Pilot Road 3 failure - contentious...

[DucHead]

I get 10k+ miles out of a PR rear.

[ducatiz]

heat + chemical penetration of some kind.

that is my guess.

[DrDesmo]

Another vote for skepticism here. PR3's here as well nothing but the best tyre I've ever ridden on.

<offtopic>

How do they compare to pure sport tires like the Diablo / Pilot Powers on the street?  Running PR2's on the Sprint and love them, but curious to hear your thoughts on the PR3 ... PM if you want to keep the thread clean

</offtopic>

Cheers,
Adam

[bevel]

Just mounted a rear PR3 yesterday, hope thats not the case.

Just put a PR3 on the rear of the SV last week, but have only put on 30 miles so far.

Really hoping this is an outlier...

[twolanefun]

I know what the dash says, but I am not going to believe there is 10K on those tires, having said that, possibly makes the situation worse. I'd like to see a side shot of the tire so we could see the numbers/codes. If they are in fact manufactured by Michelin I'd really like to see them notified. I've also done some checking on other forums etc.. have not seen anyone else with an issue. If someone finds another post like this let us know. - Gene

[bevel]

I know what the dash says, but I am not going to believe there is 10K on those tires, having said that, possibly makes the situation worse. I'd like to see a side shot of the tire so we could see the numbers/codes. If they are in fact manufactured by Michelin I'd really like to see them notified. I've also done some checking on other forums etc.. have not seen anyone else with an issue. If someone finds another post like this let us know. - Gene

Gene,

He posts up side shots (with close-ups on the rear code) on page 16 or 17.

The rear was manufactured in Aug 2010, didn't get a shot of the code off the front. He did post a front-on shot of the front, and there's just a strip of tread missing from the middle (right down to the cords) for a good 8-10 inches.

[arai_speed]

Scary!  It looks like the outer carcass simply came apart.

[twolanefun]

Hmm, the DOT Code W8 is not Michelin, its a Thailand manufacturer, SIAM TYRE PHRAPRADAENG CO., LTD., which I find is now 100% owned by Michelin. So I guess it's a legit tire, too be honest I don't know the history. Doing a serach I see there have been some recalls on truck/car tires. I'm for sure going to be checking any tires put on my Ducs, in fact my dealer has my ST3 right now for a new 2CT. BTW never had an issue with any of the Road, Power, or 2CT on any of my Ducs. This last 2CT on the front of the ST3 I rode right down below the wear bars only got slippery last 150 miles coming back from Barber last week. - Gene

[ducatiz]

Hmm, the DOT Code W8 is not Michelin, its a Thailand manufacturer, SIAM TYRE PHRAPRADAENG CO., LTD., which I find is now 100% owned by Michelin. So I guess it's a legit tire, too be honest I don't know the history. Doing a serach I see there have been some recalls on truck/car tires. I'm for sure going to be checking any tires put on my Ducs, in fact my dealer has my ST3 right now for a new 2CT. BTW never had an issue with any of the Road, Power, or 2CT on any of my Ducs. This last 2CT on the front of the ST3 I rode right down below the wear bars only got slippery last 150 miles coming back from Barber last week. - Gene

If you google "michelin" and "w8cw" you find that factory has been making michelin moto tires for a while including the PR and PR2s

[corey]

heat + chemical penetration of some kind.

that is my guess.

THIS.

There is no way a tire would do this without some type of chemical involvement. No matter HOW crappy the tire.
Of course... my knowledge bases of tires AND chemical reactions are both very small...

[hcomp]

The tire blistered. More than likely from localized heating. Also could be from the base adhesive and cushion gum not curing properly when it was still a green tire.

[Drunken Monkey]

heat + chemical penetration of some kind.

that is my guess.

Yep. Mine too.

Who's willing to wager me FIVE AMERICAN DOLLARS that this is the case ?

[dark_duc]

I find it hard to believe those tires have 10k miles on them.

+1

[hcomp]

Yep. Mine too.

Who's willing to wager me FIVE AMERICAN DOLLARS that this is the case ?

I will take that wager.  My paycheck comes from tire research.

It is very difficult for any substance to actually soak through the tread cap layer short of a specific tire softener.

Here is the scary truth... If you run a tire 12 psi underinflated for more than 10 miles, it will substantially weaken the adhesive bond for the tread cap.  A combintation of heat and mechanical flexure will ultimately cause blistering and tread separation.

[ducatiz]

I will take that wager.  My paycheck comes from tire research.

It is very difficult for any substance to actually soak through the tread cap layer short of a specific tire softener.

Here is the scary truth... If you run a tire 12 psi underinflated for more than 10 miles, it will substantially weaken the adhesive bond for the tread cap.  A combintation of heat and mechanical flexure will ultimately cause blistering and tread separation.

kerosene is a great tire softener.  old school racers used it -- coat the tire 2-3 days before the race.  nothing specific about it.

what is nearly identical to kerosene?  diesel fuel. 

if he ran thru some diesel, and never washed it off, then combined with the heat..