Centramatic ballancing

[tech1]

Hello Everyone
I'm looking for infor and experiance with centramatic for their wheels/tires.
pros? con?
Thanks Tech1

[tfdeputydawg]

I'll start
MOST THAT HAVE THEM absolutely love them.
I don't have them. Never saw the need to spend that much money to balance tires/wheels.
Unless you have the Honda TPMS, I would suggest studying this web sight http://www.ride-on.com/
Not only balances but, provides puncture protection at a much reduced price!

[tech1]

Thanks
Yes I do haveTPWS. Thats why i was looking for info on them, I use Dyna beads in my 86 SEi. and my Olds van .
niether have pressure sensors in them. I'd use them again but i dont want the beads beating up the sensor.
Oh lead weights have been banned for enviromental reason. tiatainium is what we use now. Being a autmotive tech I have never ran into centramatic ballancers on a car.
I"d like to hear if anyone out there has them and can tell me what they think I an thinking of getting them but would like to hear what some one that has first hand info.
Thanks Tech 1

[tfdeputydawg]

I know of no reason why the beads would harm the TPMS sensors.
Centrifical force keeps them away from the rim/valve stem. Never heard of any problems. I'm certain not against the centramatics, I just can't justify their expense when much less cost balancing means exist!
You must do what you wish.

[tech1]

Thanks Dawg. But I was looking for info from someone that has experiance with them.
Tech1

[WingAdmin]

I have no personal experience with them, but everyone I have ever heard that used them, found that they worked perfectly, and had no complaints whatsoever. I find them a bit expensive for what they do, but if it's what you want, then perhaps the cost is not as important.

[Viking]

I dont want the beads beating up the sensor.
I have never ran into centramatic ballancers on a car.

I have the dyna beads in my 2009 GL1800 tires with TPMS, and there is no effect, nor any beating up of the sensors. The beads do not fly around as the balance, they simply shift into place and pretty much sit where they are needed.

I had the original dynamic balancers on two cars in the 1970's, a Ford Mustang, and a Ford Thunderbird. They were sold by Amsoil back then and they worked great. All they were was plates with a plastic tube around the outside edge with oil and BBs or lead pellets in suspension. I ran those for a long time, but forgot to take them off when I got rid of the cars, so I lost them. I hope the new owners appreciated what they got They were pretty expensive back then, and are probably the equivalent now. Dyna beads are cheaper, and do just as good a job, in my humble experience.

[tech1]

Hello everyone
I find it courious. Everone so far finds them too costly. No one that has them has responded! How much does it cost to ballance your tires? Does everone only ballance their tires once? Under normal wear and riding just as with automotive tires they get out of ballance. Dyna beads are a one time use. Unless you can save them dismounting the tire. And a motorcycle two 2Oz. kit is about $18 +shipping. Ofcourse only one time needed but back to my original concern. mother nature, beads at the top of a tire when coming to a stop the will drop on the sensor. Not fast BUT will hit the sensor.
I'll probably be a guinea pig and put them on my 09 and never have to reballance tires and future tires. I do mount my own tires.
Tech1

[felon]

I put the centramatic on mu 04 Hannigan trike, but only have about 800 miles on as of yet. So I can't really give an opinion yet. The guys at my trike shop tell me they are great, but?
Could have been a selling ploy . Just don't know yet.

[sunshineman6869]

I bought a used 2006 GL1800 last year, and the bike had the Centramatic balancers, and I didn't notice any vibration, or anything that might suggest tire imbalance. I guess I have to believe they work.....................
Mike

[tech1]

Thanks everyone I think I will purchase a set for my 09
Tech1

[Paulcf]

For the record: I bought the Centramatic Wheel Balancing discs for my 2003 GoldWing. As everyone should know, the GoldWing is a very smooth bike to start with. So why did I get them?
1. I wanted to increase my tire life/range.
2. I wanted to never have to worry about balancing my tires again.
3. I had a wobble when I released the handlebars at any speed.

So what did I find out after installing them?

1. Tire wear seems to be minimal, after a 3,000 mile trip I cannot see any thread wear whatsoever.
2. My tires are always in perfect balance for optimal smoothness.
3. The wobble is gone.

MOST IMPORTANTLY however I got this unexpected benefit:

My GoldWing STOPS MUCH FASTER/STRAIGHTER than before! It feels like I have power disc brakes and it stops with much shorter distances. IN FACT, I was contemplating selling my Wing and going back to a BMW K1200LT that I had before (it DOES have power assisted brakes and stops very hard).

Now I have the knowledge and safety that my GoldWing will stop straight and true and quickly. I can only GUESS that this is because the tires are in perpetual and total contact with the road all the time. As this is a 900 lb bike (plus my weight, etc.) and the actual tire patch in contact with the road is quite small, I now know that every square micrometer of tire rubber is on the pavement and not 'bouncing' around, even on a smooth Wing.

Thus it is $250 well spent and a selling feature if I ever sell the Wing...to upgrade it of course to another Wing (and it will always have Centramatic wheel balancers on them).

So my final point is: Why aren't these discs supplied as OEM by Honda on EVERY GoldWing? And when can I get these for my Corolla (winter GoldWing)?

