Unusal Front Tire Wear

[garyculb]

I have been using the Pirelli Angle GT II A Spec tires on my 2021 BMW S1000XR since, I began putting new tires on the ride in 2021. The front tire is a 120/70/R14 58W A Spec Tire/ Cat # 3111400. I always purchase my tires in new pairs. The front Pirelli Angle GT II A Spec tire only gets around 3,000 miles and wears out to the tire cord on the left hand side. No issues with the rear tire. This has happened to me now twice while riding throughout the Appalachian Mountains. Seems like allot of pressure/lean to the left front tire and it wears out. Yes, I have contacted the manufacture

Replaced the front bearings and brakes on my Gen 2XR and it still keeps happening.

I love the Pirelli Angle GT II A Spec tires, have used them for many years and have them on all my bikes.

Do not understand why this is happening on my 2021 BMW S1000XR.

Any ideas/realistic suggestions. No, I do not want to try another tire brand..Yes, I check/confirm my tire pressures regularly.

Best,

Doc

[garyculb]

Here is the reponse from the manufacture Pirelli:

Hi Gary,

Thank you for reaching out. In countries which drive on the right-hand side of the road, faster tire wear on the left side of the tread is not uncommon. There are a number of factors which affect this uneven wear, but it is usually most heavily affected by two factors- the crown of the road and the speed at which turns are taken.

Our roads are slightly angled to allow water to drain from the roadway. This angle will lead to the left-hand side of the tread wearing faster, as rather than the tire sitting perfectly center on the road, it is angled very slightly.

The other major factor that leads to this type of wear is the way turns are made. Most riders take left turns faster and at a more aggressive lean-angle than right-hand turns. This of course will lead to accelerated wear on the left-side of the tread.

We hope this information helps answer your question. If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Thank you,


Pirelli Consumer Affairs

Best,

Doc

[Antares]

Originally Posted by garyculb

Here is the reponse from the manufacture Pirelli:

Hi Gary,

Thank you for reaching out. In countries which drive on the right-hand side of the road, faster tire wear on the left side of the tread is not uncommon. There are a number of factors which affect this uneven wear, but it is usually most heavily affected by two factors- the crown of the road and the speed at which turns are taken.

Our roads are slightly angled to allow water to drain from the roadway. This angle will lead to the left-hand side of the tread wearing faster, as rather than the tire sitting perfectly center on the road, it is angled very slightly.

The other major factor that leads to this type of wear is the way turns are made. Most riders take left turns faster and at a more aggressive lean-angle than right-hand turns. This of course will lead to accelerated wear on the left-side of the tread.

We hope this information helps answer your question. If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Thank you,


Pirelli Consumer Affairs

Best,

Doc

BS response that is very obviously not normal road wear... Looks like it's catching something on the inside of the fender maybe? I had Pirelli Angel GTs and GT2s on my XR imo they are crap, rear looked like that close to end of life and my GT 1s basically self destructed down to the wire with very similar tears....

[garyculb]

Originally Posted by Antares

BS response that is very obviously not normal road wear... Looks like it's catching something on the inside of the fender maybe? I had Pirelli Angel GTs and GT2s on my XR imo they are crap, rear looked like that close to end of life and my GT 1s basically self destructed down to the wire with very similar tears....

 The first thing I did was take off the front fender assembly. Could not find any areas where the tire had been wearing/rubbing. Just replaced the bearings again at 16K. Front end is a bit soft compared to my KTM GT.

Maybe is is time to go TracTive (https://www.beemershop.com/product/tractive-ex-cellent-fork-cartridge-kit-s1000xr-20-on.html ). $2K USA is a hard apple bite.

 Cannot find a manufacturer that just makes the front springs for a Gen 2 XR & allows me to keep the ESA.

Best,

Doc

[Antares]

Originally Posted by garyculb

The first thing I did was take off the front fender assembly. Could not find any areas where the tire had been wearing/rubbing. Just replaced the bearings again at 16K. Front end is a bit soft compared to my KTM GT.

