| Author | Message | ||
     Nedwreck |
There's a slight wobble at the bars. It's such that it doesn't matter what speed I'm going the wobble is the same. It's not very noticeable but it's there nontheless.I'm hoping it's a balance problem. The tech guys work on Buells about as often as I have a problem with one, which is not real often so it could be something got installed wrong. I hope not but you never know. It was raining this morning so I couldn't take the bike in to get it checked. The tech guys are aware of the wobble and I'ma get it checked asap. I figure I'll try that before I start talking to the Desser folks. Other than that, I'm happy with the tyres. The bike sure turns in quicker. It should be noted that I'm watching my speed as Desser was real clear about the 100 mile break in period. Bob | ||
| Nedwreck |
Yep, the tyre was a dud. They're sending another one overnight (on their dime, of course). We'll see what happens. Bob | ||
| U4euh |
Howa'bout a picture? | ||
| Koz5150 |
Well I had nothing but a HORRIBLE experiance with Desser. They kept telling me I would get my tires "next week" for over three months. Then when they did arrive They came unanounced. They charged my account with letting me know. The tires were supposed to be orange and parts of them were with black spots throughout the rubber. The seam on the sides of the tire was split open and the orange retread rubber YOU DO REALIZE THE TIRE IS A RETREAD RIGHT? was peeling off. When I called them to complain they didn't even know who sent the tires or who charged my account. I will never deal with them again and have considered it a personal goal to tell everyone about what I think of their company. READ THIS LINK to see my pictures and the full story. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=4062&post=250069#POST 250069} | ||
| Nedwreck |
Wow. They've sure come a long way. I got my tyres the very next day. Of course, I paid for the next day shipping. The sidewalls on my tyres don't look anything like the ones you got. They don't have "Challenger" written anywhere on them. They also don't have those little rubber hairs standing up on them either. There was a lot of mold flashing on mine but it's going away the more I ride. I did have the problem with the front tyre but they are sending a new one UPS Next Day. I'm sure this will sort the problem. (if you knew me, you'd know that this sort of thing goes on all the time. Just my luck, I imagine) Bob | ||
| Koz5150 |
I wish you the best of luck. Personally I am going to stick to black tires from now on. | ||
| Outrider |
Will enjoy reading Bob's comments as he logs mileage on the tires in a variety of conditions. Better to get first hand info than to settle for someone's advertising hype. Me, I haven't done retreads on my cars or light trucks since the 1960's and definitely would not consider them on my motorcycles. However, that is just based on experience with technology or lack thereof back then. I pray Bob's experience will be a good one as I am real tired of reading the biker down announcements on the BWB. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I'd be curious to see how they hold up as well. I had considered getting the grey ones. Koz, is there somewhere that indicates they are a retread? I just ask because these are priced significantly higher than a new tire. Hardly worth paying more for a retread than a new tire simply for the color. | ||
| Sleez |
these are not retreads in the conventional sense, plus every tire is put through an x-ray type process to ensure safety! they have been using this process for many years on aircraft tires that have to meet very strict FAA inspection/regulations! this of course doesn't answer for the cosmetic issues. i did a lot of research on these tires, don't really care for the colors, but want reasonable priced replacement rubber, i have a set that will go on the S3 when it is finished, black sport compound. my 2 cents. | ||
| Mikej |
Just one question, and this is not meant to imply any opinion on the quality of the tires in question, but just how many airplanes has anyone seen taking a corner at speed while still on the ground? I know that sometimes they do take the turns from the runways to the approach/departure lanes at a fairly good clip, but in reality just how many miles does an aircraft tire rack up before it's changed? Do aircraft tires run down the pavement for more than a mile at a time? How well would an aircraft tire hold up if you mounted a set of them onto a car and then took that car for a long winding drive through the countryside? For me at least, comparing aircraft tires to motorcycle tires is like comparing two totally unrelated items apart from a few similarities. Perhaps I'm wrong, probably am, but I'm not about to pay a premium to use someone else's used carcas. YMMV. | ||
