Why all the controversy surrounding Dynabeads?

[Fritz The Cat]

Just done a little research and found that there are believers and non believers and very few in between. I read a scathing thread over at the Goldwing forum where the poster basically said they were a farce and everybody who used them were idiots. You can imagine how that thread went, lol.

Anyway, you'd think that some scientific laboratory has done the proper research and determined whether they work or not. When I read comments like "The reason they appear to work is because most motorcycle tire don't need balancing in the first place", I have the wonder, where's the sanity in all this?

[FLAVALK]

I think they work....so long as the inside of your wheel/tire remains dry. However, get a little water in there and all bets are off. All compressors generate a certain amount of water.

[98valk]

great thds on the subject

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=353020

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631672

I use them on the bike and in my truck tires, both are smooth riding no vibrations.

[BonS]

In the old days folks used steel beads and they would rust and clump with moisture and indeed they would not balance properly. The Dynabeads are a ceramic formulation that is both heavy, durable and impervious to moisture. A little moisture in the tire from inflation hasn't been reported to cause any issues with Dynabeads. That said, a sloppy tire installer that gets tire mounting lube in the tire or on the inside of the wheel can gum things up.

A motorcycle tire mounting device manufacturer that requires using his goop inside the wheel for his mounting system to work is a very outspoken critic of Dynabeads. Gee, I wonder why?

A viscous material like ride-on tire sealant will hinder the free movement of the beads but, hey, ride-on moves about the inner tire itself and balances in the same way as Dynabeads. For that reason many choose Ride-on.

I've been using balancing beads for years without any problems. And cycle shops are used to installing them so I don't have to do a bunch of explaining like I used to.

[Fudd]

ride-on moves about the inner tire itself and balances in the same way as Dynabeads. For that reason many choose Rido-on.

That, plus Ride-on will seal a nail hole in the tread.  That's why I choose Ride-On over Dynabeads.

[Jabba]

I use them.  They seem OK to me. ???

Jabba

[salty1]

Fritz the wing rider IMO was demonstrating his own ignorance. He's probably one of those conventional guys and has little use for new innovations. Gotta love blockheads who have such strong opinions, but offer zero evidence for their position. Sure lead weight balancing can work but there are other options as you well know.
I also have been using beads for years and they haved work for me better than any conventional balance job. I have used ride-on in one set of tires and it worked well as a balancing agent, never punctured the tire. It did oxidize the inside of the aluminum rim, nothing serious.

[Canuck]

When I put my new rear tire (Avon Cobra) on in the spring, I used Dyna Beads.  The old (7k) E3 had a good size weight on it.  Just replaced the front yesterday with a Avon Cobra and used Dyna Beads again.  Smooth!  One thing I learned yesterday was that if the inside of the tire is ribbed, it could affect the performance of them.  The inside of the Avon is ribbed, but has a smooth surface in the center - approx 1.5" wide.
When it comes to the Wing, they don't recommend them if you have TPMS.  Apparently they can give you false low pressure warnings if they clogged up.  So I've been told....

I like em!  Hate the looks of the weights on them purdy rims.

[tmfp]

ride-on moves about the inner tire itself and balances in the same way as Dynabeads. For that reason many choose Rido-on.

That, plus Ride-on will seal a nail hole in the tread.  That's why I choose Ride-On over Dynabeads.

  same here.

[old2soon]

I drove for O T R X(they as a company are gone)and they used a very similar product in their over the road tractors. The got anywhere from 11% to 25% better tire life out of their equipment. And their tire shop of choice would reuse the old beads. Besides the overpressure(bad gauge)the beads might have a little sumpin to do with the 14454 miles i got out of a Metzler 880 on the front of my I/S. I for one use the product and i reccomend it to others.  RIDE SAFE.

[CajunRider]

Well... I have no proof that they do or don't work...

But I have used them on 4 tires so far without having to move the balance weights.  So I'm leaning to "Do Work". 

Worse case, they don't work but cause absolutely no problems.

[salty1]

It's reccomened that weights are removed when installing beads. I guess you just want to make sure your tires are balanced.   

[Tropic traveler]

Got 'em in the Avons on my '99 Valk. Smooth as silk past 110. I installed the tires myself completely dry, absolutely no "goop".
BTW, we routinely get 16-18K miles out of Avon fronts, that is with conventional weights. Haven't worn ot the DynaBeaded tires yet.