New tires, funny noise?

[idukes]

Hi all. I just got some new Metzeler M-1 Sportecs mounted on my SV. Replaced my original stock MEZ4s after about 7600mi. I ended up riding in and having the shop pull the wheels and mount 'em, cuz the price was reasonable, and I couldn't wait to get the new tires on.

Anyway, on the way home I noticed a strange, rather loud high-pitched howling sound from the front wheel. It springs up at 60mph, and fades out again by 65. But right at 60, it's loud and clear above the wind and engine noise.

I went back to the shop to see if the wheel might have been balanced wrong or mounted funny or if something was rubbing, but they couldn't find anything wrong.

Right now I'm thinking it might just be tire noise, the fresh treads just happening to resonate at that particular speed and frequency.

Anyone experience this same phenomenon with new Metzelers or any other new tires? Any ideas if this is something I should be concerned about? Your insights are most appreciated.

[Setter32]

First...... make sure that the front wheel is where the whistling is coming from.

Second..... the front wheel basically never needs balancing. Take a look........ and you won't see any weights there. They may or may not check...... but normally it doesn't need balancing. Only the rear gets balanced........... Therefore that's definitely not your problem.

Third..... normally.....you should not hear any whistling. Check the rubbers...... make sure it's uniform through out. Make sure they installed it correctly..... check the seal between your rubber and the rim. Check to see if the front tyre is properly installed to your front fork. Check to see if you have sufficient space between your front brake pads and the disks. Check the tyre pressure.

I have the M-1s on mine. Never heard a whistling noise from them.

:D

[Bugg77]

and make sure the tread is running the right way... don't most motorcycle tires have specific directions that the tread is supposed to run?

[Setter32]

Good point......... and yes they do.


:D

[idukes]

Thanks very much for the advice.

I've checked the pressure, the rotation direction, and the proper mounting of the tire. Everything looks kosher. The wheel is straight and even and nothing seems to be scraping or dragging.

I think I might just have a tire that loves to sing. :)

It just lets out its wail right at 60mph, and when I pull in the clutch to quiet the engine, it's real clear the sound is coming from that front tire.

Oh well, living with it for now. Still probing and trying to figure it out. We'll see if it goes away as the tread starts to wear in.

[linp]

That's funky. Maybe it's a built-in feature your Sportecs have to let you know you're around the speed limit on freeways.

[NukleoN]

I have Sportecs too, and I don't hear the singing...but I do hear this crazy gangsta rap at around 85....

Thank you, thank you, you've been a great crowd, I'm here all week. :)

:clown:

[Denys]

Any one have an idea what the new how I have in my front wheel/tire. Sounds like a bearing going bad or tire noise similar to trucks with BIG knobby tires. It started when I had new M1 SportTecs installed earlier this week.

I've checked:
1. Tire pressure - OK
2. Re-torqued front mounting bolt - 47ft lbs
3. Tire rotation - OK
4. Retorqued brake caliper mounting bolts - 28 ft lbs

Any ideas?

Maybe the new tires are just nosier than the M-4's.

Denys

[panick]

i have no experience with those tires, but a howling sound would have me checking the bearings!
let us know what it ends up being.

[Burst]

this is gonna sound stupid but, double check to make sure they mounted the front tire properly. The tires are directional, indicated by an arrow on the side of the tire pointing in the direction of rotation. It is not likely that they could screw this up but it has happened to a few people I know.

Good luck man.

-Gregg

[Gmoney]

i went from the m4's to the m1's. the m1's make more noise at first but it goes away or i got use to it. next time i ride i will pay more attention. How many miles do you have on your new tires?

IMO a little noise is a small trade off for great performance.

[Gmoney]

Originally posted by Burst
this is gonna sound stupid but, double check to make sure they mounted the front tire properly. The tires are directional, indicated by an arrow on the side of the tire pointing in the direction of rotation.


the m-1's arent directional tires. they swing both ways AC/DC.



james

[Denys]

In response to some of the ideas.

