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| zanetti2000 | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 64 | | Location | : | Plymouth, Vermont, United States |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2010 - 19:10 Post title : Square tires anyone? | | | I hate to start a post with I have owned many bikes since the 60's, have ridden all sorts of em, and while only an average skilled rider (these days). Someone has to be average, this isn't Lake Wobegon..... I have never had a bike's tires square off like this one.
5500 miles on it. When I got the bike with 3500 miles on it the tires were fine. I rode the last 2000 and there was nairly a straight road. (New England and Newfoundland you know)
"So why is this tire so square?" , he asks, dreading some of the responses.
| "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" - Winston Churchill
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| EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2010 - 19:30 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | I don't have your past riding experience, but my tire did square off at about the same mileage. Have new ones on now.
I've been told (by people of other than the dealer) that this is typical of a cruiser. Having said that, the tire on my son's FJR has squared (but not as much) and many of the other bikes I see have the same issue. Have you had many other cruisers?
| | Post edited by EnGage on 25 Aug 2010 - 19:31 |
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 963 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 03:39 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: EnGage) | | | I just noticed the same on my tire the other day (3200 miles) looks like I have been riding a straight rode! I have NEVER had a tire wear like this, I am going to have my guy balance the tire. as mentioned in a previous post somewhere about tires he is an expert trained by Honda Race Team and he said that there was too much weight on the tire (from the factory) and gave him concern as to why. My America I ran the same tire and never the trouble, only typical cupping from being unbalanced. It looks weird but the tread all seems to be wearing evenly in terms of depth.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| daz | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,705 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 03:44 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: fasteddy) | | | I would contact metzeler. I am thinking this is a manufacturing issue. It's bizarre. Not like something due to inflation or balancing etc.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 06:29 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: daz) | | | 
I personally would make note of the pressure in the tyre and try experimenting with different values with a new tyre.
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
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more info at Fuelly.com
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 08:23 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | G'day.
It's simply riding more on straighter roads rather than in the twisties. You haven't worn the moulding dimples of the edge of the tyre that's a good indication. I can buy identical tyres and do two different sorts of trips . After one it can look like that and the other it could wear rounder. Heavier loads bring it out more. On our narrower roads with a lot of camber you can get the flat spot on an angle. I've got a few photos of one, off my old Rocket after a long trip on a combination of roads (Brisbane to Cairns and then the Tablelands) . Not pretty. But it's hard to get a tire that has a high wear life as well as giving you grip.
Nothing wrong with the tyre.
Cheers Steve
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 09:13 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: Buzzo) | | |
Hope these work. just showing what I think is normal wear for straight road riding.
Link
Link
Link
Link
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 12:59 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: Buzzo) | | | Buzzo wrote:
...Hope these work. just showing what I think is normal wear for straight road riding. |
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Just to help out here - as I'm limited with the amount of 'windows' my internet explorer can open - I've included the image rather than the link.
Not wanting to step out of line I hope...
EDIT
Just so you know how I did it.
When in your Flicker account and while viewing the picture you want to share, select:
- select 'Actions' (located on top of picture - off to the left side)
- select 'View all sizes'
- select 'Medium 640 (640 x 480)' (picture resizes)
With you cursor on the picture:
- Right Mouse Click and select:
-- 'Copy Image Address'
Then return to your friendly Thunderbird1600 forum and paste (Ctrl+V) the copied image address into your post!
| Birdy68
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
| | Post edited by Birdy68 on 26 Aug 2010 - 13:06 |
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 16:33 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: Buzzo) | | |
Buzzo wrote:
G'day.
It's simply riding more on straighter roads rather than in the twisties. You haven't worn the moulding dimples of the edge of the tyre that's a good indication. I can buy identical tyres and do two different sorts of trips . After one it can look like that and the other it could wear rounder. Heavier loads bring it out more. On our narrower roads with a lot of camber you can get the flat spot on an angle. I've got a few photos of one, off my old Rocket after a long trip on a combination of roads (Brisbane to Cairns and then the Tablelands) . Not pretty. But it's hard to get a tire that has a high wear life as well as giving you grip.
Nothing wrong with the tyre.
Cheers Steve
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I agree!
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 16:35 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: Birdy68) | | | Now those pics show exactly why I don't like Metzlers. Note the strip down the middle with no sipes... you will soon be shredding what little rubber remains and the belts will be exposed. Had that happen to me on a trip with an ST1300.
I like Avons and but am currently running Pirelli Night Dragons.
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 26 Aug 2010 - 21:38 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: ataDude) | | | Thanks Birdy. That's what I was trying to do with the pictures.
Your right about the wear Atadude. I left on a 4000 km trip thinking I'll make it easily and after the first 3000 km odd I had the opportunity to replace the tyre if I wanted. But it still looked like they'd do it easily. But the last 500 km it was actually balling up little bits of rubber. Having said that and not knowing any better for a cruiser I don't mind the Metzlers. I don't know if there is a dual compound tyre that would fit the bird. Like the Michelin Pilot Road 2 a great wearing tyre.
