Dealing with Motorcycle Tire Wear

Worn out is to jeans, dilapidation is to buildings,Another tire wear is cupping. This is the scalloping
exhaustion to humans - when it comes to tires it iswhere a natural wear pattern results. This happens
tire wear.when the tire usually grips the road when making
Tire wear is the actual removal of rubber from theturns. Scalloping is apparent on the side wear bands
tire due to scuffing. The latter is the process ofof a leaned motorcycle. Simultaneous with the
scrubbing of material off the tires which results torotating tires is the pressure that moves to the
cupping, flat band upright tire wear (common on thetrailing edge creating a pattern. The scuffed off
rear tire) and side flat band tire wear (common onrubber causes depression which makes it possible to
front tire). Side tire wear also happens on both sidesproduce cupping. Complicated tread pattern also
of the front tire and also to a minor degree on bothproduces complicated scalloping pattern. Another
sides of the rear tire. The reason why tires have sidefactor that contributes to scalloping is the
tear is because of its interaction to the pavement.composition of the tire. If it is soft, it is more likely to
Do you still remember the Newton's First Law ofbe affected.
Motion? Newton said, "Every object in a state ofRear center tire wear is another kind. This is caused
uniform motion tends to remain in that state ofby traveling upright miles on an exaggerated
motion unless an external force is applied to it". Thus,acceleration and braking. This tire wear is common to
to make a motorcycle turn, you must apply forcedrive shaft bikes. On the other hand, belt and shield
because the motorcycle will continue to run in adrives can be considered as shield to lessen the
straight, natural inertial centrifugal force. This force isgravity of wear.
responsible for scuffing and eventually, side wear ofOther factors that contribute to tire wear are the
tires. However, as it is pretty evident, side wearfollowing - frame geometry of the motorcycle,
usually happens on the left front. This is especiallychanging the suspension and heavy trail.
true in countries where driver rides on the right sideNevertheless, bear in mind that before you run your
of the road. Riding right would mean greater miles onmotorcycles, tires must be properly inflated. Or else,
the left side. Therefore, an increase in left side wearsthe tire wear will be greatly exaggerated.
results.