Total Motorcycle Community Forums

So I'm not exactly a newb anymore, but this quwstion makes me feel like one.

I've got about 8k miles on my Pilot Roads now. Mostly commuting. I really don't abuse them at all, but i've started to notice a line down the tire just to the right of center like something is digging a shallow groove. have inspected the bike several times but everything is tight and the groove is not straight on the rubber. It moves around as it goes from block to block.

I can see the tread wear indicators between the tread blocks that say when the gums are toast, but is this some other kind of indicator? Maybe 50% toast?

How about a pic to help.

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4405960

That's odd. My guess, and this is just a guess, is that the groove has something to do with the mold the tire is made in.

this is just a guess, is that the groove has something to do with the mold the tire is made in.

Maybe, but it wasn't there when the tire was new.
That's why I'm puzzled.

From the AARP Motorcycle Insurance Program's site...


Check tires regularly for wear. Get professional inspections to be
sure your tires are in the best condition possible. You should also
inspect your tires regularly between professional inspections for
excessive or uneven wear, foreign objects, cracks or grooves and
tread depth. Pay attention to tread wear indicators. Especially in
inclement weather, bald tires can cause skidding and are more
susceptible to blow outs. Replace damaged or worn tires
immediately.

So, I guess the fact that you've inspected them is good, now get some proffessional advice from a tire pro...

Looks like something is scraping on it. Double check the swing arm... ohh and if you've got a catalitic converter look at it again too. That's nothing like any wear mark I've ever seen. And I never had anything like that show up on my stock tires.

It is possible that it was a problem with the molding, but I'd still double check everything around the swing arm.

On a side note, I replaced my rear tire at 15000km, mine probably still had 3k left on it. But I was starting a long trip... hence I replaced the tire.

I checked out everything on the back half of the bike yet again and it's all tight. Nothing that could possibly be making contact with the tire other than the road. No cat.

Guess I'll ride it over to the bike shop first nice day I can.

Thanx for the suggestions.

I have a similar looking line on my Pilot Roads. I inquired about it on another forum and was told it was normal.

For what it's worth I've put on four or five thousand miles on it and it hasn't changed in appearance at all.