What is the best way to balance a motorcycle tire?

How To Balance a Motorcycle Tire by Yourself

1. Mount your motorcycle wheel on the wheel balancer. Make sure your static balancer is sitting nice and level.
2. Check the wheel balance and mark the lighter side.
3. Add counterweights to the lighter side of the wheel.
4. Recheck the wheel balance after adding the counterweights.

Can you balance a motorcycle wheel on the bike?

The correct way to balance a wheel is, of course, on a dedicated wheel-balance stand. But you can even do a rough job on your bike—the principles remain the same. If so, tape a wheel weight onto the rim at the light spot. …

Can you balance motorcycle tires yourself?

You can protect yourself and your motorcycle by balancing your tires before going out on the road. By adding adhesive weights to the tire’s lighter end, you’ll be able to enjoy a much more stable and controllable motorcycle ride — all you need is a static balancer to get started!

What happens if motorcycle tires are not balanced?

What will happen if I get an unbalanced motorcycle wheel? An unbalanced motorcycle tire spells danger. The misalignments and vibrations affect the wheel spindle and the wheel bearings causing premature wear. Too many vibrations could also lead to loose fasteners and tires will go hotter leading to uneven wear.

What does an unbalanced motorcycle tire feel like?

An imbalance tire feels like a wobbly steering. Tires will also show an uneven and faster tread wear. Out of balance tires show scalloped or cupped wear pattern or a bulge on the sidewall.

How often should motorcycle tires be balanced?

every 12,000 miles
A good rule of thumb is that your tires should be rebalanced every 12,000 miles driven or every other time your tires are rotated. Having your tires balanced as part of tire rotation is a quick and easy process that could save you time and money in the future.

How often should you balance motorcycle tires?

A good rule of thumb is that your tires should be rebalanced every 12,000 miles driven or every other time your tires are rotated. Having your tires balanced as part of tire rotation is a quick and easy process that could save you time and money in the future.

How much does it cost to balance a motorcycle tire?

Balancing, Weighing and Mounting Motorcycle Tires Some shops include installation in the cost of the tire, while others do not. Additional charges may include $12 per tire for balancing, $4 per tire for weighing and mounting, and $2 per tire for a recycling fee.

Why do motorcycle tires not last long?

Motorcycle tires do have softer compounds which wear faster but to make the tire last longer you could simply make the wear layer of the tire thicker. Manufacturers don’t do this on most motorcycle tires because the added weight would compromise performance.

How long should a motorcycle tire last?

Tire Age. You should replace the motorcycle tires if they are over five years old. However, this is a general guideline to follow, and it does not apply to all situations. You may be able to use tires that are older than five years if they sat in storage for the first one to three years without extensive damage.

Why is it important to balance your motorcycle tires?

Balancing your motorcycle tires is an important aspect of maintaining your bike. Unbalanced tires can cause uneven wear which can lead to unsafe driving conditions (up to and including loss of control). Properly balanced tires ensure a smooth ride. Anytime you purchase new motorcycle tires,…

What happens if I get an unbalanced motorcycle wheel?

One common symptom for vehicles with imbalanced tires is poor fuel economy. A balanced tire will roll smoothly and will help the tire prolong its life. Aside from comfort, balance tires will make the trip safer for you. What will happen if I get an unbalanced motorcycle wheel?

What kind of weights do you use to balance tires?

Most of the balancing done when you purchase a new tire will be done with metal weights. These weights are different sizes depending on how much each one weighs and is attached to the wheel rim.

How can I tell if my bike tire is balanced?

Test the wheel by rotating it until the heavy and light sides are on the right and left again. When the wheel is balanced, the tire will not move. The heavy side won’t fall back to the bottom. Give the wheel a few extra tests to make sure it is balanced.

How do you balance a motorcycle tire?

One way how to balance a motorcycle tire is by adding weights. Once you have identified the lightest part, which is 180 degrees from the heaviest part, you can now start to stick some weights.

What are the symptoms of a wheel out of balance?

The common symptoms of out-of-balance tires are uneven and faster tread wear, poor fuel economy, and vibration in the steering wheel, the floorboard or the seat that gets worse at faster speeds. When all areas of the wheel-tire unit are as equal in weight as possible, the tire will roll smoothly.

What is a motorcycle wheel balancer?

A motorcycle wheel balancer is basically a shaft, or axle, that rides on a couple of bearings. Different sized adapters are usually required to fit the various types of motorcycle wheels, front and back.