Wheel wobbles on brushed concrete

[self_moto]

Got new tires (Pirelli Angel GT2) on bike, and it wobbles like crazy (very noticeable) when wheel goes over brushed concrete (bay bridge is great example).

Had Michelin Pilot 2CT before, had similar issue, but not that noticeable.

With that being said - it goes fine on normal asphalt. So, I was wondering, does anyone else had similar experience with Angel GTs 2, or maybe have an idea how address this issue?

Thanks!

 

[DucatiHoney]

Different tires grab the grooves differently for me too. If it just happens on grooved pavement I wouldn't sweat it. If you feel something similar on buttery-smooth tarmac, I'd probably check all the bolts real good first, and then take it back to the shop. :laughing Have you just taken a wrench to stuff around the wheels just to make sure they're on tight? Gotten it up on a stand and seen if they wiggle when you shake the wheel? Obviously I'm not a mechanic, but I don't think you need to go on faith--try wigglin' some stuff on the bike as a step 1.

 

[Surj]

The GT2 has sipes that go around the middle of the front—those go all over the place on grooved pavement. I have those tires on my RT, and also noticed similar behavior when going from PR3s to PR4s on my old R1200R—the 4 had a different pattern that wanted to follow grooves more.

Make sure nothing's wrong, as Heather said, but there's nothing to be done other than roll with it, so to speak.

 

[solarae]

Geez, that's awful. I have an Angel GT on the front of my SV but not the GT2. When I pulled up an image of the 2 it was an instant reaction of Oh Noes!. I haven't had problems with rain grooves since the old days except for some Avons I was running on a little vintage bike. I thought we were done with that stuff. I learned to avoid tires with any kind of central groove like that.

.

 

[motomania2007]

As has been said by others, different tires react to rain grooves and grooves in pavement differently. The first thing I would try is adjusting tire pressures because a little bit higher or a little bit lower tire pressure, just a couple of PSI one way or the other, can affect how much the tire grabs the grooves in the road.

The next thing I would suggest is that even though the bike wobbles a little bit because it's gripping and following the grooves, relax your arms and grip because if you don't relax your grip it makes the wobble worse.

If you have a problem relaxing your grip I suggest keeping your eyes up well ahead, relax and breathe. Riding more rain grooves will help you get used to it and learn that the fact that bike wobbles a little bit and feels a little weird doesn't matter because you still have good grip and good control as long as you're not hanging on the handlebars too hard.

When I'm teaching new riders The term I use is a firm but relaxed grip which means you have a handshake level grip on the handlebars maybe even a little less but your elbows are totally relaxed so that the bike can wobble and find its path and you're not fighting it.

 

[self_moto]

Thanks for input! I thought the same - due to higher amount of grooves on tire, it catches up on every dip, kind of similar how squared rear tire start catching up on bigger cracks in road.

I will check head bearing, just in case (wheel and calipers should be fine, used torque wrench, and service manual). And most likely will try diff pressure!

Thanks !

 

[Cabrito]

Check you tire pressure too if you haven't already. I find the grooves are worse when the front tire pressure is low. (especially on knobbies)

 

[ST Guy]

But don't go high either. That will reduce your contact patch with the road and thereby reduce traction for cornering and braking.

Some tread patterns are more susceptible to road surface. Live with it and next time try a different tire.

 

[self_moto]

Live with it and next time try a different tire.

Pretty much what I'm going to do I think it will get less noticeable once it worn out a bit.

Back to roadtec 01 once these are done