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Tire Tips
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Premature Front Tire Wear

My tires seem to be wearing normally at about 3000 miles in the first month. However, do to all of the postings, I have been running 41 psi in both front and back tires. The ride is a little stiff, but until I can get some data on the center of gravity of the bike, it seems to make since to me. I have to believe that when riding 1-up that the weight on the front tire is as much as the is on the back tire. Below are some reports of the problems encountered:

• Hi, wondering if any of you with front tire problems has received a new front tire under warranty. I only have 3500 miles and the tire is badly cupped on left side. Dealer said it is probably because of my riding habits. I don't have any idea what that is supposed to mean. Never has been low on air, don't consider myself aggressive rider, usually put over 20000 miles on a set of tires on my 1500. I feel should get new tire for free, cupping in 3500 miles is not acceptable! I think it may be caused by loose head bearings but dealer says he has never heard of that causing cupping. He said he would contact the Honda rep but doubts they would give me a new tire.   
      
• I have 10,000 miles on my red 01 Wing, the front tire has been badly cupped since 3000 miles. My dealer called Honda they said it was low air pressure or to much front brake which is B.S.. Any way the dealer checked & tightened the head bearings, and I started running 41 lbs instead of 36 like the book says. It's still cupped but not quite worn out. I don't know what else to do except run it.
    
• Checking through the posts on this subject I can assure you this is a very common problem and Honda has been made aware of it. To date some front tires have been replaced. Continue to stay on top of your dealer and don't take no for an answer. If need be ask to talk to the area rep and or Honda Customer service.
     
• The first day at the Honda Hoot, when I pulled into the parking lot, a Honda Rep was there with a Japanese man taking the different readings of the tires on an assortment of all the 2001 Gold Wings. They were checking all front and rear tires. They are aware of the cupping situation. I asked the Honda Rep. what he thought about running about 41 lbs. of air in these tires. He said go by what Honda recommends, but if this were his bike he would run 42lbs.of air in them.
    
• I ran the recommended 36 psi in the front and 41 psi in the rear. Front tire started to show slight cupping at only 800 miles. Had steering head checked. It is ok. I inflated the front to 41 psi which is the maximum inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall. This appears to have halted the cupping. I have had the same problem on every Honda I have owned when running Honda's recommended front tire pressure as stated in the owner's manual.
    
• Spoke to the Dunlop representative at the Wing Ding on July 4th. He said their tire would not be out before October. I have 6400 miles on my tires and hearing that many are replacing them at 8000 caused me concern about waiting that long. He pointed to his yellow gl1800 "m&m" and said it had over 10,000 on them. He said he expected to go about 12,000. He also said to inflate to 41 and keep check on the wear bar indicator.
     
•  The dealer told me today that he talked to the Honda rep about my tire and a few others and the rep told him that we will just have to learn to live with it because it is characteristic of the tire, they are not going to replace any tires because of cupping, 41 psi will help some what.

Tire Seperation

This is of extreme concern to me given Bridgestones recent history of tire failures.

Traveling along Interstate 49 in Central Louisiana when I noticed a minor clicking type feeling coming from the front tire. I looked at the front tire and found the typical cupping that I have had since 4,000 miles. I continued down the interstate and went home. Today, I had decided to go ahead and remove my front and rear tire so I could have the tires replace on Monday. When I looked at the rear tire, I found a huge hunk of rubber missing about 7" x 4", and a smaller piece of rubber missing from the tire fairly close to the first missing piece about 1"x1". The measurement at the wear bars is approx. 1.4/32". I have 11, 900 miles on these tires. I feel I am very lucky that the tire did not blow out on me as I traveled about 50 miles after I first noticed the unusual clicking feeling. Be sure to watch your tires closely, as the clicking is more of a feeling than a noticeable noise or vibration. This tire belonged to Mike Williams.

Picture of Tire posted by Richard Paul on the GL1800.org Forum

It might be road hazard, however I never knew it if I ran over anything. It is about 1" long and not a real straight tear. It looks to be very deep and the tire is puffed out on both sides of it. It is the puffed out condition that makes me wonder if it is indeed tire separation.

Message from Bridgestone

GWRRA Message Board: General: Gl1800 Tire Cupping and one Solution By Rick Sidebottom on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 11:55 am: I received the following e-mail clip from one of the riders in our Chapter. He asked that I pass it on. Since I don't have an 1800, it does not effect me the way it would some of you. Well after arguing with Honda of America and them telling me that my SPORT bike should only get about that many miles on the tires and me telling them that my TOURING bike should not need tires before it needs a scheduled oil change and being put on hold several times and still waiting for them to call me back I decided to call Bridgestone at 1-800-543-7522 ext.3334 I talked to Kevin and he admitted that them and Honda are having problems with the cupping of the front tire and are doing a redesign to hopefully correct this problem. In the mean time Kevin offered to send me a new tire but I would have to cover the mounting and balancing. Well me being a thrifty person I called my Honda dealer and he agreed to mount and balance for free. I will let you know when the permanent repair is due. Please pass on to all other 2001 Gold Wing owners.

Cupped Tire

Honda's Statement On Tire Wear