Uneven Front Tire Wear

[Beau57]

I am the new kid on the block, just bought a 1999 Valk Standard 2 weeks ago and missed the uneven tire wear in my inspection before purchase (tire must have been turned the opposite way). I have owned 9 bikes over the last 42 years and have never seen this wear pattern. I read previous posts and have learned this is a traight of the Valk and that this one sided wear is apparent in Ireland and England on the other side. The tire on my bike is a Metzler 880 and I was quoted 8-9k miles, ( I believe more). Before I just buy another tire are there any other problems with the front end unique to the Valk that I should check for? The rear still looks good. Advice, comments?

[R J]

What air pressure are you wearing front and rear?

I run the 880, and it is the only frront tire I will wear on MGM, with 45# in it and 36# in my car tire rear.

Low air pressure so ya get a softer ride will tear hell out of these tires.

Okay, fire away, I got the flame suit on.       I don't know nuttin about bike tires.....   LOL.

[MP]

+1.

You need to replace soon.  Run minimum of 42#, up to 45 in the front, it helps, does not eliminate the problem.  I do not think anything is wrong.

MP

[old2soon]

Welcome to the insanity. These dragons are very touchy where the tire pressure is concerned. I won't presume to overide anyone on this board. Keep in mind that r j has over 240000 miles on his dragon. Ya-that ain't a misprint two hundred forty thousand plus. Again welcome. Tires and oil start real LIVELY discussions round these here parts. RIDE SAFE.

[Ricky-D]

Eight to nine thousand miles is pretty much a worn out tire.

I would say that is the low end of the range of mileage you can expect from a motorcycle tire with some riders reporting close to twenty thousand miles out of a tire.

It depends upon riding style and brake use to a large degree. Air pressure has some affect but not a lot.

Uneven wear is consistent to what side of the road you drive on. Here is the USA the tire always wear more on the left side of the tire for two main reasons. Left hand turns are longer than right hand turns and we most times are driving on a sloped roadway with the crown of the road on the left.

***

[Beau57]

What air pressure are you wearing front and rear?

I run the 880, and it is the only frront tire I will wear on MGM, with 45# in it and 36# in my car tire rear.

Low air pressure so ya get a softer ride will tear hell out of these tires.

Okay, fire away, I got the flame suit on.       I don't know nuttin about bike tires.....   LOL.

The tires in question are 880's also. What kind of mileage (ballpark) are you getting? I believe they have the owner's manual 33-36. The previous owner stated 8k miles or so. I have driven it for about 100 miles so far and I quickly learned it had to treated with more respect than the 750's I used to throw around. I don't think there are issues with the forks but this monster is a totally new experience.

[John U.]

I'd have to agree with RJ on this issue. I've found that the best thing you can do to maximize tire wear is to keep a close check on tire pressure. 42 to 45 is good. I also think that the road surface has a lot to do with tire wear but there isn't much you can do about that. Checking tire balance is a good idea if you have or have access to a balancer.
Some claim they don't balance their tires, I do and I've found they usually need it.

[JC]

Got almost 8K out of my last set of 880's. They seem to wear a little quicker but I think they are stickier than the Dunflops I'm on now. I've always seen the uneven wear, left side goes first, it's a driving on the right side of the road thing.

I like that other toy of yours in the pic too! Challenger?

[Beau57]

Got almost 8K out of my last set of 880's. They seem to wear a little quicker but I think they are stickier than the Dunflops I'm on now. I've always seen the uneven wear, left side goes first, it's a driving on the right side of the road thing.

I like that other toy of yours in the pic too! Challenger?

Yes a Challenger. It is not mine but I did fly it and a few others just like it. Flying ultralights is my number one passion but the $$, time, and space, always slow me down.

[Beau57]

Did a check on tire pressure today, I couldn't believe what I found. 18psi front, 20psi rear! Tires didn't appear to be low from visual inspection. I was going to fine tune pressure anyway, just alarming the old guy who owned it before me didn't keep better tabs on it. New tire in a day or two. I get to start from the beginning of this tires life.

[Blackduck]

Have been running Bridgstones, normally expect 20,000 plus K's from the front ( 12,000 miles).
Low pressure will show up as scalloping or slant wear on the blocks between the grooves.
Road camber and side winds play havoc with tyres.
A days run across the Nullabor with side wind will wear off one side of a tyre (1000-1400 K's)

[TearlessTom]

Did a check on tire pressure today, I couldn't believe what I found. 18psi front, 20psi rear! Tires didn't appear to be low from visual inspection. I was going to fine tune pressure anyway, just alarming the old guy who owned it before me didn't keep better tabs on it. New tire in a day or two. I get to start from the beginning of this tires life.

That is a very good point I bet many here do not realize.  These bikes use a tire with a very stiff sidewall for the most part.  The tire is down to usually below or right at 20 lbs before you feel a major difference in handling.  Those of us who butts are more in tune with the bike can tell sooner but still it is well below where you want it to be.

