My defective Heidenau K61

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:54 am

A short while ago when visiting in San Diego I had my Heidenau K61 rear tire replaced. No big deal, totally normal, my old one was worn out. Well for some reason with the new tire installed my scooter developed a chatter/shudder at 55-60mph ever since. It's the weirdest thing. And serious enough that I nearly had my scooter towed back to San Diego when it first started.

I have never been able to 100% trace the problem. I always thought it was the tire but how to prove it? Well, today I got my proof. Looking at my rear tire I noticed that the tread in the dead center of the tire is completely worn out on one half of the tire while the other half is still looks practically brand new. And I don't mean the sides of the tire, I mean the front half of the tire worn out in the center, and the rear half of the tire like new in the center. It's the darndest thing I have ever seen.

Plus, all around the outer edge of the tire (where the chicken strips would be if I had any...) there are lumps about the size of a quarter all around the circumference. I have never seen anything like this before. I'll try to take some photos tomorrow.

Clearly IMO it is a defective tire. If I'd had it installed in LA where I live I would have had it replaced ages ago. But riding all the way to San Diego where I had it installed was just to inconvenient. Happily tomorrow morning I am riding down to San Diego for Motorsport Scooters anniversary party so I will definitely be getting it replaced with a non defective tire once I'm there. Hopefully it will survive the ride.

Has anyone else ever had anything like this happen before? It is really pretty bizarre.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:57 am

hey skootz if its not the tire might it be something to do with the rear suspension?

just a thought in case a new tire begins to do the same.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:21 am

I wondered about the rear shocks. But the thing is for 23000 miles prior to this tire being installed, the scooter has been flawless — smooth as silk — it was feeling perfect as it rolled into the shop to get a new tire and felt perfect the whole way to San Diego from LA. It is only since this tire was installed that the chattering problem began. So I have to think it is the tire. At least all evidence points to that.

So weird. This is a totally new kinda 2-wheel experience/problem for me.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 4:44 pm

Sounds like tread separation to me. I'd wager they replace it for free.

Tazio · Post by **Tazio** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:33 pm

Is the K61 directional? If it is and is mounted the wrong way it could cause strange problems.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 11:34 pm

Can you post a picture of what it looks like? Just curious...

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:16 am

Just back from my weekend San Diego adventure...

I had a new Heidenau K61 installed immediately upon arriving at Motosport Vespa (where the bad tire was installed). I have to give Motosport props. They were in the middle of their massive (and very fun) 20th Anniversary party and still still swapped my tire out immediately. Great service there as always. (AND I won a beautiful HCI fullface helmet in the Anniversary raffle! w00t! )

The good news... the weird chatter and vibration problem is 100% gone with the new tire. So that problem is 100% attributable to the old defective Heidenau tire. It feels so great to have my scooter smooth and chatter free again. It made this weekends riding all the more fun.

The ongoing story... I had to pay for the new tire and installation but the people at Motosport do agree that the tire is defective. We took a video of the bad tire (I'll get a copy of and post it here later) which Motosport will show to the people at Heidenau to see if they will cover the cost of the replacement tire. I can't imagine Heidenau would not, given they are trying to establish their US reputation and break into the market here, but we shall see. I guess this is the first Modern Buddy test of Heidenau's customer service.

If they do cover it, I get my money refunded or credit for another tire. If they don't... well, for now I'll just hope they do and will cross that other bridge later if needed.

The best thing in all this for me is learning that I've been correct right from the start — the tire was defective. Always trust yourself! That said, it would have been impossible to prove the tire was messed up any earlier. It needed to be used for long enough that the treadwear could show and confirm the problem.

So that's that. I am hoping to have the video to post and word from Heidenau soon. I'll keep you posted.