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  1. #1
    Active Member rkba101's Avatar
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    Default Front wheel vibration?

    While riding home from a ride the other day I noticed the right front tire seems to have a vibration.. As going down the road the fender was vibration more than the left one.. Called local shop and they stated they could rebalance for 30 - 45 min of work or I could have the whole bike laser aligned for $165? The bike doesnt pull to either side.. Need just balance or should I throw down and do the Laser Alignment? Called a suggested individual in Georgia and he offered alignment for 100 but it is not laser? Any suggestions which way to go?? Thanks..
    My Ride --->>> 2013 ST-S SE5 <<---



  2. #2
    Very Active Member Grandpot's Avatar
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    If the Spyder is not pulling to one side, tire wear is even, and the steering is not twitchy, you do not need an alignment. If you still have the stock tires, that is your problem. The stock tires are garbage. I just replaced mine with Pirelli's. Pirelli is one of the few companies that have 165-65-14 which should be the stock size for your Spyder. I got mine at a local tire store. The front rims on a Spyder will fit on a regular balancing machine.
    2011 RTS (Sold to a very nice lady)
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  3. #3
    Active Member vrodrjs's Avatar
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    Default

    Check the balance and the alignment and do the laser alignment. Just so you don't make multiple trips.

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  4. #4
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    Default vibes

    Quote Originally Posted by vrodrjs View Post
    Check the balance and the alignment and do the laser alignment. Just so you don't make multiple trips.
    .... If you are the type who normally uses $20.00 bills to BBQ you can afford to follow the above advice ... However from what you described and this was an instant vibration, I think it points to loss of a wheel weight... Tire failure is not likely the cause here, because it would have to be Catastrophic in nature. It is possible that a belt in the tread of the tire has broken ( especially if it's a Kenda ) but not likely......Alignment is rarely the cause of front end vibrations. And the shop that even suggested an Alignment is either in-competent or they just like ripping folks off ..... I would check the inside of both front wheels for loss of weight/s.....good luck .. Mike

  5. #5
    Active Member rkba101's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911 View Post
    .... If you are the type who normally uses $20.00 bills to BBQ you can afford to follow the above advice ... However from what you described and this was an instant vibration, I think it points to loss of a wheel weight... Tire failure is not likely the cause here, because it would have to be Catastrophic in nature. It is possible that a belt in the tread of the tire has broken ( especially if it's a Kenda ) but not likely......Alignment is rarely the cause of front end vibrations. And the shop that even suggested an Alignment is either in-competent or they just like ripping folks off ..... I would check the inside of both front wheels for loss of weight/s.....good luck .. Mike
    Thank you.. I was really distraught.. Don't have tons of dollars.. Just trying to make the ride fun and safe.. Adding Mods one at a time.. Thanks again and ride safe..
    My Ride --->>> 2013 ST-S SE5 <<---



  6. #6
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    Default

    I had a similar problem with a vibration. Went through rebalancing and having alignment checked out by my dealer. It landed up being the Kendra tires needed to be replaced even though there was plenty of life let on the treads. Once replaced the vibration ceased to exist. I believe there are previous threads with the similar experience.
    2012 RT-S and 2013 STL


  7. #7
    Very Active Member youngers's Avatar
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    Default local auto tire center

    took my front tires off my cycle , ( it really had a shimmy at 42 miles per hour ) took them to discount tire center in my area they balanced both for free , one side was right on the right side had 2 weights missing , only cost was time to take tires off and take them to the tire center and put back on ! good riding still ...

  8. #8
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default Curious...🤔

    All good stuff above. Agree with Mike in that it is not an alignment issue. We have had some ryders that have had the weld fail on the fender braces and the fenders would vibrate quite a bit. Just something else to check
    Last edited by Chupaca; 02-04-2018 at 12:58 AM.
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  9. #9
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    Default BAD VIBES

    Quote Originally Posted by rkba101 View Post
    Thank you.. I was really distraught.. Don't have tons of dollars.. Just trying to make the ride fun and safe.. Adding Mods one at a time.. Thanks again and ride safe..
    Your welcome .......... let us know if it was a wheel weight or something else .......... Thanks, Mike .........PS my motto is always start with the simplest answer .. before spending lots of money .......

