Speed wobbles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dandiego]

Ditto what Skip and Hellfire said. Same symptoms. Bike rides smoothly until I take my hands off. She wants to rattle a bit.

I suspect the front tire and will replace it soon (at the 10K mark in June).

I'm looking at the Cobra/Avon.

 

[GPMAZ]

Since this is the Touring forum, I'd venture that the performance of the various tires is somewhat different from the Standard/Classic models.

With the original Bridgestones I would occasionally get a slight weave at speeds over 110. I thought is was a combination of tire wear, the windshield and luggage. But, I've not had it happen since I replaced the Bridgestones. When the tires went bad, low speed (under 25 mph) felt like I had a flat, it was very disconcerting.

I installed a set of Avon Cobras since the recall hadn't been issued yet. The Avons were night and day better than the Bridgestones. But, I only got about 7000 miles out of them. I probably could have gotten a couple thousand more but by then the recall was winding down and I had a set of Metzlers sitting at the dealership. The Metzlers are wearing considerably better than the Avons, currently at 7000 miles and lots of tread left. That said, I'll probably go back to Avons when these are gone. For me, the Avons handled the best of the three and living in Phoenix, wet weather is not really an issue.

 

[rainman]

skip it could be the road i have encountered that also but mine was cause by the road
they should be no r3t sold with brigestone they should have meltz on it
and i have had no problems with mine on wet roads have road in 2-3 inches on the road

 

[RocketDaryl]

The Metz are 10 times better than the Bridgestones, but Avons are better than Metz, IMO. That said, I have Metz (OEM) on my T-Bird and they're fine on that bike. I have Pilot IIIs on my Tiger and they're the best of all the tires mentioned. Of course, you won't get mileage with them, but traction is king, right?

 

[Elvis]

I also was disappointed (trying to be polite) with the Metz. The Avon recommended Cobras are just so much better ride.

I had already replaced my Bridgestones with the Avon when the recall came out and while the wear and handling was good with the Avon, the harder compound did not grip and stop as well in my opinion. My Dealer gave me a new set of Metzlers and kept the Avon but since my local tire guy doesn't carry Metzlers I will either go back to Avons and slow down or take a chance on a Firestone car tire and several Goldwings are using around here.

 

[GPMAZ]

I had already replaced my Bridgestones with the Avon when the recall came out and while the wear and handling was good with the Avon, the harder compound did not grip and stop as well in my opinion. My Dealer gave me a new set of Metzlers and kept the Avon but since my local tire guy doesn't carry Metzlers I will either go back to Avons and slow down or take a chance on a Firestone car tire and several Goldwings are using around here.

Interesting observation. I'm not sure I understand how you found the handling was good with the Avons but they did not grip as well. I thought the Avons were softer than both the Bridgestones and the Metzlers and thus handled better, with more grip, and subsequently, wore faster.

I won't be going to a car tire on my R3T nor will I be adding spinner hub caps, but that's just me.

 

[TxRIIIRider]

Also, check the head stock bearings. I had a bad wobble problem at about 12,000 miles. I've experienced it on other bikes before, so I decided to check the head stock bearings. The head stock bearing retaining nut and the lock nut above it were less than finger tight! If I didn't have a top triple clamp, I could have just spun them off by hand.

 

[Elvis]

Interesting observation. I'm not sure I understand how you found the handling was good with the Avons but they did not grip as well. I thought the Avons were softer than both the Bridgestones and the Metzlers and thus handled better, with more grip, and subsequently, wore faster.

I won't be going to a car tire on my R3T nor will I be adding spinner hub caps, but that's just me.

For one, my days of riding like I was 20 are over, to cruising was good, but needing to stop in a hurry was bad as the tire would slide instead of grip and stop. My bridgestone went away at 3000 miles, then came the Avon at 6800 and it still looked almost new. I have the Metz now at 10 and it will have to go soon.

 

[RocketDaryl]

Also, check the head stock bearings. I had a bad wobble problem at about 12,000 miles. I've experienced it on other bikes before, so I decided to check the head stock bearings. The head stock bearing retaining nut and the lock nut above it were less than finger tight! If I didn't have a top triple clamp, I could have just spun them off by hand.

Yup, I didn't think of that, but that could absolutely be the issue. I had a HD Heritage Softail Classic years ago and I didn't even have to watch the mileage to know when it was due for service. It would develop a wobble; everytime due to the headstock bearing needing adjusting/tightened. Also, low air pressure can cause a wobble. My R3T developed a wobble right after I got it (within a day or so). I checked the air pressure and the front was 8 lbs low. I inflated it to the proper level and wobble went away.

 

[GPMAZ]

For one, my days of riding like I was 20 are over, to cruising was good, but needing to stop in a hurry was bad as the tire would slide instead of grip and stop. My bridgestone went away at 3000 miles, then came the Avon at 6800 and it still looked almost new. I have the Metz now at 10 and it will have to go soon.

Ah, now I see the distinction. Braking versus cornering capability. The only tire I've had lock up on me is the Metzler. Lots of variables though. Roads, tire wear, inflation, riding style, and on and on.

For me the Avon is superior in all ways except mileage and at 62 I have yet to get over riding like I was 20. Maybe in a few years....