1. I checked the tire mounting to ensure it was rotating in the direction of the arrow. That was my first thought. It was OK.

2. M-1's are directional - as indicated by the arrow on the sidewall.

3. There are about 150 miles on the new tires. I'll give it a few more miles then see if it goes away or have the bearings checked.

Thanks,
Denys

[Gmoney]

Originally posted by Denys

2. M-1's are directional - as indicated by the arrow on the sidewall.




oops.
i was looking on the left side of the tire and their wasnt a arrow. the arrow is only printed on the right side of the tire.



8-}

i better stop posting and go ride.

[Stinky]

I just got my M-1's the other day and I noticed that too. It dies down after awhile. It was kinda weird. I think it's because of the funky backward looking tread pattern on the front.

[Denys]

Heh, all!

Seems the howl went away after putting a few miles on the new tires. Glad it's gone :D

[idukes]

I posted with this same issue a while back when I first got my M-1's mounted. No one else could help me explain at the time because no one had heard it. I'm glad to know I'm no longer alone.

My howl happens at exactly 60mph, and fades off sharply above or below that speed. Anyone notice the speed-related effect with theirs too?

After 2 track days, and several hundred miles on the new tires, the howl is still there. Oh well. I love the tires nonetheless. My solution, don't ride at 60 mph! :D

Ian

[tempperson2]

How can I tell if my front wheel bearings are starting to go bad? When I pull in the clutch, and let it coast, I hear like a rumbling sound coming from the front wheel. It isn't very loud, but I am not sure what it is. This is pretty much my first bike, and I am not sure if there is something wrong with the bike, or if it is just noise from the tires. BTW The bike has about 6,000 miles on it, and it is a 2001 sv650s.

[bwarbiany]

Originally posted by tempperson2
How can I tell if my front wheel bearings are starting to go bad? When I pull in the clutch, and let it coast, I hear like a rumbling sound coming from the front wheel. It isn't very loud, but I am not sure what it is. This is pretty much my first bike, and I am not sure if there is something wrong with the bike, or if it is just noise from the tires. BTW The bike has about 6,000 miles on it, and it is a 2001 sv650s.

6K miles on original tires?

Not that that's a bad thing, the stock MEZ4's wear pretty well, but that could very well be the issue...

But to check the bearings, either take it to Gregg or a dealer :D

[tempperson2]

I guess I should have added this info to the post. The tire in question is a D208GP, I am not sure how many miles are on the current tires, as I just bought the bike a few weeks back. Is there a easy way to check the front wheel bearings without tearing everything apart??

[Reddog99]

To check the bearing, you need to remove the wheel from the bike and stick your finger in each bearing, apply pressure, and rotate the bearing. The feel should be smooth. Any roughness or play means a bad bearing. Don't let a bad bearing go unrepaired. It could lock up the front wheel unexpectedly. This is an easy check that should be performed each time you put on a tire.

Pat

[OSO]

So I have been hearing this sort of grinding/bearing sound from my front suspension or front rim. I'm not sure what it is but it's getting louder. Has anyone had this problem on their bike? or if anyone can point me in the right direction as to what too do, I would greatly appreciate it.

I have lifted and spun the tire with no success of pinpointing the problem it seems as though it's when there is weight on the front tire.

[poopoohead]

hey i got the same problem but mines not like a break skweal its like something else i cant explain

[SoloToto]

considering the year of your bike and estimating you probably have a good amount of mileage, it's probably your front wheel bearings. i would inspect and replace them asap before you seize your front wheel.

[OSO]

It's a 2001 with 10,000 miles as of today. Is it easy to replace or should I have it done?

[EviL]

I think you need some kinda thingy that goes brrrrr... to get the bearings out..
:confused:

[SoloToto]

it's one of those "simple in theory with the right tools". but if the bearings have begun to seize, which it sounds like they are, let a good shop do it. less of a headache and stress for you. the bearings have to be pressed out and the new ones pressed in.