Abnormal front tire wear ?
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
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Abnormal front tire wear ?
It appears that my front tire (stock Dunlop) on my 06 ultra has developed an abnormal wear pattern. The side treads are wearing faster then the center tread. Is this caused by riding habits. I live in the mountains and most riding is done on twisty backroads. Or is it a balance,
alignment or inflation problem. Tire has about 7k on it.This is the second front tire I've had to replace prematurely. Originally front tire lasted for 14k and still looked good, second I got 6k and now on the third 7k. Any insight would be appreciated. Tried to get it to show up in a pic but you could not see the wear (for those of you that like pics)
Thanks
Steve
alignment or inflation problem. Tire has about 7k on it.This is the second front tire I've had to replace prematurely. Originally front tire lasted for 14k and still looked good, second I got 6k and now on the third 7k. Any insight would be appreciated. Tried to get it to show up in a pic but you could not see the wear (for those of you that like pics)
Thanks
Steve
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,499
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From: CANADA
RE: Abnormal front tire wear ?
Steps can be taken to minimize cupping and uneven wear on a motorcycle:[ol][*]Maintain your motorcycle and particularly your front forks and suspension.[*]Avoid hard braking whenever possible. Braking causes the tire to grab and wear in one direction. When braking is applied to the front tire, the load transfer over-flexes the tire and increases the tendency for cupping and uneven wear.[*]Maintain your tire pressures. Underinflation or overinflation in motorcycle tires are significant causes of cupping and uneven wear, particularly in association with hard braking.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: Abnormal front tire wear ?
I've had the same problem with front Dunlops on two different bikes. I did get great mileage out of them (27,000 miles on one front tire!) but they do get that funny wear pattern - and yes i'm **** about tire pressure so it's not that. I do alot of one-hour freeway riding (my commute) at 75-80 or so, not sure what causes this but seems to be something I've heard other guys experience too.
Go with the Metzeler ME880 next tire change... they're great tires, perform well and give great mileage.
PS: As you can see from the pic below I'm in the process of switching from Dunlop blackwalls to the ME880 wide white walls. Both my bikes now run ME880s with the WWW - an Electra Glide and an 1100 V-Star. I got 17,000 miles out of the last rear tire ME880 on my V-Star.
Go with the Metzeler ME880 next tire change... they're great tires, perform well and give great mileage.
PS: As you can see from the pic below I'm in the process of switching from Dunlop blackwalls to the ME880 wide white walls. Both my bikes now run ME880s with the WWW - an Electra Glide and an 1100 V-Star. I got 17,000 miles out of the last rear tire ME880 on my V-Star.
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From: CANADA
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
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From: Concord, CA
RE: Abnormal front tire wear ?
Do you have a couple gauges?
I read a story recently where they are way off in some models.
I always have 2 or 3 and check em against eachother.
I read a story recently where they are way off in some models.
I always have 2 or 3 and check em against eachother.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: The Wasteland
RE: Abnormal front tire wear ?
Check and maintain the air pressure. My bike drops about 1 or 2 PSI every month or so. If your tire is wearing on the outside edges you probably dont have enough air in the tire.