Bridgestone Tire Warning

[jayel]

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26413

I'm not one for bashing, but this is something that people need to be aware of.



http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=110552


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------cross posted from xs650.com

[natemoen]

Not cool at all!

[Cuda 69]

guess I won't be buying Bridgestone's.They are idiot's not replacing his tire.

[Courtney]

Kenda Challengers. Been out in a B.C. winter environment for 4 yrs now, and still soft and supple with nothing like that. No overpriced Spitfires for me anymore.

[daveyg]

Wow! I have Kenda Challengers on both my bikes, had a front on my XJ 650 for 3 years and 6k miles, stored in a subzero shed every winter, sold the bike and it still had more than half tread, and 0 cracks. I would be making a YouTube video calling them out.

[tarzan]

That story is suspect to me. There is more to the story. Tires don't just crack like that. I'd be real surprised if any manufacturer called any tire that cracks like that, and that is nearly new, acceptable or even normal.

[DAVINCI]

Not so fast

Here are pics of mine from 2010. Less than 500 miles on this tire. Neither the retailer nor Bridgestone made good on this:

[crazy steve]

I wonder if this is a case of a 'summer compound' that can't take cold temps. Some manufacturers are now selling performance tires (automotive) that they specifically say can't be used in winter conditions or you'll have tire failure (and you will if run in cold temps).

The other thing this highlights is just how worthless motorcycle tire warrantees are. We're a small, captive market and as long as the manufacturers don't kill any women or children with grossly defective product, there's little incentive for them to improve what they sell. For proof of that merely look at the fact that automotive tires have doubled in average wear since the 70s, but bike tires still wear out in 10K miles or less...

[motoman]

I had previously some years back run a set of BT45's on my Honda ST. Good all- around performing tire, but the front developed a bubble from seperation, and since these radials don't like being mis-matched, I changed out both tires going to the no longer made 205 Dunlop run-flat radials. Ran three sets of those with no issues. Now, being limited as to manufacturer choices in correct size I'll likely go with AvonStormUltra's. Metzlers would be my first choice, but most of their tread design choices use a 'not so good mileage wear' compound, and they had gotten way to proud of them cost wise. Bridgestone bike tires soured me long before any incident like this was shown. As Steve stated, we are a captive user of the products, so in some sense at their mercy.

[crazy steve]

I don't know that I'd let this particular instance be a total condemnation of Bridgestone as I'm reasonable sure if you asked enough people, you could find 'horror stories' about every major tire brand. I've ran most major 'quality name' brands at one time or another (Dunlop, Bridgestone, Avon, Continental) and haven't been impressed with any of them in terms of wear and have had non-wear 'issues' with several of them. Yes, there can be handling differences between them but generally they're not that big. Truthfully, I've had pretty much the same experiences with 'inexpensive' brand tires (ChengShin, Shinko), just poorer wear. But the 'cheap' tires compare pretty well if you look at the their cost vs miles numbers; just because a tire costs twice as much doesn't mean it lasts twice as long.... and whether or not you're buying more 'safety' is an open question IMO...

[madmax-im]

all this is heading to the darkside....ofc thats impossible to do with our XS/XJs' but many folks are getting on board..even ST1100 and 1300 have their share of darksiders...no to mention Goldwing-ers ...the mileage they get is easily 2 to 3 times that of your average mc tire.
I use Bridgestone 023 Battalaxs' on my ST1100...never had any issues...on my 3rd set to date...they grip well in any conditions but tend to wear out quickly...if i get 8000 miles from a set thats good...last year i went thru 3 sets! I'm gettin tired of all these tire changes...

[crazy steve]

Yep, if the 'darksiders' get to be a big enough part of the market you may see some answer from the tire makers, but meanwhile more and more riders are finding that the 'conventional wisdom' being spoonfed to us isn't the whole truth. My bet is the bike/tire makers will either redesign the wheels so you can't swap tires, or try to get a law passed making it illegal to do so...

[madmax-im]

Back to the main point that Bridgestone wouldnt stand behind their tires,isn't surprising at all...as you've said they aren't the first manufacturer to have problems and then deny any responsibiliies associated with such issues...BTW the defects noted here are serious but they are clear signs you have a problem. ON the ST Owners website we've had much more serious issues with Avon Storms 2. Without warning or any indications...they suddenly blow out while you're riding. One lady was doing 70mph when her rear Avon Storm's tred separated and blew out...and this was a new tire..multiply this incident by a dozen and we have unofficially banned this tire from use on ST11s and ST1300s...altho some folks dont agree and still use them...I had them and never had problems but I never bought another set of Avons...And ofc Avon denied any responsibility even when it was a clear manufactured defect. They have a full staff of paid lawyers(liars) just waiting to fight any litigation....

[Cuda 69]

I run Kenda Cruz's on my bike,and I love them,they handle well,can put big loads on the bike and they handle rain very well.I can't say how well they handle the miles,cause I don't have many miles on them.And at a very good price. There made for touring bikes,so I would guess you can put some miles on them,with very good wear.

[motoman]

Back to the main point that Bridgestone wouldnt stand behind their tires,isn't surprising at all...as you've said they aren't the first manufacturer to have problems and then deny any responsibiliies associated with such issues...BTW the defects noted here are serious but they are clear signs you have a problem. ON the ST Owners website we've had much more serious issues with Avon Storms 2. Without warning or any indications...they suddenly blow out while you're riding. One lady was doing 70mph when her rear Avon Storm's tred separated and blew out...and this was a new tire..multiply this incident by a dozen and we have unofficially banned this tire from use on ST11s and ST1300s...altho some folks dont agree and still use them...I had them and never had problems but I never bought another set of Avons...And ofc Avon denied any responsibility even when it was a clear manufactured defect. They have a full staff of paid lawyers(liars) just waiting to fight any litigation....

Yup.....was considering Storms Ultra's untill SEVERAL incidences like that poped up. With the size/manufacturer availability dwindling for the ST11's(not ST13's), and some of my favorites(Metz,Bridgestone, etc.) not getting the decent mileages cause of softer compounds which definitely improve the ride and handleing, it has become a trade-off so to speak. Avon's are bout the only manufacturer I haven't run, and staying with the radial design definitely suits our ST's the best. Both my Venturer and ST tires are at the point of 100mile radius riding, so it's time. The Venturer tire decision is easy, as it don't care what's on it as long as it's new or good tread left on it. The ST, different story, as mis-matched or incorrect size/design definitely affects its handling, even in a straight line at slabs+ speeds. Mis-matched or different size can throw a scary 'weave' in the bike at the occassional ton or more, which is easily done since its Euro design and fuel capacity(7'4gal.) was intended to run the full length of the Autobaun at 100+mph with no fueling necessary, and I have run some 360mi. before fueling more than once. Back to the tire dielema, still up in the air for the ST.