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CVO Technical => Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Brakes => Topic started by: BrianT on May 14, 2019, 05:09:41 PM

Title: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: BrianT on May 14, 2019, 05:09:41 PM
I just had Michelin Commander 2 tires installed on my 2010 CVO Ultra. Now the bike is a bit squirrelly at highway speed. It turns easier but, it feels loose or unplanted when running down the road. I checked to make sure nothing was loose and that's good. Not sure about alignment though.
 Any one else have issues like this?
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: J.D. on May 14, 2019, 05:45:28 PM
What tire pressures are you running?
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: rayson56 on May 14, 2019, 07:20:53 PM
^^^and do you have them broke in? Before the 1st hundred miles new tires can be slick as snot. Twice I've witnessed people pulling out of the service dept. trying to impress those of us hanging around outside said dealerships and WHAM! down they went. Wasn't pretty.
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: iski on May 14, 2019, 10:07:41 PM
Could be rear tire alignment or tires are incorrectly balanced.
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: BrianT on May 15, 2019, 08:01:58 AM
About 40 PSI and I've put 600 miles on them. I'm starting to suspect alignment or it's the tires themselves. The thing that I also noticed is that these Michelins are actually made in Taiwan! Had I known that, I wouldn't have bought them.
Title: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: ultrafxr on May 15, 2019, 08:12:09 AM
Over the years I’ve had two different Dunlop tires with problems on two different bikes. A rear that was out of round and definitely noticeable in handling. A front that had way too much weight to balance and when complained that admitted to great difficulty trying to balance it. After replacement of these tires the problem disappeared. Have them check tires and balance. Defects can get out.


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Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: ultrarider123 on May 15, 2019, 08:54:56 AM
Over the years I’ve had two different Dunlop tires with problems on two different bikes. A rear that was out of round and definitely noticeable in handling. A front that had way too much weight to balance and when complained that admitted to great difficulty trying to balance it. After replacement of these tires the problem disappeared. Have them check tires and balance. Defects can get out.


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That should be the first words, in BOLD, of every Harley Davidson owner's manual... :bananarock:

As for the tires, what was stated in the quote above is very true.  You could have a bad tire...not that uncommon... :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: 110Mofo on May 15, 2019, 09:14:58 AM

 I personally inflate my tire pressure more than 40 lbs.



Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: VANAMAL on May 15, 2019, 11:03:06 AM
also ck the mfg date. Its an oval shaped impression on sidewall with 4 numbers. month or week and year. I got stuck with an old set once :bananarock:
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: Twolanerider on May 15, 2019, 11:31:02 AM
Just because a tire is new also doesn't mean it's without imperfection.  A bad new tire can mess with you because they are assumed to be good just because they are new.
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: ultra13 on May 15, 2019, 11:32:00 AM
Make sure the tires are installed in the correct rotation..."arrow"
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: BrianT on May 15, 2019, 02:11:18 PM
I had checked the "arrows" and both pointed down from the front. Seemed counter intuitive on the front considering the tread pattern. The handling "issue" is that it feels like I'm continuously getting strong winds from left , right, left ,right. Almost like I'm tailgating a semi truck. The bike seems like it wants to tip over,but at hwy speeds. I'm getting used to it now. Feels like the beginning of "Head shake" that doesn't escalate to loss of control. Speed does not seem to be a factor.
Could it be the fork/triple tree maybe lose? I picked the bike up on a frame lift and it doesn't seem to have any play in the steering but, it isn't tight either.
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: longlast on May 15, 2019, 02:18:59 PM
About 40 PSI and I've put 600 miles on them. I'm starting to suspect alignment or it's the tires themselves. The thing that I also noticed is that these Michelins are actually made in Taiwan! Had I known that, I wouldn't have bought them.

The same here,.....I was suprised too!

Haven't had any issues with mine I actually really like them.

As already mentioned check alignment,  easy to do yourself,...?use a board lay it on the ground against the tyre walls front and rear with the bike upright you'll see if the rear is out of line.
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: rayson56 on May 15, 2019, 02:20:00 PM
Sounds like a trip to the shop is in order as none of the obvious common sense stuff seems to be the culprit.

Let us know what you find...
Title: Re: Handling issue after new tires installed
Post by: grc on May 15, 2019, 08:42:18 PM

A defective tire or improperly mounted tire will give you that "loosey goosey" feeling, been there and done that.  Start with the basics, check the alignment of the rear wheel.  The Mickey Mouse adjustment system on Harley touring models leaves much to be desired, and you can't assume you will get a good alignment even following Harley's instructions.

Before you wait too long, take the bike back to the shop and get the problem on record, then have them recheck their work.  If the tires are mounted and balanced correctly, and the rear wheel is properly aligned, they need to contact the tire company for replacements.  I'm assuming you bought the tires from this shop, if you bought them online and just had the shop install them for you this whole thing might get much more complicated.

Good luck.

Jerry