New tires noticeably noisy

[RVFRick]

I got new rubber on my 1990 Honda CB-1. The new Shinko 006s that came with the bike wore bald on the rear tire after about 4.8k miles in the hills. The front still had life but I got new rubber for both ends. I liked the Shinkos a lot and would not hesitate to get them again. Wanting to try something different I bought some Bridgestone S20s and had them mounted at Evolution Motorcycles in Santa Clara.

Still new to me with only 50 miles on them I immediately noticd they are much noisier. Hard to describe but they don't sound like what I'd expect from soft rubber rolling on asphalt. Instead the best I can describe is more of a low "roaring" of a hard rubber or even plastic sounding if that makes any sense. Like a hollow sound. Weird or normal? Nothing else was done on the bike except for a minor service oil change, chain tension, cable adjustment, overall check of the bike. Wheel bearings were inspected and deemed good condition.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

I've heard bikes moan before but it wasn't the tires... the chain was too tight...

 

[Edibrook]

I've heard bikes moan before but it wasn't the tires... the chain was too tight...

+1

 

[PaleHorse]

I don't believe it's the tires. I have a few K miles on a set of S21's and they don't make any noise.

 

[ST Guy]

Tires mounted correctly with respect to rotation?

 

[RVFRick]

Thanks guys. Direction correct and chain has slack.

Latest thought is the S20 sidewalls are stiffer and the stronger vibrations are using the front fender as an amplifying soundboard. It is a "hollow roar" sound. I should remove the fender and test.

 

[squidworth]

Back when I had a F4i, 929, and 954 they would all have that moan/hum when hard on the front brakes. Definitely not the tires, but noticeable across all 3 hondas.

 

[ScottRNelson]

You need to wear better earplugs.

 

[RVFRick]

You need to wear better earplugs.

:laughing
I hzve a bulk bag of 3M plugs that seem to do a decent job. The increased noise is unexpected. I tap on my fender with my fingers and it suspiciously has a similar timbre. Or I'm maybe I'm imagining :nchantr
Off to garage to remove fender.

 

[RVFRick]

Rode bike on smooth road to memorize noise volume. Removed fender and went for another ride. Immediately noticed noise reduction. So the fender plays a role in this.

Hypothesis is the fender's natural resonance is closer to vibrations from the tread pattern of the S20s than 006s. Not much to worry about or do just get used to it and try out the new tires :ride

 

[GB500guy]

Hi Rick, I just just installed an S20 on my CB-1 and now have the same noise. Never had it with BT45s. The noise sounds like what I would expect to hear with a stethoscope touching the fender, kind of amplified road noise. Weird.

-Bill

 

[RVFRick]

Hi Bill, thank you for the sanity check! I thought I was going crazy. The stethescope description is a good one, I was finding it hard to put into words.

I went on an extended ride today on dry and wet and the S20s performed beautifully. Noise gets masked out at higher speeds by wind so just ride faster :ride

Is your S20 front or rear?

 

[GB500guy]

Hi Bill, thank you for the sanity check! I thought I was going crazy. The stethescope description is a good one, I was finding it hard to put into words.

I went on an extended ride today on dry and wet and the S20s performed beautifully. Noise gets masked out at higher speeds by wind so just ride faster :ride

Is your S20 front or rear?

Just the front, still running a BT45 on the rear. As you say, the noise is most noticeable at lower speeds before wind and other noise covers it up. I hear it clearly right through my ear plugs.

-Bill

 

[anytwowilldo]

Back when I had a F4i, 929, and 954 they would all have that moan/hum when hard on the front brakes. Definitely not the tires, but noticeable across all 3 hondas.

I've had my front tire moan under heavy heavy braking. I believe it was just starting to slide when it created that noise. Kinda like a ripping sound.

 

[DannoXYZ]

Check tyre pressures too.
New tyres tend to make noise due to sharp edges at tread blocks. Just slide them around lots and they’ll quiet down.

 

[RVFRick]

Bummed it's still loud and noisy after 500+ miles. In fact probably worse because I focus on it :laughing