Tire Mishap

[pappyam]

Hi guys

It has been awhile since I posted anything here. Got Don's email and decided to help out which at the same time prompted me to lurk back here again. Never got to thank Brian (Millman37) for the backrest he gave me 2 years ago. Goes to prove that some people are not just in it for the $$. Thank you Brian.

Now on another note, took my bike out on March 16 for the first time this year.It is still pretty cold in these parts this time of year. Last week, on a chilly Easter Saturday, I decided to take a ride with my youngest in the back seat. We did about 15 miles of highway and exited to go to my oldest son's place. While at the red light, my rear tire deflated without me feeling anything. No need to tell you that I found out very quickly after releasing the clutch. The rear tire was shot and I was stranded in the middle of a 3 lane per side boulevard trying to get the bike of the street. I finally managed but I had to do so with the help of the bike's power. Long story short, I got it home on a trailer. After dismantling the wheel, I saw that the tire was cracked all around. I have had the bike since 2002 and did not really ride it much. The tires still have a lot of meat on them as you can see by the pictures. You will also notice a small nail which was the cause of my slow leak that necessitated air in the tire every month or so since last year. That was negligent on my part. I also checked the date code on the tire; "1996" . Yes sir! 13 years old. The front tire which is in good condition dates back 1992. If this mishap of an adventure would have happened on the highway at 70 mph instead of stopped at the light, I can only imagine what my son and I would be looking like right now.

The moral of the story is that, I always took the tires for granted and as long as there was thread on them, we were good to go. Excellent tires, brakes and a good look see before every ride is cheap insurance for a fun day. Hope this reminds everyone that while riding, rubber and a clear noggin is what keeps us SAFE.

Don

PS Although my bike is a first gen, I might have posted this in the wrong forum. My bad and I apologize.

[stardbog]

Dude Glad you get with that metzler tire without any worse. Metzler's are on black list on many MC forum all over the web. There is numerous reports of rubber pealing off tire. some of them @ Hi speed, with not so happy ending. Throw that metz in trash, and go with Avon Venom or Dunlop tire.

 

Good Luck

[Evan]

Dude Glad you get with that metzler tire without any worse. Metzler's are on black list on many MC forum all over the web. There is numerous reports of rubber pealing off tire. some of them @ Hi speed, with not so happy ending. Throw that metz in trash, and go with Avon Venom or Dunlop tire.]

 

From reading a number of previous threads related to tire selection for 1st gen VR, I understand that Kendra Kruz tires are also reccomended by some forum members. Is that still correct? If so, I talked to Sonic Cycle in London On at a recent MC Swap Meet and they wil sell K673's at around $85 Cdn (front & back). I think this is much less that Dunlops here in Ontario.

 

Evan

[pappyam]

I ordered new Dunlops from GBourque in New Brunswick. Rear is a E3 while front is a 404. I wanted what he had in stock and he would have had to order the E3 front or any other tire for that matter. Total cost is $310.00 delivered including tire fees and taxes. Here in the province of Quebec, we get ripped of by most dealers. A rear Kenda was back order and he was charging me $155.00 besides install and taxes. Another was asking $162.00 for a 404. Real rip off. I thought that Bourques prices were fair. Same as US + $ exchange. The rest is taxes and delivery. Suppose to get them monday latest. If everything goes as planned meaning I get what I ordered when I am suppose to, this guy will get thumbs up on my behalf. Will post back later.

We should start a new thread on where in Canada to buy moto tires and accessories at a fair price. Some dealers dont give a hoot about the customer. Its just about the $$.

Don

[bongobobny]

Hey! Someone ELSE painted their rims gold!!!

[Chuckles]

I have ran Kenda Kruze tires on my '86 for about 3 years now. No complaints and good wear tire. also hard to beat the price.

Chuckles

[Monty]

I had a Kenda on the back of my Suzuki, and it was a great tire. I tried it, because the Dunlop 404s just weren't lasting like they used to. My son has the Suzuki now, and the tire still looks good.

[Condor]

Holy Rat Feathers!!! That's some serious cap seperation. Good thing you weren't using Ride-On. Throwing the cap would have been a lot worse than a slow leak.... Also a good example about checking tire 'born on' dates when buying a used scoot... Glad it wasn't worse...

[pappyam]

Hey! Someone ELSE painted their rims gold!!!

Gold with Candy apple orange actually.

 

I have ran Kenda Kruze tires on my '86 for about 3 years now. No complaints and good wear tire. also hard to beat the price.

This was not an option for me as dealers over here rip you of. Buying online with shipping expenses raised the price of the tire and that is why I decided to go with Dunlop.

 

Glad it wasn't worse...

Believe me, so am I. Thank's

Don