tire balancing

[mark81]

I am going to need a new rear tire before next winter. Most likely going with the ATT.

Have any of you had bad experiences with ride on sealant/balancer or dynabeads?

Being a mechanic i have seen many cases of slime and fix a flat cause severe tire imbalances so the ride on baffles me. I have also seen thousands of tires with small amounts of water in tires from moisture condensation which seems like it would cause problems with the beads. However i have no firsthand experience with these products. Thanks

[Gavin_Sons]

I use the beads fro counter balance in both front and rear CT. They work great for me and many others I know that use them. But I also know some that mount their tires and wave a stick aroimd and say "abra kadabra you're balanced" and ride.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm a believer in the beads. I use Counteract brand but I think they are basically the same as the Dynabeads. I have used RideOn once with no problem. I really like not having the weights on the wheels anymore.

[mark81]

I like the idea of the flat repair with the ride on. is it a permanent repair or meant to only hold until a proper patch can be made? how would you even know if you have a nail in your tire that needs repaired if it isn't flat.

[old2soon]

My balancing is now taken care of on the bead principle.  I'm now using B Bs.  At my Lacasa I roll backwards to my garage and I hear them moving freely in both wheels.  And I'm running an A T T on the rear. RIDE SAFE.

[Firefighter]

I have been using Ride On for years, I like it to give me peace of mind that hopefully I want have a flat. If I didn't use Ride On I would just balance tires the normal way with weights. The formula is different from slime as it stays in the tire and only where it is needed. When you change tires the formula doesn't run out and get messy like slime. Look it up on line they have photos of it in the tire.

[MarkT]

I have used Ride-On for years.  I was surprised, first time I used it, how it eliminated a vibration I didn't know was there before. Used to static balance as I mount my own tires. Now I don't bother with weights. Just add the right amount of Ride-On.  The flat prevention in the center 2/3 of tread is a bonus.  Periodically check your tires for nails. Actually check the back tire.  Seems they go there after the front tire tips a nail up.  Never found one in a front tire. I won't hesitate to properly plug a tire and use it up completely.  Might do a proper plug/patch from the inside if it's a big hole.  I have had Ride-On seal a leak that wouldn't stop from a proper patch. I think it was partly delaminated so the air was travelling between plies.

You can use the ATV formula instead.  Much cheaper and does everything the bike formula does. Yeah I did a comparison test. I have 4 quarts on hand, bought on ebay around $20/qt instead of $16 for 8 oz.

[hubcapsc]

I mount my own tires. I started with a static balancer. I used dyna-beads once, I thought they worked,
but I prefered static balance, I didn't care for messing with those beads. Then, I ended up with a
leak on a tire that I had just mounted and as a wimp-out attempt at avoiding the whole tire removal
rigmarole I put in some Ride On... it fixed the little pin hole leak and I used that tire until it was
worn out. I always use Ride On now, though I stick with the Motorcycle formula. I love the Ride On
peace-of-mind, but since I have not yet picked up a nail or anything, it might be all in my mind...

An added benefit is no wheel weights. Regular Valkyries can at lease use those cool clip-on weights,
but the new Valkyrie wheel is only suited for those stick-on weights... I am glad I don't have to deal
with those things, bleghh...

-Mike

[Fazer]

Hi Mark--I use the Ride On also.  Have it in both bikes and they seem smooth.  Added the material, removed the weights and no vibration.  Have not had a flat so cannot attest to it's hole plugging characteristics, but seeing MarkT's post--I believe.

[pancho]

I use ceramic beads and do the mounting of tires myself,, the ceramic beads will not clump up if there is some moisture is in the tire. I know the principal of the Ride On is good because a top loading washing machine has a tire looking assembly mounted to the top of the drum with liquid in it for balancing. I had to replace one in the WHirlpool a few years ago when it went bad and it was enough to cause notice,, I mean walking across the floor and rattling the walls noticeable. I have kept away from the ride on type products, as when I have broken down other peoples wheels/tires with it installed, it is always a mess. Not sure if that is the case with Ride On itself.

[hubcapsc]

I have kept away from the ride on type products, as when I have broken down other peoples wheels/tires with it installed, it is always a mess. Not sure if that is the case with Ride On itself.

With RideOn there's icky goo that looks like something you wouldn't want to touch
way up inside the tire, opposite the tread on the outside. Changing the tire, though,
isn't anymore disgusting than normal  ...

-Mike

[Valkorado]

+1 for Ride On.  Another benefit, the stuff will help maintain proper inflation.  You'll discover that slow seepage and loss of a pound here or there is very rare.  You won't be firing up your compressor to top off your tires nearly as much.