[felon]

I have had the same experience with mine. After 4000 miles, hardly any tread wear. I have a trike so I really don't notice the stopping difference. I love my Centramatic.

[littlebeaver]

I never even knew about this type of balancing device..pretty good....I thought I'd place a video of how it works for the next guy that has never heard of them..

   Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!
this should explain how it works fairly well..

[tech1]

Well its fairly warm here in the Quad Cities and I have my first ride with Centramatics. Very smooth. I'll update as the riding season progresses.
Tech1

[littlebeaver]

I would love to see a photo of your plate attached, just to get a idea of how it looks...Thanks

[akautohl]

My turn in this arena. I took the plung and spent the "bigbucks" for the centramatics about 2 years ago. What othere's have stated is also true for me. I have noted that the familiar cupping of the front tire and pre-mature wearing has been eliminated. The braking effect is also true. The biggest notice for me is that I am an agressive rider and the centramatics will reduce the quick response from a standing stop such as stop lights and such. For me this is a fair trade for other issues associated with the wing family. Well worth the extra bucks!

[MikeB]

Hello everyone
I find it courious. Everone so far finds them too costly. No one that has them has responded! How much does it cost to ballance your tires? Does everone only ballance their tires once? Under normal wear and riding just as with automotive tires they get out of ballance. Dyna beads are a one time use. Unless you can save them dismounting the tire. And a motorcycle two 2Oz. kit is about $18 +shipping. Ofcourse only one time needed but back to my original concern. mother nature, beads at the top of a tire when coming to a stop the will drop on the sensor. Not fast BUT will hit the sensor.
I'll probably be a guinea pig and put them on my 09 and never have to reballance tires and future tires. I do mount my own tires.
Tech1

Read more: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=14961#ixzz2Tg9b3aV6

From an online Centraatic sale page.

Centramatic Wheel Balancers - Two Front/One Rear - Honda Goldwing -...
SKU: 592465
our price: $235.60
retail price: $289.95
save $54.35 ( 18% )

If we are talking about money and only money, if I replaced my Counteract balancing beads or Dyna Beads balancing beads every time I changed tires, which I don't, I could change both tires 23 times. Or, a total of 46 tire changes for the price of the Centramatics at discount prices.

Since I change my own tires, I am able to recover the balancing beads. I buy the balancing beads online and they cost about $2.50 per ounce including shipping. That is less than the price of the balancing weights that are made to fit the motorcycle wheels.

That being said, the balance beads are doing a great job. I see no reason to install Centramatics when the balancing beads do the job so well.

I hope you are as happy with the Centramatics as I am with the balancing beads.

I'm not sure about this but I do not think Centramatic balancers are made to fit any Goldwing prior to the 2001 GL1800. Since I have a ST1100, a GL1500 and a GL1800, I went with the balancing beads. By the way, I too have TPMS and there are no ill affects from the beads.

[Paulcf]

To each his own. I have heard negative results with the beads...including damage to the TPMS sensors and the valve stem.

[MikeB]

That is really odd. I have not heard a single negative about balance beads.

[tech1]

Well I have about 500 miles on them and am VERY satified with them. I will try to get a photo of them mounted as requested but they are mounted behind the rotors and hidden.
My opinion I would say no TPWS then dyna beads with I suggest Centramtic's. But to each his own.
Tech1

[Deaf4Jesus]

I see this post hasn't had any activity since 2013.
I just learned about Centramatic for Goldwing and I'm trying to justify the cost and ride.
My Goldwing mechanic thinks they're over priced. But he told me if I want them on my 2005 1800 he'd help me.
Has anyone else had centramatics wheel balancing on their 1800 since this post and what was the effects?
Stories I read online are positive but don't want to be sold a bill of goods just to pocket the manufacture.
I'm about function over form. If they work and save my tires, I'll spend the money. My 2005 1800 rides smooth, but can it be smoother as I've seen online from other Goldwing users?
So, anyone has them on your Goldwing 1800?

[Andy Cote]

I see this post hasn't had any activity since 2013.
I just learned about Centramatic for Goldwing and I'm trying to justify the cost and ride.
My Goldwing mechanic thinks they're over priced. But he told me if I want them on my 2005 1800 he'd help me.
Has anyone else had centramatics wheel balancing on their 1800 since this post and what was the effects?
Stories I read online are positive but don't want to be sold a bill of goods just to pocket the manufacture.
I'm about function over form. If they work and save my tires, I'll spend the money. My 2005 1800 rides smooth, but can it be smoother as I've seen online from other Goldwing users?
So, anyone has them on your Goldwing 1800?

First, if you are happy now with whatever balance method you use, they will mot make you happier.

If you want a better ride, I would try Counteract or Dyna Beads first. See if you find an improvement. Then you can change to the Centramatic at next tire change if you like the idea.

[Prlwng]

Had them on my 2012 from new. After first rear was shot at 8 tho put car tire on. Sold it 40 tho later and still running car tire and centramatics front rear.

Had them on my semi also. Two different semis and 2 million miles. They still did good.

[Sunshinenomad]

I put Centramatics front and rear on a Victory Cross. The front tire was out of round and took a LOT of weights. I removed the weights as the Centramatics evened it out. I’m currently using beads in my Valk which is smooth. Expense wise, I would try beads first