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Fountain Inn, SC United States | I've heard that storing a bike on concrete will hasten tire dry rot. Not sure why, or where I heard it from. I'm figuring its one of those urban myths, right up until my Classic Cruiser's 5yr old Metzlers failed inspection because of cracks in the tread. They had barely 1000 miles on them (the consequence of owning a Vision I suspect).
So, what's the consensus on this? Myth or not?
And, is there anything we can do to extend tire life during storage?
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | My experience with really long time tire storage has to do with farm equipment. The biggest contributor to dry rot seems to be exposure to sunlight and constant exposure to wet soil (such as a piece of equipment that sits in one spot for a long time). Concrete doesn't seem to affect tires at all.
My Sport Cruiser also got semi-retired 5 years ago, after we got the Vision, and I keep it in a dark shed on concrete. It's tires are still good. (Michelin rear, Shinko front).
Ronnie |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | The best way to prevent dry rot is to ride the bike, wear out the tire and replace it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | this thread makes me realize there are folks much less fortunate than I. I cannot relate to this, much like a man living under a bridge, or that is in prison. The sad reality, machines that sit, waste away, just as people do. However, there are those who are willing to live in climates where it is near impossible to ride some months of the year so they are left to store their bikes for several month. Lack of use and age will cause dryrot. Concrete contains alkali, so I can expect some to leech out while a bike sets, but I don't see that as a root cause of rot on rubber. Rubber also forgets when it sits too long, so I would suggest lifting the bike off the floor for storage, so the tires are good and round when you do ride again. Again, this post makes me thankful to live in Virginia, and on so many different levels. Also, I'm thankful that weather here has very little dictation over whether I ride or not. My inspiration for riding in weather was actually from a guy who had a website about winter riding. He lived in Michigan, I believe, and he explained a lot about the windchill and the effects of riding, along with riding in the snow, and going to the extreme, to use studded tires. Interestingly he said that he rarely used studded tires, as he was able to navigate fine in the snow should he encounter uncleared roads. Of course, he had a smaller bike. So, in short, you won't really prevent much tire rot if all it does is sit. I would recommend replacing your tires every 3 - 5 years if you don't reach your mileage peak.
Edited by varyder 2013-05-08 6:51 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Jedi Jeff - 2013-05-08 8:35 AM I've heard that storing a bike on concrete will hasten tire dry rot. Not sure why, or where I heard it from. I'm figuring its one of those urban myths, right up until my Classic Cruiser's 5yr old Metzlers failed inspection because of cracks in the tread. They had barely 1000 miles on them (the consequence of owning a Vision I suspect). So, what's the consensus on this? Myth or not? And, is there anything we can do to extend tire life during storage? Car tires last longer. Just kidding.  No sunlight and taking the weight off the tire seems to help. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Fill them with AMSair |
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Cruiser
Posts: 238
SF Bay Area | UV is the culprit of tire cracking, but with today's synthetic rubber used on modern motorcycle street tires, tire cracking is rare on a vehicle that gets driven regularly. Perhaps concrete is more reflective than asphalt. It is rare to see a Victory tire crack, most of us wear 'em out before they crack.
How long are you planning to store the bike anyway? If you plan to leave it in the sun the paint will fade, the seat vinyl will split, the rear shock will bleed down, and the tires will lose pressure, and the battery will drain. Eventually the fuel in the tank will go bad.
Maybe it is time to sell the bike... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Could it be Radon? O.o My Metzlers were put on last spring and cracks were showing on the way home from Sturgis. Manufacturer?
I won't go back to them, they are too hard and they sing through every curve now. 
Now I have to check the Dunlops on my '99. |
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | Did a search in the interweb and there are indications that concrete leaches some of the chemicals that keep the rubber flexible. Many on car forums use Aero 303 protectant which is a water based (not oil or silicone based) spray-on protectant. Some also suggest parking the tires on plywood if the floor is concrete.
Like they say, if it's on the interweb, it must be true. Just wondering if others have used this stuff. |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | Batteries and tires don't like sitting for extended periods on concrete.
Put some wood underneath your tires or simply ride more often.
I need two sets of tires each year. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Do like motor home people do park on wood cover tires with something that doesn't all light to come threw |
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Preventing Tire Dry Rot
