How to prevent front tire from Cupping?

Hello all,

My new-to-me 1199 came with Michelin Power Cup tires.

Both the rear and front had 2" chicken stripe on either sides. Apart from having like new side walls, the front tire looked like it had 90% tread even in the center.

The center portion of the rear however was ruined by previous owner who decided to do a few burn outs after he was done taking the for-sale pictures for the for sale AD.

The issue I am having is with the front tire.

I have put 450 miles on the tires so far, and those 2" chicken stripes have all but disappeared. I am running 28 Cold psi in both front and rear.
The front tire is showing very significant cupping from just 450 miles of semi-hard riding (all street, so not "hard").

Has anyone else experience cupping on front tires?
The front has gone from looking like-new to being cupped in just 450 miles of street riding.

I have searched the forum and even did a few google searches but didn't find a definitive answer, people claim reasons are any where from over inflation, bad suspension settings and even "aggressive riding".

I cant imagine how aggressive I could ride on streets. My riding/racing back ground is 90% 2 stroke, so I tend to carry too much speed into the corners (many times ruining my drive out..old habit, I am working on it).. but I just don't see how semi-aggressive street riding could cup a tire..

Sorry about the rambling.. Hoping someone has an idea or suggestion..

I will say that the front for maximum performance on track the psi should be set at 30.. the rear 22.. both set cold.. obviously conditions will dictate changes.. but that's direct from Michelin and many reps

I use Supercorsas so can't comment specifically on Michelins but that front tyre pressure seems too low, especially for street. I run around 32psi hot.

owner manual specifically says inflate front to 31 psi for street riding, additional 2.9psi if riding on unsmooth pavement

Is this on a base? I had same issue on the OEM tyre.
Three scenarios,
Too many wheelies and on contact back to earth the front tyres gets flat spots.
Can be caused due to the rebound in forks not working.
Tyre de laminating.

In basic terms, the shock is suppose to keep the tyre on the ground, springs control the ride height. If the shock is not working correctly, it causes a slapping effect on the tyre, if it didn't rotate you would end up with a flat spot. As it rotates it will cause flat spots in several places around the tyre.

Hope this helps you out.

on the street (only street for me) I run 32 rear/36 front (cold), but they were S/C's not michelins

However I do have cupping on the front Conti Sport Attack2 that I have on presently, but I have over 7,000kms on it, on long straight desert roads...so I aint bitchin

desmotesta said:

so I tend to carry too much speed into the corners (many times ruining my drive out..old habit, I am working on it)....

Click to expand...

this...

Running into and through the corner braking/off the gas a long way can "scallop" treaded tyres.

Agree with others you pressures are too low for even fast road riding, I run 32 front and 34 rear 90% of the time

ruley said:

this...

Running into and through the corner braking/off the gas a long way can "scallop" treaded tyres.

Agree with others you pressures are too low for even fast road riding, I run 32 front and 34 rear 90% of the time

Click to expand...

Thank you all..

I shall adjust air pressure... Searching for new tires now as these are cooked for any serious ride - But I am not about start a "tire thread"..

Off to Searching the archives I go

Thanks again

i would also note.. the Michelin cup series tire is not recommended for use without warmers... then it should be noted that it would not be prudent to run it on the street with the warm up needed and then subsequent heat cycling, this coupled with incorrect pressures and extreme varying road conditions EG temp abrasiveness and the likes.. the tire could have more issues

..What's "cupping"? English is not my native language..

TurboLag said:

..What's "cupping"? English is not my native language..

Click to expand...

Its when a person, male or feeling, puts their hand under a woman's breast, and squeezes it gently..

desmotesta said:

Its when a person, male or feeling, puts their hand under a woman's breast, and squeezes it gently..

Click to expand...

or ball sack!!

I've always been told that it's typically a tire pressure issue so I'll just echo what others say.

In this case you start with tire pressure.


Probably needs the set up tuned up a bit if you ask me.


Once at roughly 32 front 31rear your going to have a hard time reading the tire due to the pattern built up currently in the rubber.


Hopefully it cleans it self up with pressure correcting

the 2 sets of power cups i ran (street and track) were absolutely great...

the VB front is said to be one of the best tires...

check:

1. pressures (how good is your gauge?)
2. sag
3. rebound
4. compression

Cups are great/excellent street tires (warm up was a non issue in the 60's and 70's) - i used many sets....32/32psi - Michelin is replacing them soon with the next generation.....im back on the SuperCorsa V2......excellent as well