1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe

WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION, I EXPERIENCED TREAD LOSS ON THE REAR TIRE OF MY MOTORCYCLE. I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 95 (SOUTHWEST NEVADA). ABOUT 30 MILE NORTH OF BEATTY NV, I FELT A "BUMP" AND HEARD THE THUMP AND CLANK OF SOMETHING BOUNCING OFF THE INSIDE OF THE REAR FENDER. I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT AND COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS. I RESUMED MY TRIP AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME SOUND ABOUT 5 MILES LATER. I STOPPED TO INSPECT AGAIN AND THIS TIME DISCOVERED THAT 2 LARGE CHUNKS OF TREAD WERE MISSING OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. EVERYONE WHO HAS SEEN IT DESCRIBES THE DAMAGE AS HAVING THE APPEARANCE OF A RETREAD TIRE, WHICH TO MY KNOWLEDGE, IT WASN'T. LUCKILY, THE TIRE CONTINUED TO HOLD AIR AND THE FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. IT COULD HAVE BEN MUCH WORSE. UNABLE TO GET CELL PHONE CONNECTION AND UNABLE TO FLAG DOWN ANYBODY WHO DID, I OPTED TO LIMP THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE NEXT TOWN, HOPING TO BE ABLE TO GET HELP THERE. I TRAVELED FOR ABOUT 25 MILES AT VERY LOW SPEED. ONCE IN GOLDFIELD NV, I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT TO MY CELL PHONE CARRIER AND PROCEEDED TO GET HELP. NOT WANTING TO PUSH MY LUCK ON THE BAD TIRE, I CALLED THE NEAREST AVAILABLE LOCATION (POTOMAH NV) TO GET A TOW THERE. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL YAMAHA DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO ORDER A NEW TIRE FOR ME. AFTER 2 NIGHTS WAITING FOR DELIVERY, THE FAILED TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. THE TIRE (DUNLOP D404 SERIES FOR A 1997 YMAHA ROYAL STAR) WAS NOT NEW, BUT STIL HAD SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE UNEXPECTED FAILURE LEFT ME BASICALLY STRANDED IN APLACE I DIDN'T WANT TO BE AND COST ME ~$500 IN TOTAL EXPENCES BEFORE I COULD GET BACK ON THE ROAD HOME. AT THIS MOMENT, I HAVE THE FAILED TIRE IN MY POSESSION. TO DATE, (7/20/2005) I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TALK TO ANYONE AT DUNLOP THAT CAN ASSIST ME IN SEEKING SOME COMPENSATION FOR MY DAMAGES.