Front Tire Wear

[bcp858]

Good Evening,
I recently purchased an 03 r1150rt within the past month. I was checking the tires this morning before I rode in to work and felt something odd on my front tire. It is a Metzler Z6. It feels like there is a lump/ridge feeling down the middle of the tire. The lump is the same all the way around the tire. The tread on the sides are about fingertip deep. I assume time to replace the tire or is this normal for the Metzler's on the RT? Thanks for any responses and assistance.

[DJ Downunder]

A lot of tires do something called 'cupping' as they wear..my original tires did it real bad...my last two sets of Perelli's have not cupped at all.

It might be that's what it is..and maybe it's time for a new front tire..and try a different brand next time.

DJ

[touchton]

The center portion of the tire has a more durable compound. The sides are made from a softer compound for more for grip. What I think you're seeing is 'squaring off' of the tire where the two compounds meet.

[Biff's R]

It sounds like cupping/scalloping. What tire pressures are you using. I think that most here run 36-40 in the front and 36-42 psi in the rear. These pressures are a little higher than what is in the manual, but the pressures will help your tire wear, and not affect your ride.

There was a big post here about a year ago concerning tire pressure. I think it was started by boxermania.

[toolinalong]

When I experienced a similar thing last summer, my local wrench told me he had heard that it somtimes happened when one did a lot of freeway riding. He told me that without knowing that I had just done 3 days on the interstate from Buffalo NY to Denver CO.

[MIXR]

Don't panic. I had a huge square 'ridge' down the centre of my front tyre on my ride around Aus. Developed after extended time/miles at moderately fast speeds, with a heavy load and hot weather. Was really sharp-edged and about an inch wide strip, standing more than a quarter inch (or more) proud of the tyre. I panicked and thought I had a delamination starting, but when I replaced the rear on the other side of the country the tyre guys said it was pretty normal for bikes on trips like ours to turn up with such odd wear patterns. It eventually wore back to a rounded profile when I got home, but the 'edge' was not very comforting.

I'm guessing the previous owner did a lot of highway (slab) riding. No big deal, so long as you are wary of some odd handling that will result until you change it. Braking while cranked over may also be interesting.

[MIXR]

I've tried to enlarge and enhance one of the few shots that shows the funny wear I experienced. Look towards the top of the tyre and you will see the very square-edged raised strip. About an inch wide and very pronounced. It was NOT a pressure problem. I always run 36/42, and checked pressures on the trip. Just hard upright riding. Is that what you have on yours? Tyres were Pirelli Diablo Strada.

[bcp858]

Hey thanks for the pics and the advice. I was a little freaked and had not ridden just to be safe. That is what it looks like exactly. I purchased a new Metzler two days ago and awaiting shipping from Tuscon. I wanted to trade out with Road Pilots however my rear tire is new. Thanks so much.

Brian
03 R1150rt

[toolinalong]

I forgot to mention that it went away shortly afterwards, and I have since put another 5k miles on the front and I put an additional 2k on the rear before it was replaced. (both had shown the raised center phenomenon).