Question about tire noise.

[flamin lib]

The bike is wearing Bridgestone BT021 sport touring tires. The rear is in need of replacement (front less than 1000 miles) and on a right hand curve I can hear a moaning sound from somewhere near the center of the bike. It's loud enough to hear through the helmet at 55 mph. Is it possible that the tire is making that much noise? There's a little noise on left curves, but nothing compared to the right and it's a different pitch. I can't think of anything that might cause that sort of noise, ie, bearings, the belt drive or transmission on one turn but not the other.

Any ideas?

[Lowell]

1. It probably has to do with tread wear.

I know that knobby tires and other deep tread tires will make a distinct sound on the road. If you are more confident in turning one way rather than an other the wear will not be even. When you turn on the side you not comfortable kneesliding on the tread will be deeper and make a different or louder sound.

I know a lot of riders who have chicken stripes on their tires. The wear is all dead center, chicken stripe, and none on the sides. Could be what you are experiencing.

[flamin lib]

2. The noise is gone with the new tire so it was definitely tread noise.

The previous owner put the first 8200 miles on the tires and they were worn more in the center but that's normal for a cruiser type bike. Since I got it I've been able to even out the wear marks on both foot pegs ;-)

I'm not an aggressive rider and it always comes as a surprise when some part of the bike contacts the pavement in turns.

It just surprised me that a tire could make that much noise. Loud enough to hear above the wind, engine and earplugs at 50 mph.