[vonzips]

While checking out my tires tonight, I noticed a “slice” in the sidewall of my rear Q4. These tires have about 200 miles on them, with about half of that mileage being track days. I’ve never seen a motorcycle tire do this. I feel like I would’ve noticed this while doing track prep. Has anyone else seen this with the Q4 or other tires?

 

[Buhgaboo]

Looks like sabotage from someone left handed...cut to the cord!...or you rolled next to something really sharp...race rubber is soft...it doesn't take much force to cut that deep... especially if it's warm

 

[vonzips]

It just seems weird that it’s so close to the actual wheel. I could see, if during riding, maybe catching some debris on the edge of the contact patch (or even the sidewall), but right above the lip of the wheel?? I don’t know, when I’m riding, I try to stay pretty aware of road debris and conditions. And when I ride the street, time is so limited that it usually gets rolled out of the garage, I do my ride, and then roll it right back in the garage. It definitely has me a little dumbfounded.

 

[RockAZ]

Happened when the wheel installed? In any case, email these to Dunlop customer service and ask their opinion, they will get back to you

 

[duc96cr]

I see a mark in the rubber from the edge of the tread , between the Z and R, and down to the split. If it happened while riding it seems like you’d have felt it, but it doesn’t look like sabotage to me. Looks like damage from mounting, but I’ve never seen a tire split like that before, and it seems like you (or someone ) would have noticed the damage. I wouldn’t expect any help from the manufacturer. It does not look like a factory defect.

 

[RockAZ]

Blew up the pic more, I think that mark duc96 pointed out is from a tire machine during the mounting on the rim. This is the cause,imo, and I don't think it is a manufacturing defect either but clearly a weakness in design if it can't withstand pressure when new from a tire mounting machine.

Contact Dunlop with this link, and when they respond send them these pics

Contact Us | Dunlop Tires

Dunlop takes great pride in our products, services, and our relationship with you, our consumers. Please let us know if there's a way we can help you, or better serve you.

www.dunloptires.com

Oh, and I would absolutely not ride on that tire.

 

[vonzips]

Thanks for the replies. The bike is getting a new set of tires as I type this. I’ll reach out to Dunlop via the link above. Appreciate all the help!