Ducati Monster Forum

Hi, I've been noticing a slight rear wheel skid as I take normal right turns in the city.  Not sure if this is due to cold tires or what, but it's concerning.  I never feel like its going to come out from underneath me, but still ... Why is the rear wheel skidding? I'm still on original tiers (10 000kms) but plenty of tread left. Thanks.
TT

How old are the tires?

Could be a number of things.  Cold tires, old worn tires, low tire pressure, road surface, lean angle, braking while turning, you could just be noticing the transition from the squared off tread in the middle of the tire to the still rounded edges.  How many miles have you been riding when you notice this?  You say you have 10,000km on these tires, that's what, about 6,200 miles?  That's about how many miles I got out of my Diablo Rosso II rear tire before I replaced it and it was just beginning to show belt in the center.  I'd start with a careful examination of the rear tire, number one being pressure.  Check it cold and post back with what the tire pressure is.  Also, look for signs of age, like cracks in the sidewall.  Also look for wear on the tire itself.  Is the tread worn all the way down to the edge?  Is it flattened off in the center?  A squared off rear tire will give a strange feeling as it leans past that ridge where it has squared off.  

What tires are you running?

Post a pic of your rear tire.  I'd bet it is just time for replacement.

There is a reason I asked for age, not mileage. A 10000 km (already a lot IMO), 2 year old tire, is one thing. A 10000 km, 10 years old tire is another.
Rubber become hard and loses grip with age.

Both could be a factor in this situation but even a 6 month old tire (sport rubber) with 10,000kms on it can easily be worn out past the point of needing to be replaced.

the tires are the original bridgestone's that came on the bike from the factory. they are about 4 years old. here are some pictures.
thanks for the input.

(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/1120/photo3evn.jpg)
(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5517/photo2lk.jpg)
(http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/1042/photo1fb.jpg)

The tires will have a month/year code on them that will tell you the actual age. We know they are older than the bike (to tire time travel!) so we can figure they are probably pushing up towards 5 years. So it's likely they are starting to get stiff which may be a factor.

The reason I asked age, is due to its "plenty of thread left" statement  :)

I know, it just doesn't seem possible to me that a tire with 6,200 miles on it "has plenty of tread left."  I consider myself lucky to get 6,000 miles out of a rear tire but I usually run pretty sporty rubber.  Not sure what the tires the OP has feel like as I've never ridden them but Pilot Powers and the Diablo Rosso IIs are very confidence inspiring and grippy.  I've gone through a few sets of Pilot Powers and am on my second set of DRII's.

Does it feel like the rear tire is losing grip on acceleration out of a corner or is it slipping midway through the corner?  Are you touching the rear brake at all?  What tire pressures are you running?

You mentioned cold tires as a possibility, tires don't take too terribly long to warm up.  A couple miles on a reasonably nice day, maybe less on a hot day.

Honestly, the tire looks fine.  It doesn't look like you're leaning the bike over too far.  I guess if they feel sketchy then I'd probably replace them if you can't find any other solution.

As a note, at 6200 miles my Pilot Road 2's still looked fantastic.  I replaced them 2 weeks ago with 11,600 miles logged.  Rear centers were to the wear bars and the front still looked very good for the miles.  But as you stated these aren't considered "sporty rubber".

If those tires really have 6k miles on them, they must be hard as a rock due to age/treatment.

They still have the little mold nipples on!

Get new tires.

if your shock isnt blown (any oil leaking from it?) then it cant really be anything BUT poor tire condition, it could be low pressure, old rubber, cold tires or even just a compound that doesn't agree with your riding style.

at 5 years old I would get a fresh set of tires regardless, check that like this;
(http://www.barrystiretech.com/dotcode5.jpg)
if its not that old then check your pressure.

do you have a GOOD tire gauge? not an automotive store 1.99 pen gauge, a proper, accurate, dependable gauge.

I like this one myself;
http://www.amazon.com/Longacre-Liquid-Filled-Deluxe-Gauge/dp/B000VB43LA (http://www.amazon.com/Longacre-Liquid-Filled-Deluxe-Gauge/dp/B000VB43LA)

but one of these will probably be just fine;
https://www.denniskirk.com/accu-gage/dial-tire-gauge-with-hose.p281987.prd/281987.sku (https://www.denniskirk.com/accu-gage/dial-tire-gauge-with-hose.p281987.prd/281987.sku)

everyone has an opinion on pressure but personally I like to keep street tires fairly close to a 34 rear 32 front. check it once or twice a week and more if there is a serious change in weather. 1 or 2 psi is a noticeable difference.

You're looking at this all wrong.

Given the recent activity, you're clearly an accomplished rider that continues to ride it like you stole it. This has resulted kicking out the rear end exiting turns and backing it in on entry.

Feels good don't it?

Damn right it does,  go do it some more.

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