| Author | Message | ||
     Train17 |
Got a call last night from a friend who shared with me that last week while on two-up trip with his wife his rear tire sidewall blew out. Thankfully he kept it upright and just had to have someone with a trailer come pick him up. My question on his behalf is: has this happened before and is he covered under warranty. Bike is less than two from showroom(08'), stock Sync's with 5000 on them, according to him the sidewall blewout, rode a bit on the rear wheel getting it stopped so may need a new rear wheel. Any advise would be appreciated. Based on the wealth of knowledge here I have already advised him to get a 10' wheel based on the bearings. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
I have an 2006 bike and changed the bearings 2 times, they were o,k one didn't run smooth so I decided to do the change as here they cost a mere 30$ for the 4 bearings, so from my point of view there is no need for the 2010 real wheel, tire I doubt is covered as is a part that wears out, but strange that a tyre's side wall blows out. | ||
| Etennuly |
A Pirelli Scorpion Sync is generally speaking, used up at 6000 miles. I doubt a warranty would cover that unless they had some extended warranty thing, or insurance, that might cover towing. Even then it would likely be prorated to little or nothing because of the miles on it. Tires, brakes, and oil are like gas in the tank, they are use items that they cannot guarantee. The tank will not stay full if you use it, the tires will wear out if you use them. As for a defect in a sidewall on a 5000 mile tire....they can ask the dealer.....but I would not have my hopes too high. They are to be congratulated on a safe stop with a blow out. I did that a little over a year ago when I hit a sharp little rock that instantly took out my rear tire at 55 mph in a corner. These Uly rims are tough. I carry a lot of crap in my bike's three bags, and I come in at around 250 with gear making for around 300 pounds. I rode three miles with my flat to get to a safe place to wait for help with a truck. There was no damage to the rim at all. I would inspect it closely, but if the tire was still on the rim I doubt there was damage. For me the jump to the '10 rim would wait, but that is just me. You left out a key word, Bike is less than two from showroom(08'), stock Sync's with 5000 on them, Two months, weeks, days, hours? It would make a difference on how this is seen. To them congrats on the "new" bike, ride safe out there! | ||
| Hughlysses |
I'm sure the tire has some sort of warranty against defects from Pirelli, but it's probably pro-rated for the life of the tread and 5000 miles is gonna be a large percentage of the life of a rear Scorpion Sync. It would certainly be worth taking into the dealer he bought the bike from and see what they say. I've read that the most likely cause of blowouts is overheating due to under-inflation. Perhaps he picked up a nail or something earlier, lost air, and continued to ride without realizing it until the tire failed? | ||
| Griffmeister |
Just like any vehicle, tires are covered by the tire manufacturer and like everyone says probably has a prorate of some sort. So in other words, the dealer has no obligation and the wheel probably would not be covered. Might still be worth going to Pirelli in case a defect could be the cause. Glad nobody got hurt. | ||
| Train17 |
Should have made clear that it was bought less than two years ago. Will let him know what you guys think if he has not read this already. Appreciate the experience gleaned here, have already put much into use and have plans for more, thanks. | ||
| Reepicheep |
That's an odd failure mode, so it might be worth a call to Pirelli to see if they want a look at the tire. Even if you don't get anything out of it, it could be for the greater good if they want to see it. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I would think you should talk to the H-D dealer. They can choose to talk to pirelli or not. That tire was purchased and installed by H-D personel. I've never heard of a sidewall failing. Is it possible that they were running it a little low on pressure and at a high rate of speed? That could possibly heat up the tire beyond its "comfort zone". If "The Man" finds out that the tire was neglected in any way, they could decide that the owner is liable for the damage. I'm really glad to hear that your friend got it stopped without dropping it though! | ||
| Train17 |
I would be surprised if the tire pressure was low when it happened, unless it was a slow leak due to a puncture earlier in the day. He usually keeps them in the low 40's, knowing him I trust that they were checked often. His next stop will be the dealer so I'll be waiting to hear what they have to say. Need to get him on here so he can do the updates himself. |
