Front Tire Howl

[tenxxx]

I bought my black B in march of this year with 8500 miles. Have since put 2k miles on it.
I am really starting to notice a howling from the front tire in turns. The tire pressure are kept at 41 psi.
Will go up a few pounds today to see if that helps. It is the factory tire with no signs of ware of any kind.
I notice also that as I come up from a lean in a corner that the howl doesn't go away completely.
Is front tire road noise normal. I know the bike is heavy, but you can hear it coming through the handle bar pockets at speed.
Just something to gripe about I guess. I have a few other bike do the same thing.

[coffee_weasle]

sounds to me like the howl i get after 4,000 or 5,000 miles on the rear tire (bridgestone).

as the tire wears the rubber on the leading edge of the tread grooves presses into the groove as opposed to wearing off.
it creates little "points" that protrude.

so when ever i lean over into curves i can hear a "humming".

listen closer maybe the "howl" is from the rear

[opas ride]

I bought my black B in march of this year with 8500 miles. Have since put 2k miles on it.
I am really starting to notice a howling from the front tire in turns. The tire pressure are kept at 41 psi.
Will go up a few pounds today to see if that helps. It is the factory tire with no signs of ware of any kind.
I notice also that as I come up from a lean in a corner that the howl doesn't go away completely.
Is front tire road noise normal. I know the bike is heavy, but you can hear it coming through the handle bar pockets at speed.
Just something to gripe about I guess. I have a few other bike do the same thing.

I can't speak for some, but 41psi in the front tire, Dunlop E-4's. make my bike ride like a lumber wagon...No howling that I hear from the newer tires, but I do remember some road noise with the OEM tires...I would reduce the front psi to around 37/38 and try that....Regards

[Rickc]

I get quite a bit of road/tire noise coming up from the front tire. One reason I wear ear plugs.

[terryboyle]

This noise is annoying but bearable.
The other wing forums suggest (for OEM tires)
39 up front, 41 in the rear.
Do not exceed maximum recommendations of mfr.

[billsim]

I had the same howl from the OEM tires on my 2013 last year. Had about 12000 miles on them and saw that I had worn down the tires center area on both front and back.
Only heard the sound when turning.
Replaced both tires with the newest Dunlop E4's that have harder rubber in the center.
Have put another 8000 miles on these and cannot detect any center wear like I saw on the OEM Bridgestones.
Really happy with the new tires.

[Kokomo Kevin]

I have some howl with my rear right now at 10K miles, front looks good still, So what is recommendation for the next set of tires?

[opas ride]

I have some howl with my rear right now at 10K miles, front looks good still, So what is recommendation for the next set of tires?

Some like Avons a lot and many prefer the new Dunlop E-4's over the OEM tires..I have Dunlops and they work fine and wear great.....Many choices available..

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

Difference in tread wear from the center to the side of the tire. Normal, all MC tires.

[P.Sutton]

+1 for the E-4

[Rudy]

My OEM tires started to howl on turns at around 8,500 miles. By ten thousand miles they really howled, especially on long sweeping turns. I put Avon's on at the 10,500 mark and have been very happy with them so far.

[Kokomo Kevin]

Got Avon's on my legacy Valkyrie, and have been real happy with them for several sets, may move to them once the Stones wear out.

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

The E-4 also make the same noise in the corners.
Turn up your music.

[tenxxx]

I can't speak for some, but 41psi in the front tire, Dunlop E-4's. make my bike ride like a lumber wagon...No howling that I hear from the newer tires, but I do remember some road noise with the OEM tires...I would reduce the front psi to around 37/38 and try that....Regards

I did lower the pressure a few pounds and the noise is almost gone. Will lower it to 37/38 today and see what happens.
Thanks

[opas ride]

The E-4 also make the same noise in the corners.
Turn up your music.

I don't know what noise your hearing in corners my friend, but my E-4's are as quiet as a "church mouse" on the road and corners....Regards and ride safe

[billsim]

I don't know what noise your hearing in corners my friend, but my E-4's are as quiet as a "church mouse" on the road and corners....Regards and ride safe

Agreed!

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

I've got about 8000+ miles on mine. They're noisy once off the chicken strip.
They wear well enough though. 40/40 psi.
YMWV

[jm21ddd15]

Normal, for the OEM Stones to howl as they wear, when in the corners. Doesn't bother me, and does not affect the handling. I just figure, my bike is "singing" happiness, because It's getting ridden!

[olegoat345]

could be several things, wear issues, air pressure too hi or lo or the worst, tire coming apart on the inside. I've seen the insides torn all to hell & the outside look just fine. I've tried several brands on several different bikes. In my opinion, AVON makes the best MC tire made. They make a pair just for the GW, call AVON USA for the AVON P/N. After 10's of thousands of miles, never a mfg. issue, always a good smooth ride, quite, great wet & dry traction, hold air, great tire mileage. Last ones I brought, Dennis Kirk had the best prices. I always use beads, 1oz in the front, 2oz in the rear. Might want to order new 90 degree stems at the same time. Make sure they send the ones for the GW (they have larger hole) = good luck

[ckwizard]

Completely normal.
Just turn the music up a little.

[tenxxx]

I've been riding and changing tires since the late 60's and never had this noise till 2010 was the first time I had a MC tire make noise.
Radials?

[olegoat345]

I'd suggest you've got a tire problem. Might have to check it on the inside

[jm21ddd15]

ever change tires on a pick-up, or a car? different brands don't all sound the same. No big deal. Same with bike tires. relax and ride!

[tenxxx]

Completely normal.
Just turn the music up a little.

Normal for you maybe.
I would just turn the music up but the oem speakers suck and you can't hear them either.
Any other ideas?

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

Taller windshield or better speaker-amp combo.

[olegoat345]

if you have questionable, brakes, steering or tires & ignore them, you're taking your life in your hands. MY LIFE is too important to let safety issues wait until tomorrow...………….. tomorrow might be too late.

[tenxxx]

Thanks for all the comments. Its gonna be a pita, when I have to replace the front tire. I've bought a few in the last 5 years and most of them make noise.
A couple known for being quiet. Just my luck I guess.