Warranty dumb question

[PacoT]

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Hi guys,

My motorcycle's handlebars shake worse than a guy playing maracas when I'm over 80km/h. I'm guessing that the wheel is not balanced correctly. The motorcycle was brand new when I purchased it from the dealer two months ago.

Do you think this might constitute an acceptable warranty claim? On the other hand, if the warranty does not cover it, do you know any good and not-so-expensive shops that do wheel alignments near Toronto?

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Edit: I'm on the east side. Close to Greek town

 

[mimico_polak]

Wheel weight may have fallen off during a ride if you hit a bump.
Check air pressures to make sure all is good.

Where in Toronto are you? Would help people point you in the right direction for a shop close to you.

 

[TK4]

Hi guys,

My motorcycle's handlebars shake worse than a guy playing maracas when I'm over 80km/h. I'm guessing that the wheel is not balanced correctly. The motorcycle was brand new when I purchased it from the dealer.

Do you think this might constitute an acceptable warranty claim? On the other hand, if the warranty does not cover it, do you know any good and not-so-expensive shops that do wheel alignments near Toronto?

I appreciate any help you can provide.

What bike, cast or spoke wheels, how many kms, is there any indication that wheel weights may have come adrift ? Give us a hint.

 

[PacoT]

Wheel weight may have fallen off during a ride if you hit a bump.
Check air pressures to make sure all is good.

Where in Toronto are you? Would help people point you in the right direction for a shop close to you.

East York, close to Greek town. I will check the air pressure. Thanks

What bike, cast or spoke wheels, how many kms, is there any indication that wheel weights may have come adrift ? Give us a hint.

Sorry, I missed including so much information. Tiger 660, cast wheels, is now close to 2k kms, I purchased the bike around two months. I cannot see any signs some wheel weights have detached.

 

[sburns]

Hopefully your handlebars themselves are not loose...

 

[mimico_polak]

There’s a couple shops east end (Snow City and Cycle World come to mind).

With only 2000km since you bought it I’d try the place you bought it from first as a first shot. Most likely they’ll say ‘it was fine when we sold it, must’ve hit something’ but it’s always worth a shot.

Hold the bike and wiggle the handlebars while stopped to see if there is play there. If it’s only at a certain speed range it’s very likely an out of balance wheel, or a dented/bent rim from a hit.

Good luck.

 

[Relax]

If it's been like that since you got it, I'd take it back to the dealer to make sure they have a record of your complaint, even if they deny repairs under warranty.

 

[Merkid]

Been driving in Mississauga lately with our numerous sunken manhole lids?

Back in July I sent a list of a dozen locations near me to the Transportation and Works hot line. Not one has been raised.

I can't wait until the Mayor and Councillor incumbents come knocking on my door looking for my vote.

 

[xrljoel]

(Potentially) Stupid question: Are they shaking with both hands on the bars or when you take your hands off?

 

[Wingboy]

The bike could have left the factory with steering head bearings not properly torqued.

 

[GreyGhost]

East York, close to Greek town. I will check the air pressure. Thanks


Sorry, I missed including so much information. Tiger 660, cast wheels, is now close to 2k kms, I purchased the bike around two months. I cannot see any signs some wheel weights have detached.

What is going on at the left side of this picture? It looks slightly strange but it may just be the angle. If everything looks ok in real life, ignore my comment and move on.

 

[Gary]

Hi guys,

My motorcycle's handlebars shake worse than a guy playing maracas when I'm over 80km/h. I'm guessing that the wheel is not balanced correctly. The motorcycle was brand new when I purchased it from the dealer two months ago.

Do you think this might constitute an acceptable warranty claim? On the other hand, if the warranty does not cover it, do you know any good and not-so-expensive shops that do wheel alignments near Toronto?

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Edit: I'm on the east side. Close to Greek town

Run your hand along the tread on the front tire. If it's 'wavey', or 'choppy', or anything but smooth/round, there's your problem.
I went through this 2 weeks ago (and a yr ago). On deceleration it was 10X worse, and getting worse by the mile. This latest front tire had jagged/pointy spots every couple or three inches, all the way around it. A new set of tires, and the bike is smooth as can be again. The tires I binned "looked" like they were half done, not close to the wear bars.
The front prior (oem) was "wavey", and caused the same symptoms, but it was at the end of its life.

