Motorcycle tires feel weird?
I just put on new tires for my 1980 KZ750. I have changed the rear tire before but this is the first time the front tire has been changed. Is that handling supposed to feel a lot different. I know the tire is on right and there is 45lbs of air but it still feels weird. Is this normal for a brand new front tire. It is a different brand and style of tire then the original. I don't know why, but I just feel like something is wrong. Am I just being paranoid because its feels a littel different or is there something wrong? It almost feels like the tire is loose even though I have checked it and re checked it and tighened and tighened it.
The tires say that the pressure should be 41lbs (cold) so does that mean when its warmer it should be lower or higher? 45lbs doesn't seem too high.
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Tagged with: kz750 • rear tire • tires
Filed under: motorcycle tires
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Got my Savage in ’04. Replaced the front IRC with a Dunlop D404 in ’06, never noticed a thing. Replaced it again with a Metzeler last fall.
WOW!! Bike felt squirrelly. After a week or so as I got used to the change I realize that it was simply much more responsive.
nice
When you had your tire replaced was the wheel balanced with the new tire? And, how different is the tread pattern from the one that you have on your rear tire. A narrower pattern on the front may be picking up the rain grooves in the road and giving you the feeling of instability. Also check your distances from front to back axle on both sides of the cycle.
are you 100% sure you put it on right? ( valve stem location in relation to the tire mark).
and the new tire is the same size? ( diameter, and width).
also, how about the bearings?. are they in good shape?.
and also the brakes. make sure they are working properly.
here is what i would do:
i also change my own tires, been doing it for ever, and do most of the work on my bikes my self. with that said, get to know a good mechanic, or aftermarket shop, and take your bike there and have them look at it. it doesn’t hurt to have a second set of eyes.
take care.
The tire pressure is WAY to high for that model.
High tire pressure will inhibit the tire from flexing, putting a constant contact patch of tread on the ground and grabbing the road.
The front end will feel loose.
Consult your manual for the correct tire pressure.
If you’re sure you did everything right in re-assembly, It should be good, except, that tire pressure sounds kind of high. Good luck.
Are they both the same type tire? If one is a radial and the other isn’t you’ll get bad handling problems.Also never go by the pressure listed on the tire.That is a max pressure for a max load.I really doubt the pressure should be more than 38 to 40 psi.When the tires get hot the pressure goes up even higher.
you have to much tire pressure ,even running the maximum tire pressure marked on the side can be to much pressure try running your tire pressure down at around 32 psi to 36 psi this will allow the front tire to maximize the contact patch in turns I run my front tire at 32 psi and 36 psi in the rear tire
A different tread pattern or a different compound will make it feel strange at first. You also have another problem: too high pressure. The number on the tire is NEVER the one to use. Use the pressure listed in your manual, or on the sticker on the bike. One more thing about a new tire: mold release. Did you clean the tires before you took it out for a ride? The tire molds are coated with a release agent that will stay on the tire. It will make the tire slippery, especially in the wet.
As others have said, make sure that your pressure is set to what is listed in your owner’s manual or the placard on the motorcycle. If the pressures are right, then continue reading.
It sounds to me like you have a tire that is designed differently than the one you are used to. Different tires have a different radius, tread pattern, and rubber compound. All of these give each tire its own feel. I know riders that try different tires all of the time in search of the tire that "feels right." I know some of these people sometimes describe a set of tires as you have that something just doesn’t feel right. Sometimes they get used to the new set of tires, other times they replace them with a different tire that they are used to. Each manufacturer tries for certain characteristics, giving their tire a unique "feel." If you do not get used to the feel of this tire, try something else next time.
Another thing that it could be is that your old tire may have been "flat spotted." New tire usually has much more curvature than your old tire (if you ride like most people). The center of your old tire probably wore a "flat spot" which will make the bike feel pretty stable at straight ahead riding, but make it harder to turn. When you put a new tire on (even the same brand/model) your motorcycle can be much more responsive and feel "less stable." The first time I replaced both tires at the same time on my BMW, I had to get off and check air pressures, as my bike didn’t feel right… I though I had a flat tire, but it was just really responsive. I went from hanging off of the bike to make turns to just leaning my head one way to start into a turn.
You didn’t say what brand and model of tyres you put on, or where you bought them. If you bought on price alone, it’s not gonna be as good as a quality brand.