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Poor suspension damping can increase cupping. Stock Harley suspension is pretty much always underdamped. In other words, they all do that, sir.
It really is pretty much like riding on springs, isn’t it.
I installed shocks (among other things) at Sears in the early seventies in high school. I remember a buddy who worked in the brake lane put a set of MonroeMatics on his old beat up Falcon. These shocks were an "expensive” upgrade to the standard issue shocks we installed on customer's cars. We drove down to some series of speed bumps in the mall parking lot and he drove over them without slowing down ( I’m guessing 20-25 mph, been a long time). The difference was really startling how well they worked, and that was 50 years ago, so it’s not like it’s new technology.
Back on topic. My OE Dunlops on my '20 Street Glide started howling early on, and I have been fastidious in maintaining proper tire pressures since the bike was new. I’ve been planning a set of new rear shocks just for the ride quality. It looks like I might be able to avert some of the incessant howling and vibration from the next set of tires as a result, although the American Elites seem to enjoy a reputation of not cupping as badly. The combination of better tires and shocks should be a welcome improvement.
just with the little cupping on the rear of mine, I can feel through the bars
The guy is an arrogant *******, so I didnt bring it up to him, because he would have gone into some anti Harley tirade, with a bunch of insults and verbal attacks thrown in. If it was a safety issue Id say something. But, I agree, with that much cupping his dentures must be bouncing in his mouth.
just with the little cupping on the rear of mine, I can feel through the bars
The guy is an arrogant *******, so I didnt bring it up to him, because he would have gone into some anti Harley tirade, with a bunch of insults and verbal attacks thrown in. If it was a safety issue Id say something. But, I agree, with that much cupping his dentures must be bouncing in his mouth.
Those Dunlop D251 tires are so stupidly expensive. About $200 for the front, and $300 for the rear. So basically $500 for JUST tires.
Anyways, interesting article about motorcycle tires. To my understanding, all motorcycle tires will "cup" to some extent. I found this to be exaggerated more on my front tire when I use (mostly) front brake and rather harshly. This falls inline with that dragging an eraser example in the article. Since then, I've been trying to use both the front WITH rear brakes so that I don't have to use so much force on the front brakes causing more cupping.
Scalloping is caused by low pressures and/or soft suspension . Manufacturers recommended PSI is usually too low and HD springs are nearly always too soft a perfect storm...
A little higher pressure that recommended can help mid turn by a less flexy side wall. Ride to test and make only one change at a time.
Scalloping is caused by low pressures and/or soft suspension . Manufacturers recommended PSI is usually too low and HD springs are nearly always too soft a perfect storm...
A little higher pressure that recommended can help mid turn by a less flexy side wall. Ride to test and make only one change at a time.
We'll try a little higher air pressure with the NEW AMERICAN ELITES I found an hour ago up at the Indie shop in Lake Havasu city , Somehow they received two sets of the Elites, one set was spoken for by a guy who has been waiting on back order for THREE months. I called to schedule a service appointment for the neck bearings (25K service) brake job, pad replacement...and asked about the tires. Holy crap was I surprised when the gal said she had a set on the shelf, Manufacture date of, crap now I don't remember, but it was summer of 2021, I did not hesitate and said I'll take them LOL, I'll keep the front for a spare and see about the rear if it's worth saving.
There is a fall away test you can do it's just a roughy but it works , hard to find a good place to do it sometimes .Find a steep as you can downhill with a lip at the top make sure your tire pressures are where they need to be, bike idling in neutral roll the bike down hill from a stand still at the lip and if the bike wants to side to side early on the front suspension is too soft , same as parking it if it wants to weave same thing.
[QUOTE=gonemad;20260625]I’ve got 12k on the OE’s. Cupping and howling. I’ve got some new American Elites sitting in the garage that I’ll probably put on later this winter, but not while I have 4-5/32nds still on the current tires.[/QUOTEI
American Elites Get ruff on the edges also. These are mine with 4K miles, I was told it is Chaffing where the soft and Hard rubber materials meet.
The Chaffing (cupping) on my American Elites are from Driving that fine line in the twisties on a hot day, hot pavement.
I had to Edit and add what Dunlop Customer service person told me Quote "This appearance is a superficial “chaffing” of the compound that results from a combination of operating conditions and road surfaces. The location on the tread face corresponds with the outer edge of the contact patch and occurs from the tread face deflection with the road surface. We have found that inflation pressures and / or load seem to be the most influential, but none the less the condition is limited to the surface of the rubber and does not affect the overall safety or performance of the tire"
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, Somehow they received two sets of the Elites, one set was spoken for by a guy who has been waiting on back order for THREE months. I called to schedule a service appointment for the neck bearings (25K service) brake job, pad replacement...and asked about the tires. Holy crap was I surprised when the gal said she had a set on the shelf, Manufacture date of, crap now I don't remember, but it was summer of 2021, I did not hesitate and said I'll take them LOL, I'll keep the front for a spare and see about the rear if it's worth saving.
