PR3 Rear Tire Cupping

[corrosiv]

I toasted the stock front tire on my '11 Connie in ~4200 miles.  The tire was starting to come apart on one side while in the on Day 3 of a 5-day 2,xxx mile road trip.  Picked up a screw in the rear about 200 miles on the way home after replacing the front with a PR3.  Plugged it since I was on the road and swapped for a new PR3 rear once I arrived home.

I have ~4,600 miles on the PR3 front - it still looks pretty good.  ~4,200 on the rear - and it is cupping like crazy.  I'm pretty good about tire pressures - keep both front and rear at ~40-42 via the TPMS.  Riding style could be described as 'spirited' - I scrape the occasional peg, but ride within reason / my abilities.  I rode this past weekend and didn't notice any abnormal handling - still grips well.  If my plans were to do a few more day-long mountain runs, I'd just note it and ride them out to the wear bars.

However - I'm about to leave on a 3,200 mile 10 day trip from ATL to Maine and back.  Will prematurely install fresh PR3's on both front and rear since I know what I'm getting and don't want to have to deal with new tires while en-route. 

Short story long, has anyone seen a rear PR3 cup like this?  Any idea re: cause?

[DenverC-14]

Mine have done the same, if I am seeing the "feathering" along the outer edges of the tire, facing the front of the bike along the top of the tire. I've been told it's the bike not having a fast enough rebound speed on the shock and the leading edge of the tire "digging" into the pavement at lean. Not a suspension guy, so haven't confirmed that. I just ride the hell outta it, lol

[jqram35]

I get allot more miles than that out of mine but it really depends on how you ride and where you ride. Cupping in my opinion is more a matter of tire pressure and suspension set up. Suspension not setup right for your size and weight and the load of the bike will cause the tire to cup. Just my theory...

[lather]

Underinflation or overinflation are the main causes of excessive cupping.The TPS is probably not accurate enough to adequately monitor your pressure. I find it is harder and harder to find a reliable pencil gauge as well. Both my TPS units run high compared to my most accurate gauges. If you were running the rear at 42 by TPS you may have been underinflated.

[cablebandit]

All motorcycle tires cup.

[lather]

All motorcycle tires cup.

False. Slicks do not cup.

[goodthymes]

Well..... Slicks can cup but a bike with slicks mounted will most likely spend more time at a given lean angle than it will completely upright.

I agree setup and pressure. My PR3s are almost toast on the side of the tire but the center is still good (almost 5K). I am new to the DCT tires and as far as I'm concerned, anything over 5K is excellent for a 130ish HP/700lb bike.

[cablebandit]

False. Slicks do not cup.

Zing!

All treaded motorcycle tires cup.   

[c1obrien]

My rear tire is cupping like that, but it's got at least 8,000 miles on it (due for a new one). A Michelin rep looked at it and said he would give me 20% off on a new one because of the cupping, but the price the dealer quoted me even after removing 20% was so high that I told him to take a hike. I can get new PR3s on line much cheaper and might as well learn to do it myself. -Actually, I'm looking forward to it!

[stevewfl]

Any bike tire will cup, its rubber.  Depends on the the tire, the road, suspension settings, and tire pressure settings on "how much" cupping is to be expected and at what mileage.