Righto, put a new set of Dunlop Qualifier II's on the 'blade y'day.

150ish miles mixed roads up to Cadwell yesterday scrubbed them in. Full track day there today (mostly dry) & rode home tonight mostly on motorways in the rain.

Got a deep crack in the rear, approx 15mm long, all jagged (no puncture hole/ straight bits to indicate a cut from crap on the road/track). Pushing the crack apart, canvas is visible though the whole crack. Guess about 4mm tread depth (out of original 5) left.

My opinion is that the tyre has started to fail from a defect, not fit for purpose, blah blah...

Pressures were good. 32psi in the back, mid to fast in the intermediates on a chilly overcast & showery day, very modest wear on the outer edges & smooth in the middle (looks right).

Got the receipt, going to tootle down to the tyre shop & give it a go. They'll know it's been on track because I rode back on motorways; but it's supposed to be suitable for track use.

Any ideas what my chances are of a free replacement?

Well if its not due to wear and tear I would have thought its well within your right to get the defected product replaced....let us know!

Got the rear replaced today.

The body language from the guy I showed said to me that he agreed with me, but at no time did anyone actually verbalise that- they went to great lengths to avoid it.

The main man took over & tried to persuade me that such a crack was normal in tyres & from something puncturing the tyre, to which I said there were no round or straight edges and it was consistently down to the canvas along the tear; then they said hitting a pot hole. Then suggested too much pressure on track, to which I pointed out the near perfect wear on the tyres...

Oooh, one tried to say others would ride on it...

I asked him if he'd be happy to take it to 180MPH- maybe not.

Short version, they replaced it at cost to me. They completed a report & will send the tyre back to Dunlop & they've said that even if Dunlop say it's not a manufacturing defect, my next set of tyres will also be at cost.

It's a place where I've spent a considerable amount of money on tyres (& Mrs849 has too).

If anyone thinks that I'm making a fuss out of nothing, I'd be keen to hear from you guys because you have no vested interest.

425miles total:

I would not be happy to have a tyre split after such a small amount of miles and surely if you can see the canvas it is an MOT failure?

At cost??? I wouldn't have been happy with anything less than replacement at no-cost, the tyre wasnt fit for purpose, end of.

Agreed mate & I didn't back down one bit, stayed completely polite but firm; but when the best on offer is at cost, that's the best that's on offer.

They also said that if Dunlop say it's not a defect, they will also do my next set of tyres at cost too. I get 3-4 full track days out of a set of tyres, so on balance I shouldn't be too out of pocket on the cost per mileage...

The dealer is Motorcycle Tyres UK, which are a tad pricier than the other dealer I use in north London, but they never have a queue, are close & carry plenty of inventory.

From my description & the pic, would you agree that the tyre has developed a defect, or rather that it's normal wear & tear, sh!t happens kind of thing?

Its impossible to tell from a picture and I'm no tyre expert, but a crack to the canvas definitely doesnt sound like normal wear. Also looks like no puncture I have ever had!

Frankly I'd have been inclined to have the tyre looked at independently.

Frankly you've just handed over the evidence and if I were Dunlop it'd would be likely to "go missing"

I haven't got time to do the things I want to do & fannying about strapping a 190 rear to the fag packet sized pillion seat, then looking for an independent tyre expert (or trading standards my dad suggested) is worth losing a hundred notes, so long as it's a one off...

I'm fully expecting Dunlop to declare the tyre as not defective, but make a goodwill gesture of some description. I'd be happy with that because I gain, including the buggering about factor and they know that there has been a problem.

It sounds from the feedback that you guys seem to agree that it isn't normal though. They did have me questioning my own assessment after a while.

Worth mentioning that after hating Dunlop for a long time, I actually really like these tyres. Supple, good feedback & feel. Haven't found their limits yet, wet or dry. She made her own choice, but Mrs 849 has just got a set of these Qualifier II's and we're off on a 1100 mile tootle round France for the week end. Hope this tear was a one off...

Certainly doesn't look "normal" to me. Not for a nice shiney new tyre. The other thing that looks odd is that most people start at the other end of the tape measure. You know, the bit with 0 1 2 3 on it?

Does this tape measure make my crack look big?

No - your big crack makes your crack look big :P

I've seen some small rips on tyres from objects but that one looks quite big and deep. I'd want it checked out as well. Especially on a new tyre. Wait and see what Dunlop say.

Update: Got a letter from Dunlop today saying that they "cannot detect any evidence of manufacturing irrelgularity, and the condition revealed by our examination resulted from matters over which we have no control, we very much regret being unable to meet your claim..." (sic)

"The tyre has been cut during use {why is there not a single straight/circular part to the tear?}, possibly allowing moisture and road matter to enter the carcass leading to corrosion and breakdown of the structural components." {The tyre was a whopping two (2) days old! I know I did one session on track in the rain, then rode home in the rain, but I inspected the tear carefully and it was cleaner than a surgeons cutting table and the canvas was pristine- were they looking at the same tyre?? }

They go on to say that they'll hold on to the tyre for 14 days and that I can still arrange to have it independently inspected.

I don't have the time or the inclination to mess about & take it further, really...

BUT, I can't say that I have any warm, fuzzy feelings towards Dunlop. Shame, 'cause it seems like the perfect tyre for me. Not entirely track biased, but kicks ass big time on the track. Great in the wet, supple & loads of feedback; in fact, it's pretty difficult to exceed the grip. Then doesn't start squaring off if you do a couple hundred miles on a m'way.

Hey ho. Bridgestone & Michelin will eventually respond with a tyre as well rounded; then it'll be Bye Bye Dunlop.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I would still write to them to say you dissagree with there findings and why but say that as there reply was as expected you will take it no further. It may make them re-examine the tyre but as you do not intend to persue it you have nothing to loose.

Pretty much my plan Wareshome. I'm back tonight to yet another soul destroying 7 nights in a row, so I'm taking my track leathers & boots in to clean and the letter from Dunlop.

A short letter saying that I disagree with them & despite my otherwise very positive experience with this new tyre of theirs, will not be staying with Dunlop, feel that this is poor service, blah, blah.

Then it's time to move on.

Thanks for opinion & suggestions everyone- very appreciated.

i am sure one of the bike mags or mcn would like to hearyour story.

Just when I thought I was going to leave it be, you've put thoughts in my head Mally.

I wouldn't go that way till you've sent your final, full of disappointment, letter to Dunlop, reiterating that the tyre was only 2 days old etc, and waited to see if you get any further response.

Tell them you intend writing to the MCN or Bike Mags . that might put a rocket up thier arriss. Always worth a try.

TBH I'd defo be looking for a second opinion

Let's face it, their YTS trainee could have written that tripe