Tire Split - Metzler

Looking for some advice from the K team here - while checking my tires before the ride today, I noticed about an inch long crack on the inside tread of my Metzler tires. It seems to be a tear/rip of the rubber - not a gash from road debris.

Could this be a defect? Poor tire pressure (i'm meticulous about this)? Should I be concerned? Should I replace it? It's less than 5,000 miles on this tire.

I had similar problem with a rear Metzler in 2007. Pretty much the same type of splits. The tire had been manufactured in 2005. Was installed in 2006. One year later and 2500 miles on the tire, I noticed the cracks. Dealer handled the warranty issues. I received a $120 refund from Metzler. I posted pics of my tire on the forum back in April 0f 2007. The pics are still there. I would post a link to it, but I am not that computer savvy to know how. Bottom line, REPLACE THE TIRE.

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=16391

Maybe I do know how to do it. Try this link.

I had a ME33 front split across the tread at about 5000 miles. The split was so clean it almost looked like someone sliced the tire with a knife. The shop turned the tire into Metzler for evaluation. I never heard what Metzler concluded but I did get a prorated discount on my next Metzler tire purchase. Fair enough.

From an old thread ....

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=12555&highlight=tire

Thanks!

Great feedback - k100lt, you underestimated your computing skills - what search words did you use to find it? This crack is identical to the one you posted before. It almost does look like a knife was taken to it.

I also showed the pic to a colleague at work today and he is in full agreement with replacing it. Will get it replaced this week at Bob's where I got the tire. I'll just remove the rear wheel and bring it up rather than drive the bike. Perhaps even get a test ride on a R1200R when they're fixing it?

Many many thanks to breyfogle and k100lt. What a great reminder that I'm due to renew my membership this month.

The biggest bummer is that I'm 81 miles short of hitting the 40,000 mile mark on my k75 - that will be 4,864 miles this year on my bike. Not bad for a rookie year.

And it's only July.......

Pascal

Tire crack Bridgestone BT45

I have the same problem with my rear Bridgestone BT45 tire with a bit less than 4000 miles on them. Just found it tonight so I'll have to see what the dealer can do about them.

Another data point to consider.
I had a similar issue a few years back on several ME-88s...but I rode the tires out. When I adjusted my inflation on the next couple sets of ME88s, that issue no longer occurred. See URL below.

http://www.motoedde.com/PicasaAlbums...l/target9.html

Here's my theory on why i think it occurred....just my theory.

The Metzler ME -88 has a load index of 74 at the size 130-90-17...most similar tires of that size including 140-80-17 have a load index of 69.

I used to inflate my ME-88 Marathons to 35psi+ when unloaded, and higher when loaded. But considering the strength of the tires sidewalls, I think you have to use a lower PSI than normal because of its consturction or else you'll end with with such fractures.

Currently I run 32psi in the rear of my ME-88 and 29 psi on the front of ME880 when unloaded. I weigh 200lbs. When loaded I'll bump up the rear to about 34/35 psi.

In doing so, I've got through a couple sets with out that issue creeping up.

OK... time to make a few folks mad...

Manufacture defects... Contaminates in the mix... Air bubbles during the molding process... Tommyknockers making sure things do go bump in the night...

Got this from a tire dood on the track at Laguna Seca... His statement; "We all have 'em... QA usually sees the defect and some of the machines find the defective ones, but some bad tires slip thru the cracks. It happens... We jes don't like to talk about 'em..."

I had four sets of Metzy's, I've never had the problem (along with a half-dozen other types of tires)... I've changed a couple dozen Metzy's and I haven't seen the OP's problem in any of those I have changed that weren't caused by some bit of road hazard.

I have installed a bad Metzler in the past (cord delam) so I know that tires "with issues" do happen. Is it a pressure issue??? Doubt it... Unless your running less than 20lbs. in the shoe... but by doing that, you could have more issues... other than a crack in the inside land portion of the tread.

Regardless

Irrespective of whether it's a defect, poor choice on tire pressure (and I followed the recommended tire pressure AND checked prior to each ride), the fact of the matter is:

1. I need to replace the tire. And as Glaves said, Metzeler wouldn't want us to be riding that tire.... and nor do I.

2. It'll be interesting to see how the dealer who installed the tire is going to do about it. I'm totally behind supporting my local dealer but he's also gotta be supportive of me.

I didn't make it to the shop today - my own customers took priority over my own personal needs. Headed there first thing in the morning.

p

7/29 update:

Took it to Bob's BMW this morning - Have to give Bob's service department total credit - they replaced the tire gratis. Kudos to Darryl and David in service. I do like supporting my local dealer. Got a test ride on a R1200GS while the repair was underway and bought a filter kit as I'm coming up on the service interval for an oil change.

Great to be a member of this forum and association & lucky to have a great dealer nearby - pascal