Front tire cupping

[hellridgeryder]

I have a 15 RT L purchased new. Current miles 11000. It was laser aligned by the dealer when purchased new. After it was aligned I replaced the sway bar. Front tire are original. I noticed what I thought was excessive road noise from the front tires. After checking the front tires I found both were cupped on the inside. Tire pressure is 18 #. I'm interested in knowing what is most likely causing the cupping. I assume alignment issue? Remedy? New front tires and re-alignment?

 

[Buckskin]

Most likely you had the stock Kendra tires? Replace with an aftermarket tire. Run tires at 20 psi. Firmer tires will give better tread wear. Lamont has Centramatic wheel balancers and FOBO Trike TPMS so you can see/maintain proper tire pressure. Tire pressure and balancer are critical when running such low pressure in front tires. You say you had dealer align the front end? Most dealers don't always have the good laser alignment system. Check here on the board and see who does a good job in your area.
Buckskin

I have a 15 RT L purchased new. Current miles 11000. It was laser aligned by the dealer when purchased new. After it was aligned I replaced the sway bar. Front tire are original. I noticed what I thought was excessive road noise from the front tires. After checking the front tires I found both were cupped on the inside. Tire pressure is 18 #. I'm interested in knowing what is most likely causing the cupping. I assume alignment issue? Remedy? New front tires and re-alignment?

 

[Gunner3773]

My 2015 RT had the same problem with cupping. I rebalanced the tires a couple of times and had the laser alignment done when I first bought the bike. I cured the cupping with Federal Formoza AZ01 tires. No looking back.

Gunner

 

[Dodgedad]

I also had both front tires cupping at 20,000 km and had to replace due to vibration. Have replaced with baja ron shock lifters and heavier stabilizer arm. Also added the balancers to front wheels , hope something works

 

[canamjhb]

Cupping is usually caused by low tire pressure. In the case of the OEM tires, I would expect cupping would not be unusual at your mileage.

 

[4 MARIE]

I like everything that has been stated so far. about pressure, Balance, Tire brand, etc.
Not mentioned yet, I believe cupping can also be caused by heavy braking, and these will break hard if you ask them to.
I sense that 18psi might be a little low.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm prone to believe that this is a balance issue.

 

[BoilerAnimal]

http://www.tirewear.org/steps-on-how-to-fix-tire-cupping/

I know this is about cars but the principle remains the same. Personally, I would suspect a combination of cheap tires and Illinois roads!

Edit: I forgot to include this link when I posted this morning!:banghead:

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

cupping is usually a suspension issue

 

[SPYD1]

Balance, alignment and suspension.

 

[Easy Rider]

I'm prone to believe that this is a balance issue.

That usually is NOT the case unless the cupping is irregular.

Based on the reports I remember seeing on here, I think that 11,000 miles is really good for OEM tires.
What does the rest of the tread look like ?

If much of your riding is two-up, 18 might be a bit low.

But I think it is time for new tires.......at a minimum.

 

[larryd]

My 2014 RTS

I have tire cupping on both front tires (inside & outside)...I have Federals with 15,000 miles...Front end DOESN'T shake at all that can be felt in the handlebars...I have Elka Shocks...Rons sway bar...Laser aligned...Both tires balanced and balance rechecked...I have checked for loose or worn front suspension parts, NOTHING found...

So if anyone gets this figured out let me know...larryd

 

[Easy Rider]

So if anyone gets this figured out let me know...larryd

You didn't mention the pressures that you run.
And is the wear across the rest of the tread uniform ??

Some tire designs just wear "funny" regardless of what you do.

I once had a set of Firestones on a car that wore down the SECOND tread rib from the outside.......on all 4 tires.
Design defect.

 

[ARtraveler]

I get 20K plus on my OEM front tires--over 5 different spyders now.

I had the cupping at 11K on the 2011, shortly after having the dealer do an "old fashioned" alignment. He does not use the laser method. When I had the chance in 2015, I got a laser alignment from Squared Away. They said the alignment was out more than they had ever seen. Replaced the tires and we have another 15K with no cupping this time.

We try to keep the front tires at 18 - 20 #'s.

My guess would be tire pressure or alignment.

 

[1iHooligan]

On a regular MC, is usually one of two things: 1-inconsistent tire pressure (good, then down a couple of #s, then back, etc.), 2-engine braking. I used to do that all the time on my Magna.

I have a 15 RT L purchased new. Current miles 11000. It was laser aligned by the dealer when purchased new. After it was aligned I replaced the sway bar. Front tire are original. I noticed what I thought was excessive road noise from the front tires. After checking the front tires I found both were cupped on the inside. Tire pressure is 18 #. I'm interested in knowing what is most likely causing the cupping. I assume alignment issue? Remedy? New front tires and re-alignment?