Another Z6 bites it

[fjrjonesing]

Don't wanna start anything (maybe this should go over in recurring/pointless threads) but, at 5800 miles, my front tire gave it up in spectacular fashion this weekend.

I felt something last week. Coming to a stop, the front tire squirmed, almost like Avons do when they're new. I put the bike on the center stand and rotated the front- couldn't see or feel anything, and the pressure was where I'd left it (42 psi).

Then on Saturday, I get the tank slapper: 45 mph and the bike is real loose and hard to hold. Limped to my local shop and ordered new tires. When I picked up the bike yesterday, the owner was shaking his head and saying, "man, haven't EVER seen anything like that." He'd saved the tire and showed it to me- two cords separated and visible on the inside.

I swore by these tires, never had a bit of a problem, but that's it for me.

Jim

 

[NYPete]

Jim,

Can I suggest that in addition to posting the problem here that you save the bad tire(in the event they want to see it) and notify Metzeler(ask for Jim Johnson) of their quality problem, and let us know of the results.

Metzeler Customer Support --

Tollfree: 1-800-747-3554, option 4 (followed by #)

NYPete

 

[fjrjonesing]

Jim,Can I suggest that in addition to posting the problem here that you save the bad tire(in the event they want to see it) and notify Metzeler(ask for Jim Johnson) of their quality problem, and let us know of the results.

Metzeler Customer Support --

Tollfree: 1-800-747-3554, option 4 (followed by #)

NYPete

Thanks, Pete. I just spoke with him (Jeff Johnson, actually).

He said to send the tire in and he'd look at it personally. Also said that, in the vast majority of cases where he sees this kind of damage, there is also impact damage.

Phfffft... <_<

Jim

 

[skyway]

Jim, I'm glad you posted this information, as this tire has had numerous failure reports exactly as your describing. This POS tire could easily present a life threatening situation. I can't imagine how tread seperation would affect handling while a rider is focused on getting somewhere?

Saying that, I will almost guarantee someone will post under here how they love their Metzler's and will continue using them.

 

[Groo]

I've seen way too many pictures of cord seperation on Metz to ever think about putting them on the FJR...

 

[skyway]

Thanks, Pete. I just spoke with him (Jeff Johnson, actually).
He said to send the tire in and he'd look at it personally. Also said that, in the vast majority of cases where he sees this kind of damage, there is also impact damage.

Phfffft... <_<

Jim

Has there ever been one report on any FJR Forum of tread seperation on any other tire brand other than Metzler?

 

[ionbeam]

In many cases Yamaha is fitting the '06 with Z6s as the OEM tire. Does Yamaha not care about tire quality? Should the '06 owners ask to have the Z6s replaced? Are the OEM Z6s different than trade tires?

 

[fjrjonesing]

Jim, I'm glad you posted this information, as this tire has had numerous failure reports exactly as your describing. This POS tire could easily present a life threatening situation. I can't imagine how tread seperation would affect handling while a rider is focused on getting somewhere?
Saying that, I will almost guarantee someone will post under here how they love their Metzler's and will continue using them.

Last month, that "someone" might have been me. There's always the possibility of extenuating circumstances ("impact damage") when it happens to someone else.

Been months since I did any curb jumping with this bike...

Jim

 

[GunMD]

There are so many other decent tire choices...I cannot believe people are still using these POS's.

 

[exskibum]

I've seen far too many of these posts to ever put a pair of Metzlers on any of my bikes. Impact damage?!? Every tire I own on every bike has, at some time, at least hit a pot hole or raised expansion joint. Every tire on every bike has been able to handle that without coming apart. Is Metz saying that they can't?

Last thing I want is to be leaned well over on some mountain pass road when a front tire decides to separate, no matter whether that's in part from having hit a pothole or expansion joint in the near or distant pass. I don't have confidence that there'd be much left of the bike or me if the front tire has a catastrophic deflation event at a time like that.

Michelin Pilot Roads and Pilot Powers on my bikes from here out.

 

[Warchild]

In many cases Yamaha is fitting the '06 with Z6s as the OEM tire. Does Yamaha not care about tire quality? Should the '06 owners ask to have the Z6s replaced?

Some already have!

A customer came to take delivery of his 2006 FJR at Sunnyside last month. Upon learning that his bike came with Z6 tires, he directed Sunnyside to remove them and replace them with the tried-n-true Avons.

 

[SkooterG]

Where's FJRandy when you need him to extoll the virtues of the Metzelers?

 

[NYPete]

Guys,

Posting valid problems with the Metzeler tires on this board is good information for those of us that read the boards.

However, that definitely should followed up by a complaint to Metzeler, so if there is a problem with a particular manufacturing run or a overall problem with the Z6's they can't deny it and have to do something to fix it.

Don't forget, in addition to complaining to the Mfgr. you can always file a complaint with the NHTSA at

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

NHTSA did force a recall of the Honda GL1800's that had a frame problem.

There are a lot of riders using those tires that don't belong to, or read bulletin boards and may be unaware of any problem. They would only find out by word of mouth(also defined as a rumor) or definitely through a manufacturer recall.

NYPete

 

[twowheelnut]

Where's FJRandy when you need him to extoll the virtues of the Metzelers?

Bad skooter, you trouble maker extraordinarie! :haha:

 

[fjrjonesing]

Guys,
Posting valid problems with the Metzeler tires on this board is good information for those of us that read the boards.

However, that definitely should followed up by a complaint to Metzeler, so if there is a problem with a particular manufacturing run or a overall problem with the Z6's they can't deny it and have to do something to fix it.

Don't forget, in addition to complaining to the Mfgr. you can always file a complaint with the NHTSA at

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

NHTSA did force a recall of the Honda GL1800's that had a frame problem.

There are a lot of riders using those tires that don't belong to, or read bulletin boards and may be unaware of any problem. They would only find out by word of mouth(also defined as a rumor) or definitely through a manufacturer recall.

NYPete

This is a good point, Pete. I'd like to see what Jeff Johnson at Metzeler says first.

Jim

 

[Scab]

WTF? Are they just going to wait til someone gets hurt or worse? Surely they employ someone with the scientific knowledge to figure this out. If the feej is too heavy, or whatever, just say so!

And just how common is impact related tire destruction without some accompanying wheel damage?

Metz is now permanently scratched of potential tire list.

 

[radman]

This has been going on for at least 3 years. They have pics, testimonys, carcasses galore. If Metz hasn't gotten the hint yet, it ain't gonna happen, ever.

 

[Warchild]

This has been going on for at least 3 years. They have pics, testimonys, carcasses galore. If Metz hasn't gotten the hint yet, it ain't gonna happen, ever.

Most definitely.

Many will recall these Metzler photos I posted several monthas ago on this very issue:

Here's a brand new Z6 tire.....

Steel cords on that Z6:

 

[K-2]

Suggestions for a new 06 owner? Alreay have 1500 miles on these tires so I doubt the dealer will change them unless Yamaha tells them to.