Tire sounds on the highway

[forestfarm]

The voyager is so quiet at highway speed I have become much more aware of tire noise from cars and trucks.At 75-90 miles an hour they really begin broadcast their own special tone due to the different tread designs,weight,tread issues,vehicle issues such as bad wheel bearings,out of balance,etc.its incredible how much they vary.Some cars tires are whisper quiet and others are horribly loud.I can also hear my own bikes varying front tire noise when banking on varying road surface.It seems to change alot depending on the surface.You can hear different sounds depending on how good the ashpalt paving is.I will definitely check the front end for play this winter.Also will check the frame bolts behind the fairing

[ghostler]

The voyager is so quiet at highway speed I have become much more aware of tire noise from cars and trucks. At 75-90 miles an hour they really begin broadcast their own special tone due to the different tread designs, weight, tread issues, vehicle issues such as bad wheel bearings, out of balance, etc. It's incredible how much they vary. Some cars tires are whisper quiet and others are horribly loud. I can also hear my own bike's varying front tire noise when banking on varying road surface. It seems to change a lot depending on the surface. You can hear different sounds depending on how good the asphalt paving is.I will definitely check the front end for play this winter. Also will check the frame bolts behind the fairing

Those road sounds are normal. I just reseated my front tire beads and re-balanced it after 11,000 miles of riding, fixed the front end vibrations above 65 mph. Progressive springs in the front forks corrected the dive during stops and hard braking and firmed up the overall soft feeling I had. Now it is a completely different bike.

Yes, got to agree, will check the bolts and steering head when I get a chance. I think you'll find like I that a lot of the noises are just a part of riding, as long as fluid levels are up to par and maintenance checks performed should be good to go.

[Mr Jensee]

You noticed that too did you? This is the first bike I have a full faring on and it allows you to pick up sounds in the wind pocket you never get to hear on a bike without it. I first noticed the sound of the drive shaft, the rear wheel and even the exhaust notes. I hate driving on the interstate highways, the ones here in Louisiana are garbage to begin with, but mostly because I hate riding next to eighteen wheelers and cars who would rather ride next to you than move on. I like to drive the speed limit, unfortunately most of the traffic is driving 5-10 miles faster. Mostly.

[chevyman1]

Nothing like coming up along side of an 18 wheeler and you here a tire with a loud clicking/slapping noise and wondering if that's the sound of the tread coming off the tire and when it's going to let go.

[chicagorandy]

Us old farts can well remember the time when 18 wheelers had bias ply tires and they were purt near deafening riding beside you on the road. Once they switched to radials they became almost 'stealth" - lol

[SgtSlag]

I've lost part of my hearing. Wife and I wear custom ear plugs to reduce further hearing loss -- they're around 28 dB sound reduction. We hear traffic, we hear cars/trucks/vehicles around us, but we do not hear more subtle, softer sounds. The ear plugs also reduce the physical stress caused by the road noises, as well, making riding much more relaxing, and enjoyable.

Just wind noise, at 55 MPH, will cause damage to your ears; add in traffic noise, and a helmet which channels that noise into your ear canal, and you can really have a problem. Hearing loss is not reversible. I'd recommend getting your hearing checked, and then get fitted for custom ear plugs. The foamies hurt our ears after 4 hours of use; the custom ear plugs only bother us after 6+ hours of use, and they go in much easier. YMMV. Cheers!

[ghostler]

That's why I like the quietness of my XII, it is definitely not tiring. I don't know how folks can stand the continuous drone of loud pipes on a full day's ride. They certainly don't save lives and they can contribute to ruining one's hearing.

The full face and modular helmets I have do a good job of filtering out the excess wind and surrounding noise but allow me to hear enough for emergency vehicles, etc.

[onegunguitar]

Nothing like coming up along side of an 18 wheeler and you here a tire with a loud clicking/slapping noise and wondering if that's the sound of the tread coming off the tire and when it's going to let go.

That sound you hear from the 18 wheeler tires is caused by flat spots on them. Most of the time there is no need to worry about if the tire is going to come apart or if a cap is gonna let loose but it's always advisable to get past them quickly,lol

[Mr Jensee]

I still see far too much rubber from 18 Wheelers on the side of the interstate for my comfort. Something is happening to those tires. I just don't want to be nearby when it does.

[cushman eagle]

We occasionally lose a recap, or blow a tire on our trucks,and we have no clue it is going to happen when it does.The amount of damage a cap coming off can do to a truck,makes me hope nothing is alongside when they go.