Centramatic tire balancing system?
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
One of the reason's I went with Dynabeads, I have the chrome Profile laced wheels. The ugly lead stick on weight's stand out like a sore thumb. I could have used weight's that fit around the spokes, But the Db's have been doing a great job for over 30K miles.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
I've never used dynabeads so this is second hand information but I'll share it anyways. I have a friend with a Yamaha FJR. Both he and I change and balance our own tires. A few months ago he said he was going to try dynabeads at his next tire change. I suggested to him - why don't you balance the tire conventionally, and then add some dynabeads simply to keep the tire in balance as it wears throughout its life. So that's what he did.
We went on a week long ride and after a few days he said the first thing he's doing when he gets home is to remove the beads. We were riding pretty aggressively through a lot of winding roads including the Dragon's Tail. Everytime he hit a bump he said he could feel the balance change as the beads were being jarred around within the tire.
Again, this isn't my experience, but rather the experience of a good friend whose judgement I trust (most of the time LOL).
I've never read a bad review of dynabeads here but I never talked to anyone who actually used them. Now I know one person who has actually used them and he was not impressed.
We went on a week long ride and after a few days he said the first thing he's doing when he gets home is to remove the beads. We were riding pretty aggressively through a lot of winding roads including the Dragon's Tail. Everytime he hit a bump he said he could feel the balance change as the beads were being jarred around within the tire.
Again, this isn't my experience, but rather the experience of a good friend whose judgement I trust (most of the time LOL).
I've never read a bad review of dynabeads here but I never talked to anyone who actually used them. Now I know one person who has actually used them and he was not impressed.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 614
Likes: 1
From: Houston
This makes a lot of sense on paper, but at speed and the number of revolutions the tire makes and all the other vibrations and noise I cant believe anyone is cabpable of "Everytime he hit a bump he said he could feel the balance change as the beads were being jarred around within the tire. "
So I'm callin BS on that. Even though it makes perfect sense.
So I'm callin BS on that. Even though it makes perfect sense.
I've never used dynabeads so this is second hand information but I'll share it anyways. I have a friend with a Yamaha FJR. Both he and I change and balance our own tires. A few months ago he said he was going to try dynabeads at his next tire change. I suggested to him - why don't you balance the tire conventionally, and then add some dynabeads simply to keep the tire in balance as it wears throughout its life. So that's what he did.
We went on a week long ride and after a few days he said the first thing he's doing when he gets home is to remove the beads. We were riding pretty aggressively through a lot of winding roads including the Dragon's Tail. Everytime he hit a bump he said he could feel the balance change as the beads were being jarred around within the tire.
Again, this isn't my experience, but rather the experience of a good friend whose judgement I trust (most of the time LOL).
I've never read a bad review of dynabeads here but I never talked to anyone who actually used them. Now I know one person who has actually used them and he was not impressed.
We went on a week long ride and after a few days he said the first thing he's doing when he gets home is to remove the beads. We were riding pretty aggressively through a lot of winding roads including the Dragon's Tail. Everytime he hit a bump he said he could feel the balance change as the beads were being jarred around within the tire.
Again, this isn't my experience, but rather the experience of a good friend whose judgement I trust (most of the time LOL).
I've never read a bad review of dynabeads here but I never talked to anyone who actually used them. Now I know one person who has actually used them and he was not impressed.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
I've got several thousand miles using Dyna beads on two different bikes now. I never feel them when I go over bumps, and in Colorado I ride twisties as much as possible, including the Million Dollar Highway this weekend.
I don't see using lead stick-on weights again for the bikes...
I don't see using lead stick-on weights again for the bikes...
Guest
Posts: n/a
DynaBeads IN My Experience have worked flawlessly for me in 2 different bikes (one had radial tubeless tires and one with bias-ply tubed).
The price for the beads is very affordable, they work great, and I see no reason to use any type of external balancing device.
The price for the beads is very affordable, they work great, and I see no reason to use any type of external balancing device.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
This makes a lot of sense on paper, but at speed and the number of revolutions the tire makes and all the other vibrations and noise I cant believe anyone is cabpable of "Everytime he hit a bump he said he could feel the balance change as the beads were being jarred around within the tire. "
So I'm callin BS on that. Even though it makes perfect sense.
So I'm callin BS on that. Even though it makes perfect sense.
And after reading your response I realized I did make an error in my first post. I shouldn't have said "everytime he hit a bump..." What I should have stated is that "on some of the more severe bumps..."
Another thing to consider is his bike. A Yamaha FJR is lighter, more responsive and nimble than most Harley's and the scenario he described would be easier to detect on that bike.
Last edited by 2black1s; Sep 25, 2012 at 07:48 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,650
Likes: 9,112
From: Snow Hill, NC
I have used dyna beads and the inside of the tire looked intact... now i am using ride on gel and puncture sealer and it does as well plus a tire sealer...i still leave the weights on.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 689
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
Just had a long talk with a couple old timers. One said the ceramic beads break and leave sharp edged particles flying around the inside of your tire. The other guy said you will have to grind down your disk lock if you have a balance wheel. They both have the Centramatic ring and love them. I still can't bring myself to spend that kind of $$$$. The good old fashioned lead weights always worked fine for me.
The balance wheels are pretty unobtrusive though.
They both said they had no problem with hard bumps.
The balance wheels are pretty unobtrusive though.
They both said they had no problem with hard bumps.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 689
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
Another thought - if any of these balancing systems really worked, why are there so many riders not haveing any success with them?
If the balancers did what we are told they will do there should be no complaints. It's either smooth or it's not smooth.
If the results were 100% positive, I would think about getting a system, but there's too many negitives for me to invest in one----especially $200+.
If the balancers did what we are told they will do there should be no complaints. It's either smooth or it's not smooth.
If the results were 100% positive, I would think about getting a system, but there's too many negitives for me to invest in one----especially $200+.