My bike "groans" and vibrates when leaned over.... (???)

[Mtbjay]

:question: Hey guys,

I am hoping for some helpful insight here before I take my bike in for a vibration I'm having. I have about 6,500 on my 2012 Super Tenere and noticed it's started to make some unusual noises. When I lean it over at 25-30 mph I hear and feel a groaning vibration. It can be felt through my boots on the aluminum ankle guard, and heard through my helmet in spite of wind/engine noise. (Above 35mph I cannot hear it, but I assume it's because the noise is being drowned out by turbulence and engine roar.)

First thing I thought of was a wheel bearing was loose. I checked the side-to-side play in the rear wheel, but it seems solid. I notice the rear tire had become pretty flat in the center of the tread and am thinking, by chance, I am hearing there vibration of the tread grooves that remain only on the sides of the rear tire as they come into contact with the road.

Any ideas before I take it in? Anyone had or heard of a similar issue? I hope it's just the tire....

 

[jonkertb]

gonna guess that it's cupped tires.....mine does it too....more curves needed
tom

 

[stutrump]

When i lean mine over i get a sound a bit like blowing air across the top of a milk bottle which I THINK is air passing over the axle end or smthng like that. Used to it now so it doesnt bother me....no vibration tho

 

[gmtech]

same here i have bout same milage on my regular tourances and they do that too also on on/off ramps
you cant see the cupping but its there ::021:: ::26::

 

[rotortech71]

Maybe do a quick ride, then raise or lower your tire pressure by 2 or 3 pounds, then repeat the same route and see if the noise / vibration changes? Something simple to try anyway to see if it's the tires. You're in Sherwood right? I can take it for a quick spin and abuse, oh, I mean try it and see how it compares to mine?

 

[Mtbjay]

Re: My bike "groans" and vibrates when leaned over.... (???)

Good suggestion Rotortech. I'll fire up the pancake compressor before my next ride. (...and yes, I DO live in Sherwood- as do you , I see? We ought to meet up and share some ride time soon .)

JB

 

[spasm]

how strange i noticed this exact noise on mine last weekend, ive not had chance to have a proper look yet, mines done 24k, and ive never heard this noise before, ive ridden my last few sets of tyres to the limit, so im noy gonna blame tyres. i just hope its nothing bad.
it only does it cornering at low speeds, and bad vibes.
i too thought it might be the rear bearings. i'll have a look at the weekend and let u know wot i find.

 

[EricV]

I'd be surprised if anyone experiencing this does not find it to be the tires, (or tyres). Different brands cup/wear differently, and even with the same brand, sometimes your riding ends up not causing it one set, and causing it another set. Downhill braking into corners is one factor in cupping. Lower pressures will aggravate it can cause cupping faster.

I once badly cupped a front tire in a single day, getting led around by a friend on steep, very, very tight mountain roads. Road where we were in 1st and 2nd gear a LOT. Crazy old wagon trails that had been paved some time in the long ago past. Bad pavement, super tight, narrow and steep. Not my normal riding at all.

 

[Mikeybikey57]

SNAP! Mine does this too, but not all the time. I can sometimes swing into slow bends and feel the vibrations through my boots, along with the reported groaning sound. Other times there's no vibes or noise. It seems to emanate from the back end of the bike and I too thought it was transmission or rear wheel bearing related. However, everything has checked out as being tight and play free so i'm still no wiser as to what it may be.
As for it being something to do with the tyres, It seems doubtful to me, given that I'm running road tyres (Conti Trail Attacks) that are pretty fresh and still round in profile. I also have them running at 38 and 42psi as the bike seems to like them inflated a little above the OE specifications.
Hmmmmm………………..the mystery of the Groaning Vibrations appears to be deepening. :-\

 

[Big Blu]

I once had a girl friend that did that.... Should have kept her! ::025::

Regards, Paul

 

[mcbrien]

K60's

 

[big dave]

Re: My bike "groans" and vibrates when leaned over.... (???)

tell her to get off the back ::015::

 

[thfraser]

Re: My bike "groans" and vibrates when leaned over.... (???)

tell her to get off the back ::015::

Sounds like a keeper to me!

 

[Mtbjay]

Re: My bike "groans" and vibrates when leaned over.... (???)

You guys...

 

[Leftlane]

Me too. Im on my third set of tires the last two sets we Ankee 2 the first set didn't make the howeling noise in the corners but this set does. The bike just turned 30000km with no other problems. K60 will be my next set of tires and by all reports they buzy to begin with and get louder as you go. Its all good right.