Ride-On Question...wheel weights and rough ride?

[bone crusher]

Okay, I've spoken with George Burns about this...recently...he recommended NOT taking out the wheel weights with the Ride-On initially.

Well, I finally got the goo into my tires today (12/16), and rode the bike 70+ miles home. It feels like I'm riding on rough concrete...not as smooth as I remember...

I'm not sure I really wanna take off the wheel weights at this time after hearing from Mr. Burns that it is not always necessary...should I assume in my case it is and just do it? And if I do remove them, am I digging a bigger hole for myself?

I went with the 12 oz. up front and 16 in the back...I know some here are at 13 and 18, but I figured this was enough to start with...can always add more...plus, these were the numbers on the bottle and they are in the range of what Ride-On recommends...

Anway...thoughts on this one? I think once I take off the weights, I can't reattach them...

 

[rattdaddy@netzero.]

ride-on

mine rides great w/out any weights....you can get new weights to put back on at any tire storehyea:

 

[Firefly]

No weights here--- rides good-- but I put too much in and that has caused a bit of a problem--- after sitting for just a few days (which is rare for my bike) -- I'll get some wobble for the first 1/2 mile in the morning.

I know that this can happen with Ride-on----when you let the bike sit for a long time--- but if you put too much in it appears this problem can be worse if you put too much in.

So I wouldn't add more for sure--- but I would remove the weights and see how things feel. Also be aware that different roads will make or break your ride smoothness.......

 

[bone crusher]

No weights here--- rides good-- but I put too much in and that has caused a bit of a problem--- after sitting for just a few days (which is rare for my bike) -- I'll get some wobble for the first 1/2 mile in the morning.

I know that this can happen with Ride-on----when you let the bike sit for a long time--- but if you put too much in it appears this problem can be worse if you put too much in.

So I wouldn't add more for sure--- but I would remove the weights and see how things feel. Also be aware that different roads will make or break your ride smoothness.......

It was 70 miles, so I figure I had enough concrete, tar, whatever...I guess I'll try a ride or two more and then decide if it's a concern or not...I think others marked where the weights were (and the actual weight)...can always get new ones, if needed...

 

[NancysToy]

Note the amount of weight on each wheel. Mark the existing weight locations, exactly. Masking tape will work, or use a felt marker (which can be removed with paint thinner later). Take a test ride. If it better, remove the marks and ride. If it is not better, get some stick-on weights at the auto parts store and put the same amount of weight back on each tire in the same places...then ditch the Ride-On. Ride-On is a great product, but it can accentuate tire flaws or wheel run-out sometimes. If yours does not improve, you probably have a tire or wheel problem.

 

[bone crusher]

Note the amount of weight on each wheel. Mark the existing weight locations, exactly. Masking tape will work, or use a felt marker (which can be removed with paint thinner later). Take a test ride. If it better, remove the marks and ride. If it is not better, get some stick-on weights at the auto parts store and put the same amount of weight back on each tire in the same places...then ditch the Ride-On. Ride-On is a great product, but it can accentuate tire flaws or wheel run-out sometimes. If yours does not improve, you probably have a tire or wheel problem.

Oh great...just my luck! I'll ride it a bit more to get used to the new feel of the DPS, shocks, Ride-On, etc...it's not bumpy, per se, it's just a little rough...someone thought it might be the shocks, but it feels more like a tire issue...Mr. Burns was 50/50 on the wheel weight issue...he recommended leaving them on and then taking them off, if necessary...I might be in that 'necessary' category, but I'll give it a bit more time. My tire wear is very good right now...even, no issues...doubt I have a tire or rim issue as it just feels different after the Ride-On...

That new DPS is quite a change with the handling...don't really care for it too much yet...I'm sure I'll get more used to it, with time...just wish they made it harder to steer at higher speeds...hitting a twisty has to be approached a little differently now...

 

[NancysToy]

Oh great...just my luck! I'll ride it a bit more to get used to the new feel of the DPS, shocks, Ride-On, etc...it's not bumpy, per se, it's just a little rough...someone thought it might be the shocks, but it feels more like a tire issue...Mr. Burns was 50/50 on the wheel weight issue...he recommended leaving them on and then taking them off, if necessary...I might be in that 'necessary' category, but I'll give it a bit more time. My tire wear is very good right now...even, no issues...doubt I have a tire or rim issue as it just feels different after the Ride-On...

That new DPS is quite a change with the handling...don't really care for it too much yet...I'm sure I'll get more used to it, with time...just wish they made it harder to steer at higher speeds...hitting a twisty has to be approached a little differently now...

