Bumpy at 70mph, why?
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
Bumpy at 70mph, why?
Got a used 09 Road King and notice only at 70-77 mph, it feels like I'm riding over tiny speed bumps in either 5th or 6th. Makes my feet numb on the floorboards. It's not a wobble, it's more of a rapid up and down bumpiness.
All other speeds seem smooth and engine seems to run great. Am I looking at a tire issue or could it be something else?
All other speeds seem smooth and engine seems to run great. Am I looking at a tire issue or could it be something else?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Could be a tire itself, or a wheel is out of balance. Last time I replaced my tires, I used Ride On balancer instead of wheel weights. I had a bad bumpy vibration in the front like that and after removing the Ride On and going back to the weights on the front wheel, it went away.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,877
From: Oklahoma
Any pulsing in the brakes that might have worn a flat spot in either tire? Other than specifying a flat spot, blister or out of balance, the above post gets about all of it. Get each wheel off the ground and spin them, See if there are any irregularities in the tires or wheels. Spoked or cast wheels?
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
Ok cool, so seems like it's mostly tire related. Was hoping it wasn't a known quark of the Road King. Checking the age would be a good idea, the DOT number is hidden under the fender and my sons sleeping so I'll check tomorrow.
It's got 60k on it so definitely not the stock tires. Looks to be Shinko 777's.
It does have spoked wheels so ill see if any are loose. Just bought it yesterday so didn't have a chance to dig into things much yet.
It's got 60k on it so definitely not the stock tires. Looks to be Shinko 777's.
It does have spoked wheels so ill see if any are loose. Just bought it yesterday so didn't have a chance to dig into things much yet.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
Took it in and the front tire was very out of balance, but the tire itself was pretty crappy so I replaced the Shenko 777 with an American Elite.
Wheel had to be trued too. Rides way better now, but thinking of switching the rear one up to just to even things out.
Wheel had to be trued too. Rides way better now, but thinking of switching the rear one up to just to even things out.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Oklahoma
Originally Posted by Torpedo1;17785728[left
Wheel had to be trued too. Rides way better now, but thinking of switching the rear one up to just to even things out.[/left]
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
Just curious about what the wheel "maintenance" cost as I am one who refuses to deal with spoked wheels. My Road King is a 2008 Classic and part of the deal was to remove the spoked wheels for cast wheels. Have never had to be concerned about loose spokes or a wheel not true.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 514
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From: Appalachia
Probably not a bad idea to replace the rear as well, check the manufacture date on the tire for sure.