Strange Tire Wear

[LDO]

Got a PM from another Mastiff owner about weird tire wear and it reminded me of my problems.

Still haven't figured it out and the new tire has (over time) worn the same way leaving a 'flat track' down the middle of the tire.

I keep the air pressure to spec so I'm not sure what the problem is.

Here are a couple pics of my first rear tire I changed out after about 11k or 12k miles.

Hoping someone on here can provide some info on why this happens and if changing tire brands might help. These are Metzelers 240/40-18.

 

[Chris04Masitff]

Hey guys. PM was mine . my tire is worn EXACTLY like that. i would appreciate any suggestions also. LDO thanks :2thumbs:

 

[Chris04Masitff]

im being told by those "that know" this is "what they do" . i cant buy that. But if it is what it is- so be it.

 

[sgrind1]

this is just mt 2 cents the rubber in middle is softer and thinner than the side walls ...............

 

[Vegas]

Due to imbalance of the LSD bikes??? I remember my 03 chopper needed to lean slightly right all the time to overcome the imbalance.

 

[Mickeetwo]

The reason it wears down the middle is it spends more time running on the middle of the tire. The tread compound is soft and the tire is rounded. 13,000 miles on a rear tire is pretty good given the soft compound. Just spend more time leaning left or right and it should be fine

 

[Chris04Masitff]

tire on bike when i bought it was worn out at 4300 miles. way worse than LDOs pic. 8700 on since i replaced it. and i feel like i need to replace it now.

 

[BBChopper]

I changed at 11k and didnt realize how square the old one was till I took her out. Wow what a differance. I blame it on that tire spinning more than you know!!!!:2thumbs:

 

[Chris04Masitff]

I blame it on that tire spinning more than you know!!!! :lol: i dont do that though. Maybe one good time when my new Avon gets here.

 

[Mickeetwo]

I replaced the rear at 7500 miles the front at 10,000

 

[Raywood]

Due to imbalance of the LSD bikes??? I remember my 03 chopper needed to lean slightly right all the time to overcome the imbalance.

This may be the BEST explaination of why the LSD bikes (which have Metzlers) have these issues. To my knowledge there have been no issues with tread seperation on the Avons which came on all RSD bikes have there?

Wonder if installing an extra ounce of dyna beads (on top of the recommended) may help with this issue.

LDO, didn't you email Metzler also for an explanation?

:flag:

 

[MaleficVTwin]

My rear Avon looks fine, but I had to replace my front at about 6500 due to more wear on the right side of the tire than on the left. I chalked it up to compensating for the primary drive while running down the road.

 

[Byrddogg]

on my 2nd rear tire and they both wear that way???

 

[Raywood]

on my 2nd rear tire and they both wear that way???

Guys, notice that its not the flat spot that all wide tires suffer from but it the thread seperation above it. Look at the picture closely and see the bulge.

 

[jimizee028]

i dont see what the problem is,LDO, you got 11,000 miles outta the tire,when you have something round running on something flat there is going to be more contact at the most roundest part of the tire,therefore wearing that rubber away more than the rest of the tire,you shouldve seen what my tire looked like at almost 15000 miles on it,serious flat spot,i maybe am missing what you are saying though and just cant see what you are seeing.......

 

[T.Byrd]

've got 12,000 miles on my rear tire and I run 30 lbs. pressure in it. I think that they are wearing like that in the middle because every one is running to much air in them. Im staying with 30 lbs. and like I say I've got 12000 on mine and still going. Letting pressure out puts more rubber on the ground.

 

[Vegas]

You guys with the right side drive bikes don't understand. I probably shouldn't say this but it's basically bad engineering. If you run to much camber in a car tire it will eventually wear out the side with more load. No different on a motorcyle. You spend most of the tires life riding straight. With the older left side drive bikes, they tend to ride more right of center going straight. Ride on a little dirt or sand and take a look at the contact patch and I guarantee it's Right Center.

 

[stlmikie]

You are right Vegas. All ine whick side drive you are running. My 03 is the same front and rear.

 

[Chris04Masitff]

Tbyrd i been thinkn same as you. see the same kinda thing on cars here at shop. too much air wears in the middle and vice versa- not enough and wears edges. BUT. ive lowered rear air pressure to 32 once and it just didnt feel right. i guess the left heavy thing makes sense.

 

[LDO]

You guys with the right side drive bikes don't understand. I probably shouldn't say this but it's basically bad engineering. If you run to much camber in a car tire it will eventually wear out the side with more load. No different on a motorcyle. You spend most of the tires life riding straight. With the older left side drive bikes, they tend to ride more right of center going straight. Ride on a little dirt or sand and take a look at the contact patch and I guarantee it's Right Center.

What you say makes sense to me Vegas but my 'flat spot' is down the center of the tire.

So, the air pressure issue also makes sense but I'm really good about checking it (every week). I put about 150 miles on my bike just in riding to work every day so I make damn sure my pressure is right.