What is Motorcycle Tyre Cupping?

Uncategorized
a picture of Ari who is the owner of Tyreman M/C
Author
Ari Kypuros Owner & Founder of Tyreman M/C
10 mins February 1, 2023

How to Prevent Tyre Cupping or Scalloping

As motorcycle riders, we know that the condition of your tyres can greatly impact the performance and safety of your ride. One issue that can occur with tyres is cupping, also known as scalloping. If you’re new to riding, that term may not be familiar to you. Luckily, we can explain what cupped or scalloped tyres are, how to identify them, the common causes of cupped or scalloped tyres, and most importantly, how to prevent your tyres from cupping.

A close up of a damaged motorcycle tyre

How to Identify Cupped Motorcycle Tyres

Cupped or scalloped motorcycle tyres can greatly impact the performance and safety of your ride, so it’s important to know how to identify them. One of the most obvious signs of cupped tyres is a rhythmic sound or louder than usual road noise. If you notice that your bike vibrates or shakes when riding, this could also be an indication of cupped tyres.

To check for cupping, feel for lumps or irregularities on the bike tyre, and check for any issues with steering drift. It is important to note that cupping can happen on both the front and rear tyres, and the causes and symptoms may vary. Therefore, when riding, pay attention to the overall performance of your bike, and not just one specific area.

Safety is your number one priority, so if you feel like something is off, it’s best to talk to an expert. For more information on tyre maintenance and safety, you might find our article on Motorbike Tyre Pressure Safety Guide & Tips helpful.

Worn Motorcycle Tyres

Common causes of motorcycle tyre cupping

Motorcycle tyre cupping is commonly caused by unbalanced or misaligned tyres. Unbalanced tyres can happen if you don’t regularly have your tyres balanced and aligned. This can occur if your wheels are not pointing straight ahead. This can be caused by worn-out suspension components or if the bike has been in an accident.

Another cause of cupped tyres is worn shocks and suspension. This can happen over time as the shocks and suspension wear out and lose their ability to properly support the weight of the bike. Low-quality tyres can also contribute to cupping. To ensure the longevity of your tyres, we recommend using high-quality tyres. If you are concerned about tyre maintenance, check out our article on Top Tips For Caring For Your Motorcycle Tyres for more information.

a picture of Ari who is the owner of Tyreman M/C

How to Prevent Tyre Cupping

Preventing tyre cupping is crucial for ensuring the performance and safety of your motorcycle. Cupping (or scalloping), can greatly impact the way your bike handles and can even lead to accidents.

Head of operations Ari wanted to give you his tips on how to prevent tyre cupping:

  1. Regularly check the balance and alignment of your tyres. This is a service we offer and highly recommend. This is critical to help prevent cupping, as unbalanced or misaligned tyres can cause uneven wear. Make sure to have your tyres balanced and aligned every 6,000 kilometres or so, or more frequently if you notice any issues.
  2. Use high-quality tyres. Low-quality tyres can be more prone to cupping, so it’s important to use high-quality tyres that are designed for motorcycle use.
  3. Keep an eye on the wear pattern of your tyres. If you notice any unusual wear, it’s best to get your tyres inspected by a professional. This will help you catch any issues with cupping early on, before they become a major problem. Bring your bike in, or shoot me an email with a photo of your tyres, I’d be happy to have a look over this for you.
  4. Maintain your shocks and suspension. Worn out shocks and suspension can cause uneven wear on your tyres. Make sure to have your shocks and suspension checked regularly, and replace them as soon as they are worn out.

It’s important to note that preventing tyre cupping is a preventative measure and once cupping has occurred, it usually cannot be rectified. Therefore, we recommend being proactive in identifying and preventing cupping before it occurs.

If you are having trouble with your motorcycle tyre cupping, Tyreman has services that can help you with balancing. Also, learn more about choosing the right tyres by reading How To Choose The Best Motorcycle Tyres For You.

people sitting atop touring bikes heading around a corner

Is it Dangerous to ride on Cupped Tyres?

Riding on cupped tyres can be dangerous and can cause potential accidents. It is important to understand the dangers of riding on cupped tyres so you know the best course of action if cupped tyres are identified.

One major concern of cupped tyres is the impact it can have on your bike’s handling and stability. Cupped tyres can cause handling of your bike to feel unstable and may even lead to a loss of control. This can be dangerous when riding at high speeds or in adverse weather conditions. This can also lead to a greater risk of accidents, as they can cause the bike to drift or slide while riding.

Another danger of riding on cupped tyres is that it can cause excessive wear on other parts of the bike. This can lead to costly repairs and replacement of parts such as the suspension and steering. The best way to avoid this is to replace the cupped tyres as soon as they are identified.

Here at Tyreman M/C, we recommend that riders replace their tyres as soon as possible if cupping is identified. This will ensure a safe riding experience, and mitigate future repairs you may need for your bike. We do not recommend riding your bike if you identify your tyres are cupped or scalloped.

Additionally, regular tyre maintenance such as balancing and alignment can help prevent cupping from occurring in the first place. It’s also important to use high-quality tyres and maintain your shocks and suspension to keep your motorcycle tyres in good condition.

 

 

an image of a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle

Check the balance and alignment of your tyres

Preventing tyre cupping can be done by regularly checking the balance and alignment of your tyres, using high-quality tyres, keeping an eye on the wear pattern of your tyres, rotating your tyres regularly, and maintaining your shocks and suspension. It’s important to note that preventing tyre cupping is a preventative measure, and once cupping has occurred, it usually cannot be rectified.

Riding on cupped tyres can be dangerous, and it is not recommended to ride your bike if the tyres are cupped or scalloped. It is important to replace cupped tyres as soon as they are identified to ensure a safe and enjoyable riding experience.

If you need assistance with tyre services, Tyreman M/C provides motorcycle tyres and services to help with cupping and other tyre issues. We are able to provide advice in store and have links to Top Tips For Caring For Your Motorcycle Tyres article for more information on looking after your tyres. By choosing Tyreman, riders can have peace of mind and safe riding experience.