K100RS - Strange Tire Wear

[1991K100RS]

I noticed today that the front tire (metzler lasertec) on my 1991 K100RS was severely worn down, while other parts of the tire had not been nearly worn down at all. You can see in the picture attached that it has worn all the way down to the threads of the tire underneath the rubber. This wear pattern is ever 3-4 inches in intervals all the way around the tire. Tires probably don't have any more than 4k - 5k miles on them, bought them last year.

Before I go buying a new tire, I want to make sure the bike doesn't chew up another one.

Things I'm thinking could have been the cause;

- Low tire pressure for too long
- Uneven forks
- Wheel poorly balanced
- Bad front wheel bearings

Anyone else here have experience with such aggressive wear on a relatively new front tire?

[johnny]

thats how they wear... spots of cords... eventually all cords... flatlanders in the middle... canyon carvers on the edges...

j o

[1991K100RS]

Thanks for the response. I just figured 2 rear tires for every 1 front tire.... and my front tire is even barely worn with 5,000 miles. Makes me think something isn't right in the front

[johnny]

for me... 2 for 1 generally 1up... 1.5 for 1 generally 2up... replacing as a set brings much yeeeehaaaa as both tiors have same newness... never did care for waiting on the front to shred... butts have done it before... more critical for canyon carvers compared to flatlanders...

j o

[Bokobob]

Conceivably wheel out of round?

[johnny]

whats the date code on the tior... rubber looks hard... how about some photos from a little farther away to get the big picture of things...

j o

[Grim]

I'd pull the wheel and see how the bearings feel. I had a shimmy feeling in my bike a certain speeds and the front wheel bearings cured it. Also when is the last time the fork juice was changed? 

[harper]

Don't forget that your tire will wear more on the left side due to the crown in the road.

[mjydrafter]

Also your front tire will wear funny (compared to the rear) because of braking.  It's harder to spot on a smoother tread than a more aggressive tread.

More aggressive fronts, like knobbies for instance, will wear into a saw shape. 

 

[TimTyler]

Yeah - That looks like old rubber.

[drut]

Although maybe not helpful I cannot understand your tire choice,I have a 1990 K100RS16v & narrowed choice down to Michelin Pilot Roads or Dunlop  Roadsmarts:both radials & both greatly improve the bike/handling,why you would contemplate a bias belt rather than a radial is beyond me.

[K75RT Keith]

what is the manufacture date on the tire?