[AllenTea]

It's about time for new tires and I have been trying to learn as much as I can from those of you with real world experience about the pros and cons of the dynamic balancing products such as Dynabeads, Ride On, Centramatic and whatever else is out there. A local bike shop mechanic says NO to all of them, but I don't know if he has any actual evidence to support why to avoid them.
I have read and read and read from the manufacturer sites but you all are the real experts and I value your input.

Yeah, I know, it's almost as bad as asking about oil!

 

[luvmyride]

With a 23" contrast cut billet front wheel, there is NO WAY wheels weight are going on it! I have had Dyna Beads in the front for 18k miles without any problems. Solid and stable up to triple digits. Even tire wear too. I added them to my rear when I went darkside, and have been happy with it as well. It's cheap enough to throw them in and try for yourself. If you feel like they are not working out (for some unforeseen reason) switch back to weights. If the dealer/installer doesn't want to put the beads in, have them mount the tire and you put the beads in after the fact.
I'm guessing you'll be a believer....

 

[tyrfryr]

I have used Ride-On in both front and rear for over 20,000 miles, no problems. My brother uses Dyna Beads, has for well over 60,000 miles, again no problems. I would say either would work fine for you, the Ride-On is also a sealant.

 

[Known1]

My research brought me to ride-on as it not only balances, but also offers puncture protection. I have no opinion of other products as I have never used them. Up until this set of tires I have always used weights. With somewhere around 6k miles on these tires I know that I will never go back to using weights. You just can't say enough about having perfectly balanced tires at all times on a motorcycle. Most dealers won't install products like this so don't let that throw you off. The 3 bottle kit I bought on amazon included a tool to remove the schrader valve from the stem. As long as you have access to an air compressor you can install ride-on after the fact.

 

[blacksheep1]

Just rode my bike home yesterday after having new tires installed with dynabeads. This is my first experience with dynabeads and I will say they work. Ran it up to about 110 then cruised at 90 for about 2 mi on smooth aspalt, no hint of anything but smoothness.
Like luvmyride mentioned before I did not like the lead weights on my billet wheels.
The local dealer here that did the work only uses dynabeads for balancing. They said the new weights being used nowadays are lead free (epa) and they had a few issues with the adhesive not holding up and weights coming off.
Dynabeads work good in my opinion.

 

[lou8700]

Have used Dyna Beads for many years, work great. I buy the bulk 1 pound bag and when I change tires I spoon them back out and reuse. Do not recommend their filtered valve cores. Always check air pressure with valve stem pointed up.

 

[primethious]

I use dynabeads...keep valve stem up, shoot a little air in then check air pressure. Since I added the TPMS I hardly ever need to check them.
IMO the Centramatic are worth the cost if you are going to keep the same kind of bike for a long period of time.

 

[rcupp]

Motorcycle Wheel Balancer Buyer's Guide

Well I use one of these, works like a charm, painted my weights black to match the wheels.
I plan on getting a TPMS setup soon and I don't want to foul up the sensors with gunk/pellets.

 

[mjw930]

Motorcycle Wheel Balancer Buyer's Guide

Well I use one of these, works like a charm, painted my weights black to match the wheels.
I plan on getting a TPMS setup soon and I don't want to foul up the sensors with gunk/pellets.

+1 on the balancer, I use mine whenever I'm too lazy to go down to my dealer and use their dynamic balancer. Not a fan of beads of any flavor.

 

[greasemonkey]

I don't balance my tires anymore.

 

[wspollack]

I used to have balance beads (unknown brand) in my tires, as recommended and installed by my local dealer. About a year ago -- still on that same set of tires I have on now -- I had Centramatics installed. My seat-of-the-pants impression is that balance beads work, and Centramatics work a little better; the con is that they're pricey, but the pros are also that they're a one-time deal, and that unlike beads there's nothing to get stuck in the Schrader valve.

I did a report after the install, and you may want to read that thread if you're interested in Centramatics: Centramatics and Cobras Added

 

[T BONE]

It's about time for new tires and I have been trying to learn as much as I can from those of you with real world experience about the pros and cons of the dynamic balancing products such as Dynabeads, Ride On, Centramatic and whatever else is out there. A local bike shop mechanic says NO to all of them, but I don't know if he has any actual evidence to support why to avoid them.
I have read and read and read from the manufacturer sites but you all are the real experts and I value your input.

Yeah, I know, it's almost as bad as asking about oil!

I have been selling wheel balancing products for over 2 decades as part of our companies product offerings, and I am still surprised to this day what mechanics do not know when it comes to balancing products and proper tire repair procedures. What I am trying to say is beware and assume you know more than the person doing the work ( keep this to yourself ) until proven otherwise. Do not assume the person using traditional weights knows how to properly use the wheel balancer or that the balancer is in good working order, I can say with certainty that Centramatic is a great product when installed properly along with balancing beads, we happen to sell Counteract & Equal bead products and both work well when the proper amount is added to the tire. As always none of this works unless the wheel is in good working order and always use high quality tires DO NOT try to save a few dollars on the tire.

 

[AllenTea]

Gentlemen...thank you ALL for your well reasoned and explained thoughts. MOST appreciated!

 

[BoilerMan]

I have been using the counteract beads for a couple thousand mls now. I will say that I will not go back to weights anytime soon. I mount my own tires, so this product really helped me out and saved time.

 

[randy.dixon]

Yep cheap tires... you get what you pay for.

 

[Gossamer]

Well I bought the centramatic for my CCT.

I can't say it's added any tire life to my tires, I can't say it hasn't.

Than again I've seen people who have lost their tire weights and didn't notice either.

Only thing I can say is I tried the Ride on sealant. The sealant didn't work, can't say if it helped balance or not.


But it's pricey and has to be done with every tire change so I won't go back to it since it didn't help when I got a flat.