Tyre cracking - how concerned should I be?

[motorbyclist]

So mid way on my trip 'down the road' to the shops (via wellsford) i thought i'd stop for a break and gave my bike a quick check over and noticed these cracks on my rear tyre

this is the tyre that was on the bike when red baron imported it in july

the cracks were very small when i bought the bike and i was assured they were not an issue, so have elected to use all the tyre before replacing it...

but now the cracks are looking a fair bit bigger...

Is it dangerous, or can i proceed to finish it off before replacing it?


Tyre is a battlax BT92r om the rear of a RVF400

(also any comments on the tyre wear - is this normal? tyre was sticky/tacky to the touch when i stopped so i assume it was warm enough lol)

[The Pastor]

just fill them in with black boot polish when it comes wof time and you'll be sweet

[klyong82]

Might be time to start saving for a new rear tyre. 2 things on a bike that always concerns me; brakes and tyres. Should the tyre decide to rip while you are going 100km/h I think its going to be painful. You should have got Red Baron to replace the tyre before taking possessing.

[sugilite:Me]

After looking at that photo, my thoughts are, get another tyre - now.

[Subike]

In my totally uneducated opinon two things
1, You are riding too aggressily in cornerS ( does not mean too fast )
2, Tyre pressure is wrong ( getting too hot )

But do replace it ASAP

[hayd3n]

id say you tyre has been a bit low on air

[skidMark]

just fill them in with black boot polish when it comes wof time and you'll be sweet

Gotta be kiwi black!

[fLaThEaD FreD]

just fill them in with black boot polish when it comes wof time and you'll be sweet

So I'm told Black fills bigger cracks. If it was good enuf fer Burt to set a record on its gotta be good

[johan]

just out of curiosity, what is the date stamp on this tyre?

There should be a four digit number on the side wall WWYY

[hellnback]

Looks like it's down to the wear indicator anyway.

[vifferman]

this is the tyre that was on the bike when red baron imported it in july

But how long was it on the bike before it was imported? Might've been years...
This tyre is FOOKT.
Tyres go off - even if they've got lots of tread, it's not the tread that provides grip, but the compounds the tyre is made from. With time, and repeated heating/cooling cycles (or even just sitting around playing with itself), the volatile "stuff" in the carcase is gradually lost and the tyre gets harder and less grippy, then starts to crack up. If this tyre had cracks before you first rode it, then it was already past its "use by" date.

[cs363]

Yep, replace it - it's at the end of its life anyway judging by the wear indicator. And as others have said check your tyre pressures.