And a piont that has not been mentioned yet, If you have the stock valve stems, change them out ASAP or when you change the tire.  don't ask me how I know.  

[Beau57]

When you mentioned replacing "stock" valve stems, were you referring to just age or suggesting the stock stems are junk? I am taking the wheel to a dealer to change the tire and balance. I assume they will replace stock with stock if I request they put new stems in.

[Chrisj CMA]

When you mentioned replacing "stock" valve stems, were you referring to just age or suggesting the stock stems are junk? I am taking the wheel to a dealer to change the tire and balance. I assume they will replace stock with stock if I request they put new stems in.

The stock ones are fine if you keep the plastic holders on there and get new ones with every tire.  People go with the metal ones so they dont have to replace them all the time, and you dont need the little keepers with solid metal ones

[mrbill]

97 Tourer.  Have 17,500 miles on my front Dunlop Elite 3 and it appears it will make it to at least 19,000 miles before it gets to the wear bars.  The left side of tire appears to have just slightly more wear than the right but it’s not noticeable unless you look real closely.    Normally keep the front tire at around 36 PSI.   Do not ride aggressively.. (well not anymore )

Got 19,600 miles out of my last rear tire, also Dunlop Elite 3, and it still had tread left when it was changed.  Kept the rear tire pressure around 42 psi. 

PS.. for what its worth..  I never rely on "tire appearance" to judge air pressure.  Appearance of a tire at 20 psi may not be significantly different than one at 40 psi.     

Did a check on tire pressure today, I couldn't believe what I found. 18psi front, 20psi rear! Tires didn't appear to be low from visual inspection. I was going to fine tune pressure anyway, just alarming the old guy who owned it before me didn't keep better tabs on it. New tire in a day or two. I get to start from the beginning of this tires life.

[Ricky-D]

That valve stem that Honda uses is fine.

You have to use a little common sense along with a little mechanical knowledge to be able to separate the chaff from the grain.

Seeing how the valve stem is flexible it the uninitiated that would continually keep pressing against it to fill with air or use a tire pressure gauge without supporting it with a finger behind the valve stem.

You can tell who they are because they end up having to use some aftermarket product, then along with boasting about the superiority of the modification at the same time there is a flaming about the "Honda pos".

Really, do you think Honda would go to the measures it has: for instance cast in a boss on the wheel and develop a multi-piece stem if it were not an improvement over the run of the mill variety of valve stems available everywhere?

Support the valve stem when you give the tire some air and/or check the pressure and you will never have a problem with the stock set-up.

***

[Chrisj CMA]

That valve stem that Honda uses is fine.

You have to use a little common sense along with a little mechanical knowledge to be able to separate the chaff from the grain.

Seeing how the valve stem is flexible it the uninitiated that would continually keep pressing against it to fill with air or use a tire pressure gauge without supporting it with a finger behind the valve stem.

You can tell who they are because they end up having to use some aftermarket product, then along with boasting about the superiority of the modification at the same time there is a flaming about the "Honda pos".

Really, do you think Honda would go to the measures it has: for instance cast in a boss on the wheel and develop a multi-piece stem if it were not an improvement over the run of the mill variety of valve stems available everywhere?

Support the valve stem when you give the tire some air and/or check the pressure and you will never have a problem with the stock set-up.

***

Unbelievable.  Honda has many parts on their bikes that are better than aftermarket and many that are not as good as some other brands.  Petcock is the first in my mind that is a POS from Honda, a Pingel or other fuel valve is a huge upgrade.  Valve stems are another.  A solid well made metal one bolted in far surpasses that rubber one that WILL leave you stranded even if you use it as you described if you dont change it regularly.  To answer your question, Yes I think Honda will go to those lengths to overcome an engineering problem, just depends on one persons definition of a fix compared to anothers, but to slam people because they like a different solution than you would choose is unecessary.  Peace

[Hoser]

That valve stem that Honda uses is fine.

You have to use a little common sense along with a little mechanical knowledge to be able to separate the chaff from the grain.

Seeing how the valve stem is flexible it the uninitiated that would continually keep pressing against it to fill with air or use a tire pressure gauge without supporting it with a finger behind the valve stem.

You can tell who they are because they end up having to use some aftermarket product, then along with boasting about the superiority of the modification at the same time there is a flaming about the "Honda pos".

Really, do you think Honda would go to the measures it has: for instance cast in a boss on the wheel and develop a multi-piece stem if it were not an improvement over the run of the mill variety of valve stems available everywhere?

Support the valve stem when you give the tire some air and/or check the pressure and you will never have a problem with the stock set-up.

