Feathering / Cupping of front tyre only

[UncleFester]

Interested to hear opinions on this.

Bike is a 2017 Z1000SX.
Not ridden hard.
Tyres are Dunlop RS3.
Pressures etc all correct.
Done about 7k on them and wear wise they are fine. Reckon in terms of wear, I could get 15k out of the front and easily 10k out of the rear.

BUT

The front has issues when you go to tip in because the edges have gone 50p shaped and it's spoiling the front end feeling. I know i can just replace the tyre but I'm more interested in curing the cause rather than simply treating the effect.

It's far from unrideable but i have a mate who has the same bike, different tyres but the same issue. He rides harder and faster than me and his front tyre was pretty much done by 2k - not due to wear but due to this 50p shaping on the edge.

Is this just poor damping / front shocks from the manufacturer and if so, does anyone have any musings based on real knowledge for what a good fix might be?
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2017 Z1000SX

[Nobby the Bastard]

Had this with the sprint when I first got it. The prelosd on the two fork legs was set slightly differently.

He set to the same rate both sides the problem dissappered. Obviously I had to replace the tyre to confirm that it wasn't wearing unevenly.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[redeem ouzzer]

Much like my knob your front end is too stiff. My 400 destroyed a front tyre in an 80 mile trip at normal pace cause I’d fitted new springs and gone too far. Cured by putting shorter spacers above the springs and using the preload adjusters to set the sag.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[UncleFester]

Thanks both.

So new ( softer) springs / oil or is it a case of entire cassette change?
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2017 Z1000SX

[stinkwheel]

Calculate your ideal spring rate using the race-tech website. When the springs are right, set up your static sag and go from there.

This is interesting reading: https://lifeatlean.com/motorcycle-tyre-wear-guide/
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[UncleFester]

Had a look at that - the leading edges of the tread are higher which suggests rebound is too slow.

I don't think there is adjustment on the factory stuff to alter this so i'll talk to my local bike place and see what aftermarket can provide.

Looks like Hyper Pro do a matched kit with progressive front and rear springs for about £250.
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2017 Z1000SX

[stinkwheel]

Brooks is another potential port of call. Usually have a range of price-points.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Fizzer Thou]

I had a Michelin PR3 fitted to the front wheel of my Exup-R and it is showing no signs of this thruppeny bit wear.So far the tyre has done 7,000 miles and is not showing large amounts of wear.But the same type front tyre was fitted to the front of my FJ1200 and after 8,000 miles of riding two up around the Continent loaded with a passenger and hard luggage,the tyre started to wear strangely,like other forumites are explaining.Last year I changed it for another PR3 and after 2,600 miles riding down to Italy it is showing no signs of wear.

The reason I went with the PR3s is because a friend had used a PR4 on the front of his Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom and it had similar wear after only 4,500 miles.He said that it gave strange feedback from the front,especially in the wet.

Maybe it is down to the weight of the bikes
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[stinkwheel]

[UncleFester]

I also think it's a weight / heat issue. It was fine until we had that really hot spell last year.

Combine that with a 95kg rider plus bike and luggage and i still suspect under specced front end ...

Will let you know what gets sorted - the tyre is rideable for now but just doesn't feel great.
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2017 Z1000SX

[UncleFester]

I got as far as the tyre was fine up to about 8k and 8k is reasonable for a front tyre. Front tyre is relatively cheap to replace and i like how the tyre feels until it goes off so .....

Replace front tyre.

Ignore other issues.

Enjoy the bike.

If my local place says that 'fork changes' fix the issue then i'll let him worry about it and do whatever he suggests.

Life is just too short to worry about it.
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2017 Z1000SX