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[TLC]

Dealership tells me while my 09 FXSTSSE3 is in for leaks the front tire is cupped at 6000 miles.I have always has it inflated right.What else causes this?The last time I rode it i hit and unbelieveable hole on the interstate would this have caused it.They say no,cause i have the wheel and tire warranty.Also told me my rear brakes are needing new pads.Spending never ends does it.I have an 02 other brand of bike 2 but never all the problems so far with my 1st H-D.

[grc]

Dealership tells me while my 09 FXSTSSE3 is in for leaks the front tire is cupped at 6000 miles.I have always has it inflated right.What else causes this?The last time I rode it i hit and unbelieveable hole on the interstate would this have caused it.They say no,cause i have the wheel and tire warranty.Also told me my rear brakes are needing new pads.Spending never ends does it.I have an 02 other brand of bike 2 but never all the problems so far with my 1st H-D.

Cupping can be caused by several things, like improper (low) air pressure, poor balance, poor suspension, or defective tires.  If you do some research I think you will find that there were a lot of 2009 Touring model bikes that experienced cupping on their factory installed Dunflops, and Harley even had a program to replace them for a short time.  I don't know if they ever expanded the program to include the Softails, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.  See attached bulletin for details.


Jerry

[1sharprdkg]

Cupping can be caused by several things, like improper (low) air pressure, poor balance, poor suspension, or defective tires.  If you do some research I think you will find that there were a lot of 2009 Touring model bikes that experienced cupping on their factory installed Dunflops, and Harley even had a program to replace them for a short time.  I don't know if they ever expanded the program to include the Softails, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.  See attached bulletin for details.


Jerry

The OEM tires on my 09SEUC were cupped at the 10,000 mile mark back in June of this year. Took it to local dealer went thru all there red tape and BS. Even called MOCO customer service, long story short 2009 Touring "Service Bulletin" had expired and free replacement would be completely up to the local dealer. They did nothing, oh sorry they offered me 10% off of my tire purchase. I said NO THANKS. 

[cahdbiker]

TLC, my experience with tire cupping is a little different than some. I got 11251 miles on original front tire which was replaced under warranty while on vacation at Big Sky HD in Great Falls Montana. I was on my way back to Simi Valley Ca. from Lake Louise British Columbia. I stopped in Browning Montana for something cold to drink and was shocked at the way my front tire was cupped.(looked good when I left the house)If I hadn't looked at it I would have never know, since I didn't feel any vibration in handlbars or hear any funny noises.  I had to divert east to the 15 freeway which kind of messed my ride, since I had planned on taking 93S thru Idaho for the scenery. Regarding my rear tire the original was replaced locally  at 12775 miles with 3/32 of tread left. I always keep 36lbs front and 40lbs rear when tires are cold. The original Dunlop was quiet while going straight, but was always noisy when cornering. It was not cupped when I replaced it.  I replaced it with an American Elite. They come with 10/32 tread depth. The ride is much smoother and quieter Right now I am up to 16,966 miles. I just measured my tread depth and I have slightly under 8/32 of tread left no evidence of cupping. (about 4100 miles mostly freeway with passenger and luggage). I purchased my Elite 3 from sporttour.com for $185.90 delivered to my door. A dunlop rep told me it was compatable with the D408F on the front and my local dealer does not have a problem with mounting tires purchased elsewhere as long as the front and rear are compatible. There is a lot of good info  in the dunop website at dunlopmotorcycle.com., but I recommend calling and talking to a tech for detailed info.1-800-845-8378 CAHDBIKER

[MsPalmyra]

What does tire cupping look like?  My rear tire is fairly new but when I back it into the garage after riding, it doesn't roll smooth anymore. It rolls, then bumps, rolls, then bump, etc. please reply, thanks!

