[MarkS01]

Hey Guys,

Late last summer I put on a new Bridgestone BattleAx BT-020 (OEM) front tire. Got only about 2,000 miles out of it along with the wear you see below. Not only did it wear right down to the cords but also unevenly left of center (when sitting on the bike). The tire is rotating in the right direction.

I'm thinking disparate fork performance. I did go one notch firmer from 3 to 4 because at the time it seemed like the wheel was bouncing sometimes with a passenger aboard. But that was a little too stiff in the twistys so I dialed it back to 3 but that didn't slow down the wear either. I got about 12,000 miles out of the tire that came on the bike with the forks at 3 and thought the performance was right for me.

Also I'm thinking of switching to the Pirelli Angel GT. Any experience with it here?

Whaddya think?

 

[frec]

Hi there, i would first check forks for any signs of oil leaks. Then check all front forks and front wheel bearings for play and wear. It looks to me like one of the wheel bearings has collapsed going on the wear of the tire. I would say the side of the tyre with the most wear is the side the bearings have collapsed. Hope this helps.. 👍. Frec 🇬🇧

 

[PeterSik]

couple of points... tyerpressure? check your brakes.. and the forks don't look paralell in the pic (may be the pic)

 

[random_guy]

I used to have uneven wear on my tires, but it was because I had several 270° right turn off-ramps that I would always push my max speed on. My tire guy was always confused but then I'd tell him about my turns and then he said it made perfect sense. Just something to think about if the other aforementioned conditions don't apply.

 

[Sandytows]

I've run that exact tire and got over 15k miles on it before I had to replace it. Something is wrong in the front end.
Or you're flat track racing the bike...

 

[MarkS01]

I used to have uneven wear on my tires, but it was because I had several 270° right turn off-ramps that I would always push my max speed on. My tire guy was always confused but then I'd tell him about my turns and then he said it made perfect sense. Just something to think about if the other aforementioned conditions don't apply.

Yeah,

If I was back in S FL that would be a real possibility coz the only curves like that are right-hand on-ramps to I-95 and the Turnpike.

But here? I ride in the San Juan and West Elk mountains where there are too many curves of every degree, elevation and direction to count. And you better get them right at any speed coz it's a long way down. 😬

Ordinarily, my tires get a perfectly even rounding on every ride. 😎👍

 

[MarkS01]

Hi there, i would first check forks for any signs of oil leaks. Then check all front forks and front wheel bearings for play and wear. It looks to me like one of the wheel bearings has collapsed going on the wear of the tire. I would say the side of the tyre with the most wear is the side the bearings have collapsed. Hope this helps.. 👍. Frec 🇬🇧

That could also explain what I thought was wheel bounce. Will check it put.

Thanks.

 

[arizonawarrior]

If it were me, I would start by verifying both forks rise equally high above the top (crown) plate, then I would do a shake-check on the front end to be certain its square. Next I would visibly inspect fluid level is correct in both (see manual). Then I would raise the front wheel off the ground and do a visual bearing check AND verify both front brake calipers (and their pads) are good to go (see manual).

You obviously know how to ride it so no worries there. Sometimes you just get a bad tire. But in this case, from what you posted, it seems like it's front end geometry.

BTW that fork preload setting will not produce that kind of tire wear as long as both are set identically and fluid is correct, and the springs are good to go. It's why all need to be checked. I just try to check the easy stuff first.

 

[MarkS01]

Hey AZ,

That's a good checkout list. Will do.

Thanks.

 

[Heftysmurf]

Many you have gotten pretty much all good advice so I am here as a cheerleader and wishing you good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[Bladerunr]

Sorry Guys,
With respect... I can't agree with any of the advice above. Here's why.
If the front wheel bearings go, you'll feel it in the brakes almost instantly.
Fork legs would have to be way bent to cause that. fluid levels and or preload don't matter because where one leg goes, so goes the other. IE My Goldwing front end only has damping in one leg. The left leg is only used for the "Anti-Dive" system.

I don't think it's a bad tire. Remember, tires are laid up using several kinds of rubber. The tread layer is resistant to abrasion, but once you get into the carcass material it just melts away. That's what I see here.

Yes, that tire is worn more on one side. Because the REAR WHEEL is out of alignment. That's been my experience... Your mileage may vary.

 

[MarkS01]

....
Yes, that tire is worn more on one side. Because the REAR WHEEL is out of alignment. That's been my experience... Your mileage may vary.

Thanks for this, I'll definitely check it out. I did loosen the rear wheel to swap out brake pads.

Question: Would the front of the rear tire be pointed more to the left or right of center (sitting on the bike) to cause excessive wear on the left?

 

[Bladerunr]

I believe your rear is "pointed" left.

 

[arizonawarrior]

Blade yep what you say it true, although that generally exhibits in the rear tire too, and in the drive belt. Since no mention was made of that, it seemed to me that if it were me I would hunt the front. I'm excited to see how this turns out!!

 

[MarkS01]

Blade yep what you say it true, although that generally exhibits in the rear tire too, and in the drive belt. Since no mention was made of that, it seemed to me that if it were me I would hunt the front. I'm excited to see how this turns out!!

Back tire is in excellent shape with about 3,000 miles on it.

Belt was a brand new OEM I put on last summer. Probably has about 5,000-6,000 miles and is in perfect condition. Also riding dead center in the pulley with correct tension. I'm pretty meticulous about setting up the rear tire and belt. I'll be surprised if it's the problem but will leave no stone unturned to figure this out.

 

[Heftysmurf]

You got me.... I am also very intrigued of the culprit.

 

[Bladerunr]

I'm pretty meticulous about setting up the rear tire and belt.

Me too.
I spent a good amount of time getting my belt to run perfect after the trans recall. The shop didn't get the engine lined up right, and I tried to correct the belt alignment by adjusting the rear wheel. Results were much like the photos above. There is a way to re-align the engine. Which I did when I had the Trans apart some years later. IMHO it's better to run the wheel straight even if the belt rubs a little.
Things I've learned after five belts, sixty-five tires and twenty years with this bike.

 

[Gilly]

One thing I'll add. The roads are slanted for rain to run off. That plus what bladerunr added is probably the answer.

 

[arizonawarrior]

. . .

 

[jmlanz]

I'am kinda wondering about that pic you posted!? Peter Sik hit on it, I would also like to say those Bidgestones are'nt worth a dam,I ran those years back ,and switched to Avons and haven't looked back! Also the tire is not the problem though-Good luck and keep us posted.