Fat Bob Front Tire Wearing Down Funny
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 49
From: Hell's Gate
Fat Bob Front Tire Wearing Down Funny
Anyone else had this experience. I check the tire pressure weekly and it's been rare that I've had to addd air. Had the bike since Oct 07 and have 16k miles on it. Replaced the rear tire ar 12,500 and it was worn down evenly. The front tire is wearing down very odd - it's cupping in a diagonal pattern - every other pad from side to side is worn and every OTHER pad has tons of tread left on it. Heard the stock fork oil could have caused it - front end does seem a bit bouncy at high speeds. Anyone else?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
mine was cupping my service tek told me I had low tire pressure in both,he was right - lesson learned- but I didn't notice any un-even wear,If the metz tires (from what I hear) didn't give such low mileage in comparison I would go with them next as I'm not that impressed with the "big block" fatbob treads. They look cool , that's it. I often feel the *** end wanting to let go in a 90 deg. turn if I accelerate too much. And that is real easy to do!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
Could be that your front tire is slightly out of balance. I had around 14,000 on my fxd and I started noticing the same thing, diagonal cupping. I pulled the front wheel off, took it to one of my local shops and they said it was slightly out of balance, even with the weights on the rim that came from the factory.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 19
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From: Monroe, GA (Athens)
I have an 08 with 37,000 miles and both front tires started wearing like you described after about 7 or 8,000 miles. I run nitrogen in them and have the balance checked but it still wears strange after 7 or 8,000.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 12
From:
Most front tires on a bike will eventually start to cup running low pressure will cause it to happen prematurely but at 16,000 miles I would say it is about normal. rear tires always wear flat. fronts tend to cup over time
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
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From: Oklahoma City
I just noticed this cupping on my front tire. I was having problems with my front end klacking when I came to a stop. They said my bearings in the neck were loose but in tolorence and the tightened it. I drove it to sturgis from oklahoma and when I got there I really noticed the cupping. When I got home the tech at the dealership I bought the bike from said well it could be many things and I should just ride it until it is worn out. Is that really a good idea? I have 7500 miles on this tire. and its almost worn out. what the hell? I asked if there was a nother tire that could be put on my bike and they said that was the only tire that fit that bike. I personally think it is a stinker tire design. Seems to be a lot of fat bobs with this problem after searching the internet. Gonna start looking at the front tire of every used Fat bob I see from now on.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Fall River MA
I have 9000 miles on my fat Bob front tire and it is doing the same thing. It is mostly noticeable at highway speed. I am going to find a new front tire and not go with the stock tire. Can anyone recommend a tire? I thought I read about someone running a 150 on the front.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
Wow this thread is old, but to the OP my second big block front tire definitely cupped the way your describing,and all the fatbob front tires I've seen do it too. Still they last a good long time and handle quite well so I'm not looking to change.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 776
Likes: 4
From: Tucson, AZ
there is another thread on this forum with links to describe tire wear. the cupping is supposedly from turning. the actual contact patch the front tire makes on the ground is pretty small. so the weight of the bike with rider and speed puts a lot of pressure on that small contact patch.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,384
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From: Austin, Texas
My first tire cupped badly, but the second one seems to be avoiding that. Not sure why the change. . . I have changed my "riding style" a bit, but more in the line of riding in higher rpms in lower gears than I did before, not sure that would be a factor.
I think it's a design flaw in the tire, but I do like the tire, handles well, especially I find in the wet. I use the front brakes on the Fat Bob more than I did on any other bike, love the dual discs and how they perform, so I've worn front tires down more than ever before. That said I predict that this second first tire will outlast th first one (got 11,000 out of the first one, I'm on 21,000 now and lots of life left on the second tire).
I think it's a design flaw in the tire, but I do like the tire, handles well, especially I find in the wet. I use the front brakes on the Fat Bob more than I did on any other bike, love the dual discs and how they perform, so I've worn front tires down more than ever before. That said I predict that this second first tire will outlast th first one (got 11,000 out of the first one, I'm on 21,000 now and lots of life left on the second tire).