Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Bosco on April 23, 2012, 08:28:04 PM

Title: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Bosco on April 23, 2012, 08:28:04 PM
I went to the Moonshine Lunch Run last week and when I went to ride today, I noticed that my front tire had worn strangely. If you can see in the pictures, two strips on either side of the center are completely worn out, but the middle is not worn as much. Also the tire has a visible raised strip in the center.

Has anyone else had this happen. I will be replacing this tire before I can ride anymore.

The bike 2009 C-14 ABS. 5000 miles. Original tires.

(http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1899/dsc02089r.jpg)

(http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1020/dsc02088yf.jpg)

(http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4030/dsc02087c.jpg)

(http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3550/dsc02090jt.jpg)
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Pokey on April 23, 2012, 08:31:09 PM
Normal for the crap Bridgestones........
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Son of Pappy on April 23, 2012, 08:35:12 PM
Normal for the crap Bridgestones........
Fact!!!  They do a better job of breaking in a new 14 rider then the flies do.
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Awaz on April 24, 2012, 03:10:33 PM
Got the exact same wear pattern on mine (OEM tires at 5000 miles). Replaced the front just a few days back with a shinko. The rear also got the same pattern going - but it got more tread left.
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Bourne2Ride on April 24, 2012, 03:51:18 PM
I have the same pattern on my OEMs. It's odd how the middle is a little raised, and the sides are more worn. Anyway, replacing them with PR3s as soon as my front gets in. It was on back order, and I had the rear put onto the bike already.
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Dalroo on April 24, 2012, 04:16:41 PM
That could have been a photo of my front tire at 5,000 miles. Almost identical. I bet MANY others will say the same.
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Axxman on April 24, 2012, 04:31:04 PM
Mine are the same too, and they have only 3000 miles on them. Just ordered a set of Pirelli Angels to replace them. ;D
As many have said the stock tires are garbage!!!
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: ZedHed on April 24, 2012, 08:21:50 PM
Hell, even at 5000 miles my OEM Bridgestones didn't look near that worn.  They must have made the bike handle like crap.  Did you take those things around corners? Way scary !!
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Bosco on April 24, 2012, 09:54:43 PM
Hell, even at 5000 miles my OEM Bridgestones didn't look near that worn.  They must have made the bike handle like crap.  Did you take those things around corners? Way scary !!

Actually, the last 1000 miles was all interstate and mostly in the rain. I did not notice any handling problems.
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: nxtdoor on April 25, 2012, 05:20:25 AM
My OEM tire looked like that after a weekend trip to Arkansas. Had about 4000 miles on it when I started the trip. I actually could see cords when it was changed out. The rear actually had tread on it.

Jeff
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: Cheesecake on April 25, 2012, 06:24:32 PM
I get cupping and side wear on my front tire, 2008, with all the different brands of tires. I blame it on the braking, especially entering curves. Bike is almost 900 pounds with me on it, trying to act like a sports bike, hard on the front tires. On my other bikes, the rear tires usually go long before the front. Connie, front tire is gone same time as the rear for me.
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: BlkBird on April 25, 2012, 09:19:01 PM
The 'stones were junk.  This wear was typical for everyone with the 08/09 bikes.  The tread on the '10 and newer bikes is thicker though I can't say it will end any differently.
Title: Re: Wierd Tire Wear
Post by: ZedHed on April 27, 2012, 09:00:13 AM
It's odd how the middle is a little raised, and the sides are more worn.

I've noticed that ALL the dual-compound tires experience this effect to some degree or another.  The 021's are just way worse about it.  Even the PR2s have a raised center area when they are worn and that has to be what makes them (all) handle weird when they are worn.  I never had this type of wear before I used dual-compound tires.  I would get cupping and scalloping, but never the raised center tread wear.......