dry rot ???

[dgvnk]

This is the sidewall of the Metzler ME 880 90/90-21 on my 06 Night Train. Put this tire on in Dec or Jan and it has about 9000 miles on it. Not  sure if that is dry rot  or if it is seperating or what I had a ME880 210/50-17 on the back that showed cord at 4600 miles.Before any body asks I'm running 40psi in front and 44psi in back. Replaced the back tire with an Avon Cobra I guess I'll try an Avon up front.  Thanks in advance for any advice.dgvnk

[truck]

Looks bad!
What is the date code on that tire?

[northbrun]

I agree.. it looks like rot... if it's less than 2 or 3 years old i think i'd try and get a new tire from them.

[dgvnk]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but how do I find the date code?

[Diggs223]

date code is four digit stamp, not the molded in writing, looks like an after thought. first two digits are month second two are yr.

[dgvnk]

If I was looking at the correct numbers it was made in Dec 07 it also has "Made in Brazil" on it.

[truck]

Some people say "that tire something" and I say "if I hit something that could do that damage, I'd remember it".
Not sure if it was made in Brazil, but it is a Metzeler.

[CraigArizona85248]

date code is four digit stamp, not the molded in writing, looks like an after thought. first two digits are month second two are yr.

Actually the first two digits are the week the tire was made, not the month.  Week 1 = first week in january, week 38 = sometime in September

-Craig

[CraigArizona85248]

If I was looking at the correct numbers it was made in Dec 07 it also has "Made in Brazil" on it.

If it was "1207" that week 12 of 2007 or late March 2007.  2 1/2 year old tire.  Still wouldn't expect to see rot like that unless it was not stored properly before you bought it.

-Craig

[dgvnk]

The code was 4907 thats how I came up with December

[Tsani]

Be sure you are looking at the correct four numbers, it will follow the word DOT and be the last four digits. Here is a link on it from the AMA site, using a Metzeler tire as an example.

http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/Riderresc/tires.asp

That is a lot of dry rot for a relatively new tire.

[dgvnk]

I checked that link out and went and double checked my tire it is 4907

[CraigArizona85248]

The code was 4907 thats how I came up with December

  You read it correctly.  Hmmm... What are the conditions in the area where the bike is parked most the time?  Any nasty chemicals stored near by?

-Craig

[truck]

It's a Metzeler.......they all do that!
Everybody should check their Metz and report back.
I'm quite serious about this.

[Clintster]

Friend of mine has one just like that his was only an 07 manufacture date. His was a 21 like that one made in Brazil, he switched to Pirellis and I switched to Avons. The Avons are made in England and the Pireelis are made in Germany. We'll see, if they don't hold up  I am going to try the E-3's. He had to park the bike for about 11 months due to tickets.  He is running Sachs heads and hot rods a bit.  Anyhow, good luck with Metzler I switched manufacturers because they will not stand behind these faulty tires .. I had a rear feel like wobbly an it went away in about 4k.  They do not want to hear about it, or if they do it is like peeing up a rope, no real help. The response I got was nuy another and ship us that one, yeah like I am going through that d*#k dance.

[Moosedeuce]

Glad this came up, I was just getting ready to order the same tire. Guess I'll get another Dunlop from Ron Ayers. The last one I got was made 2-3 weeks before it arrived at my door.

[wholehog]

I have two 16" metzlers and both have this alligatoring pattern the entire circumference of both sidewalls both are Brazill WWW tires.....I have had this with several sets that I've run and all have been fresh tires from drag/parts unlimited......I have never had a problem other than the appearance....nothing flaked off and no belts came loose....my main complaint is poor mileage even at 50 PSI  in the rear

I also don't like the metzler attitude toward customers

btw Pirelli owns metzler

I have two Michelin Commanders (made in Spain) that are going on soon......drag/parts unlimited just shipped them to me with early/mid-07 date codes so they must not be selling too many

[f-x-d-w-g]

Well...  Since it's a spoked wheel and has a tube, I'd just ride it.  You'll have to do what you're comfortable with.

[02roadcling]

No big deal. The tire store confirmed this on several occasions. Take a better look at your other vehicles.

[truck]

I just went to the garage and the shed (no not that one) and looked at all the tires on all my wheeled equipment and not a crack (checking) to be seen anywhere.
Motorcycle.......Dunlop about two years old
Pick up............Yokohama about two years old
SUV.................Goodyear about three years old
Lawn tractor....Carlisle fifteen years old
Snow blower....Carlisle twenty one years old
Trailer.............Carlisle six years old
Wheelbarrow ...B.F. Goodrich solid rubber about ninety years old
I forgot to look at my torpedo heater though.
Maybe it's just a certain brand that doesn't age well.

[CraigArizona85248]

It's a Metzeler.......they all do that!
Everybody should check their Metz and report back.
I'm quite serious about this.

I've got a set of 2002 (manufacturing date) Metzlers on my FXDWG.  I have only put ~2K miles on the bike since 2004 so the tires have a lot of tread left.  There is no signs of any cracking like in the photo that was posted.  These tires still look good.  I haven't ridden the bike in over a year but if/when I do get around to registering it again, first thing I'll do is install new tires.  Until then it can sit on these old Metzs.  I probably wouldn't hesitate to run to the store on these old tires, but I wouldn't want to be out on the freeway generating a lot of heat.

-Craig

[14Frisco]

When buying new tires, how old would you buy?  Would you buy one manufactured/date-coded 12 months ago? 8 months?

[CraigArizona85248]

12-months or older doesn't bother me.  I'd probably buy them as old as 3 years.  I go through 2 sets of tires a year so they don't usually sit around too long (except for my old Dyna that has pretty much been retired).

-Craig

[truck]

If you can use them up before six years after the born on date, you should be OK.

[Diggs223]

date code is four digit stamp, not the molded in writing, looks like an after thought. first two digits are month second two are yr.

Actually the first two digits are the week the tire was made, not the month.  Week 1 = first week in january, week 38 = sometime in September

-Craig

my mistake I missremembered