Tire noise?

[BentAero]

About 1,800 miles into a new set of Pilot Roads and I'm getting this terrible howling/singing/harmonic type sound that I *think* is coming from the tires. Unfortunately, most of these miles are on the center of the tire and the first hint of a 'flat spot' is already developing. Happens between 65-72 mph steady throttle as soon as you start to lean the bike the slightest bit for a curve in the road. Dead straight, no noise. Slightest lean either way, big noise. Tires or bad bearing?

TIA,

 

[Ignacio]

Very, very likely tire howl. See my recent experience with howl including fatigue induced paranoia of a rear-end failure ...including pictures!

 

[mdisher]

Welcome to PR's... The do howl, especially when cornering.

I can often hear them on my Dad's RT when he's in front of me.

 

[radman]

When new, my rear indicated the final drive was about to grenade. Took a bit to realize it was da meats.

 

[IRBR]

Maybe it's because I wear ear plugs. I've never heard my tires howl, only my engine's wail and a little wind noise.

IRBR

 

[dcarver]

I've had two sets of Roads, both were silent.

 

[kaitsdad]

I'm on my third set -

Es no noise. Vewwy vewwy qwiet.

 

[ELP_JC]

Pilot Roads or Pilot Road IIs???

The 'older' ones quiet down a lot with higher pressures, and last longer too. Try 38/41, and 39/42 if loaded. If you're already there, nothing you can do. Just finish them up and get something else. I'm getting the Stradas after I wear down the stock Z6s. Best S/T tire IMO, but haven't tried the new P/R IIs yet. Good luck.

JC

 

[schrecke]

I've noticed this on my Pirelli Diablo Strada's. I have the E-rear if that matters.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Although out of date, I've noticed this on the rear Avon 46 as well. Mine has a howl that you just can't ignore. The noise is much more pronounced than any other tire I've run. Good thing I only have one left to wear out!

--G

 

[Vstar2FJR]

Feel along the surface of your front tires, moving your hand with and against the direction of rotation. I'll bet you'll feel a difference depending on the direction of your 'feel', and in one direction it will feel rough, the other smooth. The slightest bit of feathering or the beginning of cupping is what is causing the noise. I also heard it on my original BT020, and every Azaro, and it was terible on the one Dunlop D220 I ran in the front. Only hear it when leaned over, otherwise dead quite. Those feathered/cupped tread blocks only hit the pavement in a lean, hence the noise.

Now the BT021 I currently have on the front is the noisest tire I've seen, even in a striaght line with no lean. I think it's because the tire sipes (grooves) are essentially perpendicular to the direction of travel. Whenever the leading edge of a tread block contacts the pavement, it will generate road noise. Michelins have a similar perpendicular siping arrangements, so you may be experiencing what I am with those. With the sipes angled, you get significantly less road noise until the cupping comes into play and those irregular tread blocks slam into the pavement.

 

[ngarider]

Almost through a set of PR's - no noise. Looking forward to the PR-2's.

 

[Fencer]

I put on a Pilot Power on the front. Brand new no cupping, no headshake decel wobble (70-0) at all, even at 2000 miles now.

It will intermitently howl. I've run 35 lbs when at EOM and 41 on the highway up and back. Straight or leaned, same road surface - it comes and goes and I can't tell that the road has changed. I found it irritating on a long trip.

I've noticed this on my Pirelli Diablo Strada's. I have the E-rear if that matters

I have the Strada (non E) on the rear and it is quite).