Unusual tire wear??

Just notice my front tire is worn way more than the back. I probably have 1500 more miles for the back. I've got a total of 4500 miles on the bike
what concerns me is that the front is really worn ......and it is worn much more on the left side than the right.....and i have not been making a lot more left hand turns?
any ideas??

 

the fronts on this bike always wore out first for me on this bike...i was surprised the first time too.....but look at the numbers...600 lb, high HP bike with the same size tire as a 600 cc class bike...and not to mention some SERIOUS front brakes....i'm getting over 10K miles out of Michelin PR3 s... ( 5500 mi out of stock BStones )

 

If it's the BT-021, mine did the exact same thing...WIPED OUT on the left side only. I trashed mine at 3000 miles and went with PR3s. Wish I'd done it sooner.

 

Almost all roads are slightly angled away from the center. This "Crowning" is what allows rain to drain off the road and is why the left side always wears faster than the right. How fast the tire wears depends on the type of roads you ride and the tire brand and compound of rubber used. I usually change 2 rears for every 1 front tire but I am a little heavy on the throttle and have been known to do a wheelie or two every now and again.

Rollin

 

mine wore pretty evenly

 

Was having this conversation with my buddy last night and he said the BT-021 did the exact same thing on his Kawi C-14. He also feels it's the worst tire he ever used.

 

I am starting to suspect OEM tires are not exactly the same as aftermarket replacement tires with the same designation (BT-021, etc.). I bought both the C14 and VFR1200 with very few miles on them (~2000) and the stock tires were worn good. Front more than rear on both. These big birds are not kind on the front.

Front tire wearing more on the left shoulder is also common. That was the case with the '09 Sprint ST's stock tire when I got it. So bad that the dealer actually changed it out on warranty before delivery, without me asking for it.

Now, if I get another gently used bike with the OEM tires still on, even if there are some tread left, I'd swap them out anyway.

 

stock BT 021 on left Michelin PR3 on right, both at 5500 miles

 

stock bridgestone on left, PR3 on right at 5500 miles...

 

Wow...I can't believe you actually rode on that front tire. :crazy:

Here's my original front BT-021 at 3k miles. You're viewing it as if you were standing in front of the bike looking back, so left side of the tire is right side of the picture. Look at the profile across the top of the tire. Left side is f*$ked! Absolutely the worst tire Bridgestone has made in 20 years.



My rear tire looked pretty much like yours...square. But only 3k miles on it. It's a whole different bike since fitting the PR3s. Between them and the suspension mods, I can actually ride it like a sportbike now. :smile:

 

DD's pic is about what mine looks like at 2k miles. I spooned them off not long after I got the Viffer.

 

Ok so I have the stock tires and have the same wear as stated above. My tire looks like Dangerous Dave's and I want to keep riding until the new tire arrives. I have been riding for over 15 years and never seen a wear pattern like this, I plan to keep riding but just taking it easy. Hopefully the new tire arrives soon.

Side question I also ordered the pit bull stand, has any one been able to get the front tire off just by rocking it back on the stand?

 

i used the centerstand, a small floor jack from Pep Boys and a 2x4

 

If you don't have a front stand, one good alternative is to use tiedowns to hang the front of the bike from hooks/eyelets bolted to garage ceiling. I do this sometimes even though I have front and rear stand. Good insurance policy and doesn't take very long to hook up once you have the hooks/eyelets bolted to the garage ceiling joists.