[NYSport]

Cupping can be caused by several things, like improper (low) air pressure, poor balance, poor suspension, or defective tires.  If you do some research I think you will find that there were a lot of 2009 Touring model bikes that experienced cupping on their factory installed Dunflops, and Harley even had a program to replace them for a short time.  I don't know if they ever expanded the program to include the Softails, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.  See attached bulletin for details.


Jerry

If it keeps happening my money is on the suspension.

Tom

[Eqcons]

What does tire cupping look like?  My rear tire is fairly new but when I back it into the garage after riding, it doesn't roll smooth anymore. It rolls, then bumps, rolls, then bump, etc. please reply, thanks!

Like this!

[Eqcons]

Like this!

And this:

[Eqcons]

And this:

And this:

[North Star]

Yeah, that's what my rear tire looks like. Plenty of good tread left too, but needs to be replaced no thanks to the cupping. Probably just do it next spring.

I was complaining since I got the tire in the spring of 2011, but I just checked my records and realized I put on 15,000 miles on it, so I guess I'm not too bad off.

[anglia48]

On my third front tire on my 08 CVO Road King. Cupping seems to be a problem. 2 Dunlop's and 1 Metzeler. Start to see the problem with about 6000 miles maybe less.

[RayG]

How is the Metzeler holding up?  have a cupped Dunlop on the rear of my 08 SERK but I refuse to put another Dunlop tire on.  I lost count of cupped tires which started out with front tires and now it just seems to be the rear.  I hate the rough ride, their has to be a solution. 

[Midnight Rider]

If having consistant problems with tire cupping, there's other problems.  If a bad tire is ruled out...and I think you can do that if you've put 2 or 3 tires on the bike and they all do it..., and you keep the tire properly inflated at all times, and properly balanced when installed, then there's one thing looking you in the face:  Suspension.

I worked with tires for several years in my younger days, and would see cupping on car tires.  MANY times, the shocks on those vehicles would be completely shot.  While there are definitely cases where the tire is defective, it's more often due to other causes, and poor suspension is more often than not, overlooked.  I have pulled many a shock off a car that were so worn out you could push/pull them in and out like a trombone, so the only thing working was whatever kind of spring was sitting over that tire.  Springs do not have damping characteristics.  And lack of damping causes tire cupping.

The stock rear shocks on a HD are not worth a chit in the first place.  Put 10K on them and they are worse than chit.  The front suspension is so pooly designed that it would likely amaze you if you could actually see how often the front tire is not in contact with the road surface due to poor damping characteristics inherent with a simple spring and POS valves.

To coin a phrase: "There's your problem right there, Vern"

As Jerry mentioned, there were known issues with the Dunflops in the '09 year models, but outside of that, there are other issues that need to be looked into.

Soap Box:  Folks don't think a thing in the world about putting 3 or 4 thousand dollars into exhaust, cams, chrome, etc, etc, etc.  That's all fine, and big HP/TQ numbers can be fun to chase.  But most of those same people shudder at the thought of spending 2K or less putting something under the bike that will help it do things other than go fast in a straight line, and make the bike safer to actually ride.  Of course, if all you've ever driven is the equivalent of a '68 Buick with worn out shocks, then you think all is well.

[spydglide]

Lots of times under-inflated tires.  spyder

[anglia48]

So if its suspension on the front, dumb question, but whats the cure? Rebuild the forks and suspension?

[Sklywag]

Even though you think you keep your air pressure correct, have you ever checked you tire pressure gauge to see if it is correct?

I was having the same problem on my 06 running Metzlers.  I was only getting 6k miles out of the rear and cupping.  When I had the tire before last changed I was talking to the guy at the tire shop (not HD)and he asked me the question about my tire pressure gauge, he said there was no question in his mind I was running under inflated.

When he finished the tire he showed me with 3 didgital gauges that he checks against a pressure calibrator that the new tire was set  39.8 to 40.2, depending which gauge he used.  So call it 40.  I went directly to the auto parts & bought 2 new digital gauges, different brands & checked the tire right there.  One read 38.8 the other read 40.  I went in & returned the 38.8, got another and it read 39.7 close enough.

