Wheels/Tires Questions and discussion about wheels and tires should be posted here.

Wheel Balance and Wheel Balancer Review

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2, 2022 | 04:27 PM
  #1  
L88's Avatar
L88
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 774
Likes: 320
From: St. Louis
Default Wheel Balance and Wheel Balancer Review

Last fall I purchased a 2021 Road Glide Limited at my favorite and trusted local HD dealer.
I noticed this when riding, there was a bit more vibration than on other bikes I test road.
I mentioned this to my service writer and we decided to address it at the 1000-mile service.
As I approached the 1000-mile service and rode at higher speeds the vibration was much stronger and unbearable at 75 and above.
I dropped off the bike for the 1000-mile service and described the vibration and when it occurred and that I was sure at least some of it was the front wheel.
On pickup, the service writer said they were not able to duplicate the issue.
Several rides after the service it was obvious it was as bad as before.
I took it back and again they said they found nothing wrong.
Frustrated I took it home, jacked it up, took off the brakes, and checked the balance on the axle. It was way off with at least 1oz more than needed in the wrong place.
So I adjusted the weight location and amount. Reinstalled the brakes and took it for a ride. What a frkn improvement!

I could have lived with it but I was concerned with the balance of the back wheel and "how much better could I make it with a real wheel balancer"?

So after a few hrs research, I purchased the Tusk Wheel Balancer online.
Amazon Amazon
It came in a few days with some 1/4 and 1/8 oz wheel weights that I ordered as well.
It was as the reviews said, assembly instructions were lacking but not that hard to put together.
It is totally utilitarian. Nothing fancy.
I put it together and leveled it. Put my previously, on the bike, balanced front wheel on the Tusk Balancer. I was surprised as to how far off the balance was, so I tore off the weights and started balancing from scratch.

The bearings on this balancer are very smooth and slick. I couldn't get the balance perfect but it was way better and I guess about a 1/16th off when I gave up and put it on the bike.
Did the same on the rear wheel which wasn't really near balance as well. I put the wheels back on and took it for a ride.
Holy ****! Smooth as silk. 85 feels like 60. My wife was impressed from the rear seat as to how smooth it is now.
I'm going to say this is the 2nd most effective tool I've ever purchased since I bought the Let's Roll motorcycle dolly and jack.
Going to balance my Road King wheels soon. I wish I had bought one of these decades ago as recommended to me by another DIY motorcycle mechanic.



 

Last edited by L88; May 2, 2022 at 04:35 PM.
Reply
Old May 2, 2022 | 04:34 PM
  #2  
Cobra1's Avatar
Cobra1
Road Warrior
Veteran: Air Force
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 1,325
From: DeLand, Florida
Default

Glad you got it fixed yourself - don’t go back to that dealer. Wow

Anyway, I use Ride-On tire balancer and sealant. Works surprisingly well and easy to install. Smoothest ride I’ve ever had. No wheel weights needed. Just a thought for next tire change.
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2022 | 04:39 PM
  #3  
L88's Avatar
L88
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 774
Likes: 320
From: St. Louis
Default

Originally Posted by Cobra1
Glad you got it fixed yourself - don’t go back to that dealer. Wow

Anyway, I use Ride-On tire balancer and sealant. Works surprisingly well and easy to install. Smoothest ride I’ve ever had. No wheel weights needed. Just a thought for next tire change.
I'm surprised by the dealer. Been going there for years with only premium service. There have been some changes and retirements. Nothing lasts.
I thought about the beads but I am confused and unsure from what I've heard and read. But still may go that way in the future for at least a test.
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2022 | 04:56 PM
  #4  
major105bc's Avatar
major105bc
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 5,065
From: GA
Default

I have a No-Mar balancer like the Tusk. I only use it for re-spoking and truing wheels now. A few years back I started using dyna beads. Now, I use Ride-On tire balancer and sealant like Cobra1. No ugly wheel weights and your tire stays balanced no matter how worn your tread gets. Ride-On is also easier to install than Dyna-Beads. Something to think about.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dakotabobcat
Gear and Other Items For Sale
1
Jul 23, 2017 01:54 AM
Drich57
General Harley Davidson Chat
59
Oct 15, 2013 09:00 AM
Subduedracer
General Harley Davidson Chat
42
Jul 10, 2013 01:18 PM
Hacker03
Touring Models
10
Oct 9, 2008 09:29 AM
thomasf59
Sportster Models
1
Oct 4, 2007 08:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:24 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE