Cracks in the tyre ? Bad batch ? Arrows on the WRONG WAY ?????
EEEEEEEEEEEK[:@][:@]
Could have caused you to have a really bad accident, Dave - I'd be inclined to contact Pireeli and ask them what they are prepared to do (for you) about it.
Did they issue a recall advisory on the tyres ?
Sounds really shoddy, and not like Pirelli as I know them.

Let us know your impressions on the new rubber, Dave

 

I went on a pretty fast ride yesterday with some tight turns and I got some rear end weave and front end bobbing. Plus, it took a lot of countersteering. The bike came with Sportmax Qualifiers front and rear. The odo's now at 58,600 miles (probably 500-600 mine) and the notes on the service manual says the PO installed them at 53,197 so they have just over 5K miles on them. The rear's a little squared off the the front's a little cupped. I don't know if you can tell from the pictures.
Front:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ontcupping.jpg

Rear:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...arsquaring.jpg

They still have good tread on them but I still want to replace them with Pilot Road 2s. Then I'm thinking about fork spring rates and valving, then maybe an aftermarket rear shock. This is my only bike both for long distance and fast riding so I'd like to get the best out of it.