I was wondering if the more experienced guys around here might give me a hint as to the tire wear pattern on my pusher and what it might mean.
Info.
Set up Harley Road King --Liberty Sidecar
Almost always ride with a passenger
Tire Dunlop Touring 3500 mi and no tread left
The wear was a little more on the right hand center side of the tire. What might this mean? (bike handles really well, has raked tree and is neutral steering in most situations)
Also, I see a lot of variation and hear all sorts of tire wear mileage amounts...but what should a person expect to get for mileage for a tire of this type and a bike of this size? ( I have heard 12000 miles -1500 miles for tire wear...what is realistic to expect)
This tire seemed to wear out really fast in my recent trip to the Great Smokies and the Blueridge Parkway. I can only assume that rough tar, loaded tug and hack, lots of stops and starts, and very curvy roads might wear a tire out really fast. ??
The conditions you named can use up a tire in short time. Those and agressive driving.
The right side wear could be from high crowned roads or perhaps lack of lean out.
Unlike the Harley cars the Loaded Liberty chassis (having trailing arm suspension) will depress and cause the bike to lean more to the right.
If the sidecar tire is wearing evenly you are probably set up OK.
6K seems to be an average mileage for a heavy rig with a bike rear tire.
If you are a long rider it might be time to call Harry Tarzian for an automobile tire wheel conversion.
Lonnie
Check your toe in and possibly reduce it some to see if it helps. Usaually tire wear can be attributed to toe in being too much. Wearing on the right side can be due to too little lean out as Lonnie mentioned but can also be due to agressive riding in the twisties.
If you wish to contact Harry Tarzian he is not online but his number is 814 349 2414. He is in central Pa and has done numerous auto wheel conversions for harleys. The tires run are usually a 165r15 auto tire which typically get around 20,000 miles and uaually cost around 50 or 60 bucks...do the math and it begins to make sense to get a conversion done.
Thanks guys. I think where I usually have my wife in the hack I should probably recheck the setup with her in and a person of my substance on the tug.
I wouldn't consider myself to be an aggressive driver but do try to stay outa peoples way.
I run a car tire on mine and love it. I run it both solo and with the sidecar. I have a 16" rim, so there was no conversion process whatsoever. I don't know about 15" rims. Anyway, the car tire certainly can take the abuse and miles far better than any motorcycle tire. Other benefits will be dramatically improved wet traction, braking, and accel.
I ordered a Excelsior car tire (500-525/16 only one that was even close to a fit) but wasl 26" instead of 24" diameter) After reading Mark in Idaho said it wore through his inner wheel liner I decided to send it back and stay with a bike tire. Might look into having a 15" wheel built when I have some coins.
