Squared off rear tire and suspension

[SteveM]

My 8 day, 4350 mile loop out to Sturgis (not for rally) and back has squared off my rear tire on the VFR1200x.

I was carrying my 215 lbs carcass, 3 pieces of hard luggage and a soft bag cause there was a big, multi family vacation out there in the middle of the trip, there was a fair amount of slab. Coupled with the fact that the plains are straight and flat on even 2 lane roads and I guess it was inevitable.

My question is about suspension. I cranked up the rear pre-load but I'm wondering if suspension settings can help with either prevention of squaring off or acceleration some "re-rounding" when I hit some twisty roads this weekend.

[RyanNicholson]

You'd have to do a shitload of laps around a rotary to "re-round" spent rear tire. How many miles were on it before the trip? I'd probably just deal with it without much thought, and plan to replace it soon... personally.

[SteveM]

3000 miles before, 7500 now

Pirelli Scorpion Trails.

[aldend123]

4k miles - of mostly straight line highway, loaded up? That seems like a recipe for square.

What tire pressure? For sustained distances at speed, especially with extra weight, and mid-summer, I'd probably run the rear tire pretty high.

[SteveM]

36 front, 42 rear.

Oddly, the front tire looks great.

[trider143]

36 front, 42 rear.

Oddly, the front tire looks great.

I run the same tires, same pressure and do a lot of touring with a lot of slab in between the good roads. I get about the same mileage before the Scorpion Trails square off. A few times, they scalloped as well. I don't have any advice, as I am in the same situation. I am thinking about switching tires next change over (about 3K out.)

[Paul_E_D]

I didn't like the trails on my duc at all. Get a more sport touring tire built for miles.

[SteveM]

When these wear out, I'm headed toward the Michelin Pilot Road 4 Trail.

The current tires are the original, non dual compound tires. That is the real culprit.

[trider143]

When these wear out, I'm headed toward the Michelin Pilot Road 4 Trail.

And these too were the tires I was planning to move to. Appreciate the "validation"

[RyanNicholson]

I'm on PR4's myself and love them. I have a fresh rear sitting on my doorstep according to fedex at the moment actually.

[breakdirt916]

Uh wut?

I honestly haven't experienced *any* tire that wears evenly around the whole profile unless it's used on a track or Twisties only. Add weight, longer slab, higher mileage on the tire, higher HP, and I don't know if suspension is going to "fix" a squared off tire.

7500 miles on a 1200 sounds amazing...I put a "sport touring" tire on a 94 FZR600 and squared it off commuting in about 6K.

[Stromper]

I say you did well

I recommend Bridgestone T30 because I am cheap

I always think that rapid rear / square has a lot to do with down shifting

I just assume that tires are like 5 cents per mile

[csmutty]

T30s are a pain to mount. Sidewall is super stiff haha.

[nhbubba]

Pilot Roads have a stiff sidewall too. I think it's part of the formula for a sport touring tire.

I agree. You got most of your moneys worth out of that rear. Upgrade to the PR4 early or live with it.

[Studio X]

When these wear out, I'm headed toward the Michelin Pilot Road 4 Trail.

The current tires are the original, non dual compound tires. That is the real culprit.

If you want something sportier but still with the dual compound, look into the Michelin Pilot Power 3s. I have the 4 Roads on the Tiger and the 3 Powers on the Daytona. Both work well.

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