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my "new" bike

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:45 am
by debtman7
nevermind...

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:03 am
by Ian522
Nice bike. I know its tempting, but dont ride it before taking the MSF. I would have most likely dropped my first bike several times if not for the MSF training. Put some fuel stabilizer in the tank and then run the engine for about 10 minutes if the bike is going to be sitting for more than a month or so.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:52 am
by JCS
Nice looking bike! You did good!

If the sidewalls are cracking this is telling you something. They are shot. Even if there is good tread on them they are not safe. Eleven year old tires will not grip.

Go get new tires in the time before your MSF.

Where in Ohio are you located?

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:36 am
by debtman7
nevermind...

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 4:06 am
by Johnj
If your sidewalls are cracked then the rubber may also be hard which makes them very slick. I'd advise you to go ahead and put new tires on it.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:05 am
by Scoutmedic
Sweet buy!

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:14 am
by jstark47
Johnj wrote:If your sidewalls are cracked then the rubber may also be hard which makes them very slick. I'd advise you to go ahead and put new tires on it.
Agreed. It won't take 100 miles to scuff in new tires. If you don't feel confident doing it, maybe you have an experienced rider friend to help? 20 miles should get most of the mold release compound off.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:18 am
by OldBlock
debtman7 wrote:I'm in columbus.

I plan to replace the tires soon. I'm just debating which is safer to learn on, a tire that has some sidewall cracks (they're only 2 years old btw) or a brand new tire that's going to be slick for a hundred miles...

I had tires put on my car over the winter and almost spun out on the drive home while pushing it slightly around a corner, I quickly remember how slick new tires are. I'm not sure I want to experience that on a bike especially the first time I ride it. That's why I'm thinking it might be best to do my slow speed drills and sideroad practice before getting new tires.
Huh? This makes no sense at all to me. Do yourself a favor, replace the tires. Even if what you are stating is true, I would rather face a little slick riding than a blow-out!

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:38 am
by -Holiday
get new tires. if you're worried about new tires being slick, take some fine sand paper and scuff them up to get the mold release compound off. no big deal.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:59 am
by DivideOverflow
+1 to what Holiday said. Just take some fine grid sand paper, or steel wool or something, and scrub them a little bit. Get new tires! Cracks are bad.