Have you checked the manufacture date on the tire? If it's an old tire it may also be hardened and should be replaced anyway. Cupping of the front tire is pretty normal on motorcycles. If you google it you'll find some interesting facts on why it occurs, and it's not just from the tire having low inflation. In fact, mine is currently cupped also. But, it doesn't affect my handling at this time. About the only thing I notice is a slight 'roar' when cornering. The minute it starts to affect my handling or wears too low to pass inspection I'll replace it. Use your own judgement. If in doubt, replace it.
In my opinion, tire cupping becomes a danger when it causes issues with your handling or other safe riding, or when the wear in the deeper parts of the cups is below the minimum safe tread level for the tire.
With that said, if it's making you nervous, my advice is replace the tire. You already have enough to occupy your mind when riding without also worrying about a potential tire issue.
I have seen (on one occasion) a couple badly cupped (but otherwise good) tire mildly recut to remove the worst of the scalloping. A gentleman locally has a machine made to cut bias ply tires into round, and he did a free demonstration at the shop as part of a sales pitch. It was actually very interesting with the before and after of the tire. The machine basically only cuts the highest points of the tread, which would be the ridges of the scallops. Back and forth, and progressively lower into the meat of the tire, slowly cutting away the highest points. If you've ever watched a brake rotor get turned on a brake lathe, you'll understand what I'm talking about. And before anything is said, he did have the proper attachment to cut the round profile for the bike tires, not just the more flat as found on automotive tires. The biggest downside I noticed was that his service to smooth the tire costs almost as much as a new tire (budget tires that is), so it's just not cost effective unless you maybe have a high end tire that's almost new.
Maybe ok when dry riding but in the rain you are gambling. Buy new tires, they are cheap or go on Classified here in the forum, Craigslist, Search Tempest, local Bargain News, etc., to get some OK used ones. There is also Nextdoor and Offerup.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Kawasaki Vulcan Forum
712.7K posts
67.9K members
Since 2008
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, Vulcan 1500, Vulcan 2000, Vulcan 500, Vulcan 1600, Vulcan 900 and all other Vulcan motorcycles.