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[Spenny818]

Hi folks,

I recently replaced the rear tire on my 2013 S at 16,000km. I installed an Avon RoadRider, however since it has been replaced I have noticed a slight vibration on the bike. It is most noticeable between 30-60km/h, and it almost feels as if you are riding on cobblestone. I don't hear any noise that is out of the ordinary, and I tried adjusting the belt alignment with no change. Any thoughts on what could be causing this?

[protomech]

Wheel bearings, or slightly off-balance after mounting the new tire?

[grmarks]

I had this problem on my Aprilia ICE scooter. Felt like the front tire was elliptical at slow speed. It got worse as the tire wore down. I complained the the Aprilia dealer just after buying it, the response "probably the tires", no offer to try and fix it!
I lived with it until I wore the tires out. Put new tires on and problem was gone.

[Richard230]

The most likely thing to check is the wheel balance. Installing the balancing weights may not have been done correctly.

When wheel bearings go they usually make a rumbling noise first and can be easily checked by taking the wheel off and rotating the bearings with your finger.  If anything is wrong with the bearings they will feel "rough" when being rotated.

[Doug S]

I'd agree with Richard, most likely it's wheel balance, though that generally doesn't go away with speed, it usually gets worse. If you shop actually didn't balance the tire, you need to find a new shop...that's really basic stuff.

Is the belt tension correct? First time I had the rear replaced on my 2014 SR the mechanic over-tightened the belt, which caused a vibration that only happened in a range of speeds...higher or lower speeds were smooth. I loosened it a tad and it went away completely.

[Spenny818]

Thanks guys. I will check with the shop to see if they balanced the wheel. If that doesn't fix it, I will tinker with the belt adjustment a bit more.

[hippiesparx]

Is the belt tension correct? First time I had the rear replaced on my 2014 SR the mechanic over-tightened the belt, which caused a vibration that only happened in a range of speeds...higher or lower speeds were smooth. I loosened it a tad and it went away completely.

There's no need to touch the belt when removing and replacing the rear wheel.
If your tyre fitter can't R&R the wheel properly or balance the wheel after fitting a new tyre, kick him in the nuts and find a competent tyre fitter.

[Spenny818]

Just curious, but how do you replace the rear tire without touching the belt?

[BenS]

Lol, Spenny, I was wondering the same thing!

[hippiesparx]

Just curious, but how do you replace the rear tire without touching the belt?

I'm an electrician, not a tyre fitter.
These guys managed it, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Motorcycle-MAD-Mechanical-Dyno/440617306113827 .
Mick made the point that Harleys have a similar set up and that it saves arguments about belt tensions.

[Erasmo]

Thanks guys. I will check with the shop to see if they balanced the wheel. If that doesn't fix it, I will tinker with the belt adjustment a bit more.

Take a look at your rim weights if they look new or not. It could be that the balance was spot on when they put the new tire one so they didn't need to install new ones but that rarely happens.

[Spenny818]

It doesn't look like any rim weights were added. I am taking it back in tomorrow to have them check the balancing. I will report back.


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[Spenny818]

They had a look at it, and said there isn't anything wrong. One mechanic suggested it's possible it is a problem with a slipped belt on the tire, because he has seen that on Avon tires before. Maybe it's all in my head 

[Doug S]

Seriously....just try loosening the tension on the belt a tad. It made my problem go away completely.

[Burton]

Seriously....just try loosening the tension on the belt a tad. It made my problem go away completely.

I second this. Also if you can use a flat jack to get the rear wheel off the ground and spin up the rear a bit it can help ID problems depending what happens when you do.

If I feel vibration in the rear the first thing I do is check for flat spots and tire wear. Then I check for wheel weights (I have had them fly off in my direction before btw). Then I check belt tension. Then put bike up on stand and check for sound with wheel off ground. If it is still there I remove belt and check front pulley for play and make sure the rear pulley is tightened down. Then re-adjust tension on belt when I put the belt back in place and check it again.