Catastrophic failure

[jegarh]

I replaced the front tires on my 2014 RT with 8704 miles on it. The bike developed a pronounced wobble at low speed. For a week I have been chasing this wobble. Rechecking the balance and riding it 10 miles to and fro to work. Tonight I replaced some weights I had removed yesterday. I then took it for a little 12 mile test ride. All went well until I started back. The wobble was back and worse. At 60 mph it suddenly got really bad and I got off of the gas. Suddenly stuff was flying everywhere. I saw large chunks of rubber in the rear view mirror. I pulled off the highway to asses the damage and the whole rear end "tupper ware" was destroyed. While I was looking at the mess of what was left of the rear tire, it blew up. I called home and my son and my wife came to the rescue. If Foremost decides to total it I have a lot of farkles to remove. Sad day in river city.

[Flamewinger]

So it was the rear tire that failed? Why did you think it was the fronts? What model Spyder? Total miles? Rear tire brand?

[jegarh]

So it was the rear tire that failed? Why did you think it was the fronts? What model Spyder? Total miles? Rear tire brand?

The fronts were the only thing that had changed.
Model 2014 RT SE6
Total miles are 8704
Rear tire was OEM Kenda. I have the replacement tire in my shop and was going to replace it this coming Saturday. The OEM rear tire looked OK when I examined it when I was changing the fronts. It was just down to the wear bars and did need replacing.

The rear tire suddenly decided to go bad and it coincided with my front tire replacement. The symptoms felt like the fronts were out of balance. It never occurred to me that the rear was failing. I had just come home from a 160 mile trip and everything was nice and smooth. I was even toying with the Idea of removing the New tires one at a time and remounting the Kendas one at a time to see if I had a defective Vredestein.

[UtahPete]

The fronts were the only thing that had changed.
Model 2014 RT SE6
Total miles are 8704
Rear tire was OEM Kenda. I have the replacement tire in my shop and was going to replace it this coming Saturday. The OEM rear tire looked OK when I examined it when I was changing the fronts. It was just down to the wear bars and did need replacing.

The rear tire suddenly decided to go bad and it coincided with my front tire replacement. The symptoms felt like the fronts were out of balance. It never occurred to me that the rear was failing. I had just come home from a 160 mile trip and everything was nice and smooth. I was even toying with the Idea of removing the New tires one at a time and remounting the Kendas one at a time to see if I had a defective Vredestein.

Would you mind providing more information about your riding habits and tire maintenance habits? How often did you check the pressure and what pressure did you maintain on the rear?

And why did you feel the need to replace your fronts at such a low mileage? They normally go at least 20k.

[jegarh]

Would you mind providing more information about your riding habits and tire maintenance habits? How often did you check the pressure and what pressure did you maintain on the rear?

And why did you feel the need to replace your fronts at such a low mileage? They normally go at least 20k.

I am 81 so my hooligan days are behind me. Nanny has never scolded me in the twisties. I always ride the speed limit or less because my ever vigilant passenger can see the large numbers on the speedo from her perch. The fronts were changed because the left tire had sidewall damage from a time I was loading it on my trailer. I don't ride the dirt road from my house to the highway when it rains. I check the tire pressures every time I go on a trip and about once a week when ridden daily. 18 to 20 in the front and 23 to 28 in the rear depending on the load. Just before (hours) I went out that fateful day I had checked it at 23. As far as I am concerned, I have never ridden it with less than 23 # in the rear. The vehicle has always been kept, by me, in an enclosed space. I don't know if the extended warranty that I inherited from the previous owner, which expires in 2020 would matter in this case. I have owned it since July 2016.

BTW. Last Saturday I made wheel guides for the trailer so the front tires would never be damaged again. At least this made recovery after the incident, in the dark, a piece of cake.

