Tire Probelm (what causes this)

Hello, I have about 10,000 miles on this FRONT tire, tread still has good depth (AVON Storm). When I apply the front break I get a small vibration most of the time, i have (not lately) checked the front bearings and headset. I noticed today that my tire is worn strangely, every other patch is lower than the one before, this pattern is completely around the tire on one side (clutch side). the other side (throttle side) is worn completly even around the tire.

what causes this, do i have a problem i NEED to fix NOW?

thank you for any advice in advanced.

I have no problem tearing the bike apart myself. Just need to identify the problem.

I have attached a few pictures of my tire, this wear pattern was hard to capture with a camera, so i have outlined the low spots in red.

thank you again,
Jim

 

I'm sure that others can give you a more definitive response, but I know that on cars, a "choppy" or uneven tread is due to the suspension failing.

On a car, it could also be things like air pressure, or a defective tire, but obviously with a bike that's not the case.

Maybe its possible that your front suspension is not functioning properly? Uneven adjustment? One seal leaking?

I know that I'd be looking to replace my tire (as well as finding the what caused it) immediately, from a safety standpoint.

 

I don't know a whole lot about the technology behind tire design, but at 10,000 miles, along with un-even patch wear, I would be willing to safely bet that your front tire is simply shot.

Get that tire off of there and get a 'new' fresh one. I sure wouldn't want to read a thread here on VFRW announcing your death as the result of that ticking, or 'vibrating' rubber timebomb.

Always keep that bike maintained top-knotch and ready for road war. :vader:

 

I do plan to replace the tire ASAP, I just don't want to replace it and still have an underlying problem rear its head in a curve at 0430 on my way to work.

I do keep her maintained pretty well although i do ride her every week day to work (75 miles round trip) year round.

 

Cool on the maintenance. I'd start with the tire, and then diagnose any problems from there, if there are any.

 

So, could this be just a tire issue and not a bearing / suspension problem.
is this common for a tire to wear / cup like this without any other input?

thank you

 

Not sure, but I've had tire issues with vehicles in which a tire was defective and exhibiting vibration and handling issues; especially performance tires. A screwed up tire can certainly create suspension problems.

 

I just ordered some wheel bearings, tapered head bearings and seals for all plus fork seals/dust covers form All Balls for my bike. I am at the mileage for fork oil and figure why not the seals too, so she will be apart and why not the head bearings too. I figured i would do the wheel bearings as a precaution since the wear on the font tire is strange. funny thing is the tire has plenty of tread left. I put about 15,000 miles per year on just riding to work and back.

 

Good move. There's certainly nothing wrong with a little preventative maintenance.

 

The Dunlop OEM tires often cup. I have not heard of any problem with Storms cupping tho. While suspension is a cause, more than likely it is air pressure. Are you religious about checking your pressure?

 

Once a week, I make sure i have 36psig in my front tire and 42 in the rear. I do check them cold, perhaps my gauge is not as accurate as one would like.

I believe i will try out some Metzelers or Pilot Road 2's, Unless the Avons are on sale. Man I loved they way those avons handled in the wet and dry country roads around here, blew the dunlops out of the water.

 

FWIW, most every front tire I have ever had does that strange high/low shoulder wearing, even the older bias-ply type. It might be related to highway miles versus sporting miles, as that's what most of my bikes end up doing. I have never found any mechanical issues that are contributing to it, so now I just expect it. With regard to one side wearing differently, that could just be the crown in the road.

I wonder if high mileage without a lot of front braking might add to the uneven shoulder wear? Something to think about one night if my brain is running on both cylinders...

 

Something else to think about is that 90% of all roads are crowned to the centerline. 2% to 3% cross slope is common. I notice that your wear seems to be associated with the side of the tire (left) what would be on the uphill side of the cross slope. This cross slope could be contributing to your wear pattern. I am assuming you have the sag set correctly too......vibration while applying the front brake can be caused by slightly warped brake rotor(s), as you have linked brakes it could be the front(s) or the rear rotor. Something to think about.

 

Gosh, not a whole lot to add from what I've read. 10K on a front? notch it up as it being worn out, as stated pretty common on VFRs, all thou different brands wear differently. I say you did real good getting 10K out of em.. Just for the fun of it try a set of Pirelli Corsas you'll be glad you did, and there will be no cup wear on em.

 

I was thinking that the crown may have something to with it, since i can't find any problems with the bike.
I do appreciate all the help and suggestions within this form, the responses came quicker than I figured.
I thought 10k was good on the back but it was a bit of a disappointment for the front tire as compared to my kingpin (cruiser). Guess you learn something new everyday, I will just have to raise my per mile maintenance contribution to accommodate the new wear rates for the tires. just glad nothing is wrong...

 

I would say what has already been said, but it has been said already, so I won't say it.

 

What I understand about the VFR's is they have a lot of front end bias (weight on the front tire). Combined this with aggresive riding and/or improper tire inflation can cup the front tire.

I run Dunlops on the 94 and every front tire has cupped to some degree....

 

Coming from that style of bike you're use to, I see why you would say that, but the VFR is just as good as any sport bike, and will if set up properly, will ride right with the best of them given the rider knows the know, so yea 10K on the front is IMO very good, a lot only see 7-8K on the average.

 

I have been riding a cruiser for the last 15 years except for the dirt bikes.
I picked the VFR up for my daily commuter about a year ago, I commute about 75 miles per day. The VFR is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden, I have taken a few 2k trips between Fla and Arkansas and could not be happier with it. I have 4 bulging disks in my T-spine and 1 herniated disk in my L-spine and could not walk after riding my cruiser for 20 minutes, I can ride the VFR ALL DAY without a major loss of movement.

thanks again,
Jim