That was solved the day it got its last WoF [12 Dec and after doing 654km in previous 6 months] when some muppet attempted a u-turn on a 4 lane road. Note use of word "attempted" - he was thwarted by being hit, at slow speed, by me...

Just proves the point that caspernz made about cars owned by retired people, especially retired people who own bikes as well... and travel overseas for a couple of months a year...

[caspernz]

they dont tell us such things.Even if it only one its too many.Any report the someone"lost control" could be an old tyre issssue.Any "blowout" will most likely be an old tyre issue.
Old tyres are real and dangerous,as already demonstrated here with the stories of trailers etc with shredded tyres.I would say that it is ussually trailers etc as most cars will wear out the tyres before becoming too old.
Would you serously ride a new to you motorbike with tyres that could be 15yrs old on a long ride at open road speed.?

The stats don't show an accident as being due to "old or aged tyres" but will list it as loss of control. In some ways a single vehicle loss of control event may well have old tyres as a contributing factor. Add in heat cycles a tyre has seen, how the rubber loses its traction over time, and it makes for a perfect storm. Old tyres on bikes, well yeah I've shared one personal story. How many riders have a bike that does very few clicks each year, yet ride as though the rubber is fresh from the warmers on that sunday morning sprint? No way of proving it, but this event will have been repeated a few times. Again not solely down to the tyres, they were only playing a supporting role :rolleyes:


He would ride the bike because it is not illegal therefore any accident caused by the tyre would not be his fault.

Ignorance is bliss, just as well we have ACC :devil2:


Well, not quite...

Last two cars got so little use that on the previous-previous car front tyres began to de-laminate well before they were half worn, probably about 5 years old. The previous one the tyres were due for replacement as getting on in years but still had 5mm of tread. That was solved the day it got its last WoF [12 Dec and after doing 654km in previous 6 months] when some muppet attempted a u-turn on a 4 lane road. Note use of word "attempted" - he was thwarted by being hit, at slow speed, by me...

Just proves the point that caspernz made about cars owned by retired people, especially retired people who own bikes as well... and travel overseas for a couple of months a year...

How many folks do we know who have a sunday car, or classic car of sorts, that ventures out of the garage 3 times a year and clocks less than a 1000 kms annually? Bet you those tyres will crack up and let go before the tread is worn off. The original example I used of trailer/caravans/boat trailers is there for all of us to see, and it repeats each year, so I figured it a fair topic to have a crack at.

[Jeeper]

It was related to tyre pressure and heat although the Decatur plant certainly had problems, the majority of failures were in the States with a hotter climate and with the low pressure specified heat build up was a problem

That same tyre was used on other vehicles with none of the failure problems the Explorer had, Explorer 26psi which is unheard of in a vehicle that size, other vehicles (Ranger)ran 36psi

In NZ we ran 36psi and a cooler climate, Ford here were recommended to use another Firestone product but they declined and the end result was just a heap of punctures due to the lighter construction of the OE fitmentHaving lived in US for a while, driving is definitely different than NZ. Hot conditions in southern states surely can destroy a tyre quickly. Ford sometimes has a brain fart, like with Pinto and then Explorer - both exploders.

[BMWST?]

Well, not quite...

Last two cars got so little use that on the previous-previous car front tyres began to de-laminate well before they were half worn, probably about 5 years old. The previous one the tyres were due for replacement as getting on in years but still had 5mm of tread. That was solved the day it got its last WoF [12 Dec and after doing 654km in previous 6 months] when some muppet attempted a u-turn on a 4 lane road. Note use of word "attempted" - he was thwarted by being hit, at slow speed, by me...

Just proves the point that caspernz made about cars owned by retired people, especially retired people who own bikes as well... and travel overseas for a couple of months a year...

agree,but i did say Ussually,and the sort of car you describe would be the sort of car that most of us would have misgivings about the tyres

[george formby]

Old tyres on bikes, well yeah I've shared one personal story. How many riders have a bike that does very few clicks each year, yet ride as though the rubber is fresh from the warmers on that sunday morning sprint? No way of proving it, but this event will have been repeated a few times. Again not solely down to the tyres, they were only playing a supporting role :rolleyes:


Yup, on bikes the tyres do not necessarily have to be that old. Not up to task is enough. A tyre I had on the back of my TDM turned to teflon well before it reached the tread limit. It would have been no more than a couple of years old. I guess the rubber compound, tread pattern and basic design were not adequate for such a heavy bike. After a couple of slides on dry, clean, corners off it came. Went straight in the bin with me soiled undies.

So I guess cheaper tyres and mis-matched (to bike) is potentially as risky over time as old age setting in.

