[Wingunner]

Interesting (at least to me) run of events....
Yesterday Tailgunner and I had a trip planned, a run to Lewiston Idaho to pick up a couple of Goldwing jackets from a new friend we hadn't met yet. He listed them on Spokane CL and was kind enough to hold them until we could head down. Both friday and saturday were slated for thunderstorms, it turned out. I didn't like the sound of riding down through wheat country, dripping wet, playing lightning rod, so we chickened out and took Becky's car.

We only saw lighting a few times over the whole trip, so mostly it would have just been a wet one.....well we like riding in the rain just fine....grumble....pout.

This morning I was headed out to get some pictures for a project since the bike was all cleaned up and it is a nice overcast day - no rain yet. Well lo-and-behold my front tire is down from 40 psi to 20 psi. I think to myself - "self....God is watching out for us on our Goldwing rides!! I got me a problem holding my air!" So I aired it up and rolled it around completely doing a visual with my magnifying visor on. Did not find any signs of distress or punctures so I figured I must have had a valve problem maybe. It wasn't hemorrhaging air like when I get a balance bead caught in it, so I ran into town, gassed up, and shot my photos.

Soooo.....going to head for home....check tire first. Once again I'm looking at less than 25 psi, so I air up and go home....veeeeery carefully. When I get it in the garage and the front tire off the ground I attacked it with the spray bottle of soapy water. I hit the valve stem first and sure enough I'm blowing bubbles like a little kid at a birthday party. Valve core problem, not the stem anywhere. I think...cool, I'll replace the core and finish running this Metz down to the wear bars. It is getting close anyway. So then I proceed around the tire with the soapy solution and find this little jewel:shock:

WOW!! I don't think I missed it this am when I did my visual.

So tire guys....this looks to me like road hazard damage as opposed to tire/material failure...????? Am I reading the jagged end right? The thing is I have absolutely no recollection of anything on the picture trip that could have done this.....maybe I missed it during my dry inspection. Interesting thing is....this sucker does not leak air. Not deep enough I guess.

I did pull the Metzler off the rear after only one season as it developed several tear type wounds, but they were all located in, and followed, the tread indents. The rear tire was a product of Germany, this front one came from the South American facility.

Ever seen this before?:?Look like road damage?

 

[Silicon Sam]

Doesn't look like road damage. Material overlapped during the manufacturing process.

Personally, I would monitor it, but I would still ride on it. Doesn't look deep enough to worry about.

 

[DriverRider]

What is the age of the tire.

I would be on the phone to Metz asking what they are going to do for you.

That is not normal and wouldn't ride it.

 

[rpeters549]

I would email the photos to the tire manufacturer and see what they say. That looks more like a construction issue than a road hazard. It appears overlapped as opposed to cut.

 

[Ken Bergen]

The bottom of the tread groove looks like an old rotting tire.
How old is the tire?

 

[Wingunner]

The date code is
2010

The date on the defunct rear is
4009

I installed them in 2011.

 

[OnaWingAndaPrayer]

I agree with Ken , the weather checking in the base of the grooves tells me time to replace . I ran one set of Metz on my 83 . I was quite happy with the traction but under a year they developed large splits in the bottom of the tread grooves . Havent used another set of Metz since then . I'd be suprised if the manufacturer did a thing for you .

 

[Wingunner]

I took another look and think you guys hit it on the head. My knife blade only goes in as far as shown (just under 3/8"), the rubber is almost like a flap/overlay. You can see where the tip of the knife is and the separation does not even go as deep as what's left of the tread groove.

 

[Wingunner]

I agree with Ken , the weather checking in the base of the grooves tells me time to replace . I ran one set of Metz on my 83 . I was quite happy with the traction but under a year they developed large splits in the bottom of the tread grooves . Havent used another set of Metz since then . I'd be surprised if the manufacturer did a thing for you .

