I have a bout 13K on this tire (original) and have been hearing loud tire sounds going around corners. On my old bikes, my front would cup and make noise, on this bike it's the rear. Since new, the rear had been run with 40 PSI and the front with 38.

The cupping looks pretty bad to me, but there is some good tread left in the tire. Wondering a few things:

Is this tire safe to run?

if there is something that can be done to ease the noise of the tire?

 

You might have one of the ones with bad bearings. Seriously, take it in. On some the bearings go dry and, well, you can imagine what happens after that.

 

Mine cupped on one side only. Replaced with a set of AE's at 15000 miles and life is good. 5000 on the new elites, so smooth, quite, and the grip is great on corners.

 

I've never owned any large full dresser where the rear tire didn't cup. Always starts happening around 5,000 miles. Doesn't matter if I added or removed a few psi either way. Seems to be normal for the heavy beasts.

 

mine started to cup I increased air pressure and put in new rubber bushings and it has smoothed back up.

 

My 11 RK did exactly the same. It will howl when rounding curves. It's perfectly safe to run it. I ran mine like that up to 12000 miles, still had 1/3 tread left and installed a new pair of Avon Cobra's. The noise gone and much smoother. Avon suggests 45-50 lbs in rear tire for solo-2up. They still ride and stick well. I bought these via DK website for $229 for the pair with a rebate, delivered. Best touring tire I have ever ridden on.

 

I have been running front 38 rear 42 and have 2 sets of tires not cupping like first set with 26/40 per manual.


Brain fart, what rubber bushings?

 

Not a definitive thing on cupping, just a few comments.

A wheel often starts bouncing due to imbalance.

Weak/worn/non-functional shocks will let a bouncing wheel move far more than it would otherwise.

You can shave a cupped tire, but it is of dubious worth, both due to expense and quality control.

Generally, once a tire is cupped, there is nothing to be done for it other than to replace it.

 

FWIW, the symptoms you describe are nearly identical to mine.
I did take it to my indy suspecting front bearings, and he took it out for a ride.
Told me it was the tire and was completely safe.

Got 15k miles on them now and look forward to getting rid of it and that noise.

 

SD1,

I would have to say, "That's pretty normal" for your tire at mileage. (IF it makes the whining noise on turns, and NO whining going Stright.)

Although I have 18" tires F/R, I average 13-15K miles on the rear and 17K+ on the Front loop. This is on the stock OEM tires. Some folks have switched to the AE's with the same or better mileage results.



JMHO,


YB