Preventing Dry Rot

jonbolden · Post by **jonbolden** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:01 pm

After my minor accident this june, I took my Buddy 125 into my local shop. They told me my tires were horribly dry rotted. The tread was fine but they told me it was no shock that I had an accident (and it totally makes sense now that I feel the difference in the ride). I bought new tires for the front & back and had the place install them ($175 total) In fact, I upgraded to the slightly nicer ones.

My question is now... how do you prevent dry rotting? I've read a lot of differing opinions on automotive forums but had trouble finding anything specific to scooters. Any experience with this or suggestions?

buddyguy · Post by **buddyguy** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:27 pm

jonbolden wrote:After my minor accident this june, I took my Buddy 125 into my local shop. They told me my tires were horribly dry rotted. The tread was fine but they told me it was no shock that I had an accident (and it totally makes sense now that I feel the difference in the ride). I bought new tires for the front & back and had the place install them ($175 total) In fact, I upgraded to the slightly nicer ones.

My question is now... how do you prevent dry rotting? I've read a lot of differing opinions on automotive forums but had trouble finding anything specific to scooters. Any experience with this or suggestions?

If you keep them out in the elements they will surely rot. Do you keep your scooter indoors?

jonbolden · Post by **jonbolden** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:55 pm

buddyguy wrote: If you keep them out in the elements they will surely rot. Do you keep your scooter indoors?

Yes, I pretty much have to. Even if I had room, there's no way to get the bike inside unless I carry it or build a ramp. Any suggestions? A cover? Any kind of spray that will help longevity? I live in Texas, so I'm sure that doesn't help either.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:34 pm

What tires did you have? Some tires have a protectant (some sort of wax) in their composition and will resist dry rot better than others.

Keep the tire pressure at 30psi front & back. Wash with soap and water more frequently. Avoid parking on dirt, leaves, wood, etc.

There are various products that moisturize and protect rubber, but never use any on tires that's not specifically made for them. In general, look for a water-based product that offers UV protection. Stay away from silicone-based products, which actually strip the protectants out of tires. Never use Armor All on tires!

Some products are really meant mostly for sidewalls and to make tires look good. Stay away from tire "shine" products. You want something that can be used on tread and will not sacrifice grip.

Your local auto store or a large motorcycle shop probably has something that will work and may be able to recommend something they have experience with. There are also many online, but honestly, it's hard to tell what's good!

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:06 pm

I'm not sure if I'm reading the post right, was it your original tires, or some replacement tires that rotted? If it was the latter, and you still have them, it might be interesting to see what the manufacture date was (you can usually tell from the serial number codes) and compare that to when you bought them (or if they're original, when you bought the bike. ALL tires dry-rot over time, and a lot of shops (online and brick-and-mortar) sell 'new' tires that have been sitting around much longer than they should be.

Tires on a new bike shouldn't be much older than the bike (They'd presumably buy them in bulk as they were needed). But if the bike maybe sat around at the dealer for a few years before you bought it, and then sat outside for a few years, yeah, it's not surprising, it could happen that fast.

But always inspect "new" tires, I've heard plenty of people say they paid full price for 'new' tires that ended up being several years old.

Bb.

Beamster · Post by **Beamster** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:55 am

Tires and helmets are not supposed to be kept forever.
Consider them maintenance items and just part of ownership.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:16 am

Continuous direct sunshine is hard on tires - and plastic, and paint, and.....
I'd suggest a cover if the bike is always parked outside. If you begin to see serious checking in the sidewalls before the tread is worn down to the wear bars - it is time to replace the tires. (and you should probably be riding more if you need to replace your tires before you wear them out

)

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:23 am

buddyguy wrote: If you keep them out in the elements they will surely rot. Do you keep your scooter indoors?

Only if you don't ride it enough

The only time I have ever seen a tire dry rot on one of my bikes is the front tire of the Buell I bought this may, otherwise I run out of thread well before dry rotting has time to kick in

jonbolden · Post by **jonbolden** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:20 pm

This is all very helpful. To answer a few questions

1. My Buddy was purchased new in 2008
2. My accident was in June of 2012, just replaced the tires two weeks ago with new tires (only a few months old from the factory) and I upgraded to slightly nicer ones recommended by the shop
3. The tread on the original tires was still decent after 8,000 miles of riding
4. I do keep the bike outside year round in Texas (no other choice, really) and I ride it often (if 8,000 miles since 2008)

I have a cover but never use it because I'm lazy, but it sounds like I definitely need to, eh? It sounds like I'm hearing that tires just to be checked on, out of the sun as much as possible, and replaced every 3-5k miles if the tread is still good.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:35 pm

Often keeping the tires off the ground, even if it is on a board or on some pavers, will help.

Modern Buddy

Preventing Dry Rot

Preventing Dry Rot

Re: Preventing Dry Rot

Re: Preventing Dry Rot

Re: Preventing Dry Rot