For all you 09 owers with cupped tires
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Janesville WI
They replaced mine at about 6K. It vibrated a little right from the start and progressed to a violent whip if you took your hand off of the bars. When both hand on the bars it was barely noticable. Worse at 30 MPH and a decel in 3rd. Dealer took care of it but had to wait for a tire to be shipped.
Last edited by RKC2009; Sep 10, 2009 at 09:51 PM. Reason: spelling
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 504
From: Northern WV
What happens is the tire develops a scalloping, irregular wear on either side of center. Low pressure can be a cause but most tires wear like this to an extent anyway. Typically a howling develops, then as it worsens you can feel it in the handlebars and it's time for replacement. The D407 front with their backward from standard angle front tread design seems to be prone to cupping, often while there's plenty of remaining tread.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 962
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From: .....
CRAP! My D407F on the front of my 09 EGC just started howling; it has a little over 3700 miles on it; I can't see anything yet and no significant vibration so far. Looking at the tire from the front, the tread chevrons point downward. CRAP!
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 47
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From: milwaukee
Took mine to the Dealer in Rapid city during Sturgis rally - 5000 on bike. Front end felt "squirrely" I would not call it a vibration - he put a new tire on. 3500 later, I have the same problem again. The only problem I have with the bike. It is not that noticeable most of the time, but sometimes it is. Very strange. I think I will go to a different brand when I change. No problem with the back.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 47
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From: milwaukee
Mine just started howling and I have 6000 miles. Does anyone know how much longer we have before the vibration starts.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,335
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From: Tidewater
Mine was vibrating before 2500 miles. I called MOCO customer service, they called the dealer while I was on the phone and long story short, brought my scoot in and got a new D408F put on last week. The 408s are now being replaced with D407Fs, but if you call and act nice, tell em it is shaking, vibrating, cupping whatever you want I am betting they will replace it for all who call and ASK. It is a lot cheaper than doing sa total recall.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 34
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Does the "howling" and the "vibration" occur when going straight? Or only when turning?
I get a vibration when turning and don't know if that's a result of cupping or something else.
09 Ultra w/ 7k miles.
I get a vibration when turning and don't know if that's a result of cupping or something else.
09 Ultra w/ 7k miles.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 504
From: Northern WV
The cupping is off center (both sides). Riding straight all's quiet but when you are leaned over the howling will be noticible. Less so at first then more so as mileage increases. It really doesn't hurt anything. When it gets so bad that it causes noticible shaking or vibration I usually replace the tire.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
From: .....
I have never had to make significant tire air pressure adjustments as I check them on a weekly basis. I run them at 40 psi in the rear, and 36 psi in the front. I check my tires when they are COLD to get an accurate reading. It is my understanding that once the tires are hot, warmed up, the tire gauge can give me a reading of up to 4 psi higher then when they are cold. Also, outside ambient air temperature plays a big role as for every 10 degree change, the tire pressure changes 1 psi; up or down. I am continually amazed at HD dealers and automotive tire stores who don't do the math when checking tire air pressures; many times I have discovered, with a next morning COLD tire pressure check, that my tire pressures are down up to 4 psi because the bike, or car tires, were warmed up when I arrived at the service department and the tech didn't factor that in when they were servicing my vehicle.
Alright, sorry for all the babbling. My point is that I keep my tires at correct psi settings almost religiously, so if my tires fail, then that won't be the reason.
What really irritates me is that I can't shop around for another tire manufacturer; for now. With my 09 EGC, it appears that I am stuck with but one choice if I want the exact oem size and specs.
I DON'T LIKE BEING STUCK WITH ONE CHOICE! I'll remember this the next time I buy a bike.
Alright, sorry for all the babbling. My point is that I keep my tires at correct psi settings almost religiously, so if my tires fail, then that won't be the reason.
What really irritates me is that I can't shop around for another tire manufacturer; for now. With my 09 EGC, it appears that I am stuck with but one choice if I want the exact oem size and specs.
I DON'T LIKE BEING STUCK WITH ONE CHOICE! I'll remember this the next time I buy a bike.
Last edited by Sweetbaboo; Sep 11, 2009 at 08:19 AM.