[Moi]

Agree, but i did say Usually, and the sort of car you describe would be the sort of car that most of us would have misgivings about the tyres

Only if the owner/driver was not aware or thinking about the tyres. Garage who serviced and did WoF are very aware of the use the car got and had mentioned at the time of the June WoF that the tyres were close to the end of their life. I had before than decided that new tyres were needed and would be done in January 2018, as the car would sit for 2 months while we were overseas. In the meantime the car did a weekly run to a supermarket, if it was lucky, or a few local trips on urban streets with the speed below 60km/h and probably no more than 20km total each trip. However, with a couple of long trips down country coming up in the first quarter of 2018 then new tyres would be needed, for piece of mind. All of that was solved by the u-turning muppet...

[Moi]

... How many folks do we know who have a Sunday car, or classic car of sorts, that ventures out of the garage 3 times a year and clocks less than a 1000 kms annually? Bet you those tyres will crack up and let go before the tread is worn off. The original example I used of trailer/caravans/boat trailers is there for all of us to see, and it repeats each year, so I figured it a fair topic to have a crack at.

A reminder to go and check the tyres on ALL vehicles is not wasted... :niceone:

[jasonu]

I just got back from a 2200km tour down south, touching all the tourist driving black spots. Mckenzie, Kawarau gorge, Milford Sound,Catlins, Roxborough, Haast pass etc. Did not have a single moment APART from 2 dickhead kiwi drivers in the same queue traveling down the Glacier hiway. Both pulled out to pass at the same time with oncoming traffic ( me) and not enough space. They were forced to both push their way back in. I was suprised by the adequate standard of driving by the tourists but in perspective the weather was perfect and roads in good order. I always felt vulnerable on the Milford road despite its good order and heavy signage, one bad call by them or me and we would have been bonnet ornaments on a rental Corolla!

Howd jew no they was Kiwis?

[ellipsis]

Howd jew no they was Kiwis?

...it's very obvious sometimes...

[caspernz]

Howd jew no they was Kiwis?


...it's very obvious sometimes...

The natives in NZ look uniquely exotic to some...:sweatdrop

[eldog]

I agree with you about when the back tire squares off it impairs handling but as I dont corner like Rossi I find it managable until the tread depth is longer WOF compliant.

Can I suggest you use a car or truck tyre instead of a motorbike one. Then it will be pre-squared off for ya at the start of its life

[pete376403]

Can I suggest you use a car or truck tyre instead of a motorbike one. Then it will be pre-squared off for ya at the start of its life
Come to the darkside...

[R650R]

Well I've been reading... (what us old folks did before the interweb happened)

One useful thing I learned is that tyre pressures should be checked set at an ambient temp of 20 deg celcius (or cold as weve all been taught as that's about the same).
Never air down a hot tyre to adjust its pressure as you'll let more out than you've bargained for. (kinda noticed this on DR up in bush lowering pressure after the tarmac ride to the dirt)

Anyway even this pro nitrogen site https://www.getnitrogen.org/faq.php had very little evidence to offer, they even admit that half the problem with ordinary air is water from the compressor but that's easily solved with a decent setup and good work ethics.... Interesting they claim oxygen breaks down the rubber, enough to mention anyway. Apparently the nitrogen molecules are slightly bigger than oxygen so permeate through the tyre wall slower.
(rubber is porous incase you didn't know and tyres/tubes naturally lose pressure over time because of this).

A physics forum webpage even had the calculation to measure expansion of ordinary tyre air due to temp. Even on a big temp change it was only 6%. That's just under 2psi on a tyre running at 30psi cold.

Back to aging tyres, the problem/danger is the unseen condition of the internal carcass structure. Either steel ply or nylon, both will suffer with age. A tell tale tip of the internal structure failing is an egg shaped bulge in the side wall as air travels thru a split/layers and pushes on outer wall. Ive had truck tyres like this changed out before they blow, saving mudguards and taillights.
The biggest issue with old tyres though is they will likely not be holding their pressure leading to unpredictable handling and over heating.

With bikes be aware that tyres are made for performance not longevity these days, see pic of tyre that had a fun short life and went from ok to Damn your getting binned in one ride of about 120km at speeds below the go to jail level....
Will try dig out pics I took of mich pilot, cut in half to shop canvas riding mate how little is left at low levels....

[Grumph]

I had an instance of tread/carcase separation recently on my car. An odd wear pattern developed - a wave pattern around the whole circumference of the tread. Alternating high wear and low wear in waves about 150mm apart. That tyre got markedly noisier too. Easy to hear on the rear of a light commercial wagon with no sound insulation in the rear - but you'd never hear it on a bike.
It was pointed out to me by the WOF guy while it was on the hoist. It was actually legal within the regs - but got replaced next day...

