Bummed

[Wmitz]

So a week and a half ago I had American elite, rear, reverse mounted on the front. I have about 375 miles on the tire it’s been a headache. First day on the freeway home I was all over the lane. 40# air pressure. Seems to be very touchy with the lane crown. In the coming days I adjusted the air pressure down 39, 38, and finally 37 today. At 55-65 mph isn’t bad, still a bit touchy with the crown. I have loosened and re-torqued the axle nut and pinch bolt. Running down the road it feels like your getting blown around on a windy day. After todays ride, I pulled the wheel checked the bearings, absolutely no play. I ordered a spare set of bearing from All Balls, just in case. The bike was fine before the tire, there is no vibration, no wobble, tire works well in corners/twisties, seems to work well in the rain. Don’t see any imperfections, I’m baffled. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Olddog]

So a week and a half ago I had American elite, rear, reverse mounted on the front. I have about 375 miles on the tire it’s been a headache. First day on the freeway home I was all over the lane. 40# air pressure. Seems to be very touchy with the lane crown. In the coming days I adjusted the air pressure down 39, 38, and finally 37 today. At 55-65 mph isn’t bad, still a bit touchy with the crown. I have loosened and re-torqued the axle nut and pinch bolt. Running down the road it feels like your getting blown around on a windy day. After todays ride, I pulled the wheel checked the bearings, absolutely no play. I ordered a spare set of bearing from All Balls, just in case. The bike was fine before the tire, there is no vibration, no wobble, tire works well in corners/twisties, seems to work well in the rain. Don’t see any imperfections, I’m baffled. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

On my Triglide the manual calls for 36 psi for the front tire. I have no idea about your new tire.

[Old Road Dog]

How was the tire balanced?

[ultrafxr]

Had a tire like that once. After only a very few miles returned to dealer who admitted they had difficulty balancing it. Tire was defective and they replaced it.

[PosseRider]

Hope you get it figured out. I have an Amer.Elite on mine ,but a Front tire . Thought about a rear reversed but didn't do it.

[Burnerboy]

I also had a front tire mounted on my old 2002 from a Honda dealership............ paid for the replacement, and rode off, within the first 1/4 mile away, all hell broke loose with the new tire mounted... (my bike was bouncing all over the place) I turned around immeadially and reported it.... (there answer to me was: Oh it's all in my head)

My return answer to them was: you ride it and then tell me it's all in my head..........

They did ride it, and within minutes, returned, and they changed out the tire to another, so maybe it's a bad tire, like my problem was...

Ronnie

6/18/22

[Wmitz]

How was the tire balanced?

It has wheel weights. No vibration or bouncing at 90-95 mph.

[OLBLU]

If the tire has a lot of tread [ like 10/32" or more ] you might be experiencing tread squirm. If this is the case it will lessen as the tread wears down. It is caused by the amount of rubber wanting to flex around.

[Wmitz]

If the tire has a lot of tread [ like 10/32" or more ] you might be experiencing tread squirm. If this is the case it will lessen as the tread wears down. It is caused by the amount of rubber wanting to flex around.

Thanks. Very interesting thought. I originally thought it was the tire profile, front vs rear. I have also thought about not enough weight on the front for the tire to compress as it does with the weight of a rear touring bike. Maybe that is why is works a little better at softer pressures. The installer noted how much more robust the rear tires is compared to AV91.

[Old Road Dog]

I would rebalance the tire. It wouldn't be the first time after break in Ive seen a tire needing it. Also check break rotor run out and the pads of course

[DK Custom Products]

I am currently running my 2nd American Elite Rear reversed on the front of a Tri Glide.

I run 35-36 psi.

No issues.

I will note that some tires will feel a bit squirrely when new.

On Mary's truck, it wandered all over the road for the first 700 or so miles...they warned us it would...and then it was fine for the next 35000 miles til they were pretty worn out.

She had the exact same model tires put back on...and they did not wander around at all when new. Go figure.

Since it is good practice anyway, I would go to a big empty lot and practice 10-15 emergency stops, utilizing as much front brake as possible (which is pretty easy with ABS).

Get that PSI down some...and if it is still squirmy, see if a rebalance fixes it...if not, then might be time to get them to replace the tire.

Kevin

[Wmitz]

I am currently running my 2nd American Elite Rear reversed on the front of a Tri Glide.

I run 35-36 psi.

No issues.

I will note that some tires will feel a bit squirrely when new.

On Mary's truck, it wandered all over the road for the first 700 or so miles...they warned us it would...and then it was fine for the next 35000 miles til they were pretty worn out.

She had the exact same model tires put back on...and they did not wander around at all when new. Go figure.

Since it is good practice anyway, I would go to a big empty lot and practice 10-15 emergency stops, utilizing as much front brake as possible (which is pretty easy with ABS).

Get that PSI down some...and if it is still squirmy, see if a rebalance fixes it...if not, then might be time to get them to replace the tire.

Kevin

I stopped by the shop this morning, had a discussion, he too recommended drop the pressure to 35. So I will try that and then give it a 100 miles or so to let it settle for a wear pattern. Thanks.

[headheaded]

You could pull the weight off and install Ride-On in the tire which will actively balance the wheel all the time. If you can not get this resolved i would look at getting it replaced. This would drive me crazy.

[Notgrownup]

I think 40 psi is too stiff for the front. 35 would be a bit softer

[Wmitz]

So after dropping the pressure down to 35 it seems to be coming around. A lot more stable at speed over 70. Will have to see on the longevity. Thanks to all that advised.

[rhino 2]

So after dropping the pressure down to 35 it seems to be coming around. A lot more stable at speed over 70. Will have to see on the longevity. Thanks to all that advised.

Sometimes you have to compromise longevity so as to have stability and safety......

[DK Custom Products]

So after dropping the pressure down to 35 it seems to be coming around. A lot more stable at speed over 70. Will have to see on the longevity. Thanks to all that advised.

Good to hear on it feeling less twitchy.

My guess is that if you ride aggressively in the curves you will get around 15K before the wear bars show a new tire is needed.

If not so aggressive (or not a lot of curves) you will get close to 25K out of the tire.

Kevin