 

[TK4]

East York, close to Greek town. I will check the air pressure. Thanks
Sorry, I missed including so much information. Tiger 660, cast wheels, is now close to 2k kms, I purchased the bike around two months. I cannot see any signs some wheel weights have detached.

Tire pressure is definitely where to start. If you have the resources, prop the front end up off the ground and spin the wheel to see if there is any evidence of damage to the tire or rim. Also turn the handlebars side to side and see if they move smoothly and without any 'ratcheting' effect.

 

[FullMotoJacket]

Run your hand along the tread on the front tire. If it's 'wavey', or 'choppy', or anything but smooth/round, there's your problem.
I went through this 2 weeks ago (and a yr ago). On deceleration it was 10X worse, and getting worse by the mile. This latest front tire had jagged/pointy spots every couple or three inches, all the way around it. A new set of tires, and the bike is smooth as can be again. The tires I binned "looked" like they were half done, not close to the wear bars.
The front prior (oem) was "wavey", and caused the same symptoms, but it was at the end of its life.

Scalloping. If you're a hard/late braker you can scallop a front tire in a few thousand Ks

 

[Gary]

Scalloping. If you're a hard/late braker you can scallop a front tire in a few thousand Ks

I had a Metzler go bad riding from cycle city back home. Replacement metzler did exactly the same thing. They blamed the bike (bandit). Next tire, (forget the brand) was fine.

 

[PacoT]

There’s a couple shops east end (Snow City and Cycle World come to mind).

With only 2000km since you bought it I’d try the place you bought it from first as a first shot. Most likely they’ll say ‘it was fine when we sold it, must’ve hit something’ but it’s always worth a shot.

Hold the bike and wiggle the handlebars while stopped to see if there is play there. If it’s only at a certain speed range it’s very likely an out of balance wheel, or a dented/bent rim from a hit.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info.

If it's been like that since you got it, I'd take it back to the dealer to make sure they have a record of your complaint, even if they deny repairs under warranty.

Yeah. I think I will call tomorrow to schedule an appointment.

(Potentially) Stupid question: Are they shaking with both hands on the bars or when you take your hands off?

While I have my hands on the bars, I can feel them shaking but no visible signs. I take the hands out of the handlebars and I can see them moving front and back.

The bike could have left the factory with steering head bearings not properly torqued.

Well, I hope the dealership agrees to inspect my bike and not only think I have bent the wheel or some weights have come off.

What is going on at the left side of this picture? It looks slightly strange but it may just be the angle. If everything looks ok in real life, ignore my comment and move on.

Everything seems ok in person. Might be water because I was washing the bike when I took the photo.

Run your hand along the tread on the front tire. If it's 'wavey', or 'choppy', or anything but smooth/round, there's your problem.
I went through this 2 weeks ago (and a yr ago). On deceleration it was 10X worse, and getting worse by the mile. This latest front tire had jagged/pointy spots every couple or three inches, all the way around it. A new set of tires, and the bike is smooth as can be again. The tires I binned "looked" like they were half done, not close to the wear bars.
The front prior (oem) was "wavey", and caused the same symptoms, but it was at the end of its life.

I tried it. The wheel feels smooth, not wavey :/

Tire pressure is definitely where to start. If you have the resources, prop the front end up off the ground and spin the wheel to see if there is any evidence of damage to the tire or rim. Also turn the handlebars side to side and see if they move smoothly and without any 'ratcheting' effect.

I will go to buy a pressure gauge I cannot find mine. Thanks

I had a Metzler go bad riding from cycle city back home. Replacement metzler did exactly the same thing. They blamed the bike (bandit). Next tire, (forget the brand) was fine.

These are Michelin Road 5's. I put the same model in my previous bike, and I never had a complaint in the 10k+ kms I used them. On the other hand, these are the factory tires so the quality might be different from the other set I purchased.

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