Odd tire wear.....

[Scooterbob]

Having an issue with my front tire on my 1989 FJ.  It's an Avon Storm (stock size) and it has less than 4000 miles on it.  It seems to be wearing on both intermediate sides but not in the center. Although it seems to be wearing more on one side than the other, I am confused why I have this odd wear. 
I have had the tire re-balanced recently.  Bearings are new within 3 months and don't seem to be dragging.  Axle bolt is torqued to correct spec.  I don't feel any brake drag (but it's totally possible I just don't notice it).  Does not shake when driving or when braking.  I do not do any aggressive cornering, and most of my riding is in a straight line at about 70-85 mph.  Forks have been upgraded to straight rate springs and rebuilt within the last year.

Hopefully I've explained in enough detail.  Any thoughts on what I should check?  Could it be I just got a bum tire after all those miles?  TIA.

[craigo]

It's not you, it's the FJ.  Seems that the 17" 3.00x17 wheel likes to "cup" the front tire.  A lot is caused by under inflation or just incorrect inflation of the front tire.  I see it on my Dunlop Roadsmart as well.  If you are burning through the corners like I am, this is normal. 

The only difference is that I have 3500 miles on my Dunlop Roadsmart and it's just beginning to show this type of wear.  I have never used an Avon so I have no real idea of how they wear.

I do know that the Dunlop D-205 only lasted about 4k miles on my bike before I felt it needed replacement.  The Roadsmart looks to go over 6K at it's present wear.  If you would like a pic, let me know.

Sorry about that,

CraigO

[Flyover Country Joe]

How much air pressure are you running?

[terryk]

Itis very possible that you have a defective tire. Tires sometimes come out of the factory with poor compounding or poor vulcanizing both of which can create excessive and premature wear. Look for cracks as well in the sidewall. Call Avon and ask them to stand behind their product, replace the tire for free.

[Scooterbob]

How much air pressure are you running?

I normally run 39 or 40 psi.  Think I should run higher?

Itis very possible that you have a defective tire. Tires sometimes come out of the factory with poor compounding or poor vulcanizing both of which can create excessive and premature wear. Look for cracks as well in the sidewall. Call Avon and ask them to stand behind their product, replace the tire for free.

I thought about giving them a call, but wanted to check out everything on the bike before doing so.

[andyb]

Looks like normal FJ wear to me, they're awfully hard on front tires.  If it's really bad on one side vs the other, look at the fork condition, but that looks mostly even.

If you really wind it up, you'll start getting a weave at high speeds, and as it gets worse the speed at which it happens gets lower.  A little more pressure might help slightly, but it's not abnormal.  Something about spindly forks, the "wrong" rim width, and a fair bit of weight all have been blamed for this happening.

Personally, I figure that it's going to happen to whatever tire I put on, so I use softer tires and enjoy the grip they have.  They're just gonna wear out anyhow, y`know?

[E Double]

I have that on my tire (Avon Azarro ST)  but it didn't show up until about 12K miles.  Its a combination of braking force and left of center tread wear, due to riding on the right side of the road (and higher number of left turns vs right turns;  I had the opposite side wear shown when  I lived in NZ)

I've seen something like it eventually on every front tire I've had on a bike.  I've found that bias ply tires will cup more at the outer edges where I'll see the immediately off center wear on the radials I've had on various bikes.

Its worrisome that it happened so soon;  Like I said it's taken at least 12K miles for the two sets of Avons I've had to show this on my FJ, so perhaps you should take some pics and see what Avon says.

[FJmonkey]

Having an issue with my front tire on my 1989 FJ.  It's an Avon Storm (stock size) and it has less than 4000 miles on it.  It seems to be wearing on both intermediate sides but not in the center. Although it seems to be wearing more on one side than the other, I am confused why I have this odd wear. 
I have had the tire re-balanced recently.  Bearings are new within 3 months and don't seem to be dragging.  Axle bolt is torqued to correct spec.  I don't feel any brake drag (but it's totally possible I just don't notice it).  Does not shake when driving or when braking.  I do not do any aggressive cornering, and most of my riding is in a straight line at about 70-85 mph.  Forks have been upgraded to straight rate springs and rebuilt within the last year.

Hopefully I've explained in enough detail.  Any thoughts on what I should check?  Could it be I just got a bum tire after all those miles?  TIA.

The FJ is hard on soft front tires, here is my report on my new Avons after 3500 miles in the twisty roads of SoCal. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=287.msg2088#msg2088

[Scooterbob]

I think I'll put the pressure up to 41 and see if that helps to slow down the damage at all.  I will double check the milage too, just to make sure my figures are correct.  If I'm right on milage, I will attempt talking with Avon and see what they do. 
Thanks for the input everyone.  Looks like it's only a short matter of time before another tire is to be ordered. 

[markmartin]

For what it's worth, I've got the same tire with 5000 + miles, used commuting and touring, has been run at 38psi, and has what looks to be a similar wear pattern.

Mark

[56 CHEVY]

My 86 has a Metzeler MEZ front tire with about the same miles on it and it looks the same as yours.

[SlowOldGuy]

An MEZ-2?  They haven't made that tire for about 10 years! 
I thought I was the only one running relic tires.  I currently have an MEZ-2 on the rear of my '93.  I think the manufacture date is '01 or '02.  It's not holding up very well.  2 trips to Arkansas and it's almost shot.  Then I get to install my "new" D-205 which was manufactured in '04!

DavidR.

[56 CHEVY]

Yeah, I know the tires are old. Shortly after I put them on, the bike sat in the corner of my shop for about 6yrs. I got it back out a couple of years ago and ride it regularly now.  First thing I do to it next spring is get new tires. I hear the Avon Azaro's are decent.

[Flyover Country Joe]

I don't feel so bad now, with my 2002 dated Lasertecs! I was strongly considering the Avons for my next set of tires, but might be reconsidering them now. The 17" rear whel swap is moving up on the FJ mod priority list

[E Double]

I don't feel so bad now, with my 2002 dated Lasertecs! I was strongly considering the Avons for my next set of tires, but might be reconsidering them now. The 17" rear whel swap is moving up on the FJ mod priority list

I think that the Azarro St is an awesome tire.  They wear well, have tenacious grip, are very predictable and do better in the wet than any other tire I've had on a bike to date.  I'm looking at putting in at least 15K for this year by Halloween , and I've ridden on damn near every surface (including gravel and dirt roads) and in every type of weather, including light snow and I couldn't be more pleased.  Today I'm at a little over 14K miles on the front and the rear lasted almost 10K.  I'm definitely sold on Avon tires.