I kind of figure that since I do my own installations I would not have much luck going back to the manufacturers on tires. Unless I had one go gunny the week I put it on I don't figure to get too wound up on one. If I can't point to something that is clearly (in my mind) faulty materials or workmanship I don't figure I would get much return on my efforts. It seems like rolling the dice a bit, especially since I don't know the tires and the manufacturers other than what I can research on the web. I'm learning as I go, but one thing that sticks in my mind is the size of the two contact patches that keep me and Tailgunner on the road. I want them to be as nearly flawless as I can manage within the capabilities of available equipment and my limited knowledge.

 

[DriverRider]

Two year old tires should not be falling apart.

Now the follow up question, what model tire and is it sized correctly for the machine? Equal to load and speed rating of OEM?

I would be all over that like white on rice for a freebie.

 

[Wingunner]

Two year old tires should not be falling apart.

Now the follow up question, what model tire and is it sized correctly for the machine? Equal to load and speed rating of OEM?

According to the spec sheet on the Metzlers, both the front and rear tires were slightly above oem specs for the 87.

These are the Metzler 880 Marathon.

Since I took the rear off I have gone through a Shinko and have recently installed a Pirelli. The Shinko was a great tire, especially on soggy rides, but as I was warned, the softer material did not go millions of miles. That was as expected, and part of my tire education experience. I will probably put a Shinko on the front just to give it a try. Assuming they make a compatible product for this old bird.

The Pirelli on the rear is doing good so far, handles nice and seems to stick in the rain. I still get under the bike once a week and give the tires a visual with my magnifiers on.

 

[neoracer]

tires

have had two rear metzlers 880's develop separation,one at 5K other at 9K,will not ever think of using that brand again

give me E3's,Michelin's or even a shinko

 

[Wingunner]

Neoracer,

It looks like you are riding a sweet example of the 87 bikes!
I did some banging around on one of the sites I use for tires and wasn't able to decipher which Michelins would work on our bikes. Do you have that info handy? If not I will continue digging....I WILL find it if it's out there!:lash:

 

[jobe05]

Since I took the rear off I have gone through a Shinko and have recently installed a Pirelli. The Shinko was a great tire, especially on soggy rides, but as I was warned, the softer material did not go millions of miles. That was as expected, and part of my tire education experience. I will probably put a Shinko on the front just to give it a try. Assuming they make a compatible product for this old bird.

If you liked the ride and wet road grip of the Shinko, As I know I did on my 1200, then you need to try the Michelin Continental II. Awesome tire!!

Rides just like, if not better than the shinko, and when I sold the 1200, we had about 4000 miles on that rear tire and it still looked new. I'm going to check into seeing if they make them for the 1500, and when the Austone needs to be replaced, I'll go with the conti II and see how it holds up on a 1500.

 

[Wingunner]

I'll look 'em up, thanks!

 

[JeffMayfield]

I think jobe05 means a Michelin commander II.

Great on wet roads.

 

[Wingunner]

I did find the Continental II on SuperStores site and read some of the reviews. Seems like people like them so far but it must be a newer product. A lot of the reviewers have not put a bunch of miles on them yet. A few have, and comment on the tread life of such a grippy tire.

I'll read up on the CommanderII as well.

Thanks all!

 

[JeffMayfield]

I like my commander II except the vibration on the edges but they stick to the road even in the wet. New the tread is deep. Even though there is some vibration their is little to no sound. Seems to be a good tire and I have tried a few. I'm running one on the rear of my 1200 now. mileage??? I have about 2 grand on mine and it looks good.

I've ran 404 and a shinko with no vibration but slick in the wet. (Rear) I'd rather stick to the road myself.

 

[JeffMayfield]

I could not find the Continental II could you post a link I'd like to see it.

 

[Wingunner]

This would be the one I would try on our 1200 (front)
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...er-II-Cruiser-Front-Tire.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch


They show a 150/90-15 that should work on the rear but I didn't read up on the specs yet.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...der-II-Cruiser-Rear-Tire.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch