Mounted 2 brand new Metz 888 on my 2008 Harley Ultra Classic a week back. Not even 200 miles on the tires and the front appears to have chunks missing from the middle? See photos.

I bought the tires 12/15 but didn't mount them until a week ago (the other tires lasted longer then I thought) They were sitting on my front porch until I mounted them.

It looks like there is a 'ring' around the center of the tire from the tire mould, this is where the issue is. Is this whole thing normal? I have never seen this before on any Metz tire I've had mounted.

I do have 2 oz of Dynabeads in each tire. I can't believe that would cause this issue. Rear tire doesn't have this going on (yet).

Emailed Metz today...will post update when I get a reply.

(Yes, am aware of the old old story of the Metz tires back when and tread sep. These tires are not from years ago.)




This goes around the whole tire, looks like its from the tire mould they pop the tire out of.

 

Those should go back to where they came from along with a letter to Metzler

 

I agree with twoblue Metzler needs to know. I've been running 888's since they came out. No issues at all 8k on the rear and 16k on the front and they look new?

 

Call Metzler, that's a warrant claim.
The should give you new tires.
I had a Dunlop do that on a rear of my 2010 ultra.
Got new skins. Mine split on the sides where the hard compound met the soft side walls.

 

I have them on my other bike, no issues there.

Only the front is showing this....wondering if the rear would do something similar soon?

Kinda scary.

 

As I noticed this today, I called and they are not open. I did email them and send photos and the purchase invoice from Jake Wilson online.

Curious....would they warrant 1 tire? or 2? rear looks ok so far.

As I already had to pay to have them mounted, how would that work?

I pull my rims and have them mouted at a local reputeable tire place. cost about $70.

I did have 2 oz Dynabeads put in each tire, that cant be the issue here (?) could it?

would they pay just to have an entire set mounted somewhere?

Local HD Dealer isn't listed as a Dealer on the Metz site. With belt tension and ABS etc, I wouldn't want bike worked on and mounted at an Indy or Yamaha type dealer.

 

go to the metzler website and read their warranty. I know if you had a Dunlop, they would warrant the tire, but the cost for mounting and balancing would be on you.

yep, they say the same thing....

http://www.metzeler.com/site/us/tech...-warranty.html

 

I'd take it back and ask for a new tire. When I had Goldwings I ran 880's. I found them to be an excellent tire in wet conditions with pretty good thread life.

 

I think the 888s replaced the 880s; or, the 888's have better compounds and are supposed to last longer. Either way, either tire which isn't falling apart is fine by me

 

That's a Made in Brazil Metz, isn't it?