| Sleez |
all the aircraft comparison does is prove they have very strict procedures and requirements to meet, if they had problems with tread coming off of tires for ANY reason, the FAA would pull their certs! being once in the aircraft industry, i very well know the difference in the use, sidewall dynamics are quite different. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Mikej, the braking forces on a 747 in the first 30 seconds of contact with the ground out do ANY of the forces and heat you will put into your tires at any time in the life of your bike not involving a plasma cutter...  | ||
| Koz5150 |
If you look at their website they take 5 of the 9 questions on their FAQ page to answer questions about retreads. Yes, they are retreads in every sense of the word. I wish no harm to anyone, I am just showing you the pictures, and telling the honest story of my dealings with this company. You just gotta ask yourself, is the color of your tire worth you lowsiding your bike in a corner? | ||
| Barkandbite |
Mikej: I concur with your opinion -- the dynamics of each solution are completely different irrespective of the processes and requirements they must meet. While FAA requirements are quite strict, they are also very focused on multiple contingency options. That's why you usually find 2-3 of everything that is classified as critical. Hence, an aircraft usually has more than a single tire at each point. Usually there are more than that both for load and for resiliency. I have not seen many motorcycles with more than two front or two rear tires... Obviously the requirements for truck tires (in the context of retreads) is a completely different animal when compared to motorcycle tires. You can Xray the tire all you want, but if the sidewall deforms due to the overlay lamination of the process, I'm not sure it's going to comfort the poor soul laying in the hospital with skin grafts. To each his own. I respect each of your desires and circumstances, but this is like bargain shop- ping for helmets. Prices on non-remanufactured tires are low enough that I (personally) am not willing to gamble my life on saving what amounts to a few dollars. Just my $0.02 Chris | ||
| Outrider |
I don't recall any MC Mag tests on these colored retreads. Heck, they barely do any real testing on the first article tires and are fairly limited concerning their personal input after parroting the manufacturers claims. If anyone can direct me to any MC Mag test results on these things, it would be greatly appreciated. Gosh, even testimonials from other MC Brand or Racing Boards would be nice. Regardless whether they are good or bad, I would need to have more information before I risk life and limb using them on a bike the way I like to ride. Back to the light truck retread thing, in the 1980's, I ran a fleet of 12 Toyota Trucks six days a week installing automotive electronics for the auto dealers throughout So Cal and was not about to risk either my employees, my inventory or my business on retreads as the cost of quality tires was not that much more and they came with a warranty. Then again, any frequent flier can expound upon the abuse the tires the airlines use take. That is a lot of weight they are hauling around and not too many pilots slow down that much in those first few turns escaping the runway during landing. Ergo, the assumption is they are exposed to a lot of lateral stress. Now, you have me wondering. Are the retreads used on passenger or cargo planes? Also am curious as to which airlines use them. | ||
| Koz5150 |
They have a MC mag article on their webpage, but that is the only place I have ever seen one. | ||
| Nedwreck |
The new tyre's in, on and wobble free. It's a nice day, sod everything I'm going riding. Bob | ||
| Jarhead |
Keep us posted Ned! | ||
| Sleez |
Ned, pics??? | ||
| Outrider |
Ned...Sounds good. As already mentioned, keep us posted concerning your long term experience with the tires and tease us with a few pics. Enjoy! | ||
| Nedwreck |
Roger that. Words and pics. Pics I can post this afternoon. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that there are no less than ten of those stick on wheel weights in close proximity of the valve. One with 4 sections and one with 6 sections. All to the right of the spokes. I've seen other bikes with more on but not real often. The back has only 3. I'm also not real thrilled with the fact that someone has buggered the powdercoat on the front rim. I would have thought this was completely avoidable these days. They DO have the best tyre machine you can get but I'm not sure If they have the proper bits to protect painted rims. Before now, they've never needed them. And they have changed the front rim no less than 4 times in less than a week. Bob |
