Tyre Rant

[robc]

Afternoon,
After 75,000 miles riding on a few sets of Tourances without any problems I didn't think twice about having a new set fitted recently. The new set, however, are made in China rather than Germany. After 2,500 miles the front tyre is worn to the point where I would normally replace it! That's a tenth of the mileage I normally expect. There are cracks around all tread block and a split is developing on one of the seams. The tyre manufacture date is week 37 of 2013 so it hasn't been hanging around for a long time.

VERY ANNOYED!

The rear seems to be fairing a little better but is squaring off at an alarming rate. Now, I normally get 12-15,000 miles from a rear Tourance. Looks like I might only get 7k our of this one.

VERY ANNOYED!

Riding over white lines and general road inperfections is making the bike weave & wobble alarmingly. Just like it feels when the tyres are completely shot.

VERY ANNOYED!

Getting my tyre man to call his supplier on Monday to see if Metzeler will replace my tyres, FOC, with German made ones.

For the record, the front tread pattern is identical to the German made tyre but the rear has a much larger gap between the tread block on the edges - wide enough for me to get my thumb in.

I'm not happy with these tyres at all. I hope it's just a bad batch.


Four weeks of commuting and the front tyre is shot.

VERY ANNOYED!


Anyone else had this problem with Chinese Tourances?

Regards

RobC

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thanks for the heads-up

Never knew this before you've highlighted it

I shall be checking 'Country of manufacture' now, before fitting in future

 

[The Grey One]

Are they real? or a copy? be interesting to know.

John

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Pirelli own Metzeler and some interesting facts here

http://www.pirelli.com/corporate/en/company/history/default.html

 

[iftikartaxis]

Tyres

Thanks for the info
I need a new front tyre and it's got tourances on
I had distanzies on my other 1150 I thought they were really good
So keep us informed may change them both at the same time back to avon

 

[ahebron]

Just because it has been made in China does not make it a bad product.
Most of the stuff we in the West buy these days has come out of China or contains Chinese parts or assembly
Pirelli/Metzler are just doing what manufacturers around the world do, get the most from spending the least ands entering prospective markets.
One thing the Chinese are good at is fast turnaround of a bad product to a good one if need be.
I am not defending or supporting China.
Not so long ago we would have been saying this about goods made in Japan.

Adrian

 

[The Grey One]

I'm not against any product because of it's country of origin. I an sure that they can produce good tyres in China but I would like to know the source of the tyres in question. The OP says the tread pattern was slightly different, certainly the wear rate sounds alarming. Having seen a few dodgy tyres during my time in the motor trade I think, as I have posted before, the first question should be, are the tyres in question fake. I think we are all aware that fake products are all around us. It is not unreasonable to suppose that someone is making tyres too.

If they are genuine tyres then this raises a serious question about the manufacturing standards and quality control at the plant in China.

I would hope that the tyre manufacturer concerned will fully investigate this and that we find out one way or another as soon as possible.

John

 

[DutchBryn]

John, If fakes they would most likely have 'Made in Germany' all over them. (Spelled correctly or otherwise...).

Most likely, one or other of their clever MBAs has decide the old Tourance is not what it they really want you to buy any more. So, for the decreasing No. of die-hards, it'll still be made but not in a factory where they make their new (more profitable) stuff.

 

[Wrinkly]

I've always gone for the original Tourance as a first choice of tyre, but I've yet to get more than 7.5k out of a rear tyre.

Steve

 

[JayC]

After 2,500 miles the front tyre is worn to the point where I would normally replace it! That's a tenth of the mileage I normally expect.

Regards

RobC

Rob, I take your concerns onboard but was the above a typo? You normally expect 25,000 miles from a front tyre?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

If I can get 7.5k from a rear tyre I am a happy enough camper regardless of its manufacturer or place of origin. I prize grip and performance over longevity

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just because it has been made in China does not make it a bad product.
Most of the stuff we in the West buy these days has come out of China or contains Chinese parts or assembly
Pirelli/Metzler are just doing what manufacturers around the world do, get the most from spending the least ands entering prospective markets.
One thing the Chinese are good at is fast turnaround of a bad product to a good one if need be.
I am not defending or supporting China.
Not so long ago we would have been saying this about goods made in Japan.

Adrian

Read Post 1

Wear rate and grip may not be as good

I still remember Jap Dunlops in the 1970's/80's

 

[The Grey One]

John, If fakes they would most likely have 'Made in Germany' all over them. (Spelled correctly or otherwise...).

Most likely, one or other of their clever MBAs has decide the old Tourance is not what it they really want you to buy any more. So, for the decreasing No. of die-hards, it'll still be made but not in a factory where they make their new (more profitable) stuff.

Possibly, but I suspect the far eastern market for tyres might be a big one. It is possible that some fake tyres could get into the European market even though they were intended for domestic consumption. OK it is unlikely but with so much counterfeiting going on it is possible and asking the question does no harm.

John

 

[robc]

Rob, I take your concerns onboard but was the above a typo? You normally expect 25,000 miles from a front tyre?

No typo. In 75k miles using Tourances I get around 25k per front tyre and 12-15k on the rear. All motorway work.

Rob C

 

[King Rat]

Interesting heads up, because mine are squaringoff and riding white lines badly too,after a very low mileage when, like you, I would expect to get at least 12,000 from the rear, but I tend to change them as apair even though there is stil 4mm or so on the front (haven't measured it, just there is still loads left). Hmm - getting the knees wet in the morning to check what it says on the tyre walls.

 

[robc]

My tyres were removed this morning so they can be sent back to Pirelli (Mezteler). Just off the centre line the tread depth is 1mm with the centre badly squared. At best there is 2mm left on the tyre. Mileage for this tyre is a smidgeon under 3,000 miles.

I'll be contacting Pirelli next week to send some photo's.

Regards

Robc

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

 

[robc]

Update: I got a call from Pirelli this morning. They said "We have been unable to find a manufacturing defect in the tyres you returned to us"

My heart sank.

Then it was lifted agan with the next sentence. "We will, as a gesture of good will to such a loyal customer, send you a replacement pair of tyres"

I'm assuming, possibly incorrectly, that Pirelli did find something wrong with my tyres but didn't want to tell me about it.

In the meantime, I get a new set of Tourances FOC. The jury is out on how long they are likely to last though. I'll report back in due course.

I didn't ask where they were made though.

Regards

Rob C

 

[Popell]

Sounds like a result Rob.
I would not read too much into the fact that they are being replaced, someone with some sense at Pirelli would have looked at them (after the boffins had) and reasoned that it would be daft to refit such worn tyres even if they were up to spec. The cost to them of a pair of boots fades to nowt in the light of potential bad press.

Seems to be reasonable customer service, but I do share your concerns re different wear rate, perhaps they have modded the compound to more like the EXP - they seem to have less absolute life.

Enjoy the new tyres then take the decision if it is time to swap supplier at next change.

 

[iftikartaxis]

Tyres

Well a good will gesture is better than nowt
See if they send you the exact same type with china of origin on the side

 

[robc]

Regardless of where they are made; if they wear out quickly they will be sent back again.

Hopefully I'll get them in time for fitting next weekend. Can't wait to get rid of the Scorpion Trails I fitted this time. Never again. It's like riding with knobblies on. Nasty vibration between 60-80mph.

RobC