Worn tire issue...

Just picked up my bike yesterday... the only thing wrong with it is the tires are worn square, the previous owner obviously never went around corners.

I'm guessing (hoping) that the weird steering behavior is caused by the tires... the thing just does NOT want to turn... I have to hold opposite lock all the way around or lean way off even on turns with 45 mph speed limits.

Last bike I owned had tires about a third as wide as the back on this one, they didn't do this even though they were worn a bit in the middle.

There's no notchiness in the steering head, so it's not a bearing issue, and it's the same for both sides so it's not a chassis problem (and it does an amazing job of going in a straight line, you could go coast-to-coast without touching the bars if there weren't any turns.

Any ideas? I'm getting tires before I go to far, obviously.

 

ride at an angle on bothe sides to get the wear even..

 

Yep mine was that way too when I picked it up, only fix is new tires. one doesn't want that kind of feedback with a square tire, not a good thing. Boy do you have choices on tires. look around, there's a new tire thread floating around.

 

Thanks, I figured as much but it's nice to hear it confirmed... really strange sensation, a non-turning motorcycle.

And I've seen the tire thread, really glad for that, I'm going with a dual density model for sure.

 

I was pretty much dragging my knee and the bike was still upright.:smile:.. odd feeling...

 

TIRE PRESSURE ANYONE?!?!?!?!?

My tires get squared off from slab riding, but keep them pumped up and the turn in is fine. 9k on my front right now(yes I have a spare ready to go on as soon as MI gets it's last cold spell of the year)

 

IF you didn't check tyre pressures b4 you put your ass on the seat......you made a big mistake !

 

LOL Jason :fencing: 33 psi front and rear here.
Yea that would have something to do with it, But I figured he had checked that as just sitting on it would till you something was arye. Mine was square and it had to much air in em 42 front 44 rear No wonder I though it could have stood up with out the stand.

 

The owner said he'd put air in 'em "recently" and they didn't look saggy (just square). I will try air, though, thanks. Although I've ridden in saggy tires and the felt strange, just not THIS strange :smile:

 

looks can be deceiving depending on the tire model. I've had automotive tires that "LOOK" like they're low when really they're only at 10psi, essentially flat. Your air pressure gauge is your friend. Check often if not before every ride.

 

If your tires are already disfigured due to running them low or a suspension problem, putting more air in them will not remedy the situation. You probably need new tires, at least a new front. Once you get new tires, make sure they're always properly inflated. I'm with Stuka: 35-36 front and 40-42 rear. Check them at least once a week.

When I bought my VFR off the PO, the front tire was squared-off too. It did not handle well. It turns out it only had about 20-some PSi in it, and probably had been riden that way for a long time, thus the square profile. I immediately replaced the front with a new Pilot Road 2 and things have been peachy since.