S4R Michelin Tyres
 

I recently contacted Ducati with an enquiry over the condition of Michelin Pilot Power tyres fitted to my new S4R

I noticed some concerning circumferential marks on the tyres about 1000 miles ago. I initialy thought I'd riden over something, but these marks are still there now!

I will try to attach photos:

Has anyone seen anything like this before? Neither I nor anyone Ive spoken to has?

Meanwhile Ducati have told me not to exceed 60mph till they get to look at them!!:mad::(:o
I still await a reply from Michelin UK

And here is the rear!

Looks interesting not noticed them on mine but I'll take a closer look tommorow;)

none on mine but ive only done just over 500 so far:o

I have just noticed these on mne at 600 miles,

YoungDucS4R did u get anything about it from the dealer?

I have been in touch with both Ducati and Michelin.

Michelin told me to go back to dealer and persue a claim. Ducati told me to take bike in and not exceed 60mph on the bike! Impossible!!

I have removed the tyres and fitted another set. These are being dispatched to Ducati tomorrow.

I eagerly await their response!!

Mine look identical , to yours hhmmmm might mention it at my service on Friday, might take it slowly to:D:D

I have just had a conversation with a guy from Michelin and he has told me the mark is a antistatic strip see email:
In summary no need to worry
"Thank you for your e-mail.

From what you describe they sound like the anti-static strips that are in the
tyre tread.

You can continue to run the bike at normal speeds and these strips will
'disappear' within a few hundred miles .They have no detrimental effects on the
performance of the tyres.

All Pilot Power/Sport/Road tyres have this strip but only a few riders notice
it!"

I have attached a 'simple' diagram as explanation.

Pilot Power



A circumferential groove approx. 2 to 3mm wide and 3 to 4mm deep


Two Wheel Department,
Michelin Tyre Public Limited Company

Mmmmm..................interesting!!

I have copied and pasted a similar response as follows.......

".....they sound like the anti-static strips that are in the tyre tread.

You can continue to run the bike at normal speeds and these strips will
'disappear' within a few hundred miles .They have no detrimental effects for the performance of the tyres.

All Pilot Power tyres have this strip but on a few riders notice it!

Two Wheel Department,
Michelin Tyre Public Limited Company"

.........seems we are seeing a standard response to what seems a re-occurring complaint.

I do not for one moment think that "only a few riders notice it" if something so obvious is staring us in the face each time we wheel our pride and joy out of the garage!

I had done 2250 miles on my new S4R when I removed the tyres, and these marks had been evident for over 1500 miles. Far in excess of the "few hundred" quoted above.

Can I ask that all who may have had similar experiences or occurrances with Michelin Pilot Power tyres to contact:

Barry Robinson
Technical Manager
Two Wheel Department,
Michelin Tyre Public Limited Company
email: 2wheelinfo@uk.michelin.com

maybe this will make them aware of a problem which has so far gone unnoticed or for which they have been unaware.

These tyres are good, but are we seeing an inherent fault which is so far unrecognised??????

Very interesting, I will take pics of mine and send them to Barry to.

Mines not a grove as such either just looks a different colour really.