When I got home I checked the tire, it had been in the back of my SUV all afternoon in Phoenix, HOT, and it now read 41.  I checked it with my gauge I had been using for the last several years, a $40 analog gauge, and it read 35lbs.

So the tire guy was right, I religiously cheked my tires and set them to 35lbs because of the gauge.

The lat Metzler i took off went 7200 mlies with no cupping, I could have gotten another 1k out of it because it wasn't quite at the wear bars but we were leaving on a trip.

So tire gauge, tire gauge, tire gauge   

[Midnight Rider]

So if its suspension on the front, dumb question, but whats the cure? Rebuild the forks and suspension?

Replace the internals with something superior.  A cartridge system is best.  Depending on how much you want to spend, the choices are:  Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 (most expensive); Progressive Monotubes; HD "Touring Cartridges".  Probably the best bang for the buck is the Progressives.  If you want the very best there is, then the AK-20's have no equal.  For rear shocks, there are several good choices, depending on your needs:  Bitubo; Works; Suspension Technology; Progressive; Ohlin.

You will be AMAZED at the difference.

[RayG]

I had the AK-20 setup installed in 09 and have sent them to Traxxion every 20,000 miles.  The rear has it's second set of Bitubo's, I prefer the 13".  I have had my air gauge checked at 3 different tire dealers & it's right on.  I check my tire pressure weekly.  I also have the True-Track installed when I put the Baker pan on. Pretty much everything was done in the winter of 09.  The swingarm bushings and one motor mount was recently replaced.  I believe I have done everything that I can on my end but I can't be certain of the balancing job done at dealerships.  I tried the Dyna Beads as well as the weights.  Should I be looking at some kind of alignment adjustment? The bike use to corner like a sports bike but with the cupped tire it rides hard plus I get a little rear end wobble when accelerating out of a corner.  In my case I believe the Dunlops are a POS tire and the dealerships lack the knowledge of properly balancing a tire.  I protested the last rear tire because it had 5 weight installed on it, it started to cup @ 3,000.  I will try anything at this point! 

[Midnight Rider]

I had the AK-20 setup installed in 09 and have sent them to Traxxion every 20,000 miles.  The rear has it's second set of Bitubo's, I prefer the 13".  I have had my air gauge checked at 3 different tire dealers & it's right on.  I check my tire pressure weekly.  I also have the True-Track installed when I put the Baker pan on. Pretty much everything was done in the winter of 09.  The swingarm bushings and one motor mount was recently replaced.  I believe I have done everything that I can on my end but I can't be certain of the balancing job done at dealerships.  I tried the Dyna Beads as well as the weights.  Should I be looking at some kind of alignment adjustment? The bike use to corner like a sports bike but with the cupped tire it rides hard plus I get a little rear end wobble when accelerating out of a corner.  In my case I believe the Dunlops are a POS tire and the dealerships lack the knowledge of properly balancing a tire.  I protested the last rear tire because it had 5 weight installed on it, it started to cup @ 3,000.  I will try anything at this point! 

Well, in this case it definitely ain't your suspension.  Perhaps you do have an alignment issue.  I've never had a reason to check that on either of my CVO bikes, but there are folks here who have done so and can perhaps provide the information to do it right.  Don (Twolane) would know, I'm sure, and I seem to recall Brian (Hogasm) doing this to one or more of his bikes.  Maybe one of them will chime in...

[RayG]

Thanks for the info Midnight Rider, I sold my first set of used Bitubo's to Don about a 18 months ago or so.  The older set I sold Don actually rode better than the new replacements.  This winter I plan to contact a few experts that sell swingarm kits, True Track is the only company I have contaced so far.  In the mean time I plan to locate a few tire companies that make the sizes I need and will also look for a shop that can do a decent job of balancing tires.  I know I ride hard but with a spine condition I have looked at every suspension option for a better ride.  There is always a solution sometimes you just have to work a little harder at it.

Open to any other ideas.