Noisy final drive

[goodemote]

Ok,

I recently got my LT... 2003 only 5000 miles... I put about 250 miles on this weekend and noticed that my final drive hums a little... and if when I go around a bend right or left it really howls... it doesn't grind. Since I just got the bike I am not sure if this is a characteristic or if I may have a problem. When I stopped I did check to see if it was hot and it wasn't.. thoughts???

Thanks,

Wes

[bushj1]

Your tires have probably worn unevenly due to low tire pressure and are cupped. This produces the growl you are experiencing. Once cupped, they pretty much are that way until worn out. Use 42 -44 in the front and 46 -48 in the rear. This may help, but won't cure it. If cupped badly you should be able to see and feel it on the edges of both.

[dshealey]

Tires!

You likely have Metzeler 880s, and the rear will howl like a scalded banshee in turns after it is partially worn and the tread blocks have feathered. The front too, but not nearly as loud. The only tire I ever tried on the LT that was noiser was Dunlops. The BT020s will also feather, but are not nearly as noisy when they do.

My first LT had Dunlops, and after half worn I could ride near the centerline on a two lane road and it would be quiet, but move to the right side of the lane where the crown angle was higher, and it would howl.

[hoodoodrum]

Had my 2000 brakes and clutch fluids changed by the dealer last week. Had a new front tire put on as well. After the tech test rode the bike, he was concerned about the exact same "howling". I met him in the garage and looked over his work. "I" had to explain to him why the rear tire howls and why it wasn't the rear drive. He was either bluffing me or just flat out didn't know the characteristics of rear tire wear on the LT.

Damn glad so many of you on this forum make sense out of these things. They were ready to tell me to replace the drive bearing (which is out of warranty). Told him I also stock a spare drive in case this one goes bad. Made his eyes pop out (OO) (OO).

[goodemote]

Well I never would have imagined.. I did look at my tire and it's in good shape but it does have a slight feather to it.. I appreciate the insight... Kinda hard to believe it would make that kinda noise though...

[tmgs]

Ok,

I recently got my LT... 2003 only 5000 miles... I put about 250 miles on this weekend and noticed that my final drive hums a little... and if when I go around a bend right or left it really howls... it doesn't grind. Since I just got the bike I am not sure if this is a characteristic or if I may have a problem. When I stopped I did check to see if it was hot and it wasn't.. thoughts???

Thanks,

Wes

running me 880's?

if so next set run them at max or a couple pouinds over max PSi on the sidewall, your problems will be solved.

I talked to a rep about this not long ago they recomend max tire pressure,
Me880 belted f 42 r 50 like is says on the sidewall of the tire. works great!

Tom

[vtwinwilly]

Happens to every set of Metzler ME880 I go thru. As they wear in the center, they howl when healed over on the sides.

BB

[DavidTaylor]

That's tire noise. I'm guessing you have Metzeler ME 880s on the bike. tHe are known to do this after they've worn in for a while. Nothing to worry about.

[nswenson]

Well I never would have imagined.. I did look at my tire and it's in good shape but it does have a slight feather to it.. I appreciate the insight... Kinda hard to believe it would make that kinda noise though...

You can believe it. I thought the same thing when I first experienced that hum, but sure enough, when I changed tires, no more hum/vibrations. I don't know why those Metzlers are so noisey as compated to other tires. Even with the slightest lean, they roar. Next time you get tires, try the Bridgestone Bias Ply BT020 tires. No noise and much metter traction!

As other's have stated, raise the tire pressure to the tire maximum (or a bit more). It makes a huge difference on how the tires wear. If you still feel uneasy about the rear drive, put the bike on the center stand and in neutral. Spin the rear wheel. If the drive is bad, you should feel the roughness in the rotation. Also try moving wheel side to side. It should not move at all side to side.

Nate

[hoodoodrum]

ME 880's

[ATFLT]

I have the 880's on mine. At about 8,500 on them so far I haven't noticed any noise from them. Maybe that is because I keep them at max pressure or maybe I am just used to the sound and don't pay any attention to it. Either way it isn't a problem for me.

[goodemote]

Well they are 880's and they have 5200 on them... good tread left but I just got the bike...I will know this for next time... but from what I understand, this seems to be the tire of choice... right???

[dshealey]

Well they are 880's and they have 5200 on them... good tread left but I just got the bike...I will know this for next time... but from what I understand, this seems to be the tire of choice... right???

Not necessarily! Some like them, probably at least as many do not.

Basically, they show pretty long tread life on the front in comparison, but for many (me included) they do not handle as well as the radials, and many of us do not like the poorer rear wet grip of the 880. The BT020 rear wet grip is MUCH better. I had one set of 880s, several sets of BT020 radials, and even though the front mileage of the BT020 is considerably less than the front 880 I would continue to use the BT020s. I did not get to try the bias ply BT020, but if I had the choice I would stick to the radials.

The BT020s are not nearly as noisy as the 880s when they get worn.

Basically, there is no "tire of choice" for the group as a whole. There are basically three major camps: Metzeler 880s, BT020 (radials or bias ply), and BT020 radial rear with Avon front. There are a few who like the Avons front and rear, but that group is very small. Most of us who have tried that did not like the Avon rear (for lack of a better word, wobbly).

[tmgs]

Well they are 880's and they have 5200 on them... good tread left but I just got the bike...I will know this for next time...

but from what I understand, this seems to be the tire of choice... right???

Oh this should get good!

some here hate the 880 say it's the worse handling tire ever, say it slips at the thought of hitting the pavement.

Me I won't run anything else on the LT, i require a tire that works well in all circumstances, this the 880 does and does extremely well

it is a great balance of handling, lasting, and grip

Tom