***

Unbelievable.  Honda has many parts on their bikes that are better than aftermarket and many that are not as good as some other brands.  Petcock is the first in my mind that is a POS from Honda, a Pingel or other fuel valve is a huge upgrade.  Valve stems are another.  A solid well made metal one bolted in far surpasses that rubber one that WILL leave you stranded even if you use it as you described if you dont change it regularly.  To answer your question, Yes I think Honda will go to those lengths to overcome an engineering problem, just depends on one persons definition of a fix compared to anothers, but to slam people because they like a different solution than you would choose is unecessary.  Peace

+1, the whole reason I use the metal stems is to avoid having to get down on a knee and use 2 hands to do a simple pressure check.  I guess that's not a good enough reason for ricky?  I have them on the car and truck also, same reason.  Try it when your old enough to have knee pains ricky,  I don't know why it would offend you for me to use them.  Hoser

[TearlessTom]

That valve stem that Honda uses is fine.

You have to use a little common sense along with a little mechanical knowledge to be able to separate the chaff from the grain.

Seeing how the valve stem is flexible it the uninitiated that would continually keep pressing against it to fill with air or use a tire pressure gauge without supporting it with a finger behind the valve stem.

You can tell who they are because they end up having to use some aftermarket product, then along with boasting about the superiority of the modification at the same time there is a flaming about the "Honda pos".

Really, do you think Honda would go to the measures it has: for instance cast in a boss on the wheel and develop a multi-piece stem if it were not an improvement over the run of the mill variety of valve stems available everywhere?

Support the valve stem when you give the tire some air and/or check the pressure and you will never have a problem with the stock set-up.

***

Unbelievable.  Honda has many parts on their bikes that are better than aftermarket and many that are not as good as some other brands.  Petcock is the first in my mind that is a POS from Honda, a Pingel or other fuel valve is a huge upgrade.  Valve stems are another.  A solid well made metal one bolted in far surpasses that rubber one that WILL leave you stranded even if you use it as you described if you dont change it regularly.  To answer your question, Yes I think Honda will go to those lengths to overcome an engineering problem, just depends on one persons definition of a fix compared to anothers, but to slam people because they like a different solution than you would choose is unecessary.  Peace

+1, the whole reason I use the metal stems is to avoid having to get down on a knee and use 2 hands to do a simple pressure check.  I guess that's not a good enough reason for ricky?  I have them on the car and truck also, same reason.  Try it when your old enough to have knee pains ricky,  I don't know why it would offend you for me to use them.  Hoser

I have to agree with all the above but must throw in that my bike is now 14 1/2 years old from manufacturer date  (10/96) and quite possible still had the original valve stems on it. I have new ones ordered as it is sitting in the garage with a flat now due to the valve stem leaking.  I was hoping it would make it to the tire wearing out but the Elite 3 seems not to want to die.

So assuming it is the original it has had a pretty good run even if it has been replaced it still has had a good run and I can not argue that at the time it was manufactured it was probable a superior design but that was 14+ years ago.

I am pretty sure there have been a few advancements made in the field of valve stems in the last 14+ years or at least I certainly hope so.!!!!!

Why is it when it is a Honda design old is superior and when it is a HD design we call it out dated and obsolete / past its prime etc.

Ricky I think you are calling the kettle black here.

I think most of us here although we love our 6 carbs and love to do our own wrenching I would also jump at a FI computer controlled fuel system too.  Maybe even self cancelling turn signals and standard electric cruise control.  No wait that is Yamaha and HD.  I guess they got it wrong...

[sugerbear]

Did a check on tire pressure today, I couldn't believe what I found. 18psi front, 20psi rear! Tires didn't appear to be low from visual inspection. I was going to fine tune pressure anyway, just alarming the old guy who owned it before me didn't keep better tabs on it. New tire in a day or two. I get to start from the beginning of this tires life.

and,you get to start with a much better handling bike :cooldude:42-40 olr there abouts.

enjoy the ride

[vanagon40]

Holy crap, Batman!

Must be a slow week on car tires and motor oil.  Now it is aftermarket valve stems????

Really????

Anyone want to weigh in on which brand of bungee cord is better?

[hubcapsc]

Really, do you think Honda would go to the measures it has: for instance cast in a boss on the wheel and develop a multi-piece stem if it were not an improvement over the run of the mill variety of valve stems available everywhere?

Yep.

The OEM valve stem is a POS.

Everything about Valkyries can't be perfect.

-Mike

[Beau57]

Holy crap, Batman!

Must be a slow week on car tires and motor oil.  Now it is aftermarket valve stems????

Really????

Anyone want to weigh in on which brand of bungee cord is better?

Like you, I wouldn't care unless I was jumping off a bridge with it.

[TearlessTom]

Holy crap, Batman!

Must be a slow week on car tires and motor oil.  Now it is aftermarket valve stems????

Really????

Anyone want to weigh in on which brand of bungee cord is better?

  Personally I llike the green ones, they match my bike.