Tire cupping
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
My front cupping issues were caused by an indy who didnt recognize worn out wheel bearings he was suppossed to be checking when replacing tires, Dealer caught it right off the bat.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
I have HD's most of my life. I have 3 now. I have never had a cupping issue with any of them. Keep the proper amount of tire pressure, I run 40 front and rear always.
I average around 35,000 on a front tire and and close to 15,000 on my 2012 CVO SG.
Dyna bikes I get around 8,000 rear and 20,000 on the front. again I use 40/40 no cupping.
If you look at the tire and if the center wears out first and very little side wear you are using too much PSI, If you are getting cupping and sides are wearing close to the same as the center you don't have enough. My dad told me that in the 60's and been doing it the same ever since..
The new type tires should have a hum to them when corning. It's normal. If you hear a hum riding straight, you are low on air.
My Goldwing was terrible about cupping, got around 10,000 miles on the front and rear. Both always cupped no matter what. So I sold it, didn't like it that much anyway and went back to HD again.
This is from my experience so you may have different results.
I average around 35,000 on a front tire and and close to 15,000 on my 2012 CVO SG.
Dyna bikes I get around 8,000 rear and 20,000 on the front. again I use 40/40 no cupping.
If you look at the tire and if the center wears out first and very little side wear you are using too much PSI, If you are getting cupping and sides are wearing close to the same as the center you don't have enough. My dad told me that in the 60's and been doing it the same ever since..
The new type tires should have a hum to them when corning. It's normal. If you hear a hum riding straight, you are low on air.
My Goldwing was terrible about cupping, got around 10,000 miles on the front and rear. Both always cupped no matter what. So I sold it, didn't like it that much anyway and went back to HD again.
This is from my experience so you may have different results.
Last edited by dirtdobber; Apr 18, 2014 at 10:59 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Senoia Ga
Ive had pretty much the same experiences and have reached the same conclusions as many of ya'll. Air pressure I think is king and once it starts... its the gift that keeps on giving! Great info here!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
I've had tires and bikes that cupped badly, others that didn't. No claim of definitive answer on the subject, but there are a few things I've observed about it.
Front tires always cupped more than the rears.
The worse cupping was on bikes that saw interstate highway driving regularly.
It varied with tires, top cupper being Metzler, the Lasertec in particular.
Balanced tires on well maintained bikes had less problem with cupping.
Front tires always cupped more than the rears.
The worse cupping was on bikes that saw interstate highway driving regularly.
It varied with tires, top cupper being Metzler, the Lasertec in particular.
Balanced tires on well maintained bikes had less problem with cupping.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 119
From: Brockport, NY
Currently own '09 Ultra and had Dunlops 407's (Front and Rear) cupped twice. Switched to 408's due to new tire pattern. Dealer Mechanic also found that bearings (Neck and Front) were shot. HD covered it all by warranty. Thank you, HD.
Never had problems ever since. Yeah, The typical wear and tear as I normally keep 40 PSI in both tires. 15k miles front and 12k miles rear before replacing. Didn't think it was too bad considering my annual rides out in the awesome country roads at Finger Lakes, New York.
Thorey
Never had problems ever since. Yeah, The typical wear and tear as I normally keep 40 PSI in both tires. 15k miles front and 12k miles rear before replacing. Didn't think it was too bad considering my annual rides out in the awesome country roads at Finger Lakes, New York.
Thorey
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
I run the Dunlop American Elites. Just had a new front put on last week with almost 18,000 miles on it and no cupping but I run my tires about 4 pounds over what is recommended. I have an '09 ultra I weigh 250 the bags always have crap in them and my lady weighs 125 so there is alot of weight on the tires. I don't mind the stiffer ride because I hate the cupping ride and the tires from HD are POS.
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Great link!
Thanks!
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