Michelin Pilot Power warning!

[k1w160]

Gidday,

I was out riding the SV yesterday and it just wasn't handling right.

I was beginning to wonder if the front tyre had lost some air pressure (I had checked the pressures at the beginning of the ride, like I do everytime I go out on the bike), so I stopped in Helensville and had a look

WHAT I FOUND REALLY CONCERNED ME

There is a faint line around the entire circumference of the front tyre, just off the centre line, and the tyre is slightly raised when you rub your finger over it from side to side!!!!!!!

A VERY slow ride back home followed and I will be going into the dealer that I purchased the tyre from to see what they think.

The tyre is about 1/3 worn, and I am more of a cruiser on the roads so it hasn't been punished in any way.

The tyre is a Pilot Power 120/70 ZR17 Made in Spain

Here is a photo of the tyre and the line, a couple of mm from the arrow, note the way that the line moves around the tread showing that this is not the result of something scoring the tyre.



I strongly recommend, that in light of the failures that Michelin has been having with both road tyres and the high profile Rossi MotoGP front tyre problem, that all Michelin users check your tyres immediatley.

I'll keep you posted with the response of the tyre shop and Michelin.

Cheers

[cowpoos]

did you run up a curb or hit a hard object?

[k1w160]

Good thought, but no I didn't hit anything, it was a beautiful day with excellent visability on well maintained roads.

Even if I had hit something, if this line had appeared around the entire tyre because of it, I would still be very concerned.

[NinjaNanna]

Are Pilot Power's dual compound???

[k1w160]

Gidday,

The Michelin Pilot Power 2 CT are dual compound (and I'm running one of those on the back with no problems), however this is not a 2CT, just the std Pilot Power.

Cheers

[dogsnbikes]

Are Pilot Power's dual compound???

the 2ct powers are

that line looks like where the wear line should be ......... when it disappears time for a new tyre discovered that when looking at my rear last month had a mark like that ....where a green rubber beed use to be

[k1w160]

Gidday,

I do know what you mean about the wear line on the rear tyre, I'm on my third Pilot Power on the back and am familiar with it, but I'm not sure if I agree on that in this situation...why would a manufacturer desgin a wear line that produces a raised profile on the front tyre and uspests handling to such a degree that it becomes unstable?

As posted, I check my tyres everytime that I ride, and there was no evidence of this previously, and if it is a wear line, then it became noticable in 60km of legal speed open road riding.

If this is a wear line, then shouldn't these tyres should come out with a clear warning about instability when they are about 1/3 worn?

It may be my scottish ancestors coming through here, but I would like to think that a premium tyre would be good for more than 1/3 wear before replacement.

It will be interesting to see what the experts at the shop say.

All opinions on this tyre are welcomed.

Cheers

[k1w160]

Will do, thanks for that.

[slowpoke]

All opinions on this tyre are welcomed.

Cheers

Hmmmm, I'd want to be waaaaay more sure of my facts before I put up a thread called 'michelin warning!!!!!!!!!".
I'm not saying this isn't the problem, but I've seen tyres with much greater distortion than this (check any regular commuters' tyre) that still rode reasonably well. Unless something is breaking down within the tyre I can't see how this relatively minor looking "defect" would have such a sudden dramatic effect at cruising speeds.
In what way is the bike not handling as per normal?

[k1w160]

Gidday,

The 'warning' bit was put there for a reason, as was this thread.

If there is a 'potential problem' with the Pilot Power front tyre, then it is better to lean to the side of caution until a clear answer can be found.

The front felt like it had started to go flat, as per a previous post above, and was enough of a detrimental change in handling that I felt it best to stop and check it out.

As Michelin has had documented delamination issues with their front road tyres recently, I am quite happy to be seen as waving a cautionary warning flag to other riders.

This may even be a one off and I am happy to admit it if it is, and if it is a normal wear characteristic of these tyres, then I want to know that as well, as it will influence my buying decision on tyres for both of my bikes in the future.

I am not new to motorcyling, I am a rider of 32 years continuious experience, and with a little road racing under my belt as well (3rd place in the 06-07 NZPCRA pre'89 senior class chamionship), I am used to tyres sliding, spinning up and generally mis-behaving, but this was definately a first in my experience.

The 'facts' are as follows:

Pilot Powers front and rear both semingly in good condition with plenty of life left in them.
Well maintained '05 SV1000S with 20,000km on the clock.
Deteriation of handling while riding at legal open road speeds over a very short period of time.
Line on the tyre with a noticable raised area the only visible reason for the deteriation of handling.

I am happy to be proved wrong in this matter, however, until I have professional tyre experts look at the tyre and give their input (and that is not ment to be a dig at any who have posted or will post on this thread), then I am quite happy to caution people to check these tyres (or any other brand for that matter) for any faults or unusual wear patterns, which we should all be doing anyway.

As stated before: all opinions on this tyre are welcome.

Cheers

[Renegade]

ive seen this heaps on car tyres over the years, bubbles forming under the tread and separating from the wire/canvas for what ever reason, its definately a safety issue, i reckon your tyres poked mate, just my 2c

[Cr1MiNaL]

Hello,

Not sure if what ur refering to is the carbon strip that runs down the center line of the tire (as I cant open the pic 4 some reason). But anyhow if it is a thin white line, this just helps transfer the heat from the center of the tire to the outsides so that when your riding in a straight line all of ur tire is heated up, including the edges... (this should not be a raised portion of tire either!, thats just dangerous).

If its causing instability, I'd just demand a replacement. Not worth the risk.

[CBobR]

Interesting, I just got my new issues of Superbike and Performance Bike, both have ads issueing a recall of certain Pilot Power fronts.
Only ones made in France though?

"
Michelin to Recall Pilot Power 2CT and Pilot Power 120/70 ZR 17 Front Motorcycle Tyres
15/06/07


(STOKE-ON-TRENT – 15 June 2007) – Michelin has launched a campaign to recall its Pilot Power 2CT and Pilot Power 120/70 ZR 17 front motorcycle tyres with “Made in France” markings. An examination of these tyres showed a possible defect in the tread due to a manufacturing irregularity. No cases of pressure loss have been reported and no accidents have occurred.

Because customer safety is its primary concern, Michelin has decided as a precaution to replace certain 120/70 ZR 17 Michelin Pilot Power 2CT and Michelin Pilot Power front tyres, which can be identified by the following markings on the sidewall:

a “Made in France” label
DOT 6UCW 980T or DOT 6UCW 979T
Pilot Power: week numbers 2704 to 0406 inclusive
Pilot Power 2CT: week numbers 4505 to 1807 inclusive
These tyres will no longer be sold by dealers.
"

[Fatjim]

Thats a different issue IIRC. They putconflicting direction arrows on the casings I think.

[jrandom]

Proper tyres are designed and made in Germany or Japan.

I wouldn't trust any frog- or spaghetti-eating tyre manufacturers with my motorcycle's traction and my life.

No way, no how.

Metzeler fanboy forever!



Edit: Contis are aiight, too. Go the GP4000s!