Please school me on Inspecting Tires
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 7
From: Alaska
Please school me on Inspecting Tires
Here's what happens with my not covered under warranty, self-maintained, '06 Superglide.
I stood on the rear-brake really hard and caused the wheel to lock up and skid. Wasn't going to fast, 35-ish but the rear skid wobbled the rear end from side-to-side. It scared the crap out me, but luckily I stayed upright and everything stayed shiny; Just the way I like it.
FWIW: Loose Sand and gravel rest in abundance on the surfaces of Alaska roads. I'm rarely applying front-brake.
After this sudden stop, when my feet safely touched the ground - my first thoughts were,
"You lucky bastard! Hitting that pavement would have hurt."
Two things have been going on since then:
1) I'm actively considering adding a helmet to my gear.
2) in right-hand curves the rear end feels different from before.
Not sure how to describe a lumpy, smooth, slippery, wiggle, wobble. It could be road surface but the same roads did not present the same feeling on rides before the lock-up. I've looked at tires and ran hands over the surface. There's nothing visually wrong my eyes or hands can detect.
Got about 2k miles on Shinko Rear Tire mounted on the original factory spoked wheel.
I came across a thread earlier using the search forums for "inspecting tires." In that thread, they were discussing a "shudder" in a different and much newer bike. I don't remember the model. Anyway, looks like it took to long writing a reply because when I hit submit I had to re-login. The thread page didn't refresh. I've been looking but haven't found the thread.
Could this be my problem? How do you determine a tire is out of round?
I stood on the rear-brake really hard and caused the wheel to lock up and skid. Wasn't going to fast, 35-ish but the rear skid wobbled the rear end from side-to-side. It scared the crap out me, but luckily I stayed upright and everything stayed shiny; Just the way I like it.
FWIW: Loose Sand and gravel rest in abundance on the surfaces of Alaska roads. I'm rarely applying front-brake.
After this sudden stop, when my feet safely touched the ground - my first thoughts were,
"You lucky bastard! Hitting that pavement would have hurt."
Two things have been going on since then:
1) I'm actively considering adding a helmet to my gear.
2) in right-hand curves the rear end feels different from before.
Not sure how to describe a lumpy, smooth, slippery, wiggle, wobble. It could be road surface but the same roads did not present the same feeling on rides before the lock-up. I've looked at tires and ran hands over the surface. There's nothing visually wrong my eyes or hands can detect.
Got about 2k miles on Shinko Rear Tire mounted on the original factory spoked wheel.
I came across a thread earlier using the search forums for "inspecting tires." In that thread, they were discussing a "shudder" in a different and much newer bike. I don't remember the model. Anyway, looks like it took to long writing a reply because when I hit submit I had to re-login. The thread page didn't refresh. I've been looking but haven't found the thread.
Could this be my problem? How do you determine a tire is out of round?
Last edited by AKJames; May 29, 2018 at 06:30 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Get the rear tire off the ground and spin it. If it is as bad as you think, it will be obvious.
With a relatively cheap tire, I wouldn't be surprised if it is out of round.
I have locked up my tires on a couple of occasions (scary!) but the tires suffered no visible damage.
With a relatively cheap tire, I wouldn't be surprised if it is out of round.
I have locked up my tires on a couple of occasions (scary!) but the tires suffered no visible damage.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,990
Likes: 7,111
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
By skidding on it from "35ish." This may cause a "flat spot."
Also, Shinko's are not very good quality tires. Just FYI.
Regarding your front brake use~
No, you can't use it as firmly as on dry, clean asphalt, but you can still use it some. Find a bike with ABS if you think that'll help you. Try it while riding slowly and straight. This will help you develop the "threshold" for front brakes on the particular surface you're riding on. From here it's just practice, practice, practice.
Oh yeah, if you're not going to use your front brake, please DO GET a helmet!
Also, Shinko's are not very good quality tires. Just FYI.
Regarding your front brake use~
No, you can't use it as firmly as on dry, clean asphalt, but you can still use it some. Find a bike with ABS if you think that'll help you. Try it while riding slowly and straight. This will help you develop the "threshold" for front brakes on the particular surface you're riding on. From here it's just practice, practice, practice.
Oh yeah, if you're not going to use your front brake, please DO GET a helmet!
Last edited by NORTY FLATZ; May 29, 2018 at 06:53 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 1,068
From: Ohio
I never wore one until my kids were born. It takes some getting used to, but then again, it's worth it.
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