[UtahPete]

I am 81 so my hooligan days are behind me. Nanny has never scolded me in the twisties. I always ride the speed limit or less because my ever vigilant passenger can see the large numbers on the speedo from her perch. The fronts were changed because the left tire had sidewall damage from a time I was loading it on my trailer. I don't ride the dirt road from my house to the highway when it rains. I check the tire pressures every time I go on a trip and about once a week when ridden daily. 18 to 20 in the front and 23 to 28 in the rear depending on the load. Just before (hours) I went out that fateful day I had checked it at 23. As far as I am concerned, I have never ridden it with less than 23 # in the rear. The vehicle has always been kept, by me, in an enclosed space. I don't know if the extended warranty that I inherited from the previous owner, which expires in 2020 would matter in this case. I have owned it since July 2016.

BTW. Last Saturday I made wheel guides for the trailer so the front tires would never be damaged again. At least this made recovery after the incident, in the dark, a piece of cake.

Thanks for the comprehensive explanation.

23# seems a little low for the rear kenda. Mike, what do you think?

[ChicagoSpyder]

The fronts were the only thing that had changed.
Model 2014 RT SE6
Total miles are 8704
Rear tire was OEM Kenda. I have the replacement tire in my shop and was going to replace it this coming Saturday. The OEM rear tire looked OK when I examined it when I was changing the fronts. It was just down to the wear bars and did need replacing.

The rear tire suddenly decided to go bad and it coincided with my front tire replacement. The symptoms felt like the fronts were out of balance. It never occurred to me that the rear was failing. I had just come home from a 160 mile trip and everything was nice and smooth. I was even toying with the Idea of removing the New tires one at a time and remounting the Kendas one at a time to see if I had a defective Vredestein.

The tire was used up and probably bubbled, thus the wobble you experienced. I'm not defending Kenda but I have had GY Eagle F1's, Michelin Pilot Super Sports on various cars, 12-18,000 miles is what you get out of a soft compound ultra high performance summer tire, these Kenda's seem to be more of an all-season tire with a soft compound which should give good hook-up at the expense of tire wear.

I have an 18 F3L which I picked up this spring, 3,000 mildly aggressive/aggressive miles and the Kenda's seem to be wearing evenly, so maybe Kenda has figured out the ballooning of the rear tire?

[Peter Aawen]

....... I pulled off the highway to asses the damage and the whole rear end "tupper ware" was destroyed. While I was looking at the mess what was left of the rear tire blew up.......

That is NOT good! Glad you're safe tho, it coulda been a whole lot worse than just loosing the tupperware!!

Do you have any pics of the damage or what's left of the tire??!

[PMK]

Unlikely they will total it. You might consider not detailing the story about experimenting with balance weights or that a new tire is waiting in the garage.

Get a quote from the dealer for parts and repairs. Let the dealer contend with the insurance company.

Hope you have a good local dealer to work with and will come pickup the Spyder.

[Chupaca]

Glad to hear you fared well and made it out unscathed... 2014 is when Kenda changed the compound and the tires did not work well. Mostly they just wore out really fast.

[Raknid]

Glad to hear you fared well and made it out unscathed... 2014 is when Kenda changed the compound and the tires did not work well. Mostly they just wore out really fast.

So, are newer Kendas even worse than pre-2014 or have issues been corrected? Will need to replace my tire later this month.

Regarding the OP, would be curious to know the tire pressure too. Pretty bad failure.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

So, are newer Kendas even worse than pre-2014 or have issues been corrected? Will need to replace my tire later this month.

Regarding the OP, would be curious to know the tire pressure too. Pretty bad failure.

The change that Kenda did, was in the make-up of the tread compound ……I believe they are still using the same casing.... a WEAK one …… jmho … Mike

[jegarh]

Thanks PMK. I'll take your suggestion to heart. My dealer is 156 miles away (187.2 KM) away. But since I grew up in south Texas where it is 50 miles in any direction for a drink of water, the trip to the dealer is no big thing. The RT is already on the trailer so I may take off tomorrow after I have talked to the adjuster.

" Well , here's another nice mess you've gotten me into " , I said to myself..........

Here is a photo of the disaster area;

[HayRog]

Whoaaah !! Not a good sight to see. The original stock Kenda huh
Glad you were only 12 miles from home, and you're ok.

[UtahPete]

Thanks PMK. I'll take your suggestion to heart. My dealer is 156 miles away (187.2 KM) away. But since I grew up in south Texas where it is 50 miles in any direction for a drink of water, the trip to the dealer is no big thing. The RT is already on the trailer so I may take off tomorrow after I have talked to the adjuster.

