Possible defect - tread block separation?

[ca1ic0cat]

I was dropping the tire pressure in a sunny parking lot and noticed that the tread blocks on my front tire have cracks at the base of the blocks. The cracking is pretty consistent around the circumference but is most pronounced on the left side of the tire (when viewed from the riding position).

Any opinions if this is safe to ride? I have an email in to the factory web site but I don't know how quickly they will respond.

Once I get a response (or a long enough period of time elapses...) I'll let you know what I find out.

I have a photo attached but if you want to see more beam me a note at ejsasp@rit.edu.

Eric

[marc]

Send a copy of the photo to the tire manufacturer support folks along with the date you purchased the tire. They'll should let you know what to do. Who knows, they may even kick in a discount for a new tire.

// marc

[ca1ic0cat]

OK, I understand that lawyers are probably all over this but the response from Metzler has been ambiguous at best:

"Hello Mr. Schneider

Sorry for the delay, but we do not want to hold you up any longer. Please review the warranty policy and procedure below and contact the selling/installing dealer. Then have the dealer inspect the tire to get your concern addressed and corrected in a timely manner. If the dealer needs assistance, make sure you show them the e-mail, or have them contact us during regular weekday hours of 8 am to 6 pm.

Our policy and procedure"

The rehash of the warrenty isn't what I was looking for. I've asked again if the tire is safe to use.

Here is that response, which just popped in:

"Hello Mr. Schneider

What we are suggesting is that the tire needs to be inspected by the local selling installing dealer (as pictures cannot possibly reveal everything about the actual condition of the tire) referencing if needed, the warranty policy and procedure. This is the common and fastest way for a consumer like yourself to get his concern addressed and it would be no different if we were speaking about a motorcycle, car tire, car, truck, or garden tractor warranty issue. Please contact the dealer and we are in the office through Friday afternoon if the dealer needs help."

I'll try to get to the dealer tonight.

For what it's worth the tire is a Metzler Tourance EXP.

Is it possible to match a non-Metzler front with the Metzler rear?

[ca1ic0cat]

....is that the tire is superficially defective but won't stay that way. The buzz is that this is a problem with the Tourance EXP but not the Tourance.

The tire is scheduled to be replaced under warranty.

[marc]

Originally Posted by ca1ic0cat

The tire is scheduled to be replaced under warranty.

Great!

And yes, you can mix tire types. Some of us go as far as doing the unthinkable and mixing radial and bias tires. The last 15K miles or so I've been using a TKC-80 on the front with a Tourance on the rear. Prior to the TKC-80 front I had an Anakee/Tourance mix. No issues with either combination.

// marc

[Luis Lancastre]

buy continental TKC 80 and you will see the diference of using a real tyre for the GS

[Tango]

Do yourself a favor. Check into Shinko Tires. Great tire, awesome prices. I bought 2 from Motorcycle Superstore for my wife's Suzuki. Free shipping, no sales tax! Shipping weight came to 34.5 lbs.. Several on the adventure board are now using them. Tom

[wib]

I'm new to this forum, but I just bought an 07 GS with an EXP on the front (regular Tourance on the rear) and the front tire has the same cracking. What was the final resoulution to your tire questions?

wib

[ca1ic0cat]

Metzler agreed that the front tire was defective (the dealership hinted that there was a silent recall and that this was a known problem) and so Metzler paid for a new Tourance (not an EXP) to be put on the bike.

I had to pay for the labor.

I suppose that's good enough.

[wib]

As I have just purchased the bike, I have no history on the tires. I am going to replace the front with another EXP as I really like the way it feels, but I will be keeping the receipts, just in case. What tire pressures do you use?