Tire Question - Harley Forum

Odessa33556 · #1 04-29-2009, 07:11 AM

Running 407f type tires on a 09 RKC which has just turned 15,000 miles. They are wearing about equal but have noticed the wear pattern is starting to skip on both front and rear. More on the right side with both tires.

I changed the rims out at 10k with mags and didn't notice a wear problem at that time...New wheels were balanced etc and air pressure has always been 38 and 40.

Any thoughts??

Jerry

evoKENevo · #2 04-29-2009, 08:32 AM

Hi,Jerry
If I'm reading you correctly..you're saying that both the bike and tires have around 15-K miles on them...and only the rims were changed at 10-K miles.

If that's the case, you should be about due for new tires anyhow. In fact I'd say you were lucky to get that many miles especially out of a rear tire...and the "skipping" (actually cupping = not safe) in your tread pattern happens (one or both sides) even on well balanced tires/wheels with correct air pressure...due to things like the tire's belts/plys etc simply crapping-out from all the bumps & curves etc in the road constantly pushing,pulling & twisting on them..causing uneven wear.

If I'm reading you wrong,let us know...and,of course you can count on others pitching in,

cntrhub · #3 04-29-2009, 11:10 AM

Take a paper plate; mark the edge of the dish so you have a 360° reference point. Now, mark the table or place you will use for that mark; match the plate mark to the first mark so both line up.
You now have a bike sitting on the dealer floor. Begin to walk the bike out of the building. We do not have to mark another paper plate, but you get the idea about both wheels moving at the same time is equal wear. Are we there?

OK, so start to move that paper plate one full circle. Did you see the wheel make a circle or was the illusion more you followed the mark on the paper plate and it traveled more like: mmmmmmm as the stepping? Or say you can use the letter; UUUUUUUUUUU as you mark the table for each circle the plate lands is hit the mark on the table and leaves a = "STEP" Pattern.

That step or "cupping" as stated above; is how that step on the front tire got there. Your rear just shaves that smooth being the constant drive. But the front can only follow and match the degrees turned.

So, did I understand both tires wear out equally but did someone keep and reuse the front tire and say, "Gee, the front looks better than the balled back so I will just change one tire and now hammer it into a turn; I have fresh rubber on the rear, don't I?"

Rub beer? You've been drinking making decisions again? Rub my eyes is wonder if I see a safe thinking rider or a squid with one used and one fresh tire on their bike. For me, that means, get as far away from that rider as I can is you gonna hook that front into a turn with me is no way hose hey!

Hay is for horse is. Someone should get a hose whipping running used and new together, IMO. You wonder why I ride alone or check your wear factor [first] you come ride with the off beat. I'm just making comment about the dangers of running half azz'd is the front will no longer stick if you push it like a new rear can.

I've had tire experience that I have learned the hard way is I always run fresh sets. I just do not want to look like a squid once I ask about both wheels turning is out the dealer door.

Watch your lips fumble as I hear you justify your life for a cup pull of bucks for a new front and/or rear your eyes refuse to sea [the whole thing is a cup full of danger is remove hands from the bars is try that for a test].

milindh · #4 04-29-2009, 01:38 PM

On a car cupping is usually due to either bad alignment or low tire pressure although, as Ken says, it is often there in most cases as the tire nears the end of its life. My last set of Metzelers were very cupped (front and rear) by the time I changed them.

It sounds like you're saying the front and the rear are both wearing more on the right side. Don't know if you're talking about a lot or a little but keep in mind that Harleys are inherently unbalanced with the carb and pipes both on the right side. The engine is offset to the left to offset this but still....different pipes and other stuff can throw it all off. Whatever, I've never noticed this kind of eneven wear you're talking about. It could be alignment, uneven loading, or it could be that you are unconsciously not sitting in the right position. I found myself doing that way back when. I had been favoring one side due to the lingering effects of a leg injury. I actually rode around for four months with a full hip to foot leg cast. At the time my only trans was my bike. The hard part was kick starting but after a while that was no problem too. After the cast came off I still favored one side for a while. The mind doesn't like to change its course. It likes ruts.

The bottom line for me is that you must be crabbing as you go down the road. I'd check your alignment. Other than that it must be balance. However, like Ken said, if you got 15k out of your tires I'd say you did pretty well.