Anyway what I was trying to show in the pictures was the second flat spot on the right side, caused by the camber in the road.
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| zanetti2000 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 64 | | Location | : | Plymouth, Vermont, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2010 - 18:38 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | Wow. You guys are great. Thanks for all that info!
| "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" - Winston Churchill
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| CornerBanger | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,113 | | Location | : | Charleston, SC, United States |
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| | Posted : 07 Sep 2010 - 01:52 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | There is a thread about the ME880 in the lounge section. I found this link about tire wear and posted it. Link What you are experiencing is not a manufacturer anomaly. It has to do with the tire's composition and the style of riding that you do.
| There are those who own and there are those who ride! 
2010 Thunderbird
2007 Kawi KX250F
2010 Kawi KX85 (My boy's ride)
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| coneye | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 420 | | Location | : | adelaide, Australia |
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| | Posted : 19 Sep 2010 - 02:05 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: CornerBanger) | | | The first pic , looked excatly like my front rocket tyre at 10.000 klm tread there but serious cupping , 7500 klm not miles its starting to cup again , probably another 1000 and i'll replace it , .
Its the roads mate , i read a good article that explained because of the camper of the roads one part of your tyre can actually be doing three times revolutions than the other side , and on big heavy criusers cupping is more likely to happen , so in other words the part thats on the road couls be doing 30,000 klm where the other side is only doing 10,000 hence the big ridge
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| CornerBanger | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,113 | | Location | : | Charleston, SC, United States |
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| | Posted : 19 Sep 2010 - 02:17 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: coneye) | | | The crown (camber) of the road is not steep enough to cause uneven wear on your tires. Read the article I posted a few posts back. The uneven wear comes from turning the bike and what side of the road you drive on (left for you right for must of us). The crown is maybe 1 to 2 degrees whereas the tires wear at a point of 30 degrees or so. The crown of the road wearing tires is a myth. Also, cupping is a natural occurrence due to the way the rubber is pushed during the turning and the tread design.
| There are those who own and there are those who ride!
2010 Thunderbird
2007 Kawi KX250F
2010 Kawi KX85 (My boy's ride)
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| coneye | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 420 | | Location | : | adelaide, Australia |
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| | Posted : 19 Sep 2010 - 03:35 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: CornerBanger) | | |
Well i certainly am not qualified or know enough to argue thr point with you , but i will say this the death traps we call roads over here certainly have enough camber to effect the tyres
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| CornerBanger | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,113 | | Location | : | Charleston, SC, United States |
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| | Posted : 19 Sep 2010 - 19:30 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: coneye) | | | Have a look at this link, it is really informative and explains a lot on motorcycle tire wear. Link
You might have some step crowns but they cant be 20 degrees, which is what would be needed to touch the side of the tire and wear it down. As you can see from the picture where the blue writing highlights the lean wear bands of the tire, there is no way possible the crown of the road is that steep. Most race tracks don't even have their turns banked that high.
| There are those who own and there are those who ride!
2010 Thunderbird
2007 Kawi KX250F
2010 Kawi KX85 (My boy's ride)
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| Gonzo | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 643 | | Location | : | Sydney, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 21 Sep 2010 - 06:08 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | Correct me if I am wrong, but by the way I look at the photo, it isn't that the centre part of the tyre has worn *more*, rather it has worn *less* than the parts that are just to the side of the harder centre compound? Am I right?
If so, then it isn't that you are riding roads that are alway straight. In fact it is the opposite.
As someone has pointed out, you are not pushing the bike near it's limits, as you still have the moulding dimples on the side, but with the roads you have described riding for the last 2000 miles being maybe a little curvy, then you would be riding the sides of the tyres more than the middle section.
I'm sure everyone is aware of this, but our touring motorbike tyres are made of two compounds: The centre is made harder so it wears longer and that is what most cruiser riders generally do - we aint sport bikers. But if we do get over on our sides, the tyres are made to be more softer on the edges, and hence stick better around corners.
I would also hazard a guess that you are running your tyres a little under-inflated. What do you genrally run them at and how often do you check your pressures? I tend to run 36psi on the back and 34 on front.
I've tried Avons in the past - They wear well and are very sticky - but be prepared to be changing them even more regularly than Metzlers ME880. I find the 880s to be the best compromise for our bikes, for my style of riding. (I don't have any dimples or "chick strips" left on my tyres. :)
Gonzo
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Red XIII
Mods: locking gas cap; ISO-Wings for passenger; engine guards; dresser bars; Arlen Ness LED licence plate holder, rego tube and coloured number plate; long TORs; Pilot highway pegs w/ Magnum clamps; windshield; lower deflectors (customised); ISO grips; HD switch-block; Hardstreet Slimbags (colour matched); Corbin dual tour seat; Luggage rack & bag.
Todo: Various chroming of hand-made parts, Convex mirrors
Wishlist: Mini-ape handlebars, Hard clearcoat over tank
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| CornerBanger | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,113 | | Location | : | Charleston, SC, United States |
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| | Posted : 21 Sep 2010 - 12:14 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: Gonzo) | | |
Gonzo wrote:
Correct me if I am wrong, but by the way I look at the photo, it isn't that the centre part of the tyre has worn *more*, rather it has worn *less* than the parts that are just to the side of the harder centre compound? Am I right?
