Scary Metzlers

[Moosehead]

These are pictures of original 1 year old stock Metzlers on an 06 FJR with 15000 km on them. I was trying to get the most life out of the tread and hadn't even noticed the sidewalls until I took them off to get new Storms.

The tire checking goes all the way around the tire. They are not old enough for these to be weather checks and the bike is parked in a garage so it's not from the sun. It looks like the tire is ready to separate completely.

 

[painman]

Ah, real scary on the front. That would not be a pretty picture if it let go. Hope this can be remedied. Keep us up dated. Thanks, PM. <>< :blink:

 

[mdisher]

Wow,

I think I'd send that to Metz so they could look at it. (Don't know how low on tread you ran it, but I think I still would).

 

[twowheelnut]

Nuttin' new with that. I've seen that same defect as well as the circumference split. Lots of folks have sworn off of Metzelers because of these things.

 

[HaulinAshe]

You know, the used Z6 on the POS front wheel I just bought off SuckerBay, has that same "pattern" to the sidewalls. Just no cracks. Looks like mold lines on my tire.

Me thinks that sucker is going straight to the garbage!

Just snapped a crappy, out-of-focus picture, but you can see the mold marks I'm referring to.

 

[dcarver]

Damn. That is truly scary.. dangerous too. My 06 came with the z6, and that was the last I rode with them.. This type of info makes me feel really good about running the Avon Storms - best tire I've ever run on the fjr, bar none. (others may rant now)

 

[black mamba]

Those Metzlers look scary, for sure. I've got to agree with dcarver....The Avon Storms are the best tire I've had on my FJR.

 

[snap1945]

identical to mine in one year just under 6000 miles

 

[GunMD]

Some historical photos...

 

[Nuclear Steam Powered]

Glad you spotted the bad tires before they got you all buggered up.

I had not heard of the splitting before, that sucks. I ran a Z6-B to the cords in '05, but that same set's front tire lasted me through the next rear (an Avon). I did give up on the Z6, after less than stellar tread life, but now I'm kinda glad I didn't just go with another one on the rear. The front was great, I liked it better than the Avon I'm using now.

 

[Mike-H]

One man's nightmare....is another man's dream....go figure :huh: .....

 

[Windjammer]

One man's nightmare....is another man's dream....go figure .....

Perceptions about tire performance will vary depending on rider weight, riding style, suspension setup, preferred inflation pressure, etc. Not a big surprise there.

The outright failure of the Metz tires is something that doesn't seem to happen with any regularity among other brands, however. :huh:

 

[kballowe]

I won't name any names, but I have seen premature separations in the sidewalls and tread on others. Some that come very highly recommended. A couple years ago there was a problem with an expensive touring tire (let's call it Brand X). I had two in a row that separated on the sidewall. The first let loose at 70 mph with just 2,xxx miles on it. The second one (replacement, with apology) started coming apart with just 1,000 miles on it. Then there was brand "Y" which was having a tiny quality control issue about three years ago. Brand new tires looked weather-cracked after running just a few hundred miles - like the rubber was just crumbling.

I've used Metzler tires (on and off) over the years and never had a problem. I would think that the company would want to look at your tire as it is very unusual.

 

[03silverbullet]

I won't name any names, but I have seen premature separations in the sidewalls and tread on others. Some that come very highly recommended. A couple years ago there was a problem with an expensive touring tire (let's call it Brand X). I had two in a row that separated on the sidewall. The first let loose at 70 mph with just 2,xxx miles on it. The second one (replacement, with apology) started coming apart with just 1,000 miles on it. Then there was brand "Y" which was having a tiny quality control issue about three years ago. Brand new tires looked weather-cracked after running just a few hundred miles - like the rubber was just crumbling.
I've used Metzler tires (on and off) over the years and never had a problem. I would think that the company would want to look at your tire as it is very unusual.

Why won't you name names ?

 

[daddysbike]

Never a problem with my Z6's but I'm liking the 880 front and rear even better.

Steve

 

[exrtguy]

I won't name any names, but I have seen premature separations in the sidewalls and tread on others. Some that come very highly recommended. A couple years ago there was a problem with an expensive touring tire (let's call it Brand X). I had two in a row that separated on the sidewall. The first let loose at 70 mph with just 2,xxx miles on it. The second one (replacement, with apology) started coming apart with just 1,000 miles on it. Then there was brand "Y" which was having a tiny quality control issue about three years ago. Brand new tires looked weather-cracked after running just a few hundred miles - like the rubber was just crumbling.
I've used Metzler tires (on and off) over the years and never had a problem. I would think that the company would want to look at your tire as it is very unusual.

Why won't you name names ?

+1 what use is this to any of the rest of us?

 

[DonRed7]

You don't live near a substation do ya' Moose?,.... Some type's of electrical radiation will accelerate the degradation of rubber. Chlorine also,....It leaches the carbon out of it,...Parking next to the pool?. Pretty scary stuff for one yr old tires you gotta' at least send Metz the Pics.

-Don

Edit;

And I notice very little talk of B stone's here,....I use to love the 020's on my 600R....Are they not FJR friendly?

 

[stevet]

Wow! Silly question, but that is a radial tire, right? Bias ply is what I use (factory spec) on my Moto Guzzi, and many, many of us swear by the bias ply Metzler Marathon 880 on our bikes. Long wearing, great traction. Yeah, two different animals, but that is a weird photo.

What kind of air pressure was run in that tire? (C'mon, be honest now...) Those low profile radials can appear to be okay, but put a gage on in only to find pressure is way down.

Steve.

 

[Moosehead]

You don't live near a substation do ya' Moose?,.... Some type's of electrical radiation will accelerate the degradation of rubber. Chlorine also,....It leaches the carbon out of it,...Parking next to the pool?. Pretty scary stuff for one yr old tires you gotta' at least send Metz the Pics.

No substations, no pool, never any chemicals or cleaning products on the tires, 39 psi front 42 psi rear, I weigh approx 190.........just normal use