PR3 Vibes Anyone??

[Darren33]

Guys, I have my Kawasaki GTR1400 in with J&S as we speak as they are investigating a problem I reported which was excessive vibes from the front end above 60MPH.

Its been in there all day and I have just had a call from them saying they think its vibes caused by the Michelin Pilot Road 3 tyres fitted.

Now they are only 11 months old and have covered 2100 miles only.

Has anyone experienced any vibes with these tyres.???

Just checking

Daz

[Bryn]

My PR3's have about 2k on them so far , and no vibes 

[nightrider]

Have one fitted on rear that I asked. Them not to balance as I don't like the look of the lead and it has been fine , I have a Pirelli  tyre fitted on the front ,   Ask them to put  another tyre on and that will tell if it is at fault , I doubt that it is the tyre unless it is faulty....

[routemaster]

Hi

I have never had any issues with vibrations or with PR3's.

I would be interested to know what they think the cause is.

Kind regards

Steve

[1ka]

No, I use PR3's all the time. When the front's worn, it can wobble a little at stupid speed when leant over, but I've not felt any vibration.

What I have also had is worn front bearings that cause vibration. My front bearings go every 7K, so perhaps it's that?

[Lonewolf]

I've used PR3's on the last two GTR's and no issue whatsoever.

[O.C.]

I did thousands of miles on PR2s and also PR3s without any vibration.

[Debs]

I don't have PR3's on baby but after reading the replies, I would think it has something to do with the bearings.

I would get those checked asap.

[Darren33]

Thank's for the replies. I had a call back from the dealers yesterday. They are gonna try a brand new tyre on the front and test ride again.  If ok they will stand the tyre, if not, I will ask them to check and change the bearings, although they did  say they were ok, (This was before they took the wheel off of test rode it though).

Will see what the feedback is today from them.

[zedmeister]

This is interesting, my 3 previous GTRs had various tyres on them including PR2 there was  the usual vibration but nothing untoward, now my 4th GTR i have PR3s on it and the vibration is quite noticable. I will await your dealers response.

[Darren33]

Just called J&S to get some feedback on the GTR situation.  the chap I spoke to says that both tyres look to be worn unevenly on the sidewalls  which could be causing the vibes. Oh Dear I know where this is going.

He said they aint fitted any different tyres yet and test rode her to see if the vibes dissapear. So they are gonna order some Bridgestome BT023 GT's and fit them then test ride again.

If the vibes are no better I am having the PR3's back on and will see what other suggestions come forth.

Apparently wheel bearings and discs are fine.

I mentioned that all the folk on here have PR3's fitted and non have reported issues and get far more than 2000 miles before they are worn out.

If it does turn out to be the tyres I asked If they could contact the supplier and get me a refund as I will have to pay in full for the Bridgestones if they stay on.

This is no fault of J&S's, they are trying to sort me out, although I can see this being a costly excersise for me

Just to add insult to the situation, I bought a brand new set of tyres for the XJR 2 days ago from them for about £220.  If I had known what may happen, I would have saved my pennies for this.

Ah Well, fingers crossed they come up trumps.

Daz

[Winston Smith]

BT023's?

Can they not supply T30's?

Slipstones are far stiffer sidewalls (hence the criticism of less feedback)

OK tyre, but not a patch on the rest of the market at present, although T30 may be better

[Darren33]

With normal riding, the tyres should not wear unevenly

Surely something else must be causing it?

The chap at J&S said they have had problems with front tyre wear on FJR fronts and this was cured by using the BT023 GT tyres.

He suggested they try mine with the BT023 GT's and see if this cures the vibe problem.

Personally I think if its tyre wear, He could in fact put new Pilot road 3's on and they would seem ok, (Until they wear unevenly AGAIN)

I could end up paying £250 for tyres I dont need then in a years time be in the very same situation with uneven wear and by then the bike will be out of warranty and i'll be left footing the bill yet again for another investigation

Lets see what Monday brings.

[Darren33]

We I have finally got the GTR Back Saturday after 2 weeks. The shop mechanic was adam ant that the vibe issue was the tyres. They could not get the 190/50 Bridgestone BT023 GT fro their supplier so I just said put some PR2's on, (Had them on my previous GTR with no problems at all).  Anyway, I got a call saying he had test rode it and everything was now fine as before it was like riding on 2 badly balanced tyres.

Well yesterday I went out and tried a bit of an experiment on the local quiet bypass.

1st run was to get up to top gear ASAP and steadily increase the speed. At highish speed the vibes were hardly noticeable, (below 5000rpm)

2nd run I tried in 4th gear so I could get past 5000rpm and not be going too fast. As soon as the bike hit 5000rpm the vibes started and at 7000rpm it was terrible, the engine vibes were transferring through the bars and footrests and the whole bike was one big buZZZZZZZZZZ


Now chaps, is this normal for a post 2010 GTR?????

I dont want to keep booking it in if it is.   I know vibes has been covered over and over but how bad do they actually have to get before it is deemed unacceptable?

So Far I am £236 out of pocket with new tyres I am not sure I needed in the first place after only 2000 miles.



Daz

[Winston Smith]

I think your first problem was taking it to an 80's Rocker who has suffered bi-polar for many years, which, arguably, may be the reason for his success but ironically the same reason he couldn't maintain that after late 70s/early 80's.

Secondly, I would get the bike into another Kawasaki solus dealer, explain the situation and ask their opinion.

You could contact Kawasaki directly and speak to someone there from the technical department.

I have never had the vibes you describe on either mine or the fleet bikes I have ridden.