new tires= wobble
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
Wow... deja vu.
I have experienced this same thing and came to the conclusion it was somehow related to new tires. Not long after I bought my new 2012 FLHTCU, I experienced this same wobble/instability consistently at about 70-75 mph. It wasn't bad enough to make me lose control, but it did make me nervous enough to stay below that speed. After a few hundred miles, it seemed to settle down and go away. I never did find out what caused it and I eventually forgot about it.
At about 4K miles, I removed my stock wheels and tires and replaced them with new take-off Street Glide wheels and tires because I thought they looked better than the original wheels. To my surprise, the wobble returned at almost the exact same speed. And again, it lasted a few hundred miles and eventually went away. I have no idea what was causing this instability, but it definitely seemed to be related to brand new OEM tires.
I have experienced this same thing and came to the conclusion it was somehow related to new tires. Not long after I bought my new 2012 FLHTCU, I experienced this same wobble/instability consistently at about 70-75 mph. It wasn't bad enough to make me lose control, but it did make me nervous enough to stay below that speed. After a few hundred miles, it seemed to settle down and go away. I never did find out what caused it and I eventually forgot about it.
At about 4K miles, I removed my stock wheels and tires and replaced them with new take-off Street Glide wheels and tires because I thought they looked better than the original wheels. To my surprise, the wobble returned at almost the exact same speed. And again, it lasted a few hundred miles and eventually went away. I have no idea what was causing this instability, but it definitely seemed to be related to brand new OEM tires.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 5
From: D.C suburbs
That is probably low, if u go on the manufacturer website they usually recommend a tire pressure for the size and model you have. Avons gave me some trouble, they were damn near unrideable. I am riding 40 front, 44 rear. The tire dealer did not know the right pressure
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
I just went through this on my 2002 dyna and even installed a true track system and had wobble at 140 - 160 kph. An old time mechanic told m to use the air pressure thats on the frame sticker and not the pressure embedded in tire. I was running 40 and 40 and sticker said front 30 and rear 40 and I adjusted and wouldnt you know it no more wobble.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
I have tendency to agree with you. I use a Teflon spray on the bead area when I inflate and over inflate to get the bead totally seated. If the bead is not totally seated, the tire will (my term) Hump, until it does fully seat. And with 119k on just this bike and having changed all my own tires, I've changed a bunch of tires.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The cause of the problem is very simple - new tyres need to be run for a couple of hundred miles, to remove that new moulded surface they all have. Nothing more than that! My brother had new tyres fitted on his bike a few years ago and rode back home as he always did, on the ragged edge, and slid off the road on the first fast bend - twit! He hadn't gone more than a few miles.
When using non-stock tyres always check that brand's website for the correct pressures, as some use different pressures to the owners manual, Avons (my favourites) especially. DO NOT go by the frame sticker, unless those numbers are recommended by your chosen brand!
When using non-stock tyres always check that brand's website for the correct pressures, as some use different pressures to the owners manual, Avons (my favourites) especially. DO NOT go by the frame sticker, unless those numbers are recommended by your chosen brand!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
The cause of the problem is very simple - new tyres need to be run for a couple of hundred miles, to remove that new moulded surface they all have. Nothing more than that! My brother had new tyres fitted on his bike a few years ago and rode back home as he always did, on the ragged edge, and slid off the road on the first fast bend - twit! He hadn't gone more than a few miles.
When using non-stock tyres always check that brand's website for the correct pressures, as some use different pressures to the owners manual, Avons (my favourites) especially. DO NOT go by the frame sticker, unless those numbers are recommended by your chosen brand!
When using non-stock tyres always check that brand's website for the correct pressures, as some use different pressures to the owners manual, Avons (my favourites) especially. DO NOT go by the frame sticker, unless those numbers are recommended by your chosen brand!
Exactly why I would never go 75 mph with brand new tires. I ready about this a long time ago, the new tires need to wear in and they are even slippery on road surfaces right "out of the box".
A quick google found a similar article along the lines of tire break in...
http://motorbikewriter.com/break-new...orcycle-tyres/
Last edited by fishbust; Aug 7, 2015 at 04:47 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Aye, new tires tend to be slick, but that's not the same as a rhythmic wobbling.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
The cause of the problem is very simple - new tyres need to be run for a couple of hundred miles, to remove that new moulded surface they all have. Nothing more than that! My brother had new tyres fitted on his bike a few years ago and rode back home as he always did, on the ragged edge, and slid off the road on the first fast bend - twit! He hadn't gone more than a few miles.
When using non-stock tyres always check that brand's website for the correct pressures, as some use different pressures to the owners manual, Avons (my favourites) especially. DO NOT go by the frame sticker, unless those numbers are recommended by your chosen brand!
When using non-stock tyres always check that brand's website for the correct pressures, as some use different pressures to the owners manual, Avons (my favourites) especially. DO NOT go by the frame sticker, unless those numbers are recommended by your chosen brand!
Avon AV72 Cobra Rear Tire 150/80B16 77V
Avon AV71 Cobra Front Tire 100/90-19 57H
for my 2002 Dyna Superglide the sticker on frame shows rear 40 lbs front 30 lbs
I would be going by Sport/Sport Touring ( radial & bias ) of front 34-36 lbs and rear 38-40 lbs correct? Solo rider.
Graham what was your experience with these Avon Cobras on your dresser with the air pressures?
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Thanks Graham I will keep this in mind. On the Avon website http://www.avonmoto.com/tech/tire-pressure-guidelines for the following tires
Avon AV72 Cobra Rear Tire 150/80B16 77V
Avon AV71 Cobra Front Tire 100/90-19 57H
for my 2002 Dyna Superglide the sticker on frame shows rear 40 lbs front 30 lbs
I would be going by Sport/Sport Touring ( radial & bias ) of front 34-36 lbs and rear 38-40 lbs correct? Solo rider.
Graham what was your experience with these Avon Cobras on your dresser with the air pressures?
Avon AV72 Cobra Rear Tire 150/80B16 77V
Avon AV71 Cobra Front Tire 100/90-19 57H
for my 2002 Dyna Superglide the sticker on frame shows rear 40 lbs front 30 lbs
I would be going by Sport/Sport Touring ( radial & bias ) of front 34-36 lbs and rear 38-40 lbs correct? Solo rider.
Graham what was your experience with these Avon Cobras on your dresser with the air pressures?
I've only recently had a Cobra installed and haven't ridden on it yet. However I have used the previous Venoms for much of the time I've owned my Glide, using 130/90, 140/90 and 150/80 on the rear, over the years. I've used the recommended pressures when solo, 38F/44R, raising them to 42/50 when fully loaded for those Continental tours, when we're close to max weight for the bike.
I've tried other brands, but always gone back to my old favourite. They are compliant, give a good smooth ride, while giving excellent grip in all conditions, especially heavy rain. We've crossed Europe, as far afield as Croatia in old Yugoslavia, and ridden through all the countries in between, from bloomin' freezing to 'it ain't half hot'!
I'm looking forward to riding on my Cobra, just as soon as I get my current 'upgrades' done!
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Release Agent
It's most likely the release agent they use on the mold before they put the rubber in for the tire. Without the agent they would have to dig out the tire from the mold. I had a set of Michelins on my Dyna and they skated all over the road for about 6 heat cycles and then they were fine.
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