Tire Balancing
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
From: Marietta Georgia
Tire Balancing
Been a fan of the site for some time now and have never seen anythng on how critical a good balance is for your wheels/tires. My bike feels ok at high speed but I really have no comparison..How important is the balance and should it be checked between tire changes??Any thoughts?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
The balance will change every time you get a new tire, and as your current tire wears. This is because tires, even the same model and size, weigh minutely different amounts. It doesn't make a difference on a loose wheel, but once it's on the bike and moving 60 mph, it's noticeable. An unbalanced tire will wear faster and possibly hurt your handling in a few ways, such as a wobble.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 534
Likes: 35
From: Western Australia
l put about 1/2 a dozen pairs of tires on my 07 FXD in the 4 1/2 years l owned it and usually averaged about 11000 miles per pair. l only balanced one pair and found no noticeable difference in the way it rode and handled, just my 2 cents worth, others may have a different opinion.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
Certainly not worth worrying about unless you feel something is wrong. My first few sets HD balanced them with stick-on lead weights which peeled off at speed, I remember at least a couple hitting and scratching the bike one flew out right by my face @ 60+ mph. When I took it back the tekk asked me do you feel vibration at any speed - why no I don't - He said well then it's not worth putting back!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,580
Likes: 215
From: Illinois
Been running beads in my tires for over 10k on my bike and ride is perfect at any speed. I'd recommend them.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
I have also bought dyna beads though I have not yet tried them ( next set ). But this raises a question in my mind... If balancing is no longer required are we not just wasting money putting in those beads?
Tfree some guys check into every detail, But I have never worried about balancing between sets of tires. I have winter tires for my car and summer tires, they are all mounted on wheels and were balanced when installed, they will not be balanced again until They are removed or replaced. I think this should apply to bike tires as well especially given that you may need to buy 2 sets of MC tires on longer seasons with alot more riding involved.
Tfree some guys check into every detail, But I have never worried about balancing between sets of tires. I have winter tires for my car and summer tires, they are all mounted on wheels and were balanced when installed, they will not be balanced again until They are removed or replaced. I think this should apply to bike tires as well especially given that you may need to buy 2 sets of MC tires on longer seasons with alot more riding involved.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Doghouse... mostly
The balance will change every time you get a new tire, and as your current tire wears. This is because tires, even the same model and size, weigh minutely different amounts. It doesn't make a difference on a loose wheel, but once it's on the bike and moving 60 mph, it's noticeable. An unbalanced tire will wear faster and possibly hurt your handling in a few ways, such as a wobble.