Hello everyone. I googled both cupped and scalloped tires, and i believe there is a difference, but you all tell me. I also did a search here for scalloped tires and read the few threads that came up. I have almost 12k on my 07 Vee now(brand new with stock tires), and i am def. ready for a new rear tire. My front tread looks great as far as wear, but there are scalloped if that is the correct term. I usually check my tires twice a week cold and they stay at 36 f, 38 r. I ride solo, only with a rear soft tail bag with minamal load (work clothes/rain gear). I don't usually brake too hard, and my suspension is fine as far as i know. I do have a fork brace on the front (installed at probably 4k miles). The bike doesn't have any shake or wobble to it at the moment. I am debating whether to get cont. trail attacks, or stick with the stock TW. I have never had any problems with the TW and the mileage is good. My real question is, are scalloped tires safe to ride, or should i replace both????? If i go with a new rear TW, i won't have to buy the front if they are safe to ride. The front looks like it still has 5k or so more on it. If they are not safe to ride, i will still debate on which tire to get. Safety is the main concern here. THanks for you all's input. I really appreciate it.

bill

It seems higher pressures do reduce the tendency to cup front tires.

From a safety standpoint they seem safe enough but it stands to reason your front end traction may be reduced slightly and that isn't a positive situation, just not particularly dangerous. When you do pop for new tires you will notice your bike handles vastly better, and then you'll see the benefit of perfectly round tires.

You are getting very good life out of the stockers it seems--I got only 7000 mi out of my stock rear tire. It might have gone a bit more but I just love new tires, so I went with new ones a little early. Front was toast at 10,000 mi.

I've got a pretty well scalloped D607 on the front right now. I'm going to ride it 'til it's worn out and then I am going to replace it with a Trail Attack, like my current rear. I'm getting good mileage out of the rear tire, I think. I'll have to look at how many miles are on it.








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L2V -- she's a stocker!

You got 12K out of a front tire? I usually wear mine out in 9K or less. Must be those darn chip-sealed roads out here. Scallops are pretty common for these "treaded" tires. I run 35-36 psi front, 37-38 psi rear. I don't worry too much about tire wear patterns. If you still have the original tires on your 2007 (as we approach 2010), I worry more about rubber hardening than anything else. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but on the track we even check manufacturer date. Anything approaching a year old gets passed over.

Just my 2 cents, others may disagree. BTW, I'm on my third rear tire and second front this year, so you are getting a lot more mileage than I. I just switched to Metzeler Tourances this past weekend. I have a No-Mar tire changer, so I don't wait for the cord to show but I do get down to the wear bars.
Steve

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2008 DL1000, Two Brothers, PCV, etc., etc.
2008 GSX1340R Hayabusa, Velocity Racing Turbo, boost controller, water injected
2002 CBR600F4i
2008 GSX-R600, Akrapovic full Ti, PCV w/AutoTune
DynoJet 250 dynamometer (just learning to use it)

Hey thanks to all that have replied so far. I guess i should have stated what my tire looks like (scalloping in google images seemed to match what i'm describing best). The middle of the front tire has a raised mound(s) going down the center...pretty much the opposite of worn down the middle!!! Sorry, if that is what you guys got from my original post, but i did want to clarify just in case. But yeah, most of my miles are to work and back (25 miles one way) on a 4 lane highway running 65 indicated. The rears are down to the wear bars, but the fronts look great, beside what i am describing!!!! Thanks again.

bill

Run 40 up front and your scalloping issue will be a distant memory. Won't help your current front tire, but something to keep in mind for its replacement.

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Phodius (AMA # 282162)
MSgt Retired USAF (1986-2010)
2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom
2002 Honda Goldwing
"Ride South, Ride Often"

An interesting read, if you haven't already.