Strange tire wear w/pic

[itlives]

I noticed this tire wear after a real hot day. I'm just wondering is it normal? It's almost like a bubble but it's solid. It's on every tread on the same side. You can see it on the tread right by the fender. Hope the picture is good enough.
The tire feels smooth and going down the road.

 

[caillou]

This is cupping, it is normal. All my tires eith all my bikes are doing that, including the TKC70 and 80 on my Super Tenere.

 

[tomatocity]

Tire pressure ?

Preload ?

 

[yamabob]

My front TKC 70 has 3000 miles on it and each "knob" is a different height. Does anybody know if it's a bike issue or is it a tire problem? The rear is fine. It's too bad cause I really liked the handling from it before the odd wear occurred.

 

[sander]

My tire looked the same. Cleaned up a bit when I raised the pressures a bit. Also I think braking into a corner causes this kind of wear.

 

[itlives]

Tire pressure ?

Preload ?

I'll check the pressure. I haven't a clue about preload. Don't even know what it is.
I think it may be the original front tire. I have 15,000+ miles on the bike. It had 9,100 on it when I got it.
I'll check with the previous owner (s) about preload and tire changes.

 

[squarebore]

It seems to be normal
on these tyres on this bike.15000 miles is a lot. Maybe time to just get a new tyre.

 

[EricV]

This is cupping, it is normal. All my tires with all my bikes are doing that, including the TKC70 and 80 on my Super Tenere.

::026:: Cupping happens. It's aggravated by low tire pressure and braking into turns, (especially downhill ones). Tire wear is aggravated by heat too, so a hot ride with low pressure or a bunch of downhill braking into turns can badly cup a tire in a single ride.

That said, depending on your tire pressure and suspension settings, it can sometimes even out over time with higher pressure and some twisty roads with normal carving thru turns w/o braking. Not every tire will 'come back' and some, once cupped, only get worse.

It's not a hazard, just not as smooth a ride. Wear it out or change it if it bothers you a lot.

 

[itlives]

I'm such a tard. Erik, you were right. 23.5 pounds in the front - a little low in the back.
I'm embarrassed to say, this is the first time I checked the pressure. I've had the bike for 6,000 miles now. Shame , shame....

 

[EricV]

Nice that you found a smoking gun, so to speak. Hopefully at a better pressure, it will even out some and not be too bad for the rest of it's life. Good on you for posting up. ::008::

FWIW, I check the tire pressure every ride, if I haven't been riding every day, (like a trip). I like to run 36/45 F/R but I'm a fat bastard and carry a lot of gear. ;D

 

[itlives]

I just topped them off with what the owners manual suggests.

I'm a skinny bastard with not much gear. I ride daily (to work and then some).

I'll keep in mind extra poundage for the tires when I take a loaded trip. I'm a serial over-packer....

Thanks for your help!