I just can't buy the hypothesis regarding left front/rear tire wear. I just think the left turn vs. right turn hypothesis and each turn's effects on tire wear are negligible... especially at the speeds at which those particular turns might have an effect (tight turns, most commonly found at intersections, if I understand his theory. If I don't, someone correct me). All other turns would be equal.
If I travel double the distance then I have double the wear. Left turns in this country are pretty much double the distance of right turns thus the left side of your tires will wear faster.
How can you not accept this?
I also think cupping/scallopping is affected by suspension and braking, as well as ambient temperatures, inflation pressure and tire brand.
No offense to Waldo; I just disagree with some of it. I hope that's not considered pissing. Not trying to... just trying to be in the discussion.
The ambient temp does not matter *MOST* of the time as within a few miles your tires are hotter. Those who ride in cold weather will have more miles to run before the tires are up to temp.
Most motorcycle riders are clueless on the temps their tires actually run. I think you would be surprised at just how hot our tires can (and do) get if you are not aware of just how significant the temp shift can be on the wing.
Of course heat increase = air pressure increase. General rule is 1 PSI per 10 degrees. That's why doing a typical pressure check with the tires hot is a false reading....
Air Temp = 70 and the tire has been sitting for a couple of hours then it's fair to say it's at the cold inflation point and should be checked here.
Air temp = 100 and the tire has been sitting for a couple of hours then it's fair to say it's at an ELEVATED cold inflation point and CAN be checked but you will need to subtract 3 PSI to account for the additional 30 degrees of air temp to give you an accurate reading.
Example:
70 degrees, cold tire, 45 PSI
100 degrees, cold tire, 48 PSI
BOTH pressures ARE CORRECT even though they are off by 3 PSI because the temp is off by 30 degrees.
Now let's really add some heat.... You checked your tire in the morning at 70 degrees and it reads 40 PSI just like you like it to. A few days go by and then you go for another ride and the tire's temp jumps to 140 degrees. You pull off at a gas station and check your pressure, after remembering that you had forgotten to check it that morning, to find it's reading 47 PSI. You think it's over pressure and let some out. Let's say you put it back to 40 PSI. Once the tire has cooled off and is back to its cold inflation point you are now 7 PSI under-inflated and have a tire with 33 PSI.
There's a bit more to this tire pressure thing that many people are aware of. Some riders think they pay really good attention to their tires but some riders do not and because they are not aware of the above they easily end up with under inflated tires which is one of the leading causes of cupping.
I hope that might shed some light. Dunno.
Again, the above is my understanding so if anyone thinks it's flawed please let me know.
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