Front end road noise

[Will14]

Hi All

I haven't been around much due to other commitments but finally got an opportunity to take the K2 out last Saturday for a half decent run eventually, after buying it last September!

Considering the bike has been barely used for the last couple of years, in fact its only covered 900 miles in the last five years according to the MOT history she ran beautifully with no problems at all, mind you I have gone through it with a fine tooth comb over the winter, stripping, cleaning adjusting and tinkering which will have helped Hope

One thing that I did notice almost straight away was a noise which appeared to be coming from the front wheel area, the best way I can describe the noise is that it is very similar the the road noise you experience when travelling at speed in a car along a concrete road but it was there all the time from pulling off almost to full speed, if I hadn't just replaced all the wheel bearings and seals I would have put money on the fault being a dry bearing but it cant be

I may be worrying about nothing but I have recently found out that unknown to me when I purchased the bike it was a CAT D in 2006, in its self that doesn't really bother me as the bike is mint and in standard condition and has covered 10K miles and passed numerous MOT's since the CAT D, also I don't intend selling so not to worried about the value dropping

Has or does anyone else experience any similar noise and if so have they managed to find the cause? I don't recall this noise on any of the other 1400's that I have owned

Thanks in advance

Pete...

[Eric GSX1400K3]

From what I read it's a repetitive road noise from standstill, like driving over the seams on a concrete road?

Maybe one of the following:

Flat spot on the front tyre?

Brake rotors warped or one of the floating disc carriers not freed up?

Unbalanced tyre?

[seth]

I'd agree a slightly sticky disc bobbin or a pad that's not fully lubbed properly .
Or an old tyre can sometimes be noisy too.
Good luck 

[gsxbarmy]

Given the low mileage - how old are the tyres Will - could be the issue, as tyres do go "off" over time, and 5 years and only 900 miles, sounds like they don't get much chance to get worn out. Rubber will go hard over time.

To find your tyres age you need to find the DOT Date Code on the tyre. Find the raised DOT letters and numbers. Look for 4 numbers together, often enclosed in a raised oval. The first two numbers are the week the tyre was manufactured, for instance in the example below, 35 stands for week 35. The second two numbers are the year the tyre was manufactured. In the image below we see the 07, indicating the tyre was build in 2007. This particular tyre was made the 35th week of 2007.

[KiwiCol]

If your brakes and rotors are ok, I'd be going for the tyre myself.

Have a look at the date stamp on both, because of the low mileage over the recent history, I think your tyres may be just too old & need replacing, just not flexing as they should & the compounds going hard, thus making a noise.  Never mind how much tread is on them, if they're around 7 years old, it's time for some new shoes for the girl.

[Will14]

Morning & thanks for you comments, a few things to check & I have a feeling that I will be ordering a pair of tyres at the weekend  any recommendations lol 

Thanks

Pete.

[grog]

Will, contact Suzuki GP team, Rins tyres after Assen should be cheap. Only did 9 corners. 

[KiwiCol]

Hmmm, reco for a tyre that has to travel around 900 miles every 5 years, hmmm, bloody near anything that's newly manufactured would do    I know!, Ask Notty!! 
Whatever is the best price in your area really, Michy 5's, Angels, Metzler Bridgestone, all will do what need.

[gsxbarmy]

Michelin PR5's or a set of Road Angels. Both damn good tyres, nothing much (if anything) to choose between the 2

[grog]

Barmy, what about Chen Shing or Kenda? I see them on so many golf buggies, must be good.

[KiwiCol]

Maxxis make tyres too, their forklift ones last for ages, wonder about their bike tyres? 

[seth]

Maxxis are made by Chen-shing and also make ago a plane tyres but I've never been convinced about there motor cycle tyres .
I did try them once soon a time and on a hot dry road they were ok but in the rain wow were they dodgy

[Notty]

Michelin PR5's or a set of Road Angels. Both damn good tyres, nothing much (if anything) to choose between the 2

As Dave says - no question quality tyres always since I was 18 ( 46 years ) 

[gsxbarmy]

Maxxis are made by Chen-shing and also make ago a plane tyres but I've never been convinced about there motor cycle tyres .
I did try them once soon a time and on a hot dry toad they were ok but in the rain wow were they dodgy

I'm interested to hear more @seth about the Maxxis and the hot dry toad 

[seth]

Hot dry toads are as hard and sticky as the road but wet toads are very slippery 
(Bloddy phone )