Front tire cupping

[grimmie]

Not sure if this is a front suspension problem or not but I recently purchased a 2000 V-max and I noticed that the front tire is cupping right down the center of the tire. Is this a suspension problem? The bike has 9300 miles on it. The tire is a Bridgestone 61V 110/90/18.

Thanks in advance,

 

[lankeeyankee]

Not sure if this is a front suspension problem or not but I recently purchased a 2000 V-max and I noticed that the front tire is cupping right down the center of the tire. Is this a suspension problem? The bike has 9300 miles on it. The tire is a Bridgestone 61V 110/90/18.

Thanks in advance,

I am going to bet its a suspenion issue. I know with cars when they get cupping on the tires its due to worn out struts/shocks. Since the VMAX has very poor soft front fork springs I am willing to bet if you upgrade your fork springs this will help drastically.
I dont have that problem anymore I have been running an ME880 now with about 4500 miles on it, but my front end is strapped down all the time.

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Not saying you Don't have a suspension issue because if your front springs are still in place they are crap.

But personally I have never worn any front tire down like the rear will on any bike I've ever owned, they all seem to cup eventually for me no matter what, usually somewhere close to being "end of life" according to the wear indicators.

I'm running a Metzler Z6 radial in front and have about 7500 miles on it and it's getting to where you can feel the irregularity with your hand but can't really see it....

 

[4gasem]

Yeah weird cupping on a stock Vmax seems pretty normal. I see it on them a lot.

Getting the suspension sorted will help a lot.

Get some Metzler ME880's and fall in love...:eusa_dance:

 

[m-cman]

Cupping is actually common on many bikes. The group I ride with has discussed this many times and have not come to a conclusion. It could be tire pressure, suspension adjustment or ?. We have given up on figuring out the exact reason. I don't think it is something to worry about though.

 

[grimmie]

Hey thanks guys! After I posted this topic I went back and found several past topics on it. I really didn't think the tire was as wore out as it is, but after seeing some new tires.......Yeah they need replacing!! So I ordered a 120/90-18 for the front and a 170/80-15 for the rear. Both are Metzeler 880's. I'm fairly new to riding so I'll see how these do and go from there. I'm going to keep a close eye on the front tire and see if it has any problems w/cupping. If it does I'll deal with that problem then. The bike handles really good even with the slightly cupped front tire so I really don't believe it's a suspension problem.

I saw on another post about the front shock equilizer tube. Is that some thing that you put on and it stays on for constant equilization? Who makes it?

Thanks, Grim

 

[82ndCowboy]

I have an 06 and my front cupped too. And I was pretty good at keeping tire pressure at 33 all the time and keeping even 8 pounds in the forks. The tire cupped as it got down to the wear marks. I got about 10k miles out of it.
I put a Dunlop on the front and now have 11k on it, it is now starting to feather a little with the tread only half worn.
I just put an ME880 on the back and absolutely love it! Will put a Metzler on the front soon.

 

[exposuredesigns]

Hey thanks guys! After I posted this topic I went back and found several past topics on it. I really didn't think the tire was as wore out as it is, but after seeing some new tires.......Yeah they need replacing!! So I ordered a 120/90-18 for the front and a 170/80-15 for the rear. Both are Metzeler 880's. I'm fairly new to riding so I'll see how these do and go from there. I'm going to keep a close eye on the front tire and see if it has any problems w/cupping. If it does I'll deal with that problem then. The bike handles really good even with the slightly cupped front tire so I really don't believe it's a suspension problem.

I saw on another post about the front shock equilizer tube. Is that some thing that you put on and it stays on for constant equilization? Who makes it?

Thanks, Grim

That would be the factory equaliser tube at the top of the standard forks (just under the triple tree) on early model Vmax's. Not sure what year they were like this until, but mine is an '85 and has it. I am thinking about blocking it up, removing it, and lowering the bike by dropping the forks through by an 30mm or so.

 

[Redbone]

I saw on another post about the front shock equilizer tube. Is that some thing that you put on and it stays on for constant equilization? Who makes it?

Thanks, Grim

I have a '92 and it has but I think it is the last year Yamaha used the crossover ait tube. In '93 the changed the fork diameter to 43mm and I don't think they used air in them from '93 on.

 

[4gasem]

Hey thanks guys! After I posted this topic I went back and found several past topics on it. I really didn't think the tire was as wore out as it is, but after seeing some new tires.......Yeah they need replacing!! So I ordered a 120/90-18 for the front and a 170/80-15 for the rear. Both are Metzeler 880's. I'm fairly new to riding so I'll see how these do and go from there. I'm going to keep a close eye on the front tire and see if it has any problems w/cupping. If it does I'll deal with that problem then. The bike handles really good even with the slightly cupped front tire so I really don't believe it's a suspension problem.

I saw on another post about the front shock equilizer tube. Is that some thing that you put on and it stays on for constant equilization? Who makes it?

Thanks, Grim

Your best bet is to put Progressive or my choice Race-Tech springs in the forks with real oil 15wt and stop using air altogether.

I have a '92 and it has but I think it is the last year Yamaha used the crossover ait tube. In '93 the changed the fork diameter to 43mm and I don't think they used air in them from '93 on.

The late model forks use air as well.

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Your best bet is to put Progressive or my choice Race-Tech springs in the forks with real oil 15wt and stop using air altogether./QUOTE]


They all use air, even if you don't add any.

Try leaving the schraeder valve out or the hole unplugged and watch what happens:rofl_200:

 

[4gasem]

Your best bet is to put Progressive or my choice Race-Tech springs in the forks with real oil 15wt and stop using air altogether.

They all use air, even if you don't add any.

Try leaving the schraeder valve out or the hole unplugged and watch what happens:rofl_200:

Yes... They all have air IN them but you need not add any in hopes of some sort of better handling.