front tire cupping

[Jim T]

I just purchased a BMW 1250 RS, with 4000 thousand miles on the clock I started seeing cupping on the front tire. When I talked to my dealer he said it was a normal thing and there was nothing that could be done about it. Has anybody elese had this problem and if so did you find a fix for it.

[Grumpy Goat]

I just purchased a BMW 1250 RS, with 4000 thousand miles on the clock I started seeing cupping on the front tire. When I talked to my dealer he said it was a normal thing and there was nothing that could be done about it. Has anybody elese had this problem and if so did you find a fix for it.

What tire [brand / model] is it? Some have a propensity to exhibit more cupping than others, which also depends on the riding style and the road surface normally travelled, so the dealer is somewhat correct. Cupping on those tires at 4000 miles is quite common, and there may even be a thread or two on this forum about cupping.

With my riding style and road surfaces, the factory-supplied Michelin Pilot Road 4s tend to cup compared with my present tire of choice, Dunlop Roadsmart III / IV which do not perceptibly exhibit cupping.

[Ray]

Cupping is normal. Some of us generate more than others. Can't say I notice it on the road, and it doesn't affect my braking or turns. (I have to admit, I usually change out tires with >10% of central tread remaining.)

[Mark]

I have very little/none cupping on my Dunlop RS3's. I run my tire pressure at
max 42/42psi

[Lee]

I have very little/none cupping on my Dunlop RS3's. I run my tire pressure at
max 42/42psi

We had less cupping on the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 than we did with any of the Pilot Road tires we had. We use 38 on the front.
I don't remember any front tire that didn't have some cupping. Seems like the older single compound bias ply tires did not cup as much as newer tires.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

The only non cupping front tire I ever had was from Avon. Thats a few years back on my '98RS. Great tires as (I think) Wessie has pointed out many times on the other forum.

[Sikorsky]

My exBMW corporate bike has severe cupping on the front tire. I can’t recall the brand but it’s what came on the bikes from the factory and presently has about 6200 km on it. My experience has shown me it’s a result of requiring more rebound but that’s not something I can dial in anymore. Time will tell over future kilometres.

[Pyrrho]

Seems like the older single compound bias ply tires did not cup as much as newer tires.

Anyone have experience with Metzler Roadtec in this regard? Trying to remember what my last bike had, I think a previous gen of them. Didn't/doesn't BMW equip them as stock on the RS? Single ply but with multiple steel cord tension zones.

[Grumpy Goat]

My exBMW corporate bike has severe cupping on the front tire. I can’t recall the brand but it’s what came on the bikes from the factory and presently has about 6200 km on it. My experience has shown me it’s a result of requiring more rebound but that’s not something I can dial in anymore. Time will tell over future kilometres.

Probably Michelin Pilot Road 4. I and others have had cupping with those tires that were factory supply on our bikes. But in my case, I had a heck of a lot more miles on it than 6200 km - more like 8000 miles before cupping showed up. Continued to ride until it wore out (more) then changed to Dunlop RS 3 (and 4) and the cupping went away. No change to the rebound.

[Lee]

My exBMW corporate bike has severe cupping on the front tire. I can’t recall the brand but it’s what came on the bikes from the factory and presently has about 6200 km on it. My experience has shown me it’s a result of requiring more rebound but that’s not something I can dial in anymore. Time will tell over future kilometres.

Probably Michelin Pilot Road 4. I and others have had cupping with those tires that were factory supply on our bikes. But in my case, I had a heck of a lot more miles on it than 6200 km - more like 8000 miles before cupping showed up. Continued to ride until it wore out (more) then changed to Dunlop RS 3 (and 4) and the cupping went away. No change to the rebound.

Our original from the factory Metzeler front tires started to cup at 3,000 miles. I have to look, I think they're Roadtec.
I run 38 PSI in the front.

[Duccrazydave]

My Dunlop RS3's started cupping towards the end of their life (like Ray, no ill effects on handling). The RS4's have proven to be more consistent all the way to the end.

[Grumpy Goat]

My Dunlop RS3's started cupping towards the end of their life (like Ray, no ill effects on handling). The RS4's have proven to be more consistent all the way to the end.

Good to know, which means definitely no cupping for me if I go with the RS4.

[Lee]

My Dunlop RS3's started cupping towards the end of their life (like Ray, no ill effects on handling). The RS4's have proven to be more consistent all the way to the end.

The RS3s we have used had very little cupping. Not enough to fell.
They had the least amount of cupping compared to any other dual compound tires we have used.

[Pyrrho]

So it sounds like the RS4s are what I should be looking at in a few months? Been reading nothing but praise about them so far.

[Lee]

So it sounds like the RS4s are what I should be looking at in a few months? Been reading nothing but praise about them so far.

Some of us cheap BMW riders will buy the RS3 again

Don't forget a lot of times Dunlop has rebates when buying the tires from a Dunlop Pro dealer.

[Grumpy Goat]

So it sounds like the RS4s are what I should be looking at in a few months? Been reading nothing but praise about them so far.

Yes, but I also agree with Lee above ^^.

The RS3 was, by consensus in our riding group, a big improvement over the previous factory supply Michelin PR4 or Metzeler Z08 in terms of longevity, wear characteristics, feel / handling, and all for a lower price. Then Dunlop improved on the R3 in making the R4 last longer than the R3. It was more of an evolutionary change as opposed to revolutionary. However, they also raised the price as well such that you can get the great RS3s for significantly cheaper.

[Pyrrho]

However, they also raised the price as well such that you can get the great RS3s for significantly cheaper.

Are RS4s worth the increased price vs RS3s?

[Lee]

However, they also raised the price as well such that you can get the great RS3s for significantly cheaper.

Are RS4s worth the increased price vs RS3s?

There's no correct answer for everyone. Each buyer needs to decide for themself.

[Pyrrho]

Are RS4s worth the increased price vs RS3s?

There's no correct answer for everyone. Each buyer needs to decide for themself.

Having ridden on neither I'm looking for input from people who have ridden both.

[darrell]

Are RS4s worth the increased price vs RS3s?

Having ridden on neither I'm looking for input from people who have ridden both.

Tire Information
Below are the tires I have installed and used on my 2016 RS bike finishing its 6th riding season.

Tires - Mileage When Installed, Brand, Model, (Mileage When Removed)

0000 miles - Metzeler Roadtec Z8 (7735)
7735 miles - Metzeler Roadtec 01 (3990)
11725 miles - Michelin PR4 GT (11,063)
22788 miles - Michelin PR4 GT (6252)
29040 miles - Michelin PR4 GT (7906)
36946 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (8380)
45326 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (8186)
53512 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (8435)
61947 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (8322)
70269 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (5940)
76209 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (6468)
82677 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (7523)
90200 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (8283)
98483 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart III (8517)
107000 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart IV (10245)
117245 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart IV (10616)
127861 miles - Dunlop Mutant (7890)
135751 miles - Dunlop Roadsmart IV (TBD)