Tire Cupping
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
My front tire was cupped on my 2011 RGU. The dealer said it was due to under inflation. Like I believe the dealer....lol. There is more to the issue than just under inflated tires. Way to many people have had tire cupping issues and the dealer is going to chalk them all up to low tire pressure. Harley knows there is an issue but choose to put the blame on the bike owner. I know I have had low tire pressure on my other HDs. It was not intentional but those tires never cupped. But yet on this bike it is low tire pressure....not the steering neck bearing being out of spec......not the wheel out of ballance....it's just plain old low tire pressure. That's right Harley don't take responsiblity....blame it on the owner.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 313
Likes: 84
From: Central KY
On the other hand, I've run Metzlers on my BMW's for thirty years and have never had cupping. Hmmmm.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46,845
Likes: 22,534
From: Land of the Free, Home of Jack Daniel's
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 500
From: Northern WV
Cupping is the result of wear force from only one direction, which is why it occurs on fronts. The only wear force experienced by a front tire is resistance to forward travel, rolling resistance and braking. Rear tires deal with driving friction as well as braking. With this in mind some cupping of front tires is normal and harmless, other than a bit of howling noise when cornering.
As the front tire wears/cups it drifts out of balance (assuming it was balanced to begin with) resulting in irregular cupping. By this point the tire should be replaced.
As the front tire wears/cups it drifts out of balance (assuming it was balanced to begin with) resulting in irregular cupping. By this point the tire should be replaced.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,394
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
In my experience, improperly inflated tires is the most likely culprit.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
That will prolly be my next tire. I'll at least give it a try.
Agreed. Too many people do not check pressure often enough, especially with a quality gauge. As far as gauges you get what you pay for.
Agreed. Too many people do not check pressure often enough, especially with a quality gauge. As far as gauges you get what you pay for.
