Noise when leaning
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 229
Likes: 19
From: LI, NY
Noise when leaning
At 40 mph and above, I am hearing a low whining noise in the rear when I lean the bike, and it is more pronounced when I lean to the left. It sounds a little like when you drive over a metal grate on the street or a bridge, but much lower. I have 11,000 miles on the tire and it has worn well, no cupping or uneven wear and appears to have plenty of tread left. Looking for thoughts on what it may be.
Thanks
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,524
Likes: 57,076
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
If you're sure that the tire is in excellent condition ( run your palm forward and backward on the tread ) with no feathering or high spots I'd check out the wheel bearings
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 118
Likes: 8
From: Texas
At 40 mph and above, I am hearing a low whining noise in the rear when I lean the bike, and it is more pronounced when I lean to the left. It sounds a little like when you drive over a metal grate on the street or a bridge, but much lower. I have 11,000 miles on the tire and it has worn well, no cupping or uneven wear and appears to have plenty of tread left. Looking for thoughts on what it may be.
Thanks
Thanks
Not sure if it was the tire or the bearings....
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Perth, Western Australia
I have a 2016 road King. Had the same problem - quite a loud whining between 75 and 82km/h (45-50mph) when leaning to the left. It drove me mad on long left handers where the speed limit was 50mph.
Took it to my independent workshop, the month before my warranty ran out to check it out in case it was something needing a warranty fix by the dealer. He said it was tyre noise. I have to admit I was doubtful that that much noise wasn't something more nasty, but trusted him and left it. Turns out he was right.
6 months later, had both tyres changed - the stock ones lasted 19,000 miles - and the noise was completely gone.
They were the standard d407 etc... tyres. Unfortunately I got both tyres changed at once and never isolated if it was the front, rear or both causing the noise.
Took it to my independent workshop, the month before my warranty ran out to check it out in case it was something needing a warranty fix by the dealer. He said it was tyre noise. I have to admit I was doubtful that that much noise wasn't something more nasty, but trusted him and left it. Turns out he was right.
6 months later, had both tyres changed - the stock ones lasted 19,000 miles - and the noise was completely gone.
They were the standard d407 etc... tyres. Unfortunately I got both tyres changed at once and never isolated if it was the front, rear or both causing the noise.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
When I switched over from Lops to Mitchillens, the brand new rear howels at a certain speed if I lean it over. Almost think it has quit after some miles have gone on it, however. With that many miles on rear, it's probably the transition ridge between the worn flat area and the sidewall you rarely get on. When mine gets like that, handling in the turns gets terrible enough, I just put new tire on.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 2, 2018 at 10:27 AM.
