Front tire cupping

[Patsfan]

I have a beautiful 1998 Standard Valk, with 44,000 miles on it. I put on a new Metzler front tire about 9,000 miles ago. The other day I noticed that to the left of the center of the tire, that it is cupping. The rest of the tire looks like new. Could the front fork oil need to be serviced?? I need to know what could possibly cause this and how to fix it. I really don't think it is tire pressure related because I keep a real close look on my tire pressure on a regular basis. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks so much for you help.

[Cliff]

Not sure what mechanical issues could cause this, but I have heard of some folks haveing this problem even after they had checked all of the possible mech issues. Then after checkling the mechs trying Dyna beads in the tire after which no more cupping, even to the point of the cupped tires wearing even again. I would strongly suggest waiting for other input about mech things to check and doing so before trying the beads.  Stearing head bearing loose or need replacement. Tires may wear more on the left side due to 'crown" in the road.

[R J]

Ya never said what the pressure was you so religiusly checked.

If it is under 40#, pop it up to 42 to 48 and forget it, just ride it...

48 to 50 on the rear if you are running a BIKE tire, CAR tire, around 32 to 38 somewhere.    My GoodYear Triple tread csr tire, I run 36# solo.......

[DFragn]

I have a beautiful 1998 Standard Valk, with 44,000 miles on it. I put on a new Metzler front tire about 9,000 miles ago. The other day I noticed that to the left of the center of the tire, that it is cupping. The rest of the tire looks like new. Could the front fork oil need to be serviced?? I need to know what could possibly cause this and how to fix it. I really don't think it is tire pressure related because I keep a real close look on my tire pressure on a regular basis. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks so much for you help.

If your previous front tire didn't show similar wear I would suggest low or fluctuating front psi levels.

I do know as fact [by my own mistake] that too light or heavy a fluid level in one fork can cause the front end to pull to the weak side forcing constant counter steer & abnormal tire wear.
Causes are; in adequate fork fluid levels, leaks and inaccurate fluid amounts at rebuild or level adjustment.

[fudgie]

42 psi in my Metz front. No wheel weights either. 9k on it and looks good as new.

[RLD]

Personally, I noticed Metzlers cupped more than other brands I have used, but I'm sure others would disagree.

Make sure you're using a good quality tire gauge, the cheap ones can be off by a lot.

[Mildew]

1 pound can make a big difference in a motorcycle tire. I used a metzler in the past and it got around 9k and it did the same thing. A tire man told me 1 pound makes a big difference in a motorcycle tire. He said check it 3 times a week and stay between 42 and 45 and it will make a big difference. I have a metzler now and keep it at 42 - 45 and will have twice the miles as the old. It's wearing a little more on one side more than the other but I can't complain because of the milage i'm getting.

[John Schmidt]

I have close to 15k on my front Metz and will travel this summer with it, has that much tread left. I ride solo all the time and keep no less than 40 psi in it. My car tire in back I carry 35-36 usually, maybe a couple more if traveling with a bag on the back and stuff in the saddlebags. The bike is rock solid at speed, I've always been able to get high miles with nearly any brand. When I ran a Metz in back, it was first a stock size 180 and got lousy mileage. Next went to their 200/60/16 and the one tire that wasn't ruined by road debris was over 12k miles and no cupping or gator backing in the center. The 200 seems to be a better tire for the Valk than the stock size when it comes to long service.

[Mildew]

I never balance mine either. I just stay above 42#

[PAVALKER]

9k miles on a Metzler???   That's about all I got from a Metz.  Run tires at 40 - 42, no lower or you will get cupping qucikly.   I found Metzler's to be a softer compound and wear quicker to begin with.  Granted, nice in the twisties but wears out faster.   JMO

[Dag]

I noticed Metzlers cupped more than other brands I have used

I have the same experiance

[Ricky-D]

There is nothing abnormal about that tire wear.

The non uniform nature of the tire wear is particular to our riding style in North America. That being on the right hand side of the road.

If you ride in a country where it's the opposite the exact same wear pattern will appear but only it will be on the opposite side of the tire.

***

[Mildew]

There is nothing abnormal about that tire wear.

The non uniform nature of the tire wear is particular to our riding style in North America. That being on the right hand side of the road.

If you ride in a country where it's the opposite the exact same wear pattern will appear but only it will be on the opposite side of the tire.

***

Yea, there's a scientific equation for all that mess but it all comes down to (rounded m/c tire + vertical rider + sloped highway = tire wearing on one side more than the other)