EDIT: crack in the tire. with pictures.

[kml.krk]

I don't know when it happened. I didn't check my tires very often even though I should. From now on I'll do that regularly.
Can you please tell me if I can still ride with this crack?? Or I should rather replace the tires immediately?

here are the pics:






let me know, please, if I can go and ride?

[yamahonkawazuki]

tbh, replace it. prolly can be repaired, BUT unsure of the condition of tire as a whole, if it were worse off, you wouldnt want to find out while doing highway speeds

[kml.krk]

damn! I thought so! Too bad. Really. I've got no money to buy new tires right now but the weather is sooo nice here in NY. I also don't want to buy a cheap tires. I was going to replace front and rear with the Pirelli Sport Demons but not now. I thought about next season.
Crap. I'm 

[manofthefield]

If you want to go sport demons, buy the front now if you can swing it.  Fronts tend to last longer, and you won't be riding too many more miles this season in NY.  Then get the rear sometime next season.

BTW, looks like a cut, not a crack... inflicted by a knife or very sharp road debris.  Looks more like a knife, but who would just slice it w/o puncturing it... what's the point in that?

[kml.krk]

I have no clue who could do that. It could also be done by a broken glass probably, right?
NY streets are very untidy...

One more question. Could I mix sport demons with the BTs?? sport demon - front and BT - rear??

[kml.krk]

one more question. is that what I want? http://www.amazon.com/Pirelli-Sport-Demon-70HB17-1342900/dp/B000GRSIAQ/ref=sr_1_4/002-6089983-7312007?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1192997771&sr=1-4

I know the size is right 110/70/17 but I'm not sure what HB stands for

EDIT: forget about this question. Found the answer in search, but please answer the previous one about mixing tires - I can't find that in search

[gsJack]

H is for 130 mph speed rating and B means it's a belted tire but that must be a typo, I've never heard of a belted Sport Demon.  Here's another listing of the same tire from AMT:

PIRELLI SPORT DEMON 110/70H-17 FRONT   $83.32

http://www.americanmototire.com/

The Demons and BT45 are both bias ply tires with similar compounds since they are both sport touring type bias tires.  I wouldn't hesitate to try the Demon front with the BT45 rear.

A belted front with a standard bias type rear is not supposed to be a good mix but I've done it without trouble.

[kml.krk]

Thanks gsjack for your input. The website you gave me offers cheaper shipping than MAW. I will collect some money and get that tire as soon as possible.
I know you have tried 150 in the rear on a stock rim, right? can you please write a few words how does it feel? Is it OK to put 150 on 3.5" rim? I would love to put 150 on my bike but I'm not sure how the handling will be affected. (I don't ride twisties too often - there is a lack of them in NYC) To be honest I like the look of 150 that's why I'd want to get it.
thank you very much

[GeeP]

Looks like you hit a piece of sheetmetal.

I suggest you replace the tire ASAP.  If the front tire goes you have no means to steer the bike. 

If the bike is your only means of transport, inspect the tire as follows:

DEFLATE THE TIRE, then stick a screwdriver into the deepest portion of the cut and pry it open.  Can you see any of the nylon reinforcing cord that makes up the tire carcass with a flashlight?  If so, the tire is totally unsafe.  If you cannot see any cord, the cut probably only goes through the tread.  While it isn't likley to blow out, stick to low speed surface streets until you can replace it.

I get the impression from your photos that the cut probably extends into the tire carcass.

[kml.krk]

I use the subways to get to work and school so I can wait but the thing is: if I don't buy the tire now I'll have to wait until next season to get it replaced... 

[ohgood]

I agree on replacing that tire.

It looks like an ass with a razor blade did it. I've tried thinking of a scenario that would produce a slash like that while riding and can't. Keep an eye on your bike, and inspect it before each ride from now on. A neighbor may have an axe to grind ... 

[pantablo]

well, better safe than sorry ultimately, but if you can pull back the rubber where its cut and it didnt go through the tire and the tire holds air its probably alright.

Leave it overnight and see if the tire pressure changes. if not, only the exterior surface was marred/compromised and I would ride on it. Personally I think it would be safe in that condition. I wouldnt run it on the track but for street riding it would be fine if it still holds air.

[Kasumi]

^^^ What pablo said. If no air is coming out then i personally would keep riding it. There is ALOT of rubber on the outside of the tire wall to give it strength so it doesn't deform so its probably got plenty left to not cause any problems.

[kml.krk]

wonderful!! thanks guys. I wish I knew that yesterday - the weather was sooo nice and I didn't ride cause of that rubber 
Hopefully winter is not coming yet 
cheers

[GeeP]

Remember, it is not the rubber that is the load-carrying member in a tire.  Simply because the tire holds air does not mean the tire is suitable for return to service.  Rather, it suggsts only that the interior liner has not been perforated.  It is possible for load-carrying cords and belts within the tire to be partially or completely severed and the tire still hold air, although it may fail slowly or catastrophically at a later date.

For more information, have a look at Bridgestone's motorcycle tire introduction here:

http://mc.bridgestone.co.jp/pdf/mcintroe.pdf

[RobTheTyrant]

KML, where in New York are you?... any chance it'd be upstate?

[kml.krk]

KML, where in New York are you?... any chance it'd be upstate?

I wish it was upstate. Very nice roads over there. I'm in Maspeth - QUEENS. You wanna come and ride around??

[RobTheTyrant]

We should set up a ride some time.  Probably be spring since I'm busy with me wedding in a week and a half then I'll be in the honeymoon mode for the rest of the season.  But Come spring I'll be all over the map with the GS... We should meet up somewhere.

BTW, I'm UPstate.  About 20-25 minutes from Canada.  If you find watertown on a map, go north of that about 30 miles and that'd be me!

[pantablo]

KML, where in New York are you?... any chance it'd be upstate?

I wish it was upstate. Very nice roads over there. I'm in Maspeth - QUEENS. You wanna come and ride around??

haha, my wife grew up in Briarwood...

[kml.krk]

We should set up a ride some time. 

That would be great. I know there are other folks in NY who also want to ride. Next season is fine with me. Just let me know when you're ready. Hopefully others will join.