  10. #10
    Very Active Member Deanna777's Avatar
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    Get a laser alignment, or get new front tires.

    I had the right front tire shake, ( kendas) then I replaced the front tires with( Continetal Contiproconacts), no shakes. The (Kendas) right front tire had 5 tire weights on it, and it still had shakes. The(Kendas) left front tire did not shake.


    I had the bike laser alignment done in 2014. Deanna
    Last edited by Deanna777; 02-04-2018 at 12:45 PM.




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  11. #11
    SpyderLovers Ambassador Little Blue's Avatar
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    Default Front Tire Vibration

    YES, GET the front tires Checked if KENDA.
    ENJOY YOUR LIFE WITH A SPYDER
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  12. #12
    Very Active Member Grandpot's Avatar
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    Default Out of round or out of balance?

    Here's a little write-up I did about tires. If you have the OEM Kendra tires, you may want to read it. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...Tire-Balancing
    2011 RTS (Sold to a very nice lady)
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  13. #13
    Active Member rkba101's Avatar
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    Default Will let you know..

    Quote Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911 View Post
    Your welcome .......... let us know if it was a wheel weight or something else .......... Thanks, Mike .........PS my motto is always start with the simplest answer .. before spending lots of money .......
    Actually debating on just removing the tire and taking it to a local shop as suggested about since the deal is crap..
    My Ride --->>> 2013 ST-S SE5 <<---



  14. #14
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    Default

    My new to me Spyder ST-S SE, which I recently bought with 2100 miles on it, had a shimmy at about 58 -63 mph. I made a number of changes including a Bajaron swaybar and links, F3 shocks and a laser alignment. After the laser alignment the shimmy expanded to 60 - 70 mph. Yesterday I removed the stock Kenda tires and installed Federal Formoza AZ01 tires on the front. As others have said, the shimmy is gone. Note: if you have your tires changed be sure to ask the installer to protect the rims from the clamping action of the tire changer. I didn't and almost every spoke of the rims have been marred by the machine.

  15. #15
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    If you have tire shimmy and no pull fix vibration u don't need a alignment.

  16. #16
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    Default SHIMMY ISSUES

    Quote Originally Posted by Deanna777 View Post
    Get a laser alignment, or get new front tires.

    I had the right front tire shake, ( kendas) then I replaced the front tires with( Continetal Contiproconacts), no shakes. The (Kendas) right front tire had 5 tire weights on it, and it still had shakes. The(Kendas) left front tire did not shake.


    I had the bike laser alignment done in 2014. Deanna
    , From what the OP said, A Lazer Alignment won't fix/ cure the problem ..... IMHO the Wheels/Tires need to be spun balanced on a machine...... The Kenda tires have shown to be " defective prone "so this can be a real possibility also ..... Mike
    Last edited by BLUEKNIGHT911; 03-29-2018 at 06:31 PM.

  17. #17
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    Default

    Just to clarify and FWIW, the shimmy was only one of the issues I had. Although the alignment wasn't too far out, it made a detectable difference in the handling as did the sway bar and the shocks. I also had the balance of the stock tires/wheels checked before changing to the Federal Formoza tires. The remaining vibration I have is due to the drive belt harmonics. I'm hoping DOC will come up with a tensioner for the ST soon.

  18. #18
    Very Active Member Pirate looks at --'s Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grandpot View Post
    If the Spyder is not pulling to one side, tire wear is even, and the steering is not twitchy, you do not need an alignment. If you still have the stock tires, that is your problem. The stock tires are garbage. I just replaced mine with Pirelli's. Pirelli is one of the few companies that have 165-65-14 which should be the stock size for your Spyder. I got mine at a local tire store. The front rims on a Spyder will fit on a regular balancing machine.
    That is a 13 model, would be tough to get those 14 inch tires on 15 inch rims!
    White 2013 Spyder RT Limited. BajaRon Swaybar, Custom Dynamic Third Brake Light. Ultimate Custom Black and White seat with driver and passenger back rest. Gloryder Led Wheel lights.Custom Dynamics Led Bright sides, Amber and Red Fender lights, and Saddle Bag Bright sides.

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