Good Luck

aceharleywrench · #5 04-29-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cntrhub

Take a paper plate; mark the edge of the dish so you have a 360° reference point. Now, mark the table or place you will use for that mark; match the plate mark to the first mark so both line up.
You now have a bike sitting on the dealer floor. Begin to walk the bike out of the building. We do not have to mark another paper plate, but you get the idea about both wheels moving at the same time is equal wear. Are we there?

OK, so start to move that paper plate one full circle. Did you see the wheel make a circle or was the illusion more you followed the mark on the paper plate and it traveled more like: mmmmmmm as the stepping? Or say you can use the letter; UUUUUUUUUUU as you mark the table for each circle the plate lands is hit the mark on the table and leaves a = "STEP" Pattern.

That step or "cupping" as stated above; is how that step on the front tire got there. Your rear just shaves that smooth being the constant drive. But the front can only follow and match the degrees turned.

So, did I understand both tires wear out equally but did someone keep and reuse the front tire and say, "Gee, the front looks better than the balled back so I will just change one tire and now hammer it into a turn; I have fresh rubber on the rear, don't I?"

Rub beer? You've been drinking making decisions again? Rub my eyes is wonder if I see a safe thinking rider or a squid with one used and one fresh tire on their bike. For me, that means, get as far away from that rider as I can is you gonna hook that front into a turn with me is no way hose hey!

Hay is for horse is. Someone should get a hose whipping running used and new together, IMO. You wonder why I ride alone or check your wear factor [first] you come ride with the off beat. I'm just making comment about the dangers of running half azz'd is the front will no longer stick if you push it like a new rear can.

I've had tire experience that I have learned the hard way is I always run fresh sets. I just do not want to look like a squid once I ask about both wheels turning is out the dealer door.

Watch your lips fumble as I hear you justify your life for a cup pull of bucks for a new front and/or rear your eyes refuse to sea [the whole thing is a cup full of danger is remove hands from the bars is try that for a test].

Am I the only one that read this & went "what the....????"

evoKENevo · #6 04-29-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceharleywrench

Am I the only one that read this & went "what the....????"

"Nope".....

Odessa33556 · #7 04-29-2009, 05:45 PM

evoKenevo,

Yes, 15,500 on the milage and I would agree....due to change them out but I read the tread depth and had 4/32 on the front and 4/32 on the rear. I've have always changed tires at the 2/32 points give or take....Tires are cheap and I like life. These 407F type Dunlops are supposed to be long wearing and 15.5 is pretty good but could have gotton more if its wasn't for the skipping/cupping. My father always taught us about car tires and car maintence and how important it is and carried over to the MC's for me. Those lessons were 50 years and pop is still here at 100.

So, this kind of stuff bugs me.

Just thought, I through it out hear and get some different opinions

Thank's

Jerry

PS....going back to read the threads again and changing out the tires in the AM.

Tbone · #8 04-29-2009, 06:00 PM

Okay. I'll be the one.
I run used with new on a routine basis. Rear tire wore out first. Changed that. Front tire run over by Pepsi van. Changed that. Rear tire wore out again. Changed that. Both tires will probably be ready in a few thousand. Wear seems equal.
First front tire was cupping from the dealer brand new. After being run over by the Pepsi van, and changing the frame, forks, triple tree, axles, rim and tire, no more cupping.
All is good.

Odessa33556 · #9 04-29-2009, 06:03 PM

Aceharleywrech....what the .... me too!

Milindn....you may have touched on something...not sitt-en square...My wife and I just did a 950 mile over night (up and back) and she said I was sitting more to the left. She noticed this before on this new bike but never said anything.

Well, like I said new tires in the morning and going with the same type and lets see what happens on the next 15000. This time I be keeping notes on pressure and thread depths at different intervals...When your retired you need to keep oneself busy with something.

Thank's all

Jerry

cntrhub · #10 04-29-2009, 06:24 PM

When dragsters rev up and burn out, you see the tires grow to the center or say spin sphere toy on a taught line. Ever see that toy? Pull the string; the sphere spins; or you take both ends of the axle and will that sphere lean off to the right or left if you threw a tire on it?

If the axle is straight, how can you wear off to the left or right if not the frame is bent and in perfect plane. If you let the handle bars go on their own, would the steering go straight or drop to the right?