newbie here (love the site so far). Just saw this on my sidewall after a ride the other day. I dont know how thick these Maxxis tires usually are. Should i just go ahead and get a tube put in, or does this look ok ?

thanks in advance

-- see pick in my profile/garage for photo. Can't seem to photo directly to this forum?? *newb*

 

It's hard to tell by the picture but it doesn't look too bad.

 

From what I see, it looks nasty. I would not ride that until it was replaced.....It looks to me like a whole chunk of rubber is almost completely tore off.

Just my thoughts. I've replaced tires with less damage than that

 

If your a gambler & don't mind walking, ignore it. If not, fix or tube it.

 

Tough to call by the pics. Being a gash like that if it does get cut the rest of the way it could be nearly impossible to get sealed enough to limp home. If you want to save the tire, I would at least patch over that. Even better, pull the tire and patch the inside as well. Or you could install one of the run flat systems, but at that cost you could just get a new tire. I have had success with the old pool noodle trick in a pinch. Again, you would need to pull the tire off the rim.

 

X2 It might be possible to patch it from the inside to keep the slit from going completely through the tire. I would also take a very sharp knife and cut off the part that is hanging out and fill it with silicone to protect it a bit from the outside, and to make sure the hanging part doesn't get caught and rip more. It's in a tricky spot but ATV tires are low pressure to begin with so the only real hazard is if it becomes unfixable way out in the middle of nowhere and you have to limp it home. Rims usually get destroyed when you do that.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am going to take the tire to the local shop and ask his opinion. He seems to be an honest guy when I talked to him before.