Weird Front Tire Wear

[Maddog]

My 2004 FJR with 74,000 has been easy on front tires (except the original BT-020s which cupped quite nicely). Since then I have always gotten at least 10,000 miles out of a front tire. But the current Avon Storm is completely shot at 6,000 miles with a strange scalloped pattern on the tire (similar to cupping but longer - each scallop is about 2 inches long). I replaced the front springs with the Wilbers GB in 2006. I always run about 40-42 PSI.

I've noticed the handling getting worse for the last month or so and today I finally took a close look and found the source. But what might be causing it? The Wilber springs probably have about 40,000 on them - could they be worn? I also vaguely recall there being different versions of Avon Storms - if I got the wrong version, could that cause the unusual wear? Other ideas?

My riding habits/patterns have not changed. Also the rear tire, also an Avon Storm, is fine. Obviously I will be changing the tires soon but anything I should be checking to avoid a repeat?

Thanks

Larry

 

[RsvlFeej]

Larry,

This forum had a beautiful set of pics of exactly what you describe about 2-3 months after the Storms came out, so maybe 15 months ago? I did a quickie search for "Storm picture" and got too big a return, but if you refine the search a bit more, maybe you can see if your tires (sorry, made in UK, so 'tyres') look like those pics. Endless speculation as to cause as well (natch, otherwise it wouldn't be the FJRForum).

Speculation focused on tire pressure and rear shocks, based on the argument (IIRC) by twowheelnut or radman, who was showing no wear patterns while a few other folks were getting the long scalloping you describe.

There was also discussion about how to tell when your tire was manufactured based on the sidewall stamp - maybe you can check if you got one of the early ones that seemed to have a much higher 'sucky' percentage and has been sitting on a shelf for the last year.

RsvlFeej

 

[Maddog]

Larry,
This forum had a beautiful set of pics of exactly what you describe about 2-3 months after the Storms came out, so maybe 15 months ago? I did a quickie search for "Storm picture" and got too big a return, but if you refine the search a bit more, maybe you can see if your tires (sorry, made in UK, so 'tyres') look like those pics. Endless speculation as to cause as well (natch, otherwise it wouldn't be the FJRForum).

Speculation focused on tire pressure and rear shocks, based on the argument (IIRC) by twowheelnut or radman, who was showing no wear patterns while a few other folks were getting the long scalloping you describe.

There was also discussion about how to tell when your tire was manufactured based on the sidewall stamp - maybe you can check if you got one of the early ones that seemed to have a much higher 'sucky' percentage and has been sitting on a shelf for the last year.

RsvlFeej

Thanks RsvlFeej. I should have known that the issue had already been covered and a search would have turned up the answer.

Larry