Front end noise sounds like bearing

[KenStar]

Hi I'm new here and just bought my first Royal Star Venture and still leaning the bike. Its a 2008 with only 11k miles on it, when I'm on freeway 70-80 mph I can hear the front end more on slow turns. Sounds like bearing to me is this possible or is this just fairring noise??

 

all replies welcome

 

Thanks

 

Ken

[V7Goose]

It is probably just tire wear. This is almost certain if the bike still has stock brickstone tires and the rear is worn flat in the middle.

Goose

[KenStar]

thanks for your reply Goose. has a newer Metzler about 3k on it, back also metzler bout the same miles by eye don't know for sure.

[steamer]

Highly unlikely it bearings with such a low mileage bike. What exactly does it sound like? Maybe its just the clutch whine.

[KenStar]

Thanks for reply

 

At high speeds FWY 70-80 mph load wine (like bearing to me) and when I lean into a FWY turn it gets 2x loader, I had FJR1300 for 8 years never heard this before even with tires on there way out put over 40k on it, lots of tires and brakes. So 1st RSV not sure if this is normal or something going on? Planning long ride sure don't want a brake down

 

Ken

[steamer]

Best to have the bearings checked before you head out on your trip.

[Condor]

Thanks for reply

 

At high speeds FWY 70-80 mph load wine (like bearing to me) and when I lean into a FWY turn it gets 2x loader, I had FJR1300 for 8 years never heard this before even with tires on there way out put over 40k on it, lots of tires and brakes. So 1st RSV not sure if this is normal or something going on? Planning long ride sure don't want a brake down

 

Ken

 

Check your tires again. While runing low psi the sidewalls will flex, and cause the tire to cup. This will cause viabration when making a turn. At 11,000 you aren't even close to having a worn bearing. Always keep the tire pressure at sidewall spec.

[KenStar]

Thanks Condor will do, oh one other thing before I bought it the bike got pinched in between to cars damaged front finder and trunk nothing else, never even fell over. could this cause bearing damage somehow?

 

Ken

[Condor]

Thanks Condor will do, oh one other thing before I bought it the bike got pinched in between to cars damaged front finder and trunk nothing else, never even fell over. could this cause bearing damage somehow?

 

Ken

 

I'm assuming that the 'squeeze' wasn't a bunch so the bearings should be just fine. However if it was an impact there is a possibility of bending the forks, but this still wouldn't cause the any vibration. Your steering could get dicey, but not cause vibs.

Take your hand and run it along the edge of the front and back tire. You should feel 'cups'. This is what causes a vibration when taking any type of turn and the bike lays over.

[dysfunctional33]

I was getting a type of hum and vibration that you are describing on my 84 royale and it turned out to be my rear.

[friesman]

I have a metz 880 on the back of my 03 RSV and it has exactly the same noise and vibration youre experiencing. When I look at my back tire after running on a bit of dust you can actually see the cupping as the low parts stay dark. The issue is less when the tire is at 50lbs air, but it still is there.

Also, a low speed corner I also feel the individual vibes and noise from the cupping hitting the pavement.

 

I am replacing the tire next week with a Michelin Commander 2 as the noises and vibrations are a pain, and I don't want to lose chunks of tread when I am on vacation.

Ive read quite a few of the metzeler 880s seem do seem to blow chunks.( on a couple of levels... )

 

Brian

[Condor]

I'm going to replace the rear and front tire on the '07. Basically because they are Metzlers, and the rear tire is getting thin. I haven't been on a bike for over two years because of health issue's, but planed on meeting up with a friend for lunch on Friday and taking the '07, but had to reschedule. Went to top off the tire presures since the bike had been sitting for a while before I bought her last month. The front looked almost new, but when I got down there and took a look at the rear the tread was getting very thin. Not a big confidence builder with a Metzler. I did go for a short ride this morning...yea!!.., and the bike didn't handle well. Squirley and jumping around. So just ordered two E3's from Jake Wilson in Utah. The '99 has 3's and it handles great. All the way to Cody and back in '11... 4,000miles total and they look new. Handling was great in the twisties.

[dacheedah]

that could be under warranty still , not for damage if there is any. I would check TP and run with the TP posted on tires. whine is common in a range, don't usually hear it at that speed, if it is a bearing when you speed up it will get louder and faster.

[MikeWa]

+1 on warranty. It is not very likely a bad bearing but a dealer can easily check it for you. Most often it is tires. Also make sure the IC level on your radio is set to 0. Sometimes that will pick up noise and transmit it to the helmet speakers if you have them.

 

Mike

[KenStar]

Thanks to everyone here comments are great and I did find cupping on rear tire and don't like wear patern on the front. Going to replace both easy to check bears when its off the ground. Anyone have recomendations for RSV tires.

 

Ken

[MikeWa]

A lot of people do not like Bridgestone but the new Exedra Max tires have multiple rubber compound and are holding up real well. They also come in the right sizes with a choice of tread depth. Just make sure it's the Max tire and not the original equipment Exedra.

 

Mike

[KenStar]

What is everyone running on thier RSV I have Metzler Marathon 880's 150/80 -16 front and 150/90 -15 rear. Have cupping on rear and don't like looks of front like to replace them both. Don't see alot of options for front. All replies welcome

[Condor]

What is everyone running on thier RSV I have Metzler Marathon 880's 150/80 -16 front and 150/90 -15 rear. Have cupping on rear and don't like looks of front like to replace them both. Don't see alot of options for front. All replies welcome

 

AVON Venom's or Dunlop E3's, or Michelin Comanders??

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Probably clutch, driveline, or brake caliper noise. I doubt you have a bearing issue.

 

When it makes the noise, try downshifting, or upshifting...see if the noise changes.

 

Try applying light front brake pressure, see if that changes the noise.

 

Next, try light acceleration, then decelerate, using throttle only, see if that changes the noise.

 

Finally, if you still cant isolate it: Pull in the clutch, and kill the engine with the kill switch, leaving ignition on for lighting. Is it still doing it while coasting? (do this one away from traffic obviously)

 

Tell us what you find.

 

[friesman]

I am putting Michelin Commander 2 on mine later this week, came highly recommended by a few ppl, and thought I would try them out. I wouldn't recommend the bridgestone , I have the exedra on the front and it makes the bike feel very heavy at low parking lot speeds. And with the Metzeler 880's cupping so badly , I just want to change both tires to get a change in performance.

 

Brian

 

And it looks like Southwest moto has them on sale 33% off http://www.swmototires.com/Michelin-COMMANDER-II-TIRE-detail.htm?productId=17865476&pos=0

Edited July 17, 2013 by friesman

[Phoneman1981]

Welcome to the site. Dulop E3's are my reccomendation. Some owners suggest a narrower front tire to improve the slow speed handling.

[dacheedah]

take a ride in a quiet place and record the noise you hear, then post the clip here so we can hear what you are hearing.

[MikeWa]

I don't know why people don't balance motorcycle tires and then are surprised when cupping occurs.

 

Mike

[Condor]

I don't know why people don't balance motorcycle tires and then are surprised when cupping occurs.

 

Mike

 

Because balancing has nothing to do with cupping. It's low tire pressure and sidewall flex that causes the scrubbing/cupping. Nothing else....

[MikeWa]

Yes and bouncing down the road like a rubber ball has no effect.

 

Mike