Tire Cupping/Feathering

Old Guy on a '08 · October 5th, 2012, 07:56 PM

I've noticed that my front tire, with about 5000 miles is showing signs of fethering/cupping. I'm soliciting opinions, facts, speculation on the cause and cure...

ninjamunky85 · October 5th, 2012, 08:04 PM

What tire is it? I've heard some people have this problem with BT-45s.

cuong-nutz · October 5th, 2012, 11:09 PM

Have you been monitoring your pressure on a regular basis? low tire pressure can cause uneven wear.

DaBlue1 · October 5th, 2012, 11:47 PM

Cupping, which is more accurately described as scalloping , is a natural wear pattern on motorcycle tires and it will always follow the tread pattern. It is not a sign that you have bad suspension parts. It merely shows that your tire is indeed gripping the road when you make turns.

Cupping develops within the side wear bands of a leaned motorcycle. The extreme forces that come in to play when the bike is leaned in a turn are what produce the effect and when the wear becomes sufficient, one will experience vibration and noise when one banks into a turn.

The leading edge of the tread does not flex much as it grips the road and the rubber is scuffed off the tire in that area causing a depression. As the tire rotates, the pressure moves to the trailing edge of the tread pattern where the tread flexes more causing less scuffing so less material is ground off the tire. The more complex the tread pattern, the more complex the cupping pattern will be. The softer the compound of the tire, the sooner this cupping will develop. Radial tires are more prone to cupping than are bias ply because the compound of radials is softer.

Low tire pressure will exacerbate this wear pattern and you will lose many serviceable miles by running low pressures. Improper balance has nothing to do with cupping on a motorcycle tire. Improper balance will merely cause your bike to vibrate within certain specific speed ranges.

You may even notice more wear on the left side of the tire because, you ride farther (and likely faster) turning left than turning right with subsequent increased side tread wear on the tire's left side. The left side of your tire has more miles on it (in some extreme cases, twice as many) than the right side of your tire. And the side of your tire only gets mileage when you are leaned in a turn.

October 5th, 2012, 07:56 PM	#1
Old Guy on a '08 Chris Name: Chris Location: Charlotte, NC near UNCC Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): BLACK!!! '08 250R Posts: 957	Tire Cupping/Feathering I've noticed that my front tire, with about 5000 miles is showing signs of fethering/cupping. I'm soliciting opinions, facts, speculation on the cause and cure... __________________________________________________ Some roads are too good to waste on four wheels! Riding in a car is like watching a movie... Riding on a motorcycle is like being in one....

October 5th, 2012, 08:04 PM	#2
ninjamunky85 Que Buenos Son!!! Name: Ryan Location: Grovetucky, OH Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '14	What tire is it? I've heard some people have this problem with BT-45s. __________________________________________________ Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!!

October 5th, 2012, 11:09 PM	#3
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Have you been monitoring your pressure on a regular basis? low tire pressure can cause uneven wear. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

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October 5th, 2012, 11:47 PM	#4
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Cupping, which is more accurately described as scalloping , is a natural wear pattern on motorcycle tires and it will always follow the tread pattern. It is not a sign that you have bad suspension parts. It merely shows that your tire is indeed gripping the road when you make turns. Cupping develops within the side wear bands of a leaned motorcycle. The extreme forces that come in to play when the bike is leaned in a turn are what produce the effect and when the wear becomes sufficient, one will experience vibration and noise when one banks into a turn. The leading edge of the tread does not flex much as it grips the road and the rubber is scuffed off the tire in that area causing a depression. As the tire rotates, the pressure moves to the trailing edge of the tread pattern where the tread flexes more causing less scuffing so less material is ground off the tire. The more complex the tread pattern, the more complex the cupping pattern will be. The softer the compound of the tire, the sooner this cupping will develop. Radial tires are more prone to cupping than are bias ply because the compound of radials is softer. Low tire pressure will exacerbate this wear pattern and you will lose many serviceable miles by running low pressures. Improper balance has nothing to do with cupping on a motorcycle tire. Improper balance will merely cause your bike to vibrate within certain specific speed ranges. You may even notice more wear on the left side of the tire because, you ride farther (and likely faster) turning left than turning right with subsequent increased side tread wear on the tire's left side. The left side of your tire has more miles on it (in some extreme cases, twice as many) than the right side of your tire. And the side of your tire only gets mileage when you are leaned in a turn.