If so, then it isn't that you are riding roads that are alway straight. In fact it is the opposite.
As someone has pointed out, you are not pushing the bike near it's limits, as you still have the moulding dimples on the side, but with the roads you have described riding for the last 2000 miles being maybe a little curvy, then you would be riding the sides of the tyres more than the middle section.
I'm sure everyone is aware of this, but our touring motorbike tyres are made of two compounds: The centre is made harder so it wears longer and that is what most cruiser riders generally do - we aint sport bikers. But if we do get over on our sides, the tyres are made to be more softer on the edges, and hence stick better around corners.
I would also hazard a guess that you are running your tyres a little under-inflated. What do you genrally run them at and how often do you check your pressures? I tend to run 36psi on the back and 34 on front.
I've tried Avons in the past - They wear well and are very sticky - but be prepared to be changing them even more regularly than Metzlers ME880. I find the 880s to be the best compromise for our bikes, for my style of riding. (I don't have any dimples or "chick strips" left on my tyres. :)
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Gonz was this written for me? If so, this is NOT my bike nor is it my tire. It came from the link that I want people to have a look at to debunk the road crown myth, a side subject if you will. As far as my front tire goes, I have plenty of tread left. And yes I ride the tire as far as the bike will let me, meaning I drag the hard mounts sometimes. And I run my front at 40 PSI and my back at 42 PSI. Question, look at the attached photo of MY bike and guess if I have any chicken strips ;-}
| There are those who own and there are those who ride!
2010 Thunderbird
2007 Kawi KX250F
2010 Kawi KX85 (My boy's ride)
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| Gonzo | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 01/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 643 | | Location | : | Sydney, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 21 Sep 2010 - 21:33 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: CornerBanger) | | | 
No, was not meant for you, but as a reply to Zanetti.
You ride your bike like I do. I have exactly the same scrape marks. In fact, I'm sure I've work a hole through my cat box... Hmmm, I wonder if that would make backfiring?
Gonzo
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Red XIII
Mods: locking gas cap; ISO-Wings for passenger; engine guards; dresser bars; Arlen Ness LED licence plate holder, rego tube and coloured number plate; long TORs; Pilot highway pegs w/ Magnum clamps; windshield; lower deflectors (customised); ISO grips; HD switch-block; Hardstreet Slimbags (colour matched); Corbin dual tour seat; Luggage rack & bag.
Todo: Various chroming of hand-made parts, Convex mirrors
Wishlist: Mini-ape handlebars, Hard clearcoat over tank
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| CornerBanger | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,113 | | Location | : | Charleston, SC, United States |
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| | Posted : 21 Sep 2010 - 22:03 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: Gonzo) | | |
Gonzo wrote:
No, was not meant for you, but as a reply to Zanetti.
You ride your bike like I do. I have exactly the same scrape marks. In fact, I'm sure I've work a hole through my cat box... Hmmm, I wonder if that would make backfiring?
Gonzo |
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No the hole in the cat box lets it breathe better...
| There are those who own and there are those who ride!
2010 Thunderbird
2007 Kawi KX250F
2010 Kawi KX85 (My boy's ride)
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| zanetti2000 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 64 | | Location | : | Plymouth, Vermont, United States |
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| | Posted : 02 Oct 2010 - 03:09 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | Wow... I'm really embarrassed to say this. BUT, my square tire problem was caused by low tire pressure. (maybe 26 psi, maybe less).
Now that I have both tires up to normal riding pressure the square-ness has actually gone away. The tire are back to normal shape. (Yes, I'm and idiot!)
As best as I can figure, my dog unscrewed the value stems caps and stuck a twig in there to let air out. Both tires.. and obviously was able to screw the caps back on. I've had a stern talking to him about this (though he denies it) and i'm sure it won't happen again.
| "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" - Winston Churchill
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| davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 02 Oct 2010 - 04:29 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | Tires and tire pressures should be checked on a regular basis,like atleast once a week.Just a quick change in temperature alone will raise or drop tire pressures 3 or 4 pounds.Then ya have these idiots that like to throw debris on the roads and unfortunately,the motorcycle tire always seems to be what picks it up.It's like a magnet.lol So check those tires and check em often.You'll be surprised at what you'll find in those tires which is why I carry a plug kit and a small air pump.Dave!!!
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| zanetti2000 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 64 | | Location | : | Plymouth, Vermont, United States |
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| | Posted : 03 Oct 2010 - 20:08 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: davetac1) | | | One problem, besides the dog, is I have 3 air gauges and they read from 30 to 38 (tires cold 50 degrees). Two digital gauges read high and the mechanical gauge reads 30 psi.
| "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" - Winston Churchill
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| davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Oct 2010 - 01:37 Post title : Re: Square tires anyone? (Re: zanetti2000) | | | Unless you have a real good mechanical gauge,I'd put my money on the digital units. Dave!!!
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