Originally Posted by
whoisaubby
My question is: did the tires just fail? Is it possible these tires were new to the bike, but not new-new and that made them fragile?
Probably new old stock tyres, no wear but no life left - tyres have a finite lifetime even when stored unused in appropriate conditions. That's why motor vehicle tyres have a date code, manufacturers recommend replacing tyres over 5 years old and in some places it's illegal to use older tyres on some vehicles.