A roughness or "jolting" could be the RT shocks. In addition to stronger springs, they have very stiff compression dampening...much stiffer than the RS shocks.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Note the amount of weight on each wheel. Mark the existing weight locations, exactly. Masking tape will work, or use a felt marker (which can be removed with paint thinner later). Take a test ride. If it better, remove the marks and ride. If it is not better, get some stick-on weights at the auto parts store and put the same amount of weight back on each tire in the same places...then ditch the Ride-On. Ride-On is a great product, but it can accentuate tire flaws or wheel run-out sometimes. If yours does not improve, you probably have a tire or wheel problem.

:agree:

This is what I did with my wife's Spyder, and her weights definitely needed to come off. It rides a whole lot smoother now with them off than it did with them on, even without getting her new tires. It is definitely worth experimenting.

 

[Firefly]

Oh great...just my luck! I'll ride it a bit more to get used to the new feel of the DPS, shocks, Ride-On, etc...it's not bumpy, per se, it's just a little rough...someone thought it might be the shocks, but it feels more like a tire issue...Mr. Burns was 50/50 on the wheel weight issue...he recommended leaving them on and then taking them off, if necessary...I might be in that 'necessary' category, but I'll give it a bit more time. My tire wear is very good right now...even, no issues...doubt I have a tire or rim issue as it just feels different after the Ride-On...

That new DPS is quite a change with the handling...don't really care for it too much yet...I'm sure I'll get more used to it, with time...just wish they made it harder to steer at higher speeds...hitting a twisty has to be approached a little differently now...

What setting are the RT shocks set at?
What are your tire pressures set at?

You did 3 changes at the same time--- each of which affected the ride--- can be difficult to sort out.

I would try your RT shocks at setting 3-- which will feel very much like the stock shocks at setting 5 and then adjust from there. I'm running mine on 4 right now.

As far as the DPS and steering at higher speeds--- running lower tire pressure helps with this.

 

[capt.jim]

I used ride-on with the kenda's, didn't seem to help much, i put some michelins on the front with just the weights, and they were smooth, added Dyna Beads, as a supplement to the weights, 2 oz. front and 3oz. in the rear Toyo, and it was noticably smoother, i could see it in the mirrors. No protection from flats, but auto tires are tougher and a lot less weight on them.

 

[bone crusher]

What setting are the RT shocks set at?
What are your tire pressures set at?

You did 3 changes at the same time--- each of which affected the ride--- can be difficult to sort out.

I would try your RT shocks at setting 3-- which will feel very much like the stock shocks at setting 5 and then adjust from there. I'm running mine on 4 right now.

As far as the DPS and steering at higher speeds--- running lower tire pressure helps with this.

Great points...okay, lemme see here...the shocks are at 4...my others were this setting too and i figured the RTs would be stiffer, which is what I needed anyway...I'm about 230 pounds, so the 4 setting should be okay...

I'll check the tire pressure...I think they put in BRP recommendations, but I'll have to check to be sure...I can put in anything if need be...I think I was running it at 16/26 before this visit. I used to run 20/30, but I found the ride too bumpy...a little more rubber on a dry road is nice...

Will lower tire pressure kill some of the gas mileage? I guess since the tire diameter decreases, it will throw it off a little, but then again, it could be just millimeters?

Oh, we put in 12 front, 16 rear for the Ride-On...I know 13/18 is recommended, but I figured a bit less to start would be okay...

 

[NancysToy]

Oh, we put in 12 front, 16 rear for the Ride-On...I know 13/18 is recommended, but I figured a bit less to start would be okay...

I wouldn't recommend either 12 or 13 in the front tires, no matter what BRP recommends. The minimum pressure listed on the sidewall is 15 psi. Minimum pressures are seldom listed unless there is a safety reason involved.

 

[wyliec]

I wouldn't recommend either 12 or 13 in the front tires, no matter what BRP recommends. The minimum pressure listed on the sidewall is 15 psi. Minimum pressures are seldom listed unless there is a safety reason involved.

I believe he was talking ounces of ride on.

 

[NancysToy]

I believe he was talking ounces of ride on.

pps: Oops! See what happens when you get old.

 

[Motza]

Weight a minute...:roflblack:

 

[bone crusher]

pps: Oops! See what happens when you get old.

yeah, 12/16 is the ride-on...I'll likely go 16/26 for the tire pressure...have to check it as I'm not sure what they set it to. It feels either the weights are the problem or maybe there's not enough tire pressure....hmmmm....

Either way, I can take off the weights, mark exactly where they were, and keep them...if I need new ones, I'll assume auto zone has them and I can reapply...