front tire wear

[TRJeff]

Has anyone tried experimenting with diffrent front tire pressures to try to get longer tire wear. My R1150R had 8000 mi and tire cupping was very bad. Any suggestions for longer tire wear? The rear has at least a couple thousand safe miles left.

[Hacksaw]

What tires are you running Jeff?

[TRJeff]

first 8000 miles Michelins, just put on Metzler MEZ4 front and rear

[kbasa]

Higher tire pressure will help reduce cupping, but using your brakes effectively will make your tires cup. Some tires cup worse than others, I had a set of Sportecs that were horrible after a while and Dunlop 205s get pretty wicked toward the end of their life.

Tina and I now have MeZ4s on our bikes. I'm starting to see some cupping on the back, but the front is holding on pretty well.

[lancew]

Check your pressure gauge. I had a problem with cupping and couldn't figure it out. One day I borrowed someone else's gauge. Turned out my El-Cheapo was off by NINE POUNDS.

[Hacksaw]

Originally posted by Jeff
first 8000 miles Michelins, just put on Metzler MEZ4 front and rear

If your first tire was a T-66 they were bad about cupping.

[cat0020]

Here is a good link explaining uneven front tire wear in motorcycles in general:

HERE

[RIDERR1150GSADV]

Hi cat0020,
Thanks for the link! It explained a lot reading the info. I was getting worried something was wrong with my tires and bike
I only have 4800 miles on my RT and the front tire is cupping like I have never seen before, but in S Florida the roads are rough on tires both for cars and bikes
Anyway it was good seeing I am not the only one with this issue as I am sure more riders are.
Well stay safe!

[LORAZEPAM]

I agree Dave, the D205 tires cup like a mother with plenty of tread left on them, almost made my vision blurry from the vibration. I have the MEZ 4's on now as well, and after 5k they are holding up much better than the dunlops did. I find they track in rain grooves much better as well.