Front Wheel Drone Less Than 500 miles From New

[gsbiker]

I've started to hear a hollow drone coming from the front end of my bike as I ride. Most noticeably from around 45 - 50 mph. I dip the clutch and the drone continues on. Although this is ridiculas it sounds like the front wheel bearings but my bike is still running in after on 475 miles of careful riding. The drone is very noticeable and definitely sounds slightly hollow in nature? Is it the bike's character or could this be a problem?

Paul.

 

[John Armstrong]

Tried spinning the front wheel on the centre stand? Any play in it when on the centre stand.

BTW it's not unknown for blanks to come off frame tubes etc and set up a speed related drone, just like blowing across a bottle top.

 

[Wapping]

Vent open on helmet?

 

[gsbiker]

Vent open on helmet?

LOL very funny!

 

[gsbiker]

Tried spinning the front wheel on the centre stand? Any play in it when on the centre stand.

BTW it's not unknown for blanks to come off frame tubes etc and set up a speed related drone, just like blowing across a bottle top.

No I havn't as the wheel doesn't spin at all unless forced. Bike drones when at speeds from £45 onwards. My first service is due very soon so I will ask but wanted to know if this is normal? I guess the blowing like you suggested might be possible - where would I look for missing blanks?

 

[Mr K]

When I had my Avon Distanzias fitted I noticed a similar thing at those sorts of speeds.

Could it just be tyre noise/road surface?

 

[John Armstrong]

No I havn't as the wheel doesn't spin at all unless forced. Bike drones when at speeds from £45 onwards. My first service is due very soon so I will ask but wanted to know if this is normal? I guess the blowing like you suggested might be possible - where would I look for missing blanks?

Doesn't spin unless forced

Need to look at that sooner rather than later, might be a sticky brake, which can overheat the disc

Missing blanks, just have a look around for open holes and then have a look on pictures / another bike to see if that's how it should be.

 

[gsbiker]

When I had my Avon Distanzias fitted I noticed a similar thing at those sorts of speeds.

Could it just be tyre noise/road surface?

Yes it does sound like tyre noise/road surface and depending on speed, depends how load you hear it. I don't think it's a missing blank? It def sounds like noise from wheel/tyre. But can anyone hear this on theirs?

 

[Boxergs]

Which tyres you running?...I've found most off-road tyres...ie tkc's and Heindenau's all give a droning noise which is quite noticeable at around 50ish.

Just a thought thats all

 

[Wapping]

Vent open on helmet?

I was being serious (or near enough).

You say it's a new bike, only 500 odd miles. Was your old bike a GS? If not, maybe your head is at a different angle?

My Nolan (before I flogged it, pronto) droned, if that's the right word, a bit like someone blowing across a very large bottle at some speeds. No such problem with my Shoei.

PS Tell us a bit more about having to force the front wheel around. On the centre stand, unless you have panniers fitted, the chances are the front wheel will be touching the ground. So, yes, you will have to pull it around.

Set the bike on its centre stand so the back wheel is on the ground. The front wheel should now spin quite freely. Does it?

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

My Tourances started to drone after about 500 miles. Ask the dealer to have a look at it on the first service. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about

 

[Prattapillar]

I've got Avon Distanzias fitted too and notice a similar sounding noise at around 40- 50 mph.

 

[cherokee]

mine does

Mine drones but im sure its just my pillion......

 

[Pukmeister]

Yes it does sound like tyre noise/road surface and depending on speed, depends how load you hear it. I don't think it's a missing blank? It def sounds like noise from wheel/tyre. But can anyone hear this on theirs?

I'm glad you posted about this. My front Tourance does the same, especially when leaned over. I guess its the tread profile as the wheel bearings seem smooth enough.

 

[gsbiker]

Which tyres you running?...I've found most off-road tyres...ie tkc's and Heindenau's all give a droning noise which is quite noticeable at around 50ish.

Just a thought thats all

This is my front wheel, and the tyres are metzellers. The drone I hear def sounds as though its from the front wheel because the drone noise alternates as if something is going around and around and around. Can't say I've noticed it around corners only on straights. It's not my helmet because I don't get it on my RD. Regarding front wheel, I bought a devise with rollers to rest the front wheel on in order to move it for cleaning, and that was fairly stiff. Certainly to stiff/tight to spin freely! Brake calipers will be touching at least. I tried to check the wheel bearings by checking the spindle tightness and it's a solid fit. The drone sounds quite loud considering I have a shoi helmet on, must be louder on the street. I wonder if it's wind noise at a certain speed going through the spokes and the alternating noise is the wind sound from the revolving tyre valve? Having said that the alternating noise is slower than the speed of the tyre valve going around at that speed?

 

[karlp]

This is my front wheel, and the tyres are metzellers

I had this on my bike and when mentioned to the dealer the fiirst thing he said was tyres.


--- It is just so common - especially the Metzellers.

 

[Mickyfinn]

My Battle Wings drone at about 30/40 mph on certain road surfaces. I find the noise quite facinating ! I hope yours is nothing serious. The various vibrations on my 08 GSA certainly reduced with miles to a point where it wonderfully smooth at 70/80mph after 9000 miles. Good luck I hope you enjoy your GSA as much I have mine

 

[karnevil]

A sub company of the company I work for is called Border Bearings.I am fitting bearings into all sorts all day long.I had a droning from the front of my bike and I was convinced it was a bearing giving out on the front asked the dealer and thet aid tyres but I was not convinced o returnrd home tripped wheel off and guess what I found?
Yep it was the tyre
LOL


If you find you need a new bearing and dont wanna pay BMW prices when you go to your bearing supplier make sure you get C3 spec they have a grater tollerance and will run warmer!

 

[Russ-AFC]

Im sure it will be the tyres too. My anakees do it, the tread particularly when new rumbles a bit. For peace of mind mention at first service but im sure they will say its the tyres.

 

[Pukmeister]

This is my front wheel, and the tyres are metzellers.

The drone I hear def sounds as though its from the front wheel because the drone noise alternates as if something is going around and around and around.

Can't say I've noticed it around corners only on straights.... I wonder if it's wind noise at a certain speed going through the spokes

Mine has alloys with Metzelers and makes the droning noise you mention. I guess it isn't your spokes.

I think it is the tread profile deforming against the tarmac as the wheel rotates. Land Rover drivers hear such tyre noise with off-road/semi off-road tyres.