Tire wear on GL1500

Maybe a LOT of left turns? Sorry...........couldn't resist.

T.

Could be one or more of Low tire pressure, old rubber (over 5 years), out of balance tires, bad tire manufacturing process, bad wheel bearings, loose swingarm bearings or steering bearings,

Be sure and replace the rubber base valve stems with all 90 deg metal valve stems that bolt onto the rim. The rubber base pull in place valve stems crack and leak/break with fast deflations.

tnoort said:

Maybe a LOT of left turns? Sorry...........couldn't resist.

T.

Click to expand...

That could actually be true here. We have got so many roundabouts now in the UK the right side of our tyres must wear more than the left!

Valve Stems

Where is the best place to get the 90 degree metal valve stems please ? (UK)

thanks

It is not a big deal, but is a curiosity.Maybe it was from Nascar Turns.

Just about every MC tire I've ever replaced (thousands) is wore more on left than right...like yours. I read an interesting explanation that because we here in the US ride on the right hand side of the road, the longer distance around left hand corners accounts for tires wearing in this manner. Over the life of the tire this logs more miles on the left tire side. Is it true?...not sure. It's also common for wear not to be exactly even all the way around the tire. When checking wear, it's a good idea to rotate the tire 360 degrees and gauge the condition of the tire based on the worst wear, not the best looking part. BTW, you probably realize it, but that tire should've been history a long time ago.

dizzy said:

Just about every MC tire I've ever replaced (thousands) is wore more on left than right...like yours. I read an interesting explanation that because we here in the US ride on the right hand side of the road, the longer distance around left hand corners accounts for tires wearing in this manner. Over the life of the tire this logs more miles on the left tire side. Is it true?...not sure.

Click to expand...

Another explanation is that the road crowns from the center of the road, to the sides. For drainage purposes, of course. So even driving in a straight line, there is ever so much more contact on the left side of the tread than the right.

I agree with your evaluation on the crown and actually riding more to the left(not politically) and turning faster and harder to the left. 10-4 on the tire being way over due, last week I got caught on wet roads and the tire spun in first and second under light acceleration when I got home I could see why. I ordered two new tires and wheels just finished the rear. The new front wheel is in the tire should come tomorrow. Thanks for the insight.

Unusual wear

Road crown is most likely the cause. I change alot of wing tires up here in Michigan, and see it all the time.

Good article on tire wear. http://www.rattlebars.com/tirewear/index.html

dingdong said:

Good article on tire wear. http://www.rattlebars.com/tirewear/index.html

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This link disqualifies the road crown theory, pretty well. But does explain why left turns make it happen, quite believeable.

Thanks guys, I love the internet, it helps to keep you from being oblivious to facts of life. I also found that I had been misinformed about tire cupping.
I just bought two new tires and wheels along with a new seat they will be installed ready to RIDE.