Another tire question....what causes tire cupping?

[mark@umt.com]

I know this is probably a pretty newbie question...but what causes tire cupping?

[Airetime]

  OK, take a little trip down Chet's pages, I think that you can get lost with all the articles on our Valks but here on this link you will find your answer...

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/tirewear/index.html

[RLD]

Typically, low air pressure. Check often. Also check your manufacturers website for the recommended pressure, it may not be the same as you owners manual, I know Avons are different.

[R J]

When I used to run bike tires, I always carried 50# in the rear to help slow down the cupping........

Car tire, never ever seemed to have that probleme.

[Jay]

I know pressure seems to be the popular reason for cupping.  However, I ran 40psi front and 42psi rear for years, Avons and E3's and always had some cupping.  The last front was an E3, ran 40psi as always but had Dyna beads in it, and after 13,000+ miles it wore evenly, no cupping.  I am inclined to think the beads kept a constant balance thus eliminating the cupping.

[mark@umt.com]

Actually, when I'm on the road I actually check my tire pressure daily as I found it can change significantly depending upon air temperature and altitude.  I did keep 40# in the front and rear originally when I put my Avons on, but ended up picking it up to 45# front and rear.

I'm thinking of going with the Metzler 880's now...I had them on my C-90 and was quite pleased with the performance and longevity of the product.

Thanks for all the responses! 
Mark

[TJ]

There are only two thing that can cause cupping...

1  Bad shocks

2 Out of balance tires

[Ricky-D]

Cupping can be caused and promoted by any number of things, air pressure not withstanding.

The tread design, angles of the tread pattern with relation to the road while riding, siping and the angle of the siping to mention a few.

Plus riding style, types of roads, crowns and rutting, use of brakes and style of braking, harshness of turning.

Rubber compounds, contact patch profile,

You get the idea.

There are many, many factors contributing to that particular thing, air pressure being only one.

***

[Mildew]

Tire pressure. 1-3 pounds above specs fixed my coupling  problem.

[mark@umt.com]

Hey all,

Just got my metzler ME880's and LOOOOOOOVE them!  They grip to the road really well...even in severe rain which I ran into this past Saturday. 

I greatly appreciate all the comments on this topic....but finally went with the choice that made sense to me based on my riding style and comfort level. 

Mark

[Farther]

My front Metzler is showing cupping after 12k miles.  I keep around 43-45 pounds in it and check frequently. 

[mark@umt.com]

12K miles I can deal with...mine were cupping at 8.5K miles....that's not very good...and I check them daily when I'm on a tour?!?

I think I'll stick with Metzler instead of Avons from now on.

Thanks for the PSI. 

[Farther]

I think that low tire pressure only accellerates cupping in a tire that is out of balance.  Unless some super tire comes along I will be running Metzlers on both ends of my bike for the forseeable future.  If I hadn't gotten a slow leak in the rear I think I would have gotten about 14k out of it.  A new 180/70-16 Metzler in stock size from Jake Wilson cost $143.00 including overnight shipping. 

[mark@umt.com]

WOW!  That's really good!  I paid $182 including shipping from motorcycle superstore.  What is his web address?  Does he ship across the US?

[Farther]

http://www.jakewilson.com/home.do?gclid=CL28gsryjKMCFSISagodRGhiTw

http://www.couponshack.com/stores/show/5730/Jake-Wilson?r=aw&k=jake%20wilson%20coupon%20code