2007 FJR - Question About Front Brakes and Tire Noises

[slo-ride]

I have 9400 miles on my OEM Metzeler tires. The back looks fine (still have deep treads) but the front looks worn and flat in the middle. I'd say it's time for a front tire change so I'm taking care of that business. Recently, say in the last 3000 miles or so, I've been noticing a rumbling noise / vibration / humming noise when I lean the bike into a turn. It is only when I'm turning. Riding straight up, I do not hear it. It sounds like it is coming from the front tire but I can't rule out the bearing. So I jacked the front tire off the ground and gave it a whirl and to my surprise, it did not whirl freely like I thought it would. The brake pads were applying a small amount of contact which only let the wheel spin about 1/4 a revolution. I heard no grinding/humming noise.

Questons:

1. Do worn tires make funny noises?
2. Are brake pads supposed to be in light contact with the disc at all times?
3. How do you know when it is unsafe to ride on a tire?

Thanks for helping.

 

[Fred W]

Questons:

1. Do worn tires make funny noises? yes
   
2. Are brake pads supposed to be in light contact with the disc at all times? yes
   
3. How do you know when it is unsafe to ride on a tire? when the cord shows. Somewhat earlier if you ride in the rain, YMMV
   

 

[scubatech]

I have 9400 miles on my OEM Metzeler tires. The back looks fine (still have deep treads) but the front looks worn and flat in the middle. I'd say it's time for a front tire change so I'm taking care of that business. Recently, say in the last 3000 miles or so, I've been noticing a rumbling noise / vibration / humming noise when I lean the bike into a turn. It is only when I'm turning. Riding straight up, I do not hear it. It sounds like it is coming from the front tire but I can't rule out the bearing. So I jacked the front tire off the ground and gave it a whirl and to my surprise, it did not whirl freely like I thought it would. The brake pads were applying a small amount of contact which only let the wheel spin about 1/4 a revolution. I heard no grinding/humming noise.
Questons:

1. Do worn tires make funny noises?
2. Are brake pads supposed to be in light contact with the disc at all times?
3. How do you know when it is unsafe to ride on a tire?

Thanks for helping. My front Z6 was sot at 6000. My rear still looks ok. But it's really hard to read the center of that tire because there is no tread. I check it every ride. There are some tiny wear bars just off to the side of the center of the tread.

 

[ionbeam]

...I've been noticing a rumbling noise / vibration / humming noise when I lean the bike into a turn. It is only when I'm turning...It sounds like it is coming from the front tire but I can't rule out the bearing. So I jacked the front tire off the ground and gave it a whirl and to my surprise, it did not whirl freely like I thought it would. The brake pads were applying a small amount of contact which only let the wheel spin about 1/4 a revolution...Questons:

1. Do worn tires make funny noises?
2. Are brake pads supposed to be in light contact with the disc at all times?
3. How do you know when it is unsafe to ride on a tire?

1. Yes, worn tires can make funny noises, some brands more than others.

2. Yes, more about this below.

3. How big are your balls, and how much nasty handling are you willing to put up with? Other than that, cords, flats, bulges and splits are the ultimate death knell.

======

It is normal for disk brake pads to be in light contact with the rotors. A 1/4 turn of the wheel may be less than normal. I would suspect that the brake calipers and probably the brake pistons need cleaning. Slightly push the brake pistons in like you would to change the front tire, only not nearly so far in. This will take the brake pads out of contact with the rotors. Now give the front tire a spin. The tire should spin freely with no rough spots and no clicking noises. If it spins and is quiet the bearings are most likely good. As long as the front tire has always been installed correctly, no high pressure washer has used and no high pressure air was used to dry the wheels, I couldn't imagine that a '07 would have bad wheel bearings.

Remember to use the brake lever to pump the brakes back up before finishing this job. Check the front wheel for rotation after pumping up the brakes. IMO, if you can only get 1/4 turn again with a hefty spin, then you should clean your brake parts sooner than later. This dragging will lead to premature and uneven pad wear.

 

[Fred W]

3. How big are your balls, and how much nasty handling are you willing to put up with?

I'm really, really hoping that was a rhetorical question... :blink:

 

[user 213]

Some of us actually change tires at the wear bars.

Some tires handle too badly before you reach the wear bars to leave on also.

The raised ridges between the tread are the wear bars, when they are even with the tread, it's time.

Your Balls May Vary

 

[Fred W]

Your Balls May Vary

My balls are so small that I have been known to change a front tire with 2/32 of tread left (before a big trip and when expecting rain).

But they definitely do not need any rough handling!! :blink:

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

3. How do you know when it is unsafe to ride on a tire?Thanks for helping.

Most correct answer:

Some of us actually change tires at the wear bars.Some tires handle too badly before you reach the wear bars to leave on also.