I have been using the bike formula, one 8 oz. bottle up front and two in the ATT.  May try the ATV formula in the future.

[Gryphon Rider]

You can use the ATV formula instead.  Much cheaper and does everything the bike formula does. Yeah I did a comparison test. I have 4 quarts on hand, bought on ebay around $20/qt instead of $16 for 8 oz.

I'm not arguing with you, but Ride-On has something to say about that on this page:

"Q. Are all of your formulas the same sealant (interchangeable) and just packaged differently?

"A: No. We currently produce nine distinctly different formulas. All of our Ride-On TPS formulas are very different products. Each has been designed and engineered to provide you with the maximum performance in sealing and balancing capabilities for its intended application; i.e. Auto, Motorcycle, Commercial, ATV, Motoscooter etc.
For example, the differences between our Motorcycle and Auto formulas, the different shapes of the tires (flat vs. cupped/rounded), the differences in acceleration, and the differences in suspension dynamics, all play a crucial role in how these different formulas perform and why they have been engineered in a manner that is application specific. As another example our ATV sealant is rather viscous with rubber particles, which may create a severe vibration/balancing issue if it were to be installed into your Auto and/or Motorcycle tires. Furthermore, the ATV product is designed to seal larger punctures in off-road only tires."

[Grandpot]

Call me sentimental, but I just use weights.

[MarkT]

You can use the ATV formula instead.  Much cheaper and does everything the bike formula does. Yeah I did a comparison test. I have 4 quarts on hand, bought on ebay around $20/qt instead of $16 for 8 oz.

I'm not arguing with you, but Ride-On has something to say about that on this page:

"Q. Are all of your formulas the same sealant (interchangeable) and just packaged differently?

"A: No. We currently produce nine distinctly different formulas. All of our Ride-On TPS formulas are very different products. Each has been designed and engineered to provide you with the maximum performance in sealing and balancing capabilities for its intended application; i.e. Auto, Motorcycle, Commercial, ATV, Motoscooter etc.
For example, the differences between our Motorcycle and Auto formulas, the different shapes of the tires (flat vs. cupped/rounded), the differences in acceleration, and the differences in suspension dynamics, all play a crucial role in how these different formulas perform and why they have been engineered in a manner that is application specific. As another example our ATV sealant is rather viscous with rubber particles, which may create a severe vibration/balancing issue if it were to be installed into your Auto and/or Motorcycle tires. Furthermore, the ATV product is designed to seal larger punctures in off-road only tires."

Yep.  Marketing - an area I am VERY familiar with.  I used to lecture on marketing.  OF COURSE they need to justify $2/oz. price compared to 63¢. MORE THAN THREE TIMES AS EXPENSIVE - UNDER WHAT THEORY CAN THAT BE JUSTIFIED ON COST TO PRODUCE?  It can't be.  Pure marketing. You charge what the market will bear, while controlling demand (you want the demand to closely match your capacity) as long as your business plan needs have been met. I EXPECT them to come up with arguments to discourage ATV gunk in bike tires.  After all, they lose a TON of money if you get smart and buy the ATV stuff for $20/32oz instead of $16/8oz. They don't want the word to get out on this - and I wouldn't post it on HD boards - just here (not that this won't be delivered by Google anyway). I don't want to see the ATV formula to skyrocket - but I have quite a lot of it on hand. They could never get ATV users to buy the quantity those fat tires need, at bike gunk prices. But us bikers, hell ya, we are stupid enough to finance their retirements / mortgages / college tuitions. The ATV vs. bike gunk formulas are very close in viscosity and the ATV stuff balances just fine on my bikes.  I'm betting they plug holes just fine too, having had that happen a couple times since going to the ATV formula.

[Hook#3287]

Call me sentimental, but I just use weights.

I'm with ya, I've changed all my own tires, since the second, way back in 2000.  That was a lot of tires ago.   I had a dealer do the first because I was riding and noticed the wear bars.  Not being used to such low mileage, I didn't watch as close as I should have.  Luckily, they had one in stock.

I balance the way I was learned back in the 70's, prop the wheel up on the axle (I use two 5gal buckets) and spin, when it stops, mark, repeat, repeat. If you get three different stops, you're good.  If it stops in the same place, install weights at the top.

About 1/2 the time, the tire is good w/o any additional weight.

Never had any issues.

[MarkT]

Put in some Ride-On, and you'll be surprised that a vibration you didn't really notice disappears.

[mark81]

Thank you everyone for your helpful input. I was looking for negative input on these products since manufacturers dont advertise that stuff. I will take all the firsthand positive experiences from you guys as a lack of product failure.