I have a 2006 Honda Goldwing GL1800 with a Champion trike conversion. For some reason the right side tire is wearing much faster than the left. Any idea why that would be?
I have a 2006 Honda Goldwing GL1800 with a Champion trike conversion. For some reason the right side tire is wearing much faster than the left. Any idea why that would be?
Welcome To Trike-Talk, Craig A little more info might be helpful....
Again, Welcome..To the Gang...
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
Welcome glad you joined us. Sorry no help with your problem,but I'm sure someone will help with it. RIDE SAFE
Most turns made under start out mode, like from a dead stop in first gear, sometimes in a hurry, into traffic, etc ... are sharper right turns, ..... even if not spinning, it wears the RR more. as weight shifts to the left side.
Unless the rear is a locker or posi or limited slip differential (not likely in a trike) ... then it's what is referred to as an "open differential". Just like a car with an open differential, the tire with least traction will limit power applied to the ground as it will spin first. While in a hard right under power, weight shift, etc, the inside right drive tire will rub it's tread against the pavement and wear.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differ...hanical_device)
Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.
If I remember from my maintenance, and I've only done it once, I seem to recall the right was most of the driving force when the rear wheels were off the ground. Seemed to me the left just free wheeled, but, I may have that backwards. I have a 2008 w/2008 Champion conversion. Being the driving wheel would explain extra wear.
Having said that, I don't think mine is wearing unevenly. It's been about 1200 miles since the service and 2000 miles since I bought it.
Other factors could be low air pressure or out of balance.
On most vehicles, right side tires wear faster. There are a few reasons this happens. Right tire rolls on rougher pavement. Rougher pavement wear on tread segments more so then smooth pavement does, but it also causes less traction and more spinouts on the right rear tire. When braking, the RR is more likely to loose traction and lockup. In addition, on u-turns the RR tire travel a longer path. On cars and light trucks, faster right wear is a one of several reasons why tires are rotated. So long as your trike tires are non-directional, there is nothing wrong with rotating yours from side to side every 5k, and don't forget to have them rebalanced then too.
Please keep in mind that anytime I share or give advice about a motorcycle, unless I state otherwise, I am always referring to GL1800's and no other.
Jumping on GoldWingrGreg's tire rotation suggestion, if you do have directional tires and notice the tire on one side is wearing more than the other, to even out wear you can have them taken off and remounted on the opposite wheel.
Don - 2004 GL1800 Champion trike, 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited
2 wheeler: 2013 Triumph Bonneville T100
FORR Local 11, AMA, MRF, Mid-South MILE Committee
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Stallion #406 // 2013 Tri-Glide