Edit - it was still in balance. Most of my running is open road so I always get the rears balanced...

[Kickaha]

Anyway even this pro nitrogen site https://www.getnitrogen.org/faq.php had very little evidence to offer, they even admit that half the problem with ordinary air is water from the compressor but that's easily solved with a decent setup and good work ethics.... Interesting they claim oxygen breaks down the rubber, enough to mention anyway. Apparently the nitrogen molecules are slightly bigger than oxygen so permeate through the tyre wall slower.
(rubber is porous incase you didn't know and tyres/tubes naturally lose pressure over time because of this).

Even with water traps on the compressors there's still moisture. oxygen does break down the rubber the at a rate so slow it's not something I'd bother worrying about, practical experience has shown me Nitrogen definitely loses pressure at a far slower rate


A physics forum webpage even had the calculation to measure expansion of ordinary tyre air due to temp. Even on a big temp change it was only 6%. That's just under 2psi on a tyre running at 30psi cold.
Meanwhile back in the real world, trying that in real life shows they don't have a clue or their calculation is flawed


I had an instance of tread/carcase separation recently on my car. An odd wear pattern developed - a wave pattern around the whole circumference of the tread. Alternating high wear and low wear in waves about 150mm apart. That tyre got markedly noisier too. Easy to hear on the rear of a light commercial wagon with no sound insulation in the rear - but you'd never hear it on a bike.
It was pointed out to me by the WOF guy while it was on the hoist. It was actually legal within the regs - but got replaced next day...

Edit - it was still in balance. Most of my running is open road so I always get the rears balanced...

I doubt that was a separation, that is a very common wear pattern on front drive cars, mostly on the left rear if the tyres aren't rotated regularly

[Jeeper]

I had an instance of tread/carcase separation recently on my car. An odd wear pattern developed - a wave pattern around the whole circumference of the tread. Alternating high wear and low wear in waves about 150mm apart. That tyre got markedly noisier too. Easy to hear on the rear of a light commercial wagon with no sound insulation in the rear - but you'd never hear it on a bike.
It was pointed out to me by the WOF guy while it was on the hoist. It was actually legal within the regs - but got replaced next day...

Edit - it was still in balance. Most of my running is open road so I always get the rears balanced...That often happens if shocks are worn out. That kind of rhythmic or harmonic wear could be shock oscilating and rebounding.

[Grumph]

That often happens if shocks are worn out. That kind of rhythmic or harmonic wear could be shock oscilating and rebounding.

Light commercial wagon - rear springing is stiff, as are the shocks.

I take kick's point about it being a common wear pattern - but the high points were actually spongy to the touch, pretty sure there was separation happening.
The noise was bad enough that I'd already checked the wheel bearings...

[Jeeper]

Soft and spongy spots, definitely agree seems likely delamination / separation starting. Mind you, I have had delamination on brand new tyre only after 500 kms. BF Goodrich, manufacturer, just replaced it as a defective item. No cost to me. Brand new defective products can happen, I just have a habit of checking things every couple of weeks.

[Kickaha]

The noise was bad enough that I'd already checked the wheel bearings...
It's the first thing we check when someone complains of noise, I would see it on vehicles every month

Considering the amount of tyres out there separations are pretty rare, from manufacturing faults even more so, there's several things that can cause them, the most common just being old age

[Swoop]

I've got 2 2000 Exploders,

The Simpsons made a decent parody of the ford exploder issue in one of their programmes.
The theme song is subtle, with the "unexplained fires are a matter for the courts" comment poking fun at the issue.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dlv8yf_trHY" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[actungbaby]

My tyres would have been manufactured around 2002 meaning they would have been made with a longer lasting compound technology wise than what was used in the 80s. I never saw any side wall cracking in them which no doubt would be an indication they had aged.

M honda interga 4 door had old tires well they on it when i brought it. funny that. shit one blew. i thought somone shooting at me . you chould see the steel belts. i took to tire place and told me it had died big time.
I was only driving around the block . that was a cruise mobile great car.
If been 100kph on the road. was the right rear though. but still.saw no visabe signs. correct air pressure . thinking about might been some side wall cracking. plenty of tread etc.
Id thought tire blow outs from the tube tire days only i was wrong.
My old man drove taxis in the 60,s vaxuall vb . swore that Michlean tires where great.
He get them retreaded , and still a great tire . shows construction is king. said he chould 4 wheel drift they thing.