Growling noise from rear tire

[Lovepug]

Hello everybody happy Easter.
Well I’m new to this for him my last gold wing was a GL 1000. Last winter November I came across what I thought was a good deal on a GL 1800 2003. The few times I had it out at the beginning of this year, I noticed a growing sound coming from the rear tire only when I corner when I’m going straight there is no sound it’s smooth quiet everything seems normal. It’s just when I turn a corner or go around the curve. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[WingAdmin]

Hello everybody happy Easter.
Well I’m new to this for him my last gold wing was a GL 1000. Last winter November I came across what I thought was a good deal on a GL 1800 2003. The few times I had it out at the beginning of this year, I noticed a growing sound coming from the rear tire only when I corner when I’m going straight there is no sound it’s smooth quiet everything seems normal. It’s just when I turn a corner or go around the curve. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

While it could be wheel bearings, virtually every time this symptom occurs, it's actually caused by cupped tires. The edges wear in a "cupped" shape, and cause this noise whenever you lean over. Replacing the tires fixes the problem.

[Lovepug]

Thanks I thought the tires look fairly new but I guess what do I know by the way there’s 67,000 miles on the bike so could it be the rear bearing?

[Steve F]

I'm not trying to bash any particular tire brand, but it seemed to me that the Dunlops were way noisier than the Bridgestones the more they wore.

[Lovepug]

Wow, I really didn’t think it was the tire. I thought it was a bearing or something in the final drive

[joeincalif]

I'm not trying to bash any particular tire brand, but it seemed to me that the Dunlops were way noisier than the Bridgestones the more they wore.

Dunlops are known for howling in corners, even with very few miles on them.

[dingdong]

Dunlop E3s are notorious for howling when leaning, due to cupping. Is that what you have?

[PastoT]

On an 1800 that is way too soon to suspect rear end issue and I agree with the tires comments, I have an 02 with E-4 tires. I run Dunlap E-3s and now E-4s and they will cup the front and feather the rear as they wear. I ford the that stage of wear off significantly by running max pressure in each and with balancing beads. Mine start singing at about 15k miles but I get about 19k from a pair so I consider the singing a slight issue during late tire life, most tires will eventually wear in such a manner but that point comes a lot sooner if the tires are run at lower pressures. Not knowing the history of your tires it is probably near replacement time anyway, check pressures and boost if need be and you might reduce the cupping up front, the rear though doesn't heal itself as easily. As for what replacements you choose I won't even open that can of worms.

[Lovepug]

I am running E4. Well thanks for all the comments it sounds like it’s just a tire. I’m hoping so because I’m planning on some fairly long rides this summer. Thanks for all the help I really appreciate it.

[Lovepug]

I’m running about 10 PS I lower it with the tire recommends both front and rear. I thought I would get a smoother softer ride

[AZgl1800]

At 10 psi lower, you are sacrificing safety and tire life.

Put 44 # in the tires, makes handling so much easier and safer.

Tire life will be doubled and cupping minimized, beads for balancing stops cupping.

[Lovepug]

Just put 44 psi in both the front and rear tires. Will have the balancing beads put in on my next set thanks again for all your info and help.

[PastoT]

Depending on when the E-3 or E-4 was manufactured you'll notice their MAX pressure cold varies between 39 and 44 PSI, please do check what the tire reads. Two sets of E-4s and they had differing max pressures. I looked back at my E-3 notes and the last set of carcasses I held onto and they also differed over time. My current E-4s are 41/42 front/rear, my first set were 40/42!

[Lovepug]

Hey thanks a lot for the info. Looking at both the front and rear they’re both max pressure at 42 psi I Took out 2 pounds in each tire. Thanks for the info. I never would’ve looked.

[AZgl1800]

Hey thanks a lot for the info. Looking at both the front and rear they’re both max pressure at 42 psi I Took out 2 pounds in each tire. Thanks for the info. I never would’ve looked.

I would prefer 2 psi over max, than to put it on max.... it will loose a lb or 3 as the days go along...

ie, the cars are supposed to be 32, I put 36 in the tires....
yes, it rides a bit firmer, but the tread wears smooth all the way across.

My Suburban tires are at 80 psi all year 'round.... as are the tires on the Toy Hauler...
both happen to be 10 ply though.

[Overbyte]

I chalk it up to virgin tread, lean in there and go where no one has gone before.

[Bass2Bass]

The noise you are hearing is more than likely tires that are badly worn. What causes tires to wear badly is probably tire pressure and unbalanced wheels. What happens is the tire develops "barbs" on the tread and when you lean left or right the noise you hear are the uneven barbs hitting the surface of the road. That will also cause a slight vibration. I experienced a similar issue on my 30 year anniversary GL1800, and after I figured out what was causing the problem, I purchased the very expensive ($70) pair Garmin tire monitors to check my tire pressures. (I use a Garmin Zumo 590ML on my bike. This also monitors and keeps a track of your tire pressures. I find that very useful.)
If you look carefully at the tire from the front, you will see the center of the tire is smooth, and if you run your hand over the left and right of center where the tread is, you'll feel the unevenness.
NOTE: Once the tires are warn in this way, there is nothing that I know of how to fix the problem other than purchasing a new set of tires for the bike, and maintain both tire pressure and wheel alignment and balance. In one of the earlier GoldWingDocs articles, there was a topic on adding beads into the tubes to help balance the wheels. I recommend adding the beads into the tubes that will certainly help balance the tire.