" Well , here's another nice mess you've gotten me into " , I said to myself..........

Here is a photo of the disaster area;

Another question. Where is the blowout? In the tread area or in the sidewall? Can you tell?

[jegarh]

Another question. Where is the blowout? In the tread area or in the sidewall? Can you tell?

There was no"blowout". The tread separated and peeled off. When I was able to come to a stop, the carcass was still holding air. After about a minute it popped. As I was examining it before it popped I was thinking I could probably limp home on the shoulder of the road. The rubber had peeled off from rim to rim. I had that happen on a US Royal tire on my grandmother's brand new 57 Chev 4 door hard top with the power pack (She asked me to choose the model for her) and I was able to drive back 8 miles and take it to the US Royal guy the next morning. But the non tread part of that Kenda was no thicker than an inner tube.

In the mean time I have trailered it 157 miles today to Coyote Powersports in Boerne TX and left it in the capable hands of Rocky who doesn't think it will total and can be repaired. I told him to make a deal with the Foremost Adjuster when he calls tomorrow.

While I was at Coyote Power Sports I saw a gorgeous orange 2019 RT SE6 that made me wish that mine had been stolen.

[UtahPete]

I'm a little disappointed the tire experts haven't shown more interest in this thread, and in trying to determine what might have caused this catastrophic failure. The OP has provided excellent information and seems willing to answer questions in order to help with the inquiry.

[jcthorne]

I'm a little disappointed the tire experts haven't shown more interest in this thread, and trying to determine what might have caused this catastrophic failure. The OP has provided excellent information and seems willing to answer questions in order to help with the inquiry.

Its very simple really. Cheap, low quality chinese tires. Its really amazing there has not been more of these type failures with the very weak construction Kenda tires.

[h0gr1der]

I'm a little disappointed the tire experts haven't shown more interest in this thread, and trying to determine what might have caused this catastrophic failure. The OP has provided excellent information and seems willing to answer questions in order to help with the inquiry.

Not an expert in any sense of the word, but my brand new Kendas wouldn't balance at all. Replaced all three, told my story. I believe in speaking straight, good or bad, but folks must make their own decisions. The Chinese don't have their QC under control.

[SpyderAnn01]

There was no"blowout". The tread separated and peeled off. When I was able to come to a stop, the carcass was still holding air. After about a minute it popped. As I was examining it before it popped I was thinking I could probably limp home on the shoulder of the road. The rubber had peeled off from rim to rim. I had that happen on a US Royal tire on my grandmother's brand new 57 Chev 4 door hard top with the power pack (She asked me to choose the model for her) and I was able to drive back 8 miles and take it to the US Royal guy the next morning. But the non tread part of that Kenda was no thicker than an inner tube.

In the mean time I have trailered it 157 miles today to Coyote Powersports in Boerne TX and left it in the capable hands of Rocky who doesn't think it will total and can be repaired. I told him to make a deal with the Foremost Adjuster when he calls tomorrow.

While I was at Coyote Power Sports I saw a gorgeous orange 2019 RT SE6 that made me wish that mine had been stolen.

Were these original tires??

[Spyderlass]

Bloody 'ell !!

Mind you, it'll probably buff out...

[trikermutha]

Man that's looks bad. I would say that entire rear end luggage area need to be replaced.

Hard to say what other inner damage there could be??

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Glad to here you survived OK …. If I said KENDA tires are poorly / weakly made once - I've said it a thousand times. ….. That should NOT happen on tire made today - Period ….. Mike

[UtahPete]

Glad to here you survived OK …. If I said KENDA tires are poorly / weakly made once - I've said it a thousand times. ….. That should NOT happen on tire made today - Period ….. Mike

Mike, I don't remember any other reports of Kenda rears failing catastrophically, do you? I wonder if it has something to do with the age of the tire, rather than the mileage?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, I don't remember any other reports of Kenda rears failing catastrophically, do you? I wonder if it has something to do with the age of the tire, rather than the mileage?

….. There's a lot of info we aren't getting ….. from the pics it appears that tire was very worn - not un-common for a Kenda ….. Mike