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CENTRAMATIC WHEEL BALANCERS

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gkc501

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am considering putting these on my 2018 wing. Did a search on this forum, found nothing but positive comments. Searched some other forums, positive reviews too.

So my question - any reason NOT to use these on the goldwing? Other than they cost a few bucks?

Have not had much luck with static balancing. Front wheel ALWAYS cupped on my last bike (2012 ST1300, 100,000 miles). And my first 3 sets of bridgestones on the goldwing have all cupped / worn unevenly.
 
#3 ·
Cons...expensive and extra weight.
My old wing would cup front tires before I made suspension upgrades...after the suspension was upgraded I never had any front tire cupping again..but that was with the old model. With this 2018 Ive only replaced one front tire so far but that first front tire went 11k miles with no cupping.
 
#5 ·
I had them on my 05 and 10 with great results. No front tire cupping. No cupping on the 2018. I may add them ---to date I have not. These things do work
 
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#7 ·
I agree with most of the comments in this thread. I've had them on my last two Wings (2001 & 2008) and love them. I've already bought them for my 2018 and have installed the rear one and will install the front one when I replace the front tire & BTW there is only one for the front wheel on the 1833.
 
#8 ·
One of the first items I added to the bike. I also run these on my 2019 F-350.
 
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#10 ·
I just purchased a 2018 I have less than 500 miles on bike now. These are one of the 1st things I am putting on. Probable next week. I had some on my 2012 and put them on a tire that was beginning to cup. after a few thousand miles the cupping had almost disappeared from the tire. Don't know if the centramatic had anything to do with it but it was sure running smooth when I sold it.
 
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#11 ·
Just for a point of information, Max McAlister at Traxxion Dynamics says that tire cupping is caused by poor suspension dampening. I can see how an unbalanced tire would lead to tire oscillation that would directly have an effect on suspension dampening causing tire cupping. Can't say if better dampening might prevent cupping from a slightly out of balance tire. Most of my previous bikes did have cupping on the their front tire.
 
#13 ·
Ray N. said:
I don't like the extra weight. I've had 2 sets and I ended up taking them off and selling them. I didn't try them on my
2018. I personally prefer the stick on weights.
Click to expand...
Adding unsprang weight and affecting the handling of the bike is a concern to me. However, considering how heavy the GW is from the get-go, is the extra upsprung weight really noticeable?

Thinking on installing some Centramatics as preventive measure to ensure even tire wear and balance, hence my question.

Thanks a bunch!
 
#17 ·
Lotso said:
Whether they work or not does not matter in my mind; and since I change my own tires, along with a spare car tire rear wheel, don't need the extra garbage.
Click to expand...
Well the idea here is that Centramatics provide a unique capability to continually load balance your tires as the tires age. Stick on lead weights are a snapshot in time that's taken at the time of the initial balance. I doubt many folks re-balance their tires regularly here. This continual load-balance can be provided by two competing technologies: Centramatics and in-tire balance beads. I am simply trying to determine whether the Centramatics have any drawbacks, with unsprung weight penalty coming to mind.

At this point it seems there is an overwhelming positive feedback regarding the Centramatics with few negative reviews. I'l plan to give the Centramatics a go and report back.

Cheers, Alex
 
#18 ·
Ive never understood the comments about tires needing to be rebalanced as they wear. Ive never noticed any sign of a tire going out of balance as they wear..my bikes have felt smooth with stick on weights throughout the tires lifespan.

I tried tire beads with a set of tires. The bike rode no smoother than when using stick on weights... there was no increase with tire mileage either...the only difference was it cost me more money while installing new tires.

The only way I would use the tire beads again is if there was no computer spin balance machine to balance the wheel with.
 
#19 ·
aprikh1 said:
Hi Fred,

Can you elaborate as why you did not like the Centramatics? Was the additional unsprung weight noticeable for your use-case?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
It's not just the unsprung weight that increases, it is also rotational mass. And they only work under static speeds. Acceleration and deceleration cause them to make the wheel out of balance when braking or accelerating or at low speeds.

Motorcycle manufactures go out of their way to reduce mass everywhere they can, especially on unsprung or rotating components for a good reason. I don't like to add unnecessary weight to a motorcycle.
 
#20 ·
I have Centramatics. I don't remember how heavy the Centramatics are, but it isn't much.

I agree with Roadie with respect to tires not going out of balance with wear. For decades my tires had stick on weights with zero problems. I bought beads once because I was going to change the tires myself, but I didn't have the right technique, so I ended up going to a shop. I didn't have a balance done and used the beads when I got home.

I opted for Centramatics a year or so ago, and I think I wasted my money. The ride isn't smoother, the longevity isn't better, and there was no cupping before or since the Centramatics. There is also no savings on tire installation despite no balancing required.

I have them and I'll continue to use them, but I wouldn't buy them again.
 
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