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My 2009 Ultra Classic & my 2014 Limited both ran the same tires (with the exception of the original front on the 2009) and everyone of the rear tires has cupped. I've also been able to run all the tires for 20,000 miles safely. I don't ride or brake hard but I must say I don't check air pressure as often as I should.
I have the FoBO tpms, and watch the tire pressure like a hawk. Running Avon Cobras, 1# pressure over spec, tire is beginning to cup. Increased pressure to 3#'s pressure over spec, will see what happens.
I'm running Michelin Commander II's on my 2016 Limited, a little over 8k on them now and no cupping, rear psi@44 front psi@43 and it handles just fine, actually better than the lower recommended pressure and rides smoother to me, the stock Dunlops lasted a little over 8k and the rear cupped really bad, I ran recommended psi in the stock Dunlops, After the stock Dunlops I ran Dunlop American Elites, they lasted a little over 8k and cupped really bad, ran recommended psi in those as well, personally I don't think the recommended psi is correct, I think it is a little to low for these heavy touring bikes. JMHO though.
Remember factory recommended tire pressure isn't always correct, think back to the fiasco that Ford had with the Explorer's and Firestone Wilderness Tires, Fords recommended pressure was way to low and caused tires to heat up and blow out, they also cupped really bad, Ford wanted a smoother more cushy ride and sacrificed safety for comfort.
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...
You gotta youtube of this procedure?
Maybe a video of checking belt tension?
Or rotor polishing?
Crazy!
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...
Not only did my stock tire cup out on my 2017 Ultra Limited they started tearing/cracking in the tread grooves! I had to have the tire replaced on my way home from Sturgis because I didn't trust the tire. After removing the tire it had this kind of cracking in every other tread groove...
I was told by a mechanic that cupping is caused by the tire bouncing.Makes sense,because Dunlop's are "hard as a rock". If He is correct,then You may not have as much tire contact as You think.I have always replaced with Michelin Commander ll's and never had them cup.
My tires used to cup. 2012 Ultra Limited, the last two times I have changed tires I have ran Dunlop American Elite II's, got 27k front and rear out of both sets - no cupping. I ride solo, am good about making sure I have 36psi front and 40psi rear. Also, I run dyna-beads - 2ozs in each tire. With this combination I've had zero cupping. Most of my travel is at highway speeds and cross country. I put 70k on my 2012 Limited before I just now traded it for a 2019 Road Glide.
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