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.
Participate in our monthly contest and win free stuff!
It's free to enter the monthly contest, but you must first be a registered member of the site. Don't worry - registration is quick and free! If you have already registered, you need to login first. You can do it now!
Previous Contest Winners:
| Contest End Date | Prize | Winner |
| Thursday, October 31, 2019 | Counteract Beads Tire Balancing Kit | It could be you! |
| Monday, September 30, 2019 | Nelson-Rigg Compact Backpack | bluthundr31 |
| Saturday, August 31, 2019 | UltraGard Half Cover | pwjohnson041 |
| Wednesday, July 31, 2019 | Battery Tender Junior | Charlie1Horse |
| Sunday, June 30, 2019 | DoorKeeper Kit | keithg64 |
| Friday, May 31, 2019 | SecondBase Kit | MikeB |
| Tuesday, April 30, 2019 | Dynaplug Tire Repair Tool | bigsteveswing |
| Sunday, March 31, 2019 | Travel First Aid Kit | bellboy40 |
| Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Miniature Tire Inflator | echinus1988 |
| Thursday, January 31, 2019 | Hopnel Saddlebag Liner | SlowTyper |
| Monday, December 31, 2018 | $100 Kiva.org Donation | hardknox |
| Friday, November 30, 2018 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | DougEFresh1123 |
| Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | SoCalMotoGear Pathfinder LED Headlight Kit for GL1500 | MikeB |
| Sunday, September 30, 2018 | Electrical Connection LED Headlight Kit | Andy Cote |
| Friday, August 31, 2018 | Battery Tender Junior | tamathumper |
| Tuesday, July 31, 2018 | Vacuum Brake Bleeder | Uptwobucks |
| Saturday, June 30, 2018 | QuickClot Trauma Pack | keithg64 |
| Thursday, May 31, 2018 | Nelson-Rigg Compact Backpack | RockportDave |
| Monday, April 30, 2018 | JIS Screwdriver Kit | mberk01 |
| Saturday, March 31, 2018 | UltraGard Half Cover | minimac |
| Wednesday, February 28, 2018 | Two Schampa Neckgaiters | Mav4G |
| Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | Counteract Beads Tire Balancing Kit | seelyark1 |
| Sunday, December 31, 2017 | $100 Gift Certificate to Cyclemax | octane94 |
| Thursday, November 30, 2017 | Dynaplug Tire Repair Tool | TwoTone Trike |
| Tuesday, October 31, 2017 | SecondBase Kit | blackbird |
| Saturday, September 30, 2017 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | Lee337 |
| Thursday, August 31, 2017 | Travel First Aid Kit | Mag |
| Monday, July 31, 2017 | Digital Thermometer | halfjacket1234 |
| Friday, June 30, 2017 | GL1500 Shifter Brace | Mh434 |
| Wednesday, May 31, 2017 | Battery Tender Junior | RodneyH |
| Sunday, April 30, 2017 | Counteract Beads Tire Balancing Kit | Viking |
| Friday, March 31, 2017 | Hopnel Rain Gators | spiralout |
| Tuesday, February 28, 2017 | JIS Screwdriver Kit | MikeB |
| Tuesday, January 31, 2017 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | Charlie1Horse |
| Saturday, December 31, 2016 | $100 Gift Certificate to Cyclemax | GL1500Foster |
| Wednesday, November 30, 2016 | Digital Thermometer | RoadRogue |
| Monday, October 31, 2016 | Heads-Up Voltage Monitor | dingdong |
| Friday, September 30, 2016 | Emilio Scotto's book The Longest Ride | Jewood20 |
| Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | 5 Port USB Charger | NVSB4 |
| Sunday, July 31, 2016 | Travel First Aid Kit and Hat | deanjenn |
| Thursday, June 30, 2016 | UltraGard Half Cover | Mag |
| Tuesday, May 31, 2016 | GL1500 Shifter Brace | FM-USA |
| Saturday, April 30, 2016 | Dynaplug Tire Repair Tool | Charlie1Horse |
| Thursday, March 31, 2016 | SecondBase Kit | dhg |
| Monday, February 29, 2016 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | Rednaxs60 |
| Sunday, January 31, 2016 | UltraGard Half Cover | crock4 |
| Thursday, December 31, 2015 | $100 Gift Certificate to Cyclemax | spiderjack |
| Monday, November 30, 2015 | Motion Pro JIS T-Handle Driver | MikeB |
| Saturday, October 31, 2015 | Battery Tender Junior | harvey01 |
| Wednesday, September 30, 2015 | GL1500 Shifter Brace | golden highway |
| Monday, August 31, 2015 | JIS Screwdriver Kit | ka4yqi |
| Friday, July 31, 2015 | Travel First Aid Kit | swr1977 |
| Tuesday, June 30, 2015 | UltraGard Half Cover | Sawdust62 |
| Sunday, May 31, 2015 | Counteract Beads Tire Balancing Kit | Wilcoy02 |
