Monthly Contest

This month's prize: Counteract Beads Tire Balancing Kit

Motorcycle tires are much lighter than regular automotive tires. As a result, they are much more sensitive to slight imbalances, imbalances which are a natural result of the tire manufacturing process.

To balance tires, small metal (usually lead) weights are clipped or adhered to the wheel, to offset the heavier parts of the tire. This is normally done with an expensive spin balancing machine, which has sensitive sensors that detect imbalance as the wheel spins. Of course, the wheel needs to be removed from the motorcycle in order to do this.

As tires wear, the imbalance can change, so ideally tires should be rebalanced on a regular basis - hence the "rotate and balance" service offered for automobiles. Motorcycle tires are rarely rebalanced after they are installed. The result of riding with imbalanced tires? Vibration, uneven wear, cupping, and shortened tire life.

Several years ago I heard about Dyna Beads, a product that consists of tiny ceramic beads inserted into your tire. These beads slide around inside the tire as it turns until they find a natural balance, thereby instantly and automatically balancing the tire. When the tire wears, the beads shift their position to compensate. The result is a smooth, long-lasting tire, free of uneven wear and cupping. I have used Dyna Beads in all of my bikes and cars for years with great success.

Counteract Beads are a similar product, only made of glass rather than ceramic. The main benefit over Dyna Beads is that they have a different static charge, allowing them to stay in place and function at lower speeds. They are also guaranteed to work with (and not damage) internal TPMS sensors. I have been using Counteract Beads in my GL1500 tires for two years, and can wholly recommend them.

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