HarleyTechTalk

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???

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...

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.

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

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.

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

Put 41 pounds in the Front tire..

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