Tire de-lamination?

headshrink · August 15th, 2009, 01:25 PM

I discovered this mark on my rear tire (Sport Demon) the other day. It looks almost like a shallow cut, but the direction looks like it slants in-wards (away from tire rotation). It doesn't look like I could have hit anything, but I am wondering if it is starting to de-laminate?

You can tell by the tread it should have PLENTY of life left. It only has a few thousand miles on it (commuting miles mainly). If this were a defect, are tires warranted like car tires? Since my dealer recently went under, would any dealer be able to take care of it? I may be putting the cart before the horse on this second paragraph, so hopefully it is a moot point.

Edit: Opps, I forgot to add the pics...

noche_caliente · August 15th, 2009, 02:52 PM

You should be fine - here are a couple of relevant threads:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...highlight=tire

and this one from KF that I linked in the above thread:
http://www.kawiforums.com/two-wheele...-thoughts.html

Alex · August 15th, 2009, 04:38 PM

You're likely fine, but tire manufacturers are pretty good about replacing tires like this as well. If i were you I'd call the company/business where you purchased the tires, let them know something weird is happening to them, and what their policy is. Send 'em these pictures. No promises, but I have a hunch you'll be able to get the tire changed out either free or quite cheaply if you pursue it with them. How deep are those cracks, do they look like they are getting worse or better as the tire wears?

headshrink · August 15th, 2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

You're likely fine, but tire manufacturers are pretty good about replacing tires like this as well. If i were you I'd call the company/business where you purchased the tires, let them know something weird is happening to them, and what their policy is. Send 'em these pictures. No promises, but I have a hunch you'll be able to get the tire changed out either free or quite cheaply if you pursue it with them. How deep are those cracks, do they look like they are getting worse or better as the tire wears?

The company is now kaput, so I would have to go to a different dealer.

I just noticed it last week, so I haven't had enough time to see if it is getting worse... I'll keep an eye on it though.

Alex · August 15th, 2009, 05:59 PM

I'd try and get the number for the Pirelli US distributor from their main website and call them directly, they might be help you out as well.

noche_caliente · August 15th, 2009, 06:11 PM

Bob- if you didn't feel like reading through JT's thread on KF, this was his resolution:

Quote:

UPDATE: well i talked to indysuperbikes a few minutes ago & shortly after that a pirelli rep called me on my cell phone himself & stated that its PURELY cosmetic & that there is NOTHING to fret about (cool word to use ) he also stated that its fairly common for tires to do that in soft compounds such as the cIII's & even went as far to say that some of the DOT race tires will have similar markings... I must say that i'm impressed that the pirelli guy even called me to calm my spirits & assure me that my product is in perfect shape... soooooooo looks like i'll keep my pirelli's on & stay sticky

kkim · August 15th, 2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noche_caliente

Bob- if you didn't feel like reading through JT's thread on KF, this was his resolution:

Does that mean all pirelli sport demons will do this? if so, I'd prefer another tire that wouldn't look like that. I've never had my tires do that no matter what the brand. I think the Pirelli guy was just BSing his way through this so he wouldn't have to cover replacing the tires.

Alex · August 15th, 2009, 07:53 PM

I've been through many sets of 'em, and have never seen anything like that.

noche_caliente · August 15th, 2009, 08:06 PM

there were quite a few folks who chimed in with the same response - and there was a quote later about the guy not wanting to risk his job or the company's reputation when they could easily replace the tire if it were going to be a problem... idk, they seemed pretty happy with the response over there, and it sounded like several folks had similar situations without anything going wrong... I'm just the messenger in this case - hopefully if Bob calls them he'll get a quick response like JT did

kkim · August 15th, 2009, 08:21 PM

noche... not trying to shoot the messenger. just that if that was the explanation given me, I'd start to wonder about the quality of that company's tires. Like I said, I've never had that happen to any of my tires in my life.

Alex, can you comment on that rep's observation that this happens to DOT race tires?

Alex · August 15th, 2009, 09:16 PM

I really can't say. If I were at the track and it was happening to a tire on my bike, I'd show it directly to the tire guys there to get their opinion on that particular tire. Maybe it's not that abnormal, maybe it's not dangerous, really hard to say, even from this picture. Also, it's unclear if the Pirelli rep's quote here would apply to exactly what's happening on this pictured tire, perhaps there is a difference in what's happening.

August 15th, 2009, 01:25 PM	#1
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Tire de-lamination? I discovered this mark on my rear tire (Sport Demon) the other day. It looks almost like a shallow cut, but the direction looks like it slants in-wards (away from tire rotation). It doesn't look like I could have hit anything, but I am wondering if it is starting to de-laminate? You can tell by the tread it should have PLENTY of life left. It only has a few thousand miles on it (commuting miles mainly). If this were a defect, are tires warranted like car tires? Since my dealer recently went under, would any dealer be able to take care of it? I may be putting the cart before the horse on this second paragraph, so hopefully it is a moot point. Edit: Opps, I forgot to add the pics...

August 15th, 2009, 02:52 PM	#2
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	You should be fine - here are a couple of relevant threads: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...highlight=tire and this one from KF that I linked in the above thread: http://www.kawiforums.com/two-wheele...-thoughts.html __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

August 15th, 2009, 04:38 PM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	You're likely fine, but tire manufacturers are pretty good about replacing tires like this as well. If i were you I'd call the company/business where you purchased the tires, let them know something weird is happening to them, and what their policy is. Send 'em these pictures. No promises, but I have a hunch you'll be able to get the tire changed out either free or quite cheaply if you pursue it with them. How deep are those cracks, do they look like they are getting worse or better as the tire wears? __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

August 15th, 2009, 05:59 PM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I'd try and get the number for the Pirelli US distributor from their main website and call them directly, they might be help you out as well. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

August 15th, 2009, 07:53 PM	#8
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I've been through many sets of 'em, and have never seen anything like that. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

August 15th, 2009, 08:06 PM	#9
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	there were quite a few folks who chimed in with the same response - and there was a quote later about the guy not wanting to risk his job or the company's reputation when they could easily replace the tire if it were going to be a problem... idk, they seemed pretty happy with the response over there, and it sounded like several folks had similar situations without anything going wrong... I'm just the messenger in this case - hopefully if Bob calls them he'll get a quick response like JT did __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

August 15th, 2009, 08:21 PM	#10
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	noche... not trying to shoot the messenger. just that if that was the explanation given me, I'd start to wonder about the quality of that company's tires. Like I said, I've never had that happen to any of my tires in my life. Alex, can you comment on that rep's observation that this happens to DOT race tires?

August 15th, 2009, 09:16 PM	#11
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I really can't say. If I were at the track and it was happening to a tire on my bike, I'd show it directly to the tire guys there to get their opinion on that particular tire. Maybe it's not that abnormal, maybe it's not dangerous, really hard to say, even from this picture. Also, it's unclear if the Pirelli rep's quote here would apply to exactly what's happening on this pictured tire, perhaps there is a difference in what's happening. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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