Cupping on the BTs?

[jimbemotumbo]

I've had a 40-50 mph wobble for a coupla thousand miles now and it's all the time, not just on decel. I have checked the steering nut and always keep the tires at 40-42 psi (since day 1). Treadwear is excellent on both tires and they LOOK like they could go a very long time. I'm a long-time rider, so I know about riding no-hands, tire pressures, loading, etc etc. Not usually a whiner. The dealer agrees the steering nut is perfect (re-torqued anyway) & says the front tire is cupped a bit. It's manageable if I ride with my hands tightly gripping the bars, but who can ride like that for very long? With my usual relaxed grip, I get a strong oscillation side to side. Just doesn't feel safe to me.

Since this is pretty early in the tire life , shouldn't it be covered under warranty? The dealer just says it happens with several bikes and there is nothing to be done.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[bmwhd]

I've had a 40-50 mph wobble for a coupla thousand miles now and it's all the time, not just on decel. I have checked the steering nut and always keep the tires at 40-42 psi (since day 1). Treadwear is excellent on both tires and they LOOK like they could go a very long time. I'm a long-time rider, so I know about riding no-hands, tire pressures, loading, etc etc. Not usually a whiner. The dealer agrees the steering nut is perfect (re-torqued anyway) & says the front tire is cupped a bit. It's manageable if I ride with my hands tightly gripping the bars, but who can ride like that for very long? With my usual relaxed grip, I get a strong oscillation side to side. Just doesn't feel safe to me.
Since this is pretty early in the tire life , shouldn't it be covered under warranty? The dealer just says it happens with several bikes and there is nothing to be done.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Step yourself on over to https://www.bmwlt.net and read thousands of posts on BT020 front tire cupping. It's a real problem but a price many pay for an otherwise excellent tire.

 

[Blueliner]

Cupping at that mileage on a BT020 isn't really that early. I've seen it earlier than that even. They came stock on all three bikes in the garage but I'll never buy another set of them. There are better tires out there for the FJR.

 

[panthercity]

Step yourself on over to https://www.bmwlt.net and read thousands of posts on BT020 front tire cupping.

In `94, Bridgestone tried to tell us early adopters that it was due to the new telelever front end on our oilheads...

 

[jimbemotumbo]

I shouldn't be surprised. We bought an 04 Acura TL when they first came out ... came with 'stones ... Turanzas I think. Utter crap. 2nd day of ownership we drove to the tire store and swapped for Michelin Pilots. Never really liked the car, and sold it a year later, but LOVED those tires. Maybe it's time to get some Avons or Pilot Roads.

Frustrating though. New vehicles ought to have decent tires. Some say these BTs are good tires otherwise. To me that's like saying falling off a cliff isn't so bad ... just that sudden stop at the end.

 

[mdisher]

You said you were running 40-42lbs in the front, what's the max on a BT020

? Or your tire?

(Just wondering, attended a Tire seminar at BMWMOA put on by a bridgestone tire engineer, I think his name is in the book somewhere.)

-MD

 

[jimbemotumbo]

You said you were running 40-42lbs in the front, what's the max on a BT020? Or your tire?

(Just wondering, attended a Tire seminar at BMWMOA put on by a bridgestone tire engineer, I think his name is in the book somewhere.)

-MD

No real thought behind it except this is the pressure alot of board members recommend.

 

[mdisher]

You said you were running 40-42lbs in the front, what's the max on a BT020

? Or your tire?

(Just wondering, attended a Tire seminar at BMWMOA put on by a bridgestone tire engineer, I think his name is in the book somewhere.)

-MD

No real thought behind it except this is the pressure alot of board members recommend.

But my question was... What is the Max pressure for that tire (should be on the side of it).

The reason I ask, is because the Bridgestone engineer said in his presentation that cupping was 95% tire pressure related (too low) But seems to me you're probably running the right amount if the max is 45lbs. Unless you weigh 450lbs yourself Then you might want to run a little more.

How often have you checked it? Is it still at 40-42lbs? There's a big difference between 40 & 42 by the way. 2lbs can make a big difference.

His Rule of thumb was Max pressure -2 lbs. [Tires Checked when COLD]

After the seminar, both my father and the other guy both on RT's (both with relatively new Pilot Roads) cranked up their pressure and their cupping almost disappeared after 1000 miles.

I still have the Factory Metz's on my bike and am running 42 in front and rear at 3500 miles, no cupping yet.

I'm debating Pilot Roads or Bridgestones next. I had good luck with battleaxe's on the 11.

 

[sparky3008]

On mine with only a few thousand on them I didn't have a vibration as low as you but at 100mph every time it would start to shake.

There was no visible cupping but I had ridden it for at least a month with low pressure, as the bike was new I figure pressure was ok. My fault.

To not mess with tires that possibly had broken belts I didn't want to risk balancing and still have the problem so I replaced with Pilot Roads and never looked back. Problem solved.

Better tires anyway!!!

 

[Cal24Master]

The B02 cupped like crazy on mine too. I never noticed a vibration, but the rear wore out in about 5500 miles, so I replaced them both with Pilot Power/Pilot Road. Much better tires, no cupping, no wobble or shake.

Tom

 

[PerfectBlueride]

Normal, mine 05 cupped with in a few months, wobbled since new,road it that way to EOM last year,

Change to the pirellie strata diablo and no more wobble, plus they feel better

You'll probably get just over 10 thousand miles on those OEM

 

[Constant Mesh]

I expect Bridgestone will be introducing a new sport touring tire in the near future. The BT-020 has been out for several years. It's time for a newer design with state-of-the-art materials and construction.

 

[Thumperbike]

There is a decal on the 06 right swingarm. Cold tire, front 39psi, rear 42psi... 3k and no problems whatever with the Metzelers.

 

[05fjrBluedevil]

You said you were running 40-42lbs in the front, what's the max on a BT020

? Or your tire?

(Just wondering, attended a Tire seminar at BMWMOA put on by a bridgestone tire engineer, I think his name is in the book somewhere.)

-MD

No real thought behind it except this is the pressure alot of board members recommend.

But my question was... What is the Max pressure for that tire (should be on the side of it).

The reason I ask, is because the Bridgestone engineer said in his presentation that cupping was 95% tire pressure related (too low) But seems to me you're probably running the right amount if the max is 45lbs. Unless you weigh 450lbs yourself Then you might want to run a little more.

How often have you checked it? Is it still at 40-42lbs? There's a big difference between 40 & 42 by the way. 2lbs can make a big difference.

His Rule of thumb was Max pressure -2 lbs. [Tires Checked when COLD]

After the seminar, both my father and the other guy both on RT's (both with relatively new Pilot Roads) cranked up their pressure and their cupping almost disappeared after 1000 miles.

I still have the Factory Metz's on my bike and am running 42 in front and rear at 3500 miles, no cupping yet.

I'm debating Pilot Roads or Bridgestones next. I had good luck with battleaxe's on the 11.

You have season tickets to the bengal games?

grew up there, going to riverfront for them, only went to Pittsburgh game last year however all the 2 prior seasons.

What part of town are you in?