NEW Front tire - weird damage, safety issue?

[exzachtly1]

I also have emails out to Motorcycle Superstore and Shinko with pictures to see what they both think. Hoping to hear back from one or both of them soon.

[tkent02]

I also have emails out to Motorcycle Superstore and Shinko with pictures to see what they both think. Hoping to hear back from one or both of them soon.

I'd buy a new tire, mount it myself and fight it out later. The season is too short to not ride even a few days.

If you have to have someone else do it, inspect the tire carefully before and after they mount it, and watch them do it.

[bwringer]

Ohio is crawling with GS riders -- surely there's someone local who can mount this tire?

19" front tubeless tires are incredibly easy to change.

[exzachtly1]

Ohio is crawling with GS riders -- surely there's someone local who can mount this tire?

19" front tubeless tires are incredibly easy to change.

I'm definitely interested in doing it myself - I just have to order some stuff. If someone with some experience feels like offering their time to show me how so I don't muck it up, then I'd probably be open to that! Planning to follow this:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff/images/tire_change_tut_by_catbed.pdf

Looks pretty easy. The only expensive thing I don't have is an air compressor, so I'm looking at around 100 bucks in tools (at least) plus the new tire. Not sure what I'm gonna do yet. Would an air compressor at the gas station work for setting the bead??

[exzachtly1]

Got a reply from Shinko directly:

Hi Zach,
I would consider that to be a defect but (in my personal opinion) it is not a safety issue. Just to be safe, I would work with your dealer for a warranty replacement. They can contact me with any questions.

Thank you,
Scott Casper
Western Power Sports
Street Product Manager
Shinko Tire Tech and Development
601 E. Gowen Rd
Boise, Idaho 83716
Phone (208)376-8400 ext. 3404
Fax (208)375-8901

[loud et]

When you get this figured out , i have spoons and compressor. I am 50 minutes from you but you are welcome to work over here anytime.

[exzachtly1]

When you get this figured out , i have spoons and compressor. I am 50 minutes from you but you are welcome to work over here anytime.

Thanks man. I checked it out on google maps and the ride from Akron to Burton looks nice! Though I would probably have to take the car for a tire change

[Crankthat]

If you can get the tire replaced then by all means go for it.

I don't generally check my tires more then a quick scan before getting them mounted. I usually wait and inspect after mounted.

Thinking that's a bad habit and will be looking/feeling more closely for now on.

Looking at pict would not think defect goes to bead. Unless tire off and could inspect tire bead surface I wouldn't have a lot of confidence in that, if any.

Good thread as a closer look at new tires is something me and I am sure others have not given the attention It needs!

[chuck hahn]

Print that email and take it with you...the hand has been tipped because the manufacturer is in agreement that its a defect.

[exzachtly1]

If you can get the tire replaced then by all means go for it.

I don't generally check my tires more then a quick scan before getting them mounted. I usually wait and inspect after mounted.

Thinking that's a bad habit and will be looking/feeling more closely for now on.

Looking at pict would not think defect goes to bead. Unless tire off and could inspect tire bead surface I wouldn't have a lot of confidence in that, if any.

Good thread as a closer look at new tires is something me and I am sure others have not given the attention It needs!

Completely agree. I know I will be a lot more careful about it in the future and inspect my tires closely BEFORE the install, or just install them myself. I have never had anything like this happen with a car, but perhaps that's just because I never paid as much attention since those have FOUR wheels

Print that email and take it with you...the hand has been tipped because the manufacturer is in agreement that its a defect.

Yeah, I was glad to get this response. I bought the tire online so I will be calling them and forwarding them this email to hopefully get the ball rolling on a warrantied replacement. He didn't even seem to question that it could have happened during installation, which actually surprised me. I was expecting them to blame it on the other guy.

[GSequoia]

It's not very deep really, just that one spot concerns me where it seems broken through.

To my eye from California that looks like cosmetic damage at at the mold. Perhaps it was disturbed while still hot. I don't think I'd be worried about it.

If you want to be real paranoid pull the valve stem and break the bead right there (push the tire in) and inspect the seating surface of the bead (you should be able to do that without removing the whole tire / disturbing balance). I'd bet it looks just fine. If it does put the core back in and re-inflate.

[chuck hahn]

They want to replace it under warrenty defect so why dismount it?? I would also ask to visually look over the replacement before they do any work.

[gearhead13]

I always heard you get what you pay for.
So if $60 is all your arse is worth then whatever.

[exzachtly1]

I always heard you get what you pay for.
So if $60 is all your arse is worth then whatever.

Heh, I definitely value my arse more than that, thanks. If I didn't then I would just ride on it and not go through all this hassle. Clearly I am trying to get it warrantied and being cautious about it in the meantime (I haven't even ridden on it this whole week)... it's more about the principle of not wanting to get shafted out of $100+ due to someone else's mistake.

Not to mention that many people I've spoken to, including the manufacturer, seem to think that it's just cosmetic and not a safety concern.

As for the quality of the tire itself - I can't really speak to that since this is the first one I've bought for a motorcycle EVER, but I chose it based on the recommendation of many of the forum members here and the high ratings / reviews on a few tire vendor websites.

If anything I'm probably being overly cautious about the whole situation. Thanks for the constructive criticism anyway.

[rustybronco]

Heh, I definitely value my arse more than that, thanks. Thanks for the constructive criticism anyway.

As brian said, they hold their grip through rain, cold, whatever and I'd take the man's word for it. In this case it looks like your cheap arse tire choice (other than the apparent ?? defect) is a good one. The same for me as well.