Tire Cupping Question
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I'm going to have to go with the majority...it's common, it's normal, it's unavoidable.
On my Sportsters, my Dyna, my Touring, Dunlops, Michelins, and I'm a total fanatic on checking tire pressures.
They all cupped, every single one. No, I don't ride at 45 mph with the bike vertical at all times. I ride it. That's why I own one.
All the tires cup.
On my Sportsters, my Dyna, my Touring, Dunlops, Michelins, and I'm a total fanatic on checking tire pressures.
They all cupped, every single one. No, I don't ride at 45 mph with the bike vertical at all times. I ride it. That's why I own one.
All the tires cup.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
I think that one is from Harbor Freight.
For those wondering how to use it:
With a friend present and at the controls, raise the bike up on a bike jack. Start it and put in 2nd gear, engine at idle, let the tire rotate.
Take the rasp and put the forward metal hand grip on the floor under the tire. Use the long handle to raise the rasp up to the tire.
Just lightly touch the tire with the rasp and it will shave off the areas that are cupped. Wear some eye protection...
For those wondering how to use it:
With a friend present and at the controls, raise the bike up on a bike jack. Start it and put in 2nd gear, engine at idle, let the tire rotate.
Take the rasp and put the forward metal hand grip on the floor under the tire. Use the long handle to raise the rasp up to the tire.
Just lightly touch the tire with the rasp and it will shave off the areas that are cupped. Wear some eye protection...
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 75
From: Vegas Baby!!
I think that one is from Harbor Freight.
For those wondering how to use it:
With a friend present and at the controls, raise the bike up on a bike jack. Start it and put in 2nd gear, engine at idle, let the tire rotate.
Take the rasp and put the forward metal hand grip on the floor under the tire. Use the long handle to raise the rasp up to the tire.
Just lightly touch the tire with the rasp and it will shave off the areas that are cupped. Wear some eye protection...
For those wondering how to use it:
With a friend present and at the controls, raise the bike up on a bike jack. Start it and put in 2nd gear, engine at idle, let the tire rotate.
Take the rasp and put the forward metal hand grip on the floor under the tire. Use the long handle to raise the rasp up to the tire.
Just lightly touch the tire with the rasp and it will shave off the areas that are cupped. Wear some eye protection...
Easy, what could possibly go wrong?!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 809
Likes: 45
From: WA
I've experienced cupping on pretty much every bike I've ever had. Regardless of tire brand, regardless of pressures. And if you Google motorcycle tire cupping, you'll see the reasons why it occurs. Just the nature of the beast. If our tires were slicks, with no tread blocks, we'd have no cupping. The small tread blocks squirming and deforming under acceleration and braking is what causes cupping. So, the easier you ride, the less pronounced it'll be. I accelerate and brake hard at times, so I get cupping...
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,890
From: Syracuse NY
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I read on this forum somewhere that running your tire pressures a little higher than spec will reduce the cupping. I run mine at about 3 to 5 PSI over spec and haven't noticed any cupping yet at about half worn-out.
All one-up miles and ridden conservatively, with mine. Don't know if that makes any difference or not.
All one-up miles and ridden conservatively, with mine. Don't know if that makes any difference or not.
Last edited by jpooch00; Aug 2, 2018 at 07:27 AM.