BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Finally got to ride my new bike after the dealer did the 20 km service. When I got home I decided to familirise myself with the machine by washing it. Its amazing what you find when you wash something.

To make a long story short I found a cut on the rear tyre 32 mm long and 6 mm deep at the deepest point. I am surprised the dealer did not mention this however the burning question is this:-

is this tyre fit for service in this condition?

The tyre is a metzler Z4

6mm deep is a bit much for my taste.

What I would do is overfill the tire to about 80-90 psi and listen for any leak and observe for any bulge or carcass malformation.

I would then fill the crack with silicone adhesive (the black kind) and let that cure for a day or three.

I would keep the tire, but observe it carefully during every ride before, during and after. At any hint of decay, then I'd chuck it.

BUT

My lawyer says: Advice given by mikecam on the R1150R board represents his amateur opinion only and is not to be construed as technical, professional nor worthy. Mikecam states that he did not receive any compensation from anyone on the board for offering any opinions. Therefore, his opinions and musings are worth every penny you paid for them.

It is my experience that MikeCam generally knows what he is talking about except when it comes to women. (most of us probably fall into the latter as well) one of life's great mysteries.

I would probably heed his advice BUT if asked to testify in a court of law I will most like say (as one of our politicians once said) "I have no recollection of that".


Wayne

It might go bump, bump, bump with that card stuck in it.. ..but I think it's safe to use it.

It's the bead or carcase that gives a tire its strength..the rubber's just there for grip...imo

Ask a tire shop and see what they say..but then..they will want to sell you a new one for sure...and it might be worth it for the peace of mind.

DJ

MikeCam wrote:What I would do is overfill the tire to about 80-90 psi and listen for any leak and observe for any bulge or carcass malformation.

Or put some soapy water on it and see if it bubbles.

towerworker wrote:It is my experience that MikeCam generally knows what he is talking about except when it comes to women.

Well put.

Since winter is coming, I would use the tire for winter commuting and replace it when the riding pace picks up (in the spring). How many miles are on it?

First do the old soap and water trick and check for a leak. If ok you could overfill and see what happens but I will caution you once you get above 65-70lbs. Things can happen fast without warning, especially when your filling the tire and your next to it. If it were me and it was'nt leaking I would just keep an eye on it. I had a similar cut in a tire that lost about a pound a month put another 3000 miles on it. Your tread looks nice and thick it should be fine.

Thanks guys for the instant support. In the meantime I gave my new baby a quick whistle up and down the local 10 kilometer stretch of fast highway. Yep she's fast and feels great. The bike is fitted with a fly screen and at about 90 (yea, I forgot the tire for a while) I get turbulence on top of my helmet, which is fine by me. No need to get a bigger one. I suppose there are advantages to being a short arris.

With regard the tyre I think for peace of mind I will replace it. They are not too expensive here and I need all the chances I can get here in the Philippines. The roads are not the best.

I will probably hold it as emergency spare.

Thanks again.

Mr. Snow......I wouldn't dare call you by the second name....he, he, he.

The tyre on your bike is probably the OEM fitment.....those have been discontinued and if there are any to be found they would be NOS.

It's hard to tell the origin of the cut.....sometimes as tires age, under various temperature cycles they develop this type of failure. I could see, from your pic, that you were down to the cord(s)

I fully agree with your decission to replace, as there is too little room for error on a bike tyre.......post some pics of the new bike....

No. Absolutely, Hell, No! Ask the Dealer if they will give you a "deal" on a new tire and if they don't (They don't owe you anything, after all) then just buy a new one from them. Life is too friggin short as it is anyway.

Don't chance it...replace it. Those tires are the only thing between you and the road.

I aggree with other posts. Change it, Roads in PI are bad enough without the added risk of a blow out on Maharlika Highway.
On On

boxermania wrote:Mr. Snow......I wouldn't dare call you by the second name....he, he, he.

The tyre on your bike is probably the OEM fitment.....those have been discontinued and if there are any to be found they would be NOS.

It's hard to tell the origin of the cut.....sometimes as tires age, under various temperature cycles they develop this type of failure. I could see, from your pic, that you were down to the cord(s)

I fully agree with your decission to replace, as there is too little room for error on a bike tyre.......post some pics of the new bike....

Pics are here http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... c&start=15

Tyre changed, now we can go for it!!!!

Mr Visa can worry about the rest

When I visited my local BMW dealer to have my rear tyre replaced, he told me that the one installed (Metzeler ME Z4 170/60 ZR 17) was not the correct tyre for my bike.

He sold me a Metzeler ME Z1 160/60 R 17. Is this correct?

Can anyone advise me what all the numbers mean so I can make sense of this.

Rod -

Looks like your dealer sold you a narrower tire. The 160 refers to the tire width in millimeters.

I've always used a 120/70-17 for the front and a 170/60-17 for the rear - which is what came on the bike when I bought it new.

Tire info here:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... e-data.htm