Another good question. I'm betting it's not balanced.......

 

That "scalloped" or "chopped" tire wear in the auto world is typically from 2 things, poor suspension control (shocks, springs) being first, and an imbalance being second. Looks pretty rough from the pic.

 

You can get that look from low air pressure in the tire.

 

In answer to your original question TD, you need to replace that poor tyre! THEN we can start investigating what caused that wear pattern. By all means get your new tyre balanced, but if you use a non-stock brand check the correct pressure on their (tyre, not H-D) website. As an example Avon routinely use higher pressures than in the owners manual, but I am not sure of Metzeler. I don't think the front suspension comes into the frame in solving this.

 

You can also simply look on the sidewall of the tire to get the recommended pressure.

 

No that is not the case! At least not on any tyre I have ever owned. As I repeat on HDF frequently, check the manufacturer's website. As an example the Avon Venom I had until recently on my Glide had 50psi on the sidewall, but the recommended solo pressure was 44psi.

 

Interesting. I have always gone by the sidewall.
To be honest I was told by a tire guy once that to get the best wear out of a tire you take 10% off the sidewall pressure.

I never thought about checking a website before. I'll have to try it.

 

Its looking that way because the Po only rode in straight lines with a fat chick on the back.

 

You owe me a key board and a monitor!!!!!!!!!

 

My enquiries on the sidewall wording is that it is a US requirement. It states what the max load the tyre can be used for, at a given pressure, however it doesn't mean that the stated pressure is the maximum we can use, nor does it say it is the pressure we must use!