Flat strips on tires after 5000 miles

[gene]

Must be chicken stripes or strips ?? Running 42 psi with lots of 2 up riding . Any ideas on how to get even tire wear other than let one of you guys use it and run it hard in some twisties!!! Front strip is about 1.5" wide and rear is about 2.5" wide is this normal?

[Killtimer]

If you're referring to the flat spot in the middle of the tread, yes that's normal for two up/straight roads. Two choices. Find some corners/off ramps and even them out.... or use the Stanley sureform plane and 2nd gear/center stand method..... And to answer your next question, yes I've done it and I know of others who have too, but I don't recommend it. :shrug2:

[STPilot]

Sounds like you're gonna have to find some twisties and get that thing on it's side!! :D

[BentAero]

Maybe we could work out a deal to swap tires?

[hippo888]

If you're scrubbing in your tires to the point that the "chicken strips" disappear and you're riding on the street -- you're probably riding too fast for public streets.

Please compare the difference between my tires. One pair has been to the track. The other stays on the road.

[BentAero]

Yeah, you're right, I probably am riding too fast on the 'street'. But then again, "you ain't from aroun' here are ya' boa?"

I can take you out on roads in my county where you can see your own taillight, the corners are so tight. We'll have your tires wore out on the sides in nothin' flat.

I don't recall any tight, twisty, mountain roads in Wayne or Oakland counties, so I wouldn't expect anyone who lives/rides there regularly to wear out any part of a tire except the center. Have they added some new roads since I was there last?

When in Rome,...

[stg1]

Yeah, you're right, I probably am riding too fast on the 'street'. But then again, "you ain't from aroun' here are ya' boa?"

I can take you out on roads in my county where you can see your own taillight, the corners are so tight. We'll have your tires wore out on the sides in nothin' flat.

I don't recall any tight, twisty, mountain roads in Wayne or Oakland counties, so I wouldn't expect anyone who lives/rides there regularly to wear out any part of a tire except the center. Have they added some new roads since I was there last?

When in Rome,...

I rode 1000 miles from Texas staight up to Bervard NC to see a friend and after I got there thought will I ever see another straight peice of road again. Ya'll have some real nice twisty roads out there. After riding for 1 week around the western part of NC and then going another 1000 miles back to Texas, that was the most even tire wear I have ever had on a motorcycle. :bow1:

[tdeboeser]

Gary is EXTREMLY lucky to live where there are no straght roads. Gary, whats the employment outlook down there for UNIX/SAN engineers ;) ?

Gene, you're close enough to VA and WVA for some really good riding. Check some of the local (DC metro) bike lists for more info. I'd stay away from VA route 211 - its ok, and there are alot of cops, I know WVA route 30, 33 are really good. Heck, I know in So. MD route 8 is kinda cool.

get out and explore! I have chicken strips, but I believe part of all that is riding style ( execpt Gary's mountains :D ). And depending on the road it don't take much to ride on the edge of the tire.

But most of all, just ride and don't worry about the sides of your tires.

Tom de - in Stafford VA ( DC metro )

[hippo888]

Yeah, you're right, I probably am riding too fast on the 'street'. But then again, "you ain't from aroun' here are ya' boa?"

I can take you out on roads in my county where you can see your own taillight, the corners are so tight. We'll have your tires wore out on the sides in nothin' flat.

I don't recall any tight, twisty, mountain roads in Wayne or Oakland counties, so I wouldn't expect anyone who lives/rides there regularly to wear out any part of a tire except the center. Have they added some new roads since I was there last?

When in Rome,...


Gary,

You happen to live in the middle of what I believe is the best riding in the ENTIRE United States. The roads are beyond compare. However, I always leave a lot in reserve on your roads because I'm never sure if there's some idiot 1/2 way over the yellow waiting to turn me into a hood ornament.

As for Wayne and Oakland counties, nothing has changed. The suburbs have grown into a sprawling mess. The roads sprawl in straight grid-lines. Flatter than tabletop too.

Go burn up a tire for me out there in Asheville!

[BentAero]

Paul,

I fled Michigan because I couldn't stand Winter any longer. Believe it or not, I had no interest in road riding until I moved here. I spent 10 years racing Enduros in the Michigan woods. Once I was here, (two or three days) I thought, "Hey, I gotta get me a street bike". I actully bought a Yamaha V-Star from a local dealer before I had even officially moved.

" However, I always leave a lot in reserve on your roads because I'm never sure if there's some idiot 1/2 way over the yellow waiting to turn me into a hood ornament."

One day early this spring, I was running up Hwy 209 up to Hot Springs. While headed into a blind left-hand curve, suddenly a very large -read huge- truck towing a giant piece of heavy equipment appears in front of me, at least 25% in my lane. Sure glad I was practiced up on my swerve technique! Had to make a very hasty 'line' change.

I have to head up to Michigan in late August, but since I dread freeways so much with the ST, I think I'll be takin' the Acura instead. Besides, you have such high heat and humidity there. I'm not used to that. ;-)

Tom: Asheville does have an emerging computer/tech industry, but I have no idea if it's in your area of specialty. I do know the NOAA (?) Weather broadcast for much of the US originates from downtown Asheville from the Federal building, and they brag how computer/high tech they are...

BTW, The Two-Brothers pipes are working just fine.

[tdeboeser]

Paul,
Tom: Asheville does have an emerging computer/tech industry, but I have no idea if it's in your area of specialty. I do know the NOAA (?) Weather broadcast for much of the US originates from downtown Asheville from the Federal building, and they brag how computer/high tech they are...

BTW, The Two-Brothers pipes are working just fine.

Sweet, I kinda miss the pipes and someday get another set. Just after you posted in this thread, I went online to look at jobs and homes. The homes are in my price range, but the jobs are few. Guess I just need to keep looking ;) .

Both me and the wife really like Asheville. It could just happen sometime....


Tom de

[Chris Parker]

Yeah, you're right, I probably am riding too fast on the 'street'. But then again, "you ain't from aroun' here are ya' boa?"

I can take you out on roads in my county where you can see your own taillight, the corners are so tight. We'll have your tires wore out on the sides in nothin' flat.

I don't recall any tight, twisty, mountain roads in Wayne or Oakland counties, so I wouldn't expect anyone who lives/rides there regularly to wear out any part of a tire except the center. Have they added some new roads since I was there last?

When in Rome,...


And here I was trying like the fool that I am to keep up with Gary, on both our rides. Ha! Folks, this guy can RIDE. He thinks the ST is a KLR650. Amazing!

Gary,

See you got your Avatar from the picture on the Dragon. Nice!

Let's ride again real soon.

Chris

[alan]

Since I'm from Michigan also, I usually just wear a center flat spot on my tires. During my recent trip to visit western mountains and my kids, I had a different tread wear situation. Part of my trip was on I-40 from Oklahoma City to Flagstaff AZ. The wind out of the south was so strong for the whole ride that I was permanently cocked over to my left side. When I finally got to my son's place in Sedona AZ, we found that I had worn a flat bevel on the left side of my front tire. So I had a flat spot in the center of the front tire and a second flat spot offset to the left of the center flat spot. I have learned over the years to detest the heavy side winds I encounter out west on the interstates.