After two attempts at Dunlop Roadsmarts with PATHETIC results (& I have been a Dunlop lover) , I put on a new set of Bridgestone BT-023s today with high hopes for better results. Aside from the usual "Which tire/oil/whatever is better?" discussion, I happened to notice something I thought was unusual as I was examining my old Roadsmarts. The front is stamped "Made in Japan". The rear - "Made in France". Really? They can't produce a front/rear combo in the same hemisphere? Now that I think about the tires, I liked the rears just fine. It was the fronts that I couldn't live with. Maybe the French can't build a good tire? Is Japanese rubber better? I know I like Japanese girls more than French girls....Ok, ok, Just curious if any other manufacturers drag their fronts/rears around the globe to make a set.
I did keep my Roadsmarts to toss up in the garage as back-ups since they have lots of tread left. I hate to replace something that is still serviceable but I'm headed out for about 3500 miles next month and I didn't want to find out during the trip that I only had a 3000 mile tire. :ohmy:
[image: View Post]The mailman, on 13 August 2010 - 01:54 AM, said:
Maybe the French can't build a good tire?
Yeah, just buy american in the futrure, will you? :biggrin:
Granted the Roadsmarts are not the best ST tires but by far better than e.g. BT020. Maybe the tires got into contact with some chemicals during shipping or storage.
While country of origin is important 'cause, frankly, some do better than others, what is more important is the date of manufacture. It is a four number code that designates the week and the year the tires were made. Example: 4509 signifies the 45th week in 2009. This is significant because tires have a shelf life (more specifically, the characteristics of the rubber is time limited). Those of us who like a deal that is too good to be true from our "fav" online tire supplier may be buying tires that are old - up to a couple of years old and that will affect the performance.
I'm not saying you've been using old tires, just that we need to be a little careful in our expectations...caveat emptor!
My Continental ContiMotions are made in different places as well.... Front in Korea, Rear in Germany. Whatever, for less than $150 shipped and more than 4,000 miles on them now, I have no complaints.
[image: View Post]The mailman, on 13 August 2010 - 01:54 AM, said:
Maybe the French can't build a good tire?
Michelin's are French. I hate to admit it, but they are the best tires I have every used. But as 03vfrider stated, old age is a huge problem on tires. I have never bought older motorcycle tires, but I thought I was getting a "Deal" on some older car tires once. Worst thing I ever did. I just thought that the car was a piece of junk, but it was the tires. Once I finally had enough, i switched to Goodyears and it transformed the car. They were Uniroyal tires, and whether that is a decent tire company or not, I'll never try them again. I wouldn't trust anything over a year old, only because they make so many, there's no reason to get them older. Just my worthless opinion....
[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on 13 August 2010 - 07:47 AM, said:
Yeah, just buy american in the futrure, will you? :biggrin:
Granted the Roadsmarts are not the best ST tires but by far better than e.g. BT020. Maybe the tires got into contact with some chemicals during shipping or storage.
Are there actually any US made cycle tires anymore? I'm sure some car tires but I'm not aware of any US bike tires I guess? US society is coming back around to that "buy usa" branding again and with good reason really, although the entire world is hurting. Without flame or rant any US cycle tire manufacturers out there?
[image: View Post]hawglet, on 13 August 2010 - 03:10 PM, said:
[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on 13 August 2010 - 07:47 AM, said:
Yeah, just buy american in the futrure, will you? :biggrin:
Granted the Roadsmarts are not the best ST tires but by far better than e.g. BT020. Maybe the tires got into contact with some chemicals during shipping or storage.
Are there actually any US made cycle tires anymore? I'm sure some car tires but I'm not aware of any US bike tires I guess? US society is coming back around to that "buy usa" branding again and with good reason really, although the entire world is hurting. Without flame or rant any US cycle tire manufacturers out there?
I hate to point out the obvious, but VFR's are made in Japan. Car tires are easier to find U.S. MFG's like Goodyear and Continental. I get into the same mode from time to time to buy American but when you do you start owning $300 oakleys and can't buy a computer or tv you quickly get on the world market bandwagon. I now buy U.S. when given the option, but if an option isn't staring me in the face i don't sweat it. on that note J&P cycles has a filter that you can search for only MADE in the U.S.A. only (3) Dunlops come thru on their site in our sizes.
[image: View Post]Jovinski, on 13 August 2010 - 02:15 PM, said:
[image: View Post]The mailman, on 13 August 2010 - 01:54 AM, said:
Maybe the French can't build a good tire?
Michelin's are French.
...i switched to Goodyears and it transformed the car.
I agree Michelins are quality rubber.
This may be a bit :offtopic: BUT as folks here start to talk of buying only US made stuff, and Goodyear is a US brand, but my mate was a bit pissed of as he payd a lot more to get quality Goodyear Eagle F1 tires for his car, but turned out they were made in CHINA!
Were is the world going? Even Michelins are made in Russia nowdays.
End of thread · 12 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 18 Oct 2010