The raised ridges between the tread are the wear bars, when they are even with the tread, it's time.

Your Balls May Vary

TWI -- Tread Wear Indicators -- found along the periphery of your tires (Federally mandated, I think?).

[sarcasm]Shows the benefits passing motor vehicle laws....?[/sarcasm]

 

[NH Tarbender]

Want the bike to handle like the first time you go on her? Just change the tires (both) with no regrets.

 

[user 213]

But they definitely do not need and rough handling!! :blink:

:stun: Owww.

 

[slo-ride]

Thanks for all the great answers. I'll be getting some new tires and riding cautiously until I do.

Thanks!!

 

[Bogus]

The Bridgestone OEM tires that came on my 08' started making that "funny" noise when slightly leaning the bike at about 2000 mi. It was due to the front tire cupping because of shitty design, and me not running enough air pressure in it. This has happened to other bikes that I have owned as well. Since getting the Metzler PR2's, and keeping a close eye on the air pressure, (40psi front and rear) I have experienced no cupping on the front in 4000 mi. so far. The "rumbling" noise is noticeable at very shallow lean angles, but I don't think it is dangerous,...just annoying. Check those tire pressures often!!

 

[happyPuppy]

I noted the same thing as Bogus. I think I noticed it more on the FJR as the cupping was worse. I too, have had tires cup on other bikes , but not as bad as the 021's. I would clean the pads with brake cleaner too while the tires are off. I get a fair amount of road crap on them

 

[slo-ride]

The Bridgestone OEM tires that came on my 08' started making that "funny" noise when slightly leaning the bike at about 2000 mi. It was due to the front tire cupping because of shitty design, and me not running enough air pressure in it. This has happened to other bikes that I have owned as well. Since getting the Metzler PR2's, and keeping a close eye on the air pressure, (40psi front and rear) I have experienced no cupping on the front in 4000 mi. so far. The "rumbling" noise is noticeable at very shallow lean angles, but I don't think it is dangerous,...just annoying. Check those tire pressures often!!

I've been running the standard pressures as published in the owner's manual. 39 PSI Front, 42 PSI Rear. Isn't this correct?

 

[Fred W]

Yeah, those are good. I usually run at 40F (Strata) and 42R (Roadsmart). It varies a little with the individual tires and use. If I'm going to tear up some twisties I'll drop the pressure just a pound or two max.

The 1st gens owners manuals recommended some silly low pressures.

 

[YAM TOM]

I never seem to wear out front tires, they always have to be replaced because of cupping or uneven wear. Always run proper air pressure, have tried many different brands and always end up with the same problem. I usually have 3 or 4 bikes around and it seems like im always buying tires for something

 

[user 213]

I never seem to wear out front tires, they always have to be replaced because of cupping or uneven wear. Always run proper air pressure, have tried many different brands and always end up with the same problem. I usually have 3 or 4 bikes around and it seems like im always buying tires for something

Some tire designs are horrible for cupping, (BT-020/021), but is it conceivable that your "proper" air pressure is perhaps too low also? Just thinking out loud.

 

[Fred W]

It's also possible that you may be replacing tires that you believe are excessively cupped that are really just fine. Some amount of un-even tread block wear is completely normal. Unless it is horrendous it won't reduce the tire's grip of the road surface much if any. Just because they sing a little when leaned over is no reason to trash them.

This is a good description of why tires wear the way they do: linky

 

[blakebird]

The Bridgestone OEM tires that came on my 08' started making that "funny" noise when slightly leaning the bike at about 2000 mi. It was due to the front tire cupping because of shitty design, and me not running enough air pressure in it.

Pretty bold to claim shitty design when you admit you're running them underinflated... but sure, some tires cup worse than others on this bike.

IMO the BT-020 is not a shitty design, just an old one. They've been around a while.

In the last 13 months and 27,400 miles, I've gone thru the oem BT-020's, Roadsmarts, Avon Storms, and BT-021's.

Every one of the fronts has cupped badly, shortening usable life with lots of tread left. It was most noticeable on my favorite tire, the Storm...IMO because of it's thin, flexible carcass - the very thing I think gives the tire such good feel. I'm fastidious about air pressure and balance.

It's down at Supertune getting a valve lash check and TB synch, and they're reworking the suspension w/ Racetech and Eibach springs, oil, some innards, etc.

Part of that is just so I can rule out poor factory setup (oil level, etc). I'm still getting very good mileage out of a set of tires.

I'm used to ~5k sportbike miles on a rear - 7k on a front, and I'm easily getting half again that before they're toast.

Opposite my usual experience, fronts go away before rears on the FJR....but it's close enough to do both and just suck it up.