Tire Out of Round

[BIG--T]

I just bought new tires and felt a little vibration but just thought I had to break them in for 20-100 miles. Fast forward 900 miles and the vibration is worse. I think I got a front tire out of round. Any suggestions on an accurate and easy way to check? It is also pulling to the right on smooth even pavement.

The stupid service manager asked how do you Know its pulling to the right? I told him I let go of the handle bars and he said Honda doesn't recommend that!!  I laughed and said yea when I was younger I  stood up on the seat! I let go of the bars plenty of times especially on a long trip and she's always run straight!!  

Thanks for any help!  

[Tfrank59]

you'll need to lift the front wheel and test for runout--both wobble (side-to-side) and radial (up and down).  Ideally you'd use a dial indicator and should measure no more than .060" (1.5 mm).  Hopefully your rim is undamaged and isn't part of the problem.  If there's excessive tire runout, the shop that sold/mounted the tire should make it right under warranty.

Here's a video of a guy checking a car tire runout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkpbs9ns5u8

[Bagger John - #3785]

Dunlop D206?

Used to be a delamination problem with them "back in the day".

[saddlesore]

I know it seems obvious but are you sure the bead is set completely?  I usually run the pressure up to  be sure.                 

[sandy]

What tire brand and what pressures are you running?

[Firefighter]

I had an out of round Metzler front tire, shook the front end at speed. I raised the front wheel off the ground and spun the tire while holding a screw driver close. Could see the high spot immediately, could also tell that the tire was seated correctly.

[Ricky-D]

There's really no such thing as a motorcycle "pulling" and what you are experiencing is simply an off-center balance. There are many things that can alter the center of balance on a motorcycle, such as sitting and posture, loading, and frame misalignments. Transient things like aerodynamics can also have temporary influence in altering the center of balance.

***

[BIG--T]

Thanks guys for all your help!

Thanks Tom for the  video and  no my rims aren't damaged. I rolled in smooth as silk on bald tires and rode out like a dump truck!  

Yes they were seated and I put the usual 40/42 and it was really rough. Lowered it to Honda specs and helped some but 900 miles later its still there.

Firefighter,  my bars are vibrating some but I really feel it in my floorboards and seat.

What would cause it to pull to the right? Just like a car out of alignment. Would it be the front or rear tire?

[Bagger John - #3785]

What would cause it to pull to the right? Just like a car out of alignment. Would it be the front or rear tire?

Double-check your forks...the pinch-bolt tightening process as described in the service manual should be followed. See if that helps the problem.

[big poppa pump]

Thanks guys for all your help!

Thanks Tom for the  video and  no my rims aren't damaged. I rolled in smooth as silk on bald tires and rode out like a dump truck! 

Yes they were seated and I put the usual 40/42 and it was really rough. Lowered it to Honda specs and helped some but 900 miles later its still there.

Firefighter,  my bars are vibrating some but I really feel it in my floorboards and seat.

What would cause it to pull to the right? Just like a car out of alignment. Would it be the front or rear tire?

When was the last time you checked your U-joint? This is what I found when I experienced vibration on my footpegs.

[BIG--T]

Thanks guys for all your help!

Thanks Tom for the  video and  no my rims aren't damaged. I rolled in smooth as silk on bald tires and rode out like a dump truck! 

Yes they were seated and I put the usual 40/42 and it was really rough. Lowered it to Honda specs and helped some but 900 miles later its still there.

Firefighter,  my bars are vibrating some but I really feel it in my floorboards and seat.

What would cause it to pull to the right? Just like a car out of alignment. Would it be the front or rear tire?

When was the last time you checked your U-joint? This is what I found when I experienced vibration on my footpegs.

WOW!    I sure hope not! She just turned 30k and never been checked since I owned it