New Front Tire Feels Heavy

[VEGASRIDER]

So I had a new set of Michellin Pilot Powers put on my bike this week. For some reason, my front tire becomes real heavy and wobbly at slow speeds. I mean heavy as far as trying to make tight turns, and wobbly like it feels like I'm trying to control a gyroscope. I called Yamaha today and they told me to bring in the bike on Saturday so they can take a look. Any ideas. I checked the tire pressure, its at 32psi, a unit down, but shouldn't cause that kind of a feeling. Tire was balanced before being placed back onto the bike too. Weird.

[christod1]

i would very carefull how I ride the bike if I was you untill I got it checked. Possibly the tyre is faulty or most probably it hasn't been put on correctly. Be very carefull..

[oso2k]

Originally Posted by VEGASRIDER

So I had a new set of Michellin Pilot Powers put on my bike this week. For some reason, my front tire becomes real heavy and wobbly at slow speeds. I mean heavy as far as trying to make tight turns, and wobbly like it feels like I'm trying to control a gyroscope. I called Yamaha today and they told me to bring in the bike on Saturday so they can take a look. Any ideas. I checked the tire pressure, its at 32psi, a unit down, but shouldn't cause that kind of a feeling. Tire was balanced before being placed back onto the bike too. Weird.

PPs have this tendency until they're properly broken in. However, I would be a little concerned about the pressure. I thought standard pressure was 36 PSI and 42 PSI for heavy guys like me. Bump up the pressure when you can and make you do a thorough break in run.

[VEGASRIDER]

Originally Posted by oso2k

PPs have this tendency until they're properly broken in. However, I would be a little concerned about the pressure. I thought standard pressure was 36 PSI and 42 PSI for heavy guys like me. Bump up the pressure when you can and make you do a thorough break in run.

Correct tire pressure according to the manual is 33 for the front and 36 on the rear. I'm not really a very big person, weigh about 150, maybe 160 with gear. I was wondering if the tire was placed on correctly as well, but it seems to look it's aligned properly and bolts intact. I was planning to take it in anyway for a 100 mile safety inspection torque check on the bolts.

[wrightme43]

Is the little direction of rotation arrow pointing the right way?

[DefyInertia]

I run PPs at 36/36 on the street (and higher 2up), are you referring to the FZ6 manual???? I don't think the direction should make a difference in the dry and balancing shouldn't be an issue unless you're in the triple digits. Are you sure you're not just needing to get used to how a fresh new tire feels? Did you check over the entire front end?

32 psi on the front is getting close to race track pressure...i'd add 4 to six pounds and see how it feels.

[VEGASRIDER]

Originally Posted by wrightme43

Is the little direction of rotation arrow pointing the right way?

Originally Posted by DefyInertia

Are you sure you're not just needing to get used to how a fresh new tire feels? Did you check over the entire front end?

32 psi on the front is getting close to race track pressure...i'd add 4 to six pounds and see how it feels.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will follow up on Saturday, including adding more preassure. I never recalled my front end feeling like that when I first got the bike and had the stock tires on. I would definately remember it. I had a chance to ride Idanny's FZ6 the other night, as we traded off bikes for curiosity sakes, and his were fine. Although he has the 2CT's, and about 700 miles on them, it was fine.

Originally Posted by VEGASRIDER

Correct tire pressure according to the manual is 33 for the front and 36 on the rear. I'm not really a very big person, weigh about 150, maybe 160 with gear. I was wondering if the tire was placed on correctly as well, but it seems to look it's aligned properly and bolts intact. I was planning to take it in anyway for a 100 mile safety inspection torque check on the bolts.

I run 36 to 38 in the front on my Road Attacks. As DI said earlier, 32psi is pretty soft. In the times I was down there with the D252 tire the front felt very heavy at slow speeds

[wrightme43]

Then I run 32 frt 34 rear but thats with Storms and it works well for me, feel is very planted with easy turn in and control. I guess its just different for each tire and rider. When I raise the pressure for 2 up and then ride alone with it, it feels very harsh and wierd to me.

Maybe experiment with tire pressures?

[oldfast007]

Originally Posted by VEGASRIDER

So I had a new set of Michellin Pilot Powers put on my bike this week. For some reason, my front tire becomes real heavy and wobbly at slow speeds. I mean heavy as far as trying to make tight turns, and wobbly like it feels like I'm trying to control a gyroscope. I called Yamaha today and they told me to bring in the bike on Saturday so they can take a look. Any ideas. I checked the tire pressure, its at 32psi, a unit down, but shouldn't cause that kind of a feeling. Tire was balanced before being placed back onto the bike too. Weird.

I am confident you are not going to like them, take them off and send them to me now! I will send you mine in exchange, problem solved...j/k

Have you tried the simple method, put the bike up the center stand, manually rotate the tire check the for proper bead seating, weight placement, slightly mis molded tire etc??