| Author | Message | ||
     Black |
Just took my 2008 1125R in to a dealer for a front brake recall and a rear brake rotor and pads replacement. No big deal. I figure 4K or so miles on a sport bike is pretty reasonable for brakes and tire wear. I noticed some heavy checking in the rear tire and asked the dealer to take a look. He told me that the tire was dry rotted and not safe in his opinion. My dealer contacted the Harley rep who figured that a little over three thousand miles was just fine for dry rot. So, I contacted Pirelli. I have used their tires for years with no problem. Well, if you can believe it, they are worse that Harley in the customer service department. Note that my dealer never called Buell. Anyway, here is the reply I got when I contacted Pirelli: "Hello Sorry to hear that you may have a had a problem. What you may be describing could weather checking/dry rot or as it is more commonly called ozone checking. This is may be a cosmetic anomaly that is typically caused by UV exposure, excessive sunlight, proximity to electric motors (that emit ozone) or simply from the ozone in the air. The other thing that can cause this cosmetic anomaly is chemicals used to clean or shine the tire or low tire pressure. To be clear once you add a chemical to the sidewall you are changing the rubber composition as it is absorbed and this voids the warranty as stated in our policy. We are happy that the dealer processed the warranty concern for you, thanks for the e-mail and have a great day. US Pirelli Moto www.us.pirellimoto.com 800 747-3554, prompt 2" Now, I wrote back saying that I had made no claim, asked for nothing, and had exposed my machines to none of the issues he mentioned, i.e, no edge dressings, very few washings, no electrical motors, and many years of using Pirelli products without encountering what happened with my 1125R tires. Wait, I am lying, the tires were exposed to sunlight! Anyway, I just thought they might have a quality control problem, particularly since it was only the rear tire. Hey I'm a big Pirelli fan, or was anyway. They just seemed to be more interested in getting me off the line than in fixing their problem. Oh well, I put on a new set of Pirellis...but I'll remember Metzler and Michelin when it comes time for the next set. | ||
| Ponti1 |
Sounds like a canned response e-mail to me. I wouldn't sweat it or consider them a bad company (lacking concern for the consumer). I think you went over and above to notify them, and hopefully they will respond to your subsequent response back to them. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
FYI, Metzler is owned by Pirelli. | ||
| Black |
Thanks Indy and Ponti, I just want somebody who wants my business. I have been to a lot of races this year....the only company that I ever see there is Michelin. Happy to give them a try. Been a rabid Pirelli fan for years......but if they don't want my business...I am sure somebody else will. | ||
| D_adams |
Bridgestone BT-016's front and rear. $235 shipped. I'm testing a set now, seem to be pretty sticky and I have almost zero for a chicken strip with only 100 miles on them. | ||
| R2s |
It could be low tire pressure, but the tire would have to be older. oh, and you are using your rear brake to much. | ||
| Mrsinister |
I have seen this a few times lately not on a particular bike actually it was on a Harley. I question the age of tires being used. Maybe they are older than we think and have sat somewhere for a year or two before they are put on the bikes. I could be wrong but I have had tire experience and for tires to side crack like I have seen lately strikes me as odd. Maybe it is a symptom of that global warming. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.js p?techid=11 check into this to see how old your tires actually are. i have had tires try and get onto my bike that were four years old and still brand new. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
and yes they all want your $$ but none want you business. having your business means dealing with you which costs them $$ the opposite of what they want. | ||
| Fast1075 |
If the damage is limited to one area or one side...it is from sunlight...if the damage is uniform, all the way around both sides...it is age related...or more precisely, from chemical outgassing...the volatiles in the compound evaporate...leaving the remaining material hard...the hard inflexible material cracks. Can also be caused by heat cycling, but I would imagine the tread would be worn out too. | ||
| Black |
Fast, The checking is/was uniform on both sides. Thanks to Boogieman for the link. I'll be sure and check next time! I must have just gotten an old one. Thanks to all! Appreciate the info. |
