Ooh...so that's what happens.

[Dave70]

Well, for the first time, I've discovered what a squared off tyre feels like when you take a decent lean on a bend.

I've been riding on my BT 45's for most of the winter and have been taking it a little easy on the bends, as you do, because the roads have either been soaked or damp at the best, with all the rain we've had.

Only recently have I been getting the confidence back up again to start leaning the bike more and more, since the weather's been improving. Well today, I decided to do a few laps of the TT course and going around one of the bends on the mountain doing about 70 mph, I throw the bike over to the right and all feels normal until there's a sudden and what feels like a very noticeable drop and I nearly poo myself wondering wtf happened. I initially put it down to something on the road making me lose grip, even though I didn't see anything.

Anyway, I continue on my way and do another lap. Again, on the same bend it happens again and again on another section. I check the bike over, thinking my back wheel had come loose or something (as that's kind of what it felt like) and notice how squared off the rear tyre has become.

I've never given much thought about squared off tyres (still relatively newish to biking) and how much they'd affect handling. The annoying thing is, there's loads of tread left on it but, I want rid of it. I think my sphincter's got friction burns on it after that.

tl;dr

Squared off tyres are bad.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Unless it looks like this I'd suggest you get your money's worth.

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCN0329_zpse66206d4.jpg
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
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The Harry Turner Project

[Dave70]

Bloody hell HT How th...I mean what th...I just don't know what to say.

[Ariel Badger]

HT, if that is a 20 inch tyre I want it for my new sprinter.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Sorry Wali it's gone, but when I next pass Malcs I'll have a rummage for you.

As for BT45s..Hmm it's a love/hate thing with them. Good on old bikes giving good grip and feel but the wear rate is laughable as is the price.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Raffles]

Can you post a picture of your 'squared-off' tyre so that we can advise whether or not you are worrying unnecessarily?
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A good loser will always be a loser.

[chickenstrip]

[Llama-Farmer]

Yeah I noticed that on my bike, it came with fairly square tyres, then I did a 6 hour motorway trip.

It would barely lean and then suddenly it'd drop massively as you got over the edge.

I think once it was already slightly square that compounded the problem. You'd ride in the squarer portion so you didn't reach the cliff, and then that'd square the square bits even more.

Got new tyres on and bike nearly fell over when it caught sight of the first bend I came to
(not literally, just turned in so easily on round tyres)
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Current Bike: 1999 Honda CB600 FX Hornet
Next Bike: I want a CBR-RR. And I want an F800 GS-A. And a VFR 800. Can I have all 3?
Dream Bikes: Honda VFR750R RC30, Honda NSR500, Ducati 996 R

[Llama-Farmer]

double post, my internets playing up
____________________
Current Bike: 1999 Honda CB600 FX Hornet
Next Bike: I want a CBR-RR. And I want an F800 GS-A. And a VFR 800. Can I have all 3?
Dream Bikes: Honda VFR750R RC30, Honda NSR500, Ducati 996 R

[Dave70]

[Dave70]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

^^^If you do take a photo snap it from above so it shows the profile.

I guessing here, but wouldn't be surprised if it's not as squared as it feels. I say enjoy the quicker way to tip into corners.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Dave70]

[dydey90]

I think this is a problem I'm going to have soon... Due to doing a lot of motorway miles and all the roads I usually travel on having a lot of mud, horse shit and actual horses on most corners, I'm developing a very embarrassing mud outline on my tyre where it hasn't been used enough
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[Dave70]

Well as promised, here's a few pictures of the offending tyre.

https://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z261/yearzer0/Tyre3_zps0db2e858.jpg
https://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z261/yearzer0/Tyre2_zps21279fe2.jpghttps://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z261/yearzer0/Tyre1_zpsad9d971b.jpg

[Dave70]

Double post again.

[esullivan]

[deeds]

Have you checked the pressure lately,that looks under inflated rather than squared off.

[Dave70]

[wristjob]

[Snorty]

I think the squaring effect is more of an issue on thinner tyres, used to feel like you describe on my 130 BT45s (GPZ 500). And on my 190s I never notice now.
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4