| Thursday, April 30, 2015 | Hopnel Rain Gators | ram11397 |
| Tuesday, March 31, 2015 | Battery Tender Junior | bstig60 |
| Saturday, February 28, 2015 | 5 Port USB Charger | Mh434 |
| Saturday, January 31, 2015 | SecondBase Kit | halcombrick |
| Wednesday, December 31, 2014 | $100 Gift Certificate to Cyclemax | Metal Mangler |
| Sunday, November 30, 2014 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | Sprice |
| Friday, October 31, 2014 | Schampa Neckgaiter | CWJ73 |
| Tuesday, September 30, 2014 | JIS Screwdriver Kit | spiralout |
| Sunday, August 31, 2014 | Heads-Up Voltage Monitor | Uncle Fester |
| Thursday, July 31, 2014 | Travel first aid kit | HawkeyeGL1200 |
| Monday, June 30, 2014 | Hopnel's King Kooler Saddlebag Liner | Wein6 |
| Saturday, May 31, 2014 | SafeTKick Parking Pad | BullCBX |
| Wednesday, April 30, 2014 | Dynaplug Tire Repair Tool | BikerGuy |
| Monday, March 31, 2014 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | patbrandon1 |
| Friday, February 28, 2014 | GL1500 Shifter Brace | seelyark1 |
| Friday, January 31, 2014 | Universal Voltmeter | tandem54 |
| Tuesday, December 31, 2013 | $50 Gift Certificate to Cyclemax | Fiberthree |
| Saturday, November 30, 2013 | Battery Tender Junior | Maddogg |
| Thursday, October 31, 2013 | JIS Screwdriver Kit | bill jamison |
| Monday, September 30, 2013 | Hopnel's King Kooler Saddlebag Liner | newday777 |
| Saturday, August 31, 2013 | UltraGard Half Cover | bstig60 |
| Wednesday, July 31, 2013 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | dingdong |
| Sunday, June 30, 2013 | Hopnel Rain Gators | 80-GL100-INT |
| Friday, May 31, 2013 | Travel first aid kit | cbx4evr |
| Tuesday, April 30, 2013 | SecondBase Kit | amsoilguy |
| Sunday, March 31, 2013 | Pro Honda Spray Polish Kit | Wilcoy02 |
| Thursday, February 28, 2013 | Battery Tender Junior | 1grouch2u |
| Thursday, January 31, 2013 | BikeMP3 Dual USB Power Outlet | Viking |
| Monday, December 31, 2012 | $50 Gift Certificate to Cyclemax | Fred Camper |
| Friday, November 30, 2012 | Heads-Up Voltage Monitor | bustedwing |
| Wednesday, October 31, 2012 | Schampa Neckgaiter | wjnfirearms |
| Sunday, September 30, 2012 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | Wingsconsin |
| Friday, August 31, 2012 | Battery Tender Junior | seabee_ |
| Tuesday, July 31, 2012 | Hopnel Rain Gators | CharlaineC |
| Saturday, June 30, 2012 | SecondBase Kit | zamboni920 |
| Thursday, May 31, 2012 | Universal Voltmeter | BikerNewsman |
| Monday, April 30, 2012 | GL1500/GL1800 GPS Input Device | ka4yqi |
| Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Travel first aid kit | D2D |
| Wednesday, February 29, 2012 | Hopnel Rain Gators | maestro319 |
| Tuesday, January 31, 2012 | Subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News | wally |
| Saturday, December 31, 2011 | $50 Gift Certificate to Cyclemax | micbery |
| Wednesday, November 30, 2011 | Battery Tender Junior | firstwing85 |
| Monday, October 31, 2011 | Honda Pro Glare Professional Polish | virgilmobile |
| Friday, September 30, 2011 | Panel Keeper | cbx4evr |
| Wednesday, August 31, 2011 | Smartlight Traveler | twostrokes48 |
| Sunday, July 31, 2011 | BackOFF XP Brake Light Flasher Module | 86GW1200 |
| Thursday, June 30, 2011 | Digital Thermometer | dingdong |
| Tuesday, May 31, 2011 | Travel first aid kit | vtxcandyred |
| Saturday, April 30, 2011 | Battery Tender Junior | mcgyver2112 |
| Thursday, March 31, 2011 | Honda Pro Glare Professional Polish | MikeB |
| Monday, February 28, 2011 | Electrical Connection 3rd Brake Light | starfleetengineer |
| Monday, January 31, 2011 | Mity-Vac Vacuum Brake Bleeder | Mooseman |
| Friday, December 31, 2010 | BackOFF XP Brake Light Flasher Module | GreenDragon |
| Tuesday, November 30, 2010 | Tire Pressure Gauge and Multimeter | BikerGuy |
| Sunday, October 31, 2010 | Battery Tender Junior | maestro319 |
| Thursday, September 30, 2010 | Universal Voltmeter | hunter27h |
| Tuesday, August 31, 2010 | Panel Keeper | thrasherg |
| Saturday, July 31, 2010 | Mity-Vac Vacuum Brake Bleeder | gareva1 |
| Wednesday, June 30, 2010 | Smartlight Traveler | SARoss |
| Monday, May 31, 2010 | Mity-Vac Vacuum Brake Bleeder | jr04080 |
| Friday, April 30, 2010 | Battery Tender Junior | idjit |