Want to Turn on its Own

[Red Diamond]

I purchased wheels with Dunlop E3's already mounted. Tires in good condition, polished wheels, bearings good, installed new brake pads front and rear. Installed both wheels per instruction from manual. Problem is now bike wants to turn its self in turns or u-turns. Before this installation I would always have to make it turn (push to turn at high speed) and the usual lean at slow speeds. If I lean it now it just seems to want to flop over. What could be the problem? Could it be the worn E3's or something I didn't do correctly? Thanks in Advance.

[Joe Hummer]

You didn't mention what tires you took off...how many miles on them...their general condition.  

It is perfectly normal for new tires to ride much better than the old ones did.  Because they wear slowly, you get used to the poor handling by the time the tire wears out.

One word of caution on the E3's (and this comes from my personal experience and others may have different experiences...), I had an E3 on the rear last year and it seemed to wear out quickly and cupped real bad.  Make sure you check the tire pressure regularly. 

Joe

[R J]

I might not be understanding what you are trying to say, BUT, what you described should be normal.

Ya lean her over a little and the front wheel should turn by itself.   If you had to actually push the bars before, I'd bet a $$$ to a donut, your center tread in the old tire is flat, not rounded.   TOO much I/State travel, not enough curvy back roads.........

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

Check tire pressures, especially the front tire. I have Avon on front but when the pressure gets low it wants to dive in the corners. If the pressure is right try a few pounds more in it and see if that helps  

[Red Diamond]

The tires I took off were dunlops (OEM). I purchased new E3's for installation, but after I found these shinie wheels and slightly used tires, I desided to rack the new ones and install the used ones with the wheels. I am headed to the cold garage to check air pressure and anything else I can check. By the way, I am a real of a straight liner (Rider). Thanks for all the info. LOL

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I had Dunflop E3's on my bike without a doubt the worse tires I've ever rode on even worse than the Dunflop D206 that came on the Valkyrie in 1998. I've stated here before that those tires should be outlawed before they get someone killed. My front slid out from under me 3 times before I took it off one of those times it came close to putting me into a guardrail in a sharp left hander on The Cherohala Skyline....I would'nt run those tires if Dunflop gave them to me with free mounting.

[Red Diamond]

First, thanks, secondly don't think I'm a DA, but in by excitement to test ride I forgot my safety upbringing. Front tire pressure 20psig, rear tire no reading on guage. As soon as I nerve up to the 24 degrees outside I will test her again and let all of you know the results. Again thanks.

[Patrick]

Pressure of 20 on the front and nothing on the rear??!! Hopefully,, Maybe you just found the problem..

[Red Diamond]

No wonder she was so hard to back pedal out of the garage yesterday. Today she just rolled out with ease. Correct tire pressure does wonders. Steers good, turns good.

[R J]

No wonder she was so hard to back pedal out of the garage yesterday. Today she just rolled out with ease. Correct tire pressure does wonders. Steers good, turns good.

What do you consider correct pressure?   Front & rear.

I run 44 to 48 in my front, MC tire on rear, close to 50#, car tire 35#.

[bigdog99]

i run 38 in front and 42 psi on car tire in rear, cant get more or i rub, riding 2 up most of the time

[sugerbear]

i've had e2 on front of two bikes + ridding buddies bike GREAT tire. never had a skid or slip through heavy rain and tail of the dragon.

dark side on rear of both.

but then i don't ride like the devil was on my tail either.

[Red Diamond]

I make um even, 41psig each.

[Earl in Pensacola]

I went over to Avon Venoms severl years ago and because of all the Personal" PSI experiences I called the Avon rep. He recommended, for the Valk, frt/rear=38/42 stone cold.  I will tell you that I average 18 to 20K on the rears and 28 to 30K on the frt. Presently, my front tire has 27K and looks to be good for at least another3 or 4K.  I do not run tiree until they are "bald". I have documented proof of my claim, as I've kept detailed records on this bike since I bought it new in '97.  By-the-way, there is now 214K on the bike.  Those miles per tire "averages" are not a fluke, as I have gone thru at least three sets of Avons and it's consistant.  I recently decided to try for more miles per tire and mounted a 205/65R16 car tire.  After 2000 miles that $100. car tire is for sale for $50. and I have a new Avon Cobra back on the Phat lady. 

[Farther]

45# both front and rear Metz.

[Jess from VA]

First, thanks, secondly don't think I'm a DA, but in by excitement to test ride I forgot my safety upbringing. Front tire pressure 20psig, rear tire no reading on guage. As soon as I nerve up to the 24 degrees outside I will test her again and let all of you know the results. Again thanks.

Dude' I'll bet she rode like crud with those pressures.  LOL  Glad you manned up to admit it.

There is not one maintenance issue more important to your riding safety than your tires.  You are not allowed to forget to check pressures after a big tire/wheel change service (like I did the first time a car tire went on the rear, but at least I had 30).  LOL

[Red Diamond]

I can appreciate the (CRUD) comment. You're a kind man, cause that is stating it mildly. LOL

[czuch]

I've run Dunlops ever since I've had the Valk. 43 rear 33 front. I have alot of "tar snakes" here and I was sliding on the twisties. After I let go of the seat, I found those pressures works best for me.
 I've heard of the separation issues with all tires.   
  What crackes me up is new Michelins for my suburban are cheaper than retiring the bike.