Tire Balancing Pilot Road 2's

[jvb_ca]

Anyone else had any issues with balancing their Michelin Pilot Roads? Mounted a new set of Pilot Road 2's a short while ago, and after the second try balancing (by different places/machines) these tires still have a bit of a shimmy/vibration. I went through this with my last set of Pilot Roads. I ended up returning my rear and replacing it seemed to fix the problem. Now I have the same issue with my new Pilot Road 2's. I am getting tired of flipping wheels and tires on and off. Is Michelin QC going down the toilet? I have only heard of good things about these tires, but am starting to have second thoughts.

Cheers...Jake

[racerman_27410]

Jake,

I have not had any problems with the pilot roads or the pilot road 2's.... i usually balance my rim  (sans tire) and then install the tire.

only had to add weight a couple of times out of numerous sets of tires.

what are the date codes on the tires you're getting ? maybe old stock ?

KOokaloo!

[jvb_ca]

The tires are new as in dates from earlier this year. So you balance your wheel first then mount tire and then check balance? You do this yourself in a static balancer or on a dynamic machine?
The first balance was done by a friend at his shop with a snap-on balancer that you hand spin. Took lots of weight to get it to zero. The second balance was at a Yamaha dealer with bigger machine, and had no prob getting it to zero.

Cheers...Jake

Jake,

I have not had any problems with the pilot roads or the pilot road 2's.... i usually balance my rim  (sans tire) and then install the tire.

only had to add weight a couple of times out of numerous sets of tires.

what are the date codes on the tires you're getting ? maybe old stock ?

KOokaloo!

[Pat Conlon]

Yes, I have a problem on my '92 with my front tire.
Mich.Road 2; 120/70-17. Rear tire 180/55-17 is ok. I installed the set for the last WCR and I notice the vibration between 70-80mph. It doesn't shimmy, just a intermittent vibration, comes and goes.
I rebalanced the front tire to no avail. After the last ride 200 mile on Sunday it seems to be getting worse.
Shame, the tires are wearing well with over 5k miles on them, but the vibration is becoming unacceptable.

I think, I'll go back to the Pilot Power 2CT's on the front, like my '84.
The combo, Road 2's on the back, and the softer Power 2CT's on the front means that they both should wear out at the same time. I like to replace my tires in a set.

Pat  

[SkyFive]

Have you tried Dynabeads? I put them in my Dunlops and they ride great.

[jvb_ca]

Yes, I have a problem on my '92 with my front tire.
Mich.Road 2; 120/70-17. Rear tire 180/55-17 is ok. I installed the set for the last WCR and I notice the vibration between 70-80mph. It doesn't shimmy, just a intermittent vibration, comes and goes.
I rebalanced the front tire to no avail. After the last ride 200 mile on Sunday it seems to be getting worse.
Shame, the tires are wearing well with over 5k miles on them, but the vibration is becoming unacceptable.

I think, I'll go back to the Pilot Power 2CT's on the front, like my '84.
The combo, Road 2's on the back, and the softer Power 2CT's on the front means that they both should wear out at the same time. I like to replace my tires in a set.

Pat  

Thanks Pat.
My tires are basically new. Maybe 1000km on them so far, and have been vibrating since new. I might take it back to shop and see how just the wheel balances ala Franks method. The wheels are powder coated, and that has me thinking that maybe coating has created the out of balance situation. I know they are true and straight, but not sure about balance. Next time I think I will go with the Pilot Power on the front as well.
Dyna beads will never see the inside of my tires. Not sold on that theory. I know guys that have them in there tires and swear by them, but they never get over 120km/hr.

Cheers...Jake

[FJ Flyer]

There was a post on the FJR Forum that some of the PR2's are being made in Thailand and they are having issues with them.  Its supposed to say on the tire the country of manufacture.  The PR2s made in Spain are having no issues.

I'm still on my first set of PR2s and haven't had any of those issues.  I really don't like the feel of these tires.  For a long time it felt like they were riding on ball bearings.  Lowered the pressure and that helped. 

I started out with Dynabeads and they were worthless.  Front vibrated like crazy.  Pulled the rim and dumped the beads and rebalanced with the Marc Parnes and some weights and all was good.