Bike destablized with new pilot powers
- Thread starter Rocketman
- Start date
HyperBus
Registered
The first front Pilot Power that I put on my bike was a bum tire and had to send it back to get a new one (checked by 2 different shops). I mount my own tires and these are the first that I have ever had to take down to get balanced. I am used to a balancing mark on the side of the tire to line up with the valve stem when mounting, and these do not have that. So you have to take them down to get balanced. I called Michellin and they said they no longer use that mark, so if it takes a lot of weight to balance the tire it should be rotated 90 degrees on the rim and then tried again. The second front I got still had to have a lot of weight to have it balance out and this was checked by 2 different shops. My third is ok. The problem I was having with them was a hopping up and down motion and the faster you went the worst it got. Once you have had these balanced, they are a great tire.
Several things to check, as mentioned above. Also check your chain alignment!
When I had a rear tire mounted and balanced at the dealer once, they inadvertantly forgot to reinstall the spacer, it was still on their tire mount machine! Fortunaltey I noticed it's absence before I remounted the tire.
Also, try 40 - 42 psi in front and rear.
When I had a rear tire mounted and balanced at the dealer once, they inadvertantly forgot to reinstall the spacer, it was still on their tire mount machine! Fortunaltey I noticed it's absence before I remounted the tire.
Also, try 40 - 42 psi in front and rear.
CorrodedAlien
Registered
IF the Pilots are anything like other "BIG BIKE" tires, they NEED higher pressures to be stable. Most really GOOD tires will feel "loose" at low speeds, no flat center, and fall into the curves w/ little input.
run'm up to 42 front and back and see if they wobble coasting down a straight ish hill in neutral w/ no hands.
run'm up to 42 front and back and see if they wobble coasting down a straight ish hill in neutral w/ no hands.
HiYaBruceA
Registered
Coming from Metzler Sportec M1P's and Dunlop D208's, my new Pilot Powers take some getting used to. The bike now leans much quicker and easier. If you look at their cross section they're more v-shaped than other u-shaped tires. I think this results in a smaller contact patch on the straights. Before I got the Pilot Powers I could ride on grooved highways and not notice it. Now with the Michelins the bike squirrels around a bit, not unlike my Harley Sportster with 160's? did. My spin on the three tires is that the Michelins are great for twisties and the track.......make our big bikes handle like 600's. Metzler's seem to provide highway durability, and are cool because the M1P's were built for the busa and ZX12R. The Dunlops do the job both on the track and on the roads............don't underestimate the Dunlop D208. It is a great tire, and priced nicely as well.
My bike turned in alot faster with the powers. I had ran rennsports before. A couple scrub in miles and all was good.
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