Front Tire Cupping

[JAFHR]

I have noticed lately that my stock front tire is really cupped in the middle. I first noticed it when taking off real slowly. I can feel the tire as it rolls. I've checked the tire pressure and the head unit. Could this be due to the front forks. I haven't noticed the tire hopping at all due to balance???

[sharkoilfield]

I had Bridgestone radials on my 103 FXDXT (111hp/117tq) and cupped the front to the point of replacement before I wore the tread out...friend who owns a shop and has been a MC mechanic/instructor says it's due to a combination of weight, power, aggressive riding style and pressure...I check my tire pressure constantly and use the sidewall recomendation. I just changed out both tires for Metzler radials; both Bridgestone tires were cupped pretty bad...

[War Horse]

It seems that some tires are more prone to it than others, no rhyme or reason. That's provided theres nothing grossly wrong, but that you would/should feel before the cupping actually showed.

[prodrag1320]

usually caused by out of balance,we got alot of tires in,when checked on our computer spin balancer wernt even close to being properly balanced

[Princess Butt]

Is it worn evenly across the tread, or is it cupped more on one side than the other?

I had a problem with rear tires on my '97 Road King for a while. Bike handled badly when loaded, and the rear tires were wearing out in a cupped pattern, but only to one side.

Found the culprit. The bolt holding the lower front adjuster was missing, so the front of the drivetrain had quite a bit of movement. Put a bolt in there, and it's been fine since.

I would suspect out of balance. How many miles are you going before cupping? Mine have a slight cupping about the time I change the front, but I'm aggressive braking on the front.

[dirty jim]

V-ROD FRONT TIRES DO THE SAME THING (CUP), TWO EXTRA POUNDS OF AIR STOPS IT.

[64 Panhead]

Put 41 pounds in the Front tire..

[JAFHR]

41 pounds, oh I've got 36. I'll try that. I do ride the bike quiet aggressively and love the twistys. I really should be riding a Buell. I know I can keep up with them.  I'll also have to check the balance. The cupping is right in the middle of the tire, otherwise I would have thought the front shocks were uneven or ? Thanks