Tire Cupping Cause?

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Jul 12, 2018 | 08:06 AM

#21

PDB17UltraRG

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 6,697

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From: Stuart, Fl

Air pressures do it all check your pressures prior to every ride and you’ll get longer tire life a better wear

Jul 12, 2018 | 03:35 PM

#22

SDozier

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 265

Likes: 11

From: Houston area

Checked front tire air pressure this morning: 36 psi Rear: 38 psi This seems within range. I will change the fork oil and have the steering bearing checked / adjusted next week.

SUP

Jul 12, 2018 | 05:30 PM

#23

moparnut72

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2016

Posts: 485

Likes: 84

From: Quincy, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridewva

This is the reason. Some tread designs are more prone than others but I've never had a motorcycle front tire that did not cup because the front tire wears from resistance torque either braking or just rolling resistance. The rear wears more evenly because acceleration offsets braking and engine braking.

I agree with this statement. I was told the same thing many years ago and it makes perfect sense. Back in the 70's I used Dunlop K70 tires. They have a blocky tread and were prone to cupping. I don't know if was or is an approved method but I would dismount the tire when cupping became quite pronounced and turn it around so that it rolled in the opposite direction. It usually got me some more mileage. Tires were a lot narrower than they are today so it wasn't that bad a job.
kk

Jul 13, 2018 | 12:22 AM

#24

banddirector

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 809

Likes: 45

From: WA

I keep 38 psi in the front tire, and 40 in the rear, and no cupping problem. When I used to keep tires in the low 30s they cupped like crazy ...

Jul 13, 2018 | 01:07 AM

#25

1Canuck

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 7,776

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From: wet coast BC

38 front & 42 rear. Have done that since the last tire cupped with 36/40.
changed front at 42K km with a hint of cupping and rear at 27k km again with a hint of cupping.
low pressure causes cupping in conjunction with overall weight. The spec 36/40 is not for all weight classes.

Jul 13, 2018 | 06:55 AM

#26

BigDawgQC

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 1,522

Likes: 351

From: Holly Springs, North Carolina

I can't figure it out. I've had three different Tourers, '09 Road King, '14 Street Glide & now '15 Ultra Limited. I'm **** about pressures. Never had an issue with front tires at all. But throughout ownership, I've had some OEM rear tires cup & some not. Currently, the '15 Ultra, with 6700 miles on it, (I bought a garage queen with 2700 miles on it two months ago) the tire looks good, good tread depth & yet, makes that "roar" sound in the turns like a cup tire can make. And it's not the bearings. Go figure.

Jul 13, 2018 | 07:15 AM

#27

ClifWideGlide

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 417

Likes: 146

From: Maryland

The last time I changed tires about a year ago I was tired of the Dunlop’s that HD recommended and I went with Pirelli Night Dragon’s and it was suggested to me on this forum to contact Pirelli about their recommendation for tire pressure. I did and they were way higher than what HD recommended so I set them at what Pirelli suggested and haven’t had any wear issues yet. Every set of Dunlop’s I ever had would always show cupping within 3-5,000 miles. And before I had always used the HD spec for tire pressures so it may not have been a Dunlop problem.

Jul 13, 2018 | 06:54 PM

#28

Ridewva

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 3,835

Likes: 496

From: Northern WV

After replacing tires typically after a couple thousand miles I can hear howling from the front tire when cornering either direction, not when going straight though. It's from cupping and it gradually becomes louder as the tires wear. My RK front tire has almost 12K, is cupped, therefore howls pretty loud when over on a slight lean...doesn't hurt a thing. It's about time I replace both tires actually I'm just tickled they made it that many miles.