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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Yesterday when i was at my local Victory dealer I got some really good news. They have been working with Centramatics wheel balancer to fit a set on a Victory. I actually got to ride a Vision with a set installed. It was butter smooth. To many of you ex Goldwing riders you know what they are and how they work. I had a set on a 2010 GW and really liked them. I got a few thousand extra miles out of a set of tires to. When I traded it for the Vision, I sold them to a freind of mine. He was skeptical until he rode with them. I contacted Centramatics right after I got the Vision to see if they would be making them for Victories. Between me and my dealer bugging him, he finally came through.
Should be available by the end of the year. I ordered a set for my Vision and the wife's CR. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i use dyna beads. i have 9000 miles on them so far and they are perfect! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1228
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Did I see it costs between $200-$300? I can get a lot of airsoft pellets for that! I'm kinda liking the added safety of the Ride-On tire sealant/balancer I'm using now. Of course, at $20 for 2 wheels, the Centramatics would be cheaper in 150,000 miles. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| It really upset me when a post like this comes a long. You say all about the product "but" never provide a web site for us that know nothing about the product.
I thought we were here to help one another. Guess its my miss understanding.
I'm not trying to pick on you lstayner sorry if you take it that way.
As for that balancing system I don't see how it will make the ride smoother when bolted to the rim. If a tire is out of wack no weights will help.
When I need tires i had a friend do mine and we checked the rims for the hell of it and the back one was out by a 16th of a once. But now the next time I put in new bearing that might change.
If you ever go into a harley dealer and look at all the zero mile bikes you will not see no wheel weights and 95% of the tires are mounted.
http://centramatic.com/Home.aspx |
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | I can understand this bolt on system when used on big rigs that constantly change tires-$290 will buy a lot of DynaBeads/RideOn for the bikes. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Yea, I don't see the advantage. My Ride on does the same thing AND keeps me from going flat, an added advantage. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Sorry man. I didn't think about the website. Next time I will make sure I add it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Nozzledog - 2012-10-07 4:37 PM
Did I see it costs between $200-$300? I can get a lot of airsoft pellets for that! I'm kinda liking the added safety of the Ride-On tire sealant/balancer I'm using now. Of course, at $20 for 2 wheels, the Centramatics would be cheaper in 150,000 miles.
That is a good point. Te nice thing about the Centramatics is that I don't have to buy them, pay shipping, buy them, pay shipping, buy them pay shipping. I buy them one time and when I trade for another bike, I take them with me or I turn around and sell them to another Victory rider if I change brands. They never wear out.
Tire sealant? Really, when was the last time you had a flat on the road? In all my years and miles I have not had a flat tire. I have had one friend have a flat on the road and we fixed it with a plug and were on our way home in less than an hour. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | lstayner, you must not ride much. I have had three flats on the road in the last 7 years alone. And when you can't get a tire right away it's a pain in the arse! Sometimes a plug kit won't work. And I don't have to plug it or carry a plug kit with Ride On. But to each his own. Let me tell ya. If you have an HD, great, but anything else, whoa, hold on baby...... what size tire do you need? And if you can find one right away, get ready to pay full dealer retail. No thanks, I'll use my Ride On. It's used by Eagle Rental Company and they rent every kind of bike across the US and swear by it.
But hey, smarty pants, Centramatics sounds like a good thing for you! Ride that Semi Tractor Trailer.
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Visionary
Posts: 1228
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | It didn't bother me that there was no link. With google, it only slowed me down by 15 seconds not having it, but it is a nice courtesy. It looks like they bolt to the rims, and have a small channel all the way around that bearings can move thru JUST LIKE DYNABEADS! or Ride-On or airsoft. Only @ 200X the cost of airsoft. I'll save the money and buy more stuff from CycleOps... or maybe Lloyds this time.
http://centramatic.com/Page.aspx?page=Harley%20Davidson
here's the link for HD ones.
Edited by Nozzledog 2012-10-07 11:15 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Actually I ride a lot. I have 23K on a Vision I bought last November. In 4 years I have ridden over 85K. My wife who rides almost as many miles has over 60K in her 3 years. I said I have never had a flat. I have had 2 tires that have had a screw or bolt sticking out of them but no flats.
There is no need to get personal on the forum. You have your ideas and I have mine.
See yah at the next truck stop! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | Proven technology whether someone thinks it's worth the money or not.
I'll also stick with dyna beads or a conventional balance but it's cool they're entering the world of the Vision.
Thanks