New front tire with balance beads

[gordonv]

I just installed my new Bridgestone Exedra Max 130/70-18 with balance beads. Took it out for a little slow ride to get it dirty, in the neighborhood, and it felt really weird.

It was like the tire was loose. Get up to speed and all is well. Slow down, and it's feel fine, till I almost stop, and then the front feels loose again.

It feels to me like the wheel starts out of balance from a stop. Get up to a speed, and the beads do their job and balance the tire. Slow down, and the beads loose their "balance" and all is crap again, loose.

I've never heard anyone say this kind of thing before. I did not have the tire balanced, and then beads added, but beads only. 2 oz in the front. Stock size tires was 2 oz front and 3 oz rear. Stock tire, so recommended amount. I have 5 lbs, so if I need more, I have it.

[mello dude]

Really would like to see posts on this, as I'm getting ready for new tires. ...

[MarkT]

Don't get any weird behavior with Ride-On.  Of course it doesn't move around inside as much, being a viscous fluid.

[Motorider]

I have been using Dyna Beads for several years. My tires feel smooth at ALL speeds. I think it is even smoother then the old wheel weights. The biggest pain I have, is getting them into the new tire, because of the 90 degree bend in the valve stem. If you used the correct amount of beads, I think you should look for another cause to your problem.

[gordonv]

I'll take it out for another 100 miles or so (short town trips) and then take the front apart again and recheck the front bolting procedures.

This is the second tire for this bike, back to the original rim, from the spare rim I just removed.

Just verified on Dynabeads, 2 oz on 130 mm and wider width front wheels.

[sixlow]

I heard some say this before but I do not experience any of this myself. Did you make sure it was dry in there and nothing sticky inside the tire, I have heard the beads can clump together if moist. 2 oz. front 3 oz. rear is correct.

[gordonv]

Bought the tire from a MC shop, close to the same price I could buy online from the US, and they charged $25 to mount. All was a nice fair price, with very little work on my side.

I'll make a better effort next time to have a mounted spare on my extra rim, so I'll have it before I need it. I missed the Valhalla Rally with my MC because I wore it out going to Inzane, and felt it didn't have another 1K miles to safely ride on it. Wife was happier ridding/sleeping in the convertible rather than on the back of the bike.

[Thespian]

 Dina beads recommends you have the tire balanced when mounting. The beads are for the finite balancing of the tire not the overall balancing.

[mello dude]

Dina beads recommends you have the tire balanced when mounting. The beads are for the finite balancing of the tire not the overall balancing.

Wait a minute - what?

[Steve K (IA)]

Dina beads recommends you have the tire balanced when mounting. The beads are for the finite balancing of the tire not the overall balancing.

Yep.     That's what is going on with my 2 Valks.  Balance weights on the outside, dyna beads on the inside.  Real smooth ride.

[R J]

My understanding is Ride-On nothing else needs done.

Add the Ride-On and forget it.


Dyna-Beads, you do the 1st balance and then add the beads to do the rest of the balance.

In almost 70 years of riding, I have never tried either the Ride-On or Dyba-Beads.

Didn't fell I needed either.

Only thing I have ever added to a tire is a product called SLIM.   It is basically to stop slow leaks.    The ones you can't find with the water test.

Practically all of my yard equipment has this in them due to all the thorns ya run over in the yard.    Otherwise you are airing tire up everytime you go to do anything.

[houstone]

Any new tire, especially a front, is going to feel "tippy" when compared to the worn out one you have gotten used to.  This is especially true when you are looking for something, such as paying extra attention after changing your method of balancing, or whatever.  The first few days of a new front are always extra exciting, until I get used to the new, rounder profile.  Try another bike and see if that doesn't feel funny too!
Good luck!
Jeff

[BonS]

Just for the record, Innovative Balancing FAQ:

Q: Do I need to remove my wheel weights?

A: Motorcycles, scooters, Yes. Most other vehicles, no. Many of our car and SUV customers have found that the addition of 2 - 3 ounces per tire in conjunction with their wheel weights makes the vehicle ride much smoother than before, increases tire mileage, and eliminates most future balancing requirements.

And also . . .

Q: If there's moisture in my tires, will it stop the beads from performing properly?

A: NO. You mean will it clump? Dyna Beads have a perfectly round, uniform surface, they are very heavy, and resist clumping.
...and because they are 100% solid ceramic, they don't rust!

[gordonv]

OK. I thought I had read somewhere that someone was only using the beads for balancing. No fixed weights.

I suppose after a while and getting used to it, if it is still loose, then maybe brake the tire bead, and vacuum the balance beads out. Balance the tire with fixed weights, then add the 2 oz of balance beads back.

[BonS]

OK. I thought I had read somewhere that someone was only using the beads for balancing. No fixed weights.

I suppose after a while and getting used to it, if it is still loose, then maybe brake the tire bead, and vacuum the balance beads out. Balance the tire with fixed weights, then add the 2 oz of balance beads back.

Gordon, read the quotes above again. You're right, don't use fixed weights, use only balance beads. I've never used fixed weights since using the beads. Never a problem.

Have you done a thorough inspection of the tire's bead to make sure that the bead is evenly seated all around the rim? It could have been mounted a bit wonky and that's what you feel until the beads redistribute and smooths things out a bit. If so, then breaking the bead and re-seating the tire could make things right.

[2qmedic]

Also......
check to make sure the tire is not out of round or miss-mounted on the rim. Happen to me once and drove me nuts for a few days until I figured that one out.
But, that being said....
I have used Ride-On for about 50k miles now and wouldn't ride with out it. It a new level of smoooooth.

Cheers

[gordonv]

While I was mounting on the bike, I did spin the new wheel after getting the axle in, looking for any run in/out of the rim. Wasn't checking the rubber, only the metal rim.

Been busy (birthday today), so haven't had any time to ride. Most likely get out on Tuesday night for my regular meeting/ride. Will check over a few things, and see how it behaves.

[wingrider02]

Happy birthday!

[gordonv]

Thank you! That was nice.

Friends and family. Food all day. Napping. And nice drinks (hic!).

[gordonv]

Well, do I ever feel stupid!     I almost didn't want to post what I found.

I was so used to driving my bike as it was set up, I didn't remember that I didn't have my co-pilot on the back, but I also had my spare tire on the cargo carrier on the rear of my bike. 

The extra weight on the rear, was making the front a little light. It's actually less weight than I would have been carrying when my wife and I go on a trip, but without her in the passenger seat, it made more of a difference.

Removed the tire, placed it on the rear seat, went for a ride, and no issues.

The carrier is now removed from the bike (and so is the spare), so I wont be doing this again.

Now just need to get some miles on my new tire.

Thanks for the help.