Maybe is is time to go TracTive (https://www.beemershop.com/product/tractive-ex-cellent-fork-cartridge-kit-s1000xr-20-on.html ). $2K USA is a hard apple bite.

 Cannot find a manufacturer that just makes the front springs for a Gen 2 XR & allows me to keep the ESA.

Best,

Doc

This is not suspension issue, not one worth shelling out for anyway. Those tyres are finished either way and I can't imagine those wear marks being there the entire way. Pirelli Angel GTs are just crap and like to tear apart near end of life, they are fine up to that point. Seen it happen on a few bikes now, never on the front though, but then it's rare people run fronts that low.

[capt cf]

EDIT - sounds like it might be a Pirelli issue.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FZ09/comments/unfw5i/anyone_elses_front_tire_wear_like_this_more_in/

Excerpt from OP's post downthread:

The left side is more worn than the right side. This is the second front tire in a row this has happened to, both perelli angels. The rear wears in fine, but the left side on the front gets bald before the right. Tire is pirelli angel GT kept at ~33 psi. Anyone else experience this? What could cause this? Kickstand on the left? Round abouts? I favor the left side? Seems strange...

[RyanGTXR]

The "A" spec tyre is for heavy weight bikes so why would you be using it on the XR? The sidewalls and carcass are stiffer so will not flex as much as the std or "D" spec (basically the same just D is Ducati pay off fitment) and so will likely put more stress through the actual tread.
I've been running Angel GT and GT II for years with no issues (also run Roadtec 01's which wear out the sides before the centre but I put that down to riding position, very little weight over the front, pushing the front tyre while trail braking into turns)
The wear does look strange but it is also true the camber will have an effect seeing as you ride on the wrong side of the road 

[capt cf]

Originally Posted by RyanGTXR

The "A" spec tyre is for heavy weight bikes so why would you be using it on the XR? The sidewalls and carcass are stiffer so will not flex as much as the std or "D" spec (basically the same just D is Ducati pay off fitment) and so will likely put more stress through the actual tread.
I've been running Angel GT and GT II for years with no issues (also run Roadtec 01's which wear out the sides before the centre but I put that down to riding position, very little weight over the front, pushing the front tyre while trail braking into turns)
The wear does look strange but it is also true the camber will have an effect seeing as you ride on the wrong side of the road 

You guys should do 6 months on your tires and then swap with each other to even out both sides.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by capt cf

You guys should do 6 months on your tires and then swap with each other to even out both sides.

 

[garyculb]

Originally Posted by RyanGTXR

The "A" spec tyre is for heavy weight bikes so why would you be using it on the XR? The sidewalls and carcass are stiffer so will not flex as much as the std or "D" spec (basically the same just D is Ducati pay off fitment) and so will likely put more stress through the actual tread.
I've been running Angel GT and GT II for years with no issues (also run Roadtec 01's which wear out the sides before the centre but I put that down to riding position, very little weight over the front, pushing the front tyre while trail braking into turns)
The wear does look strange but it is also true the camber will have an effect seeing as you ride on the wrong side of the road 

 I use the Pirelli Angle GT II A Spec for Sports Touring:https://www.s1000rrforum.com/threads/my-2021-xr-sport-designed-for-sport-touring.247056/
The A Spec last about 1,000 miles more than the Reg D type on my KTM GT & my old K1600. The front tire wearing out so soon on the Gen XR is new to me. I really believe it is a bike specific issue that the manufacture, Pirelli, is not addressing.

 The reason I believe it maybe a suspension issue: when placed in severe stress like in a sharp downhill turn, the front end of the Gen 2 XR feels like it is diving/compressing into the front forks. I used to feel this same effect when riding a 2008 GoldWing in the Mountains. Went away with a Traxxion conversion (https://traxxion.com/goldwing/).

 Maybe the front tire and front forks are two seperate issues?? Fork fluid needs to be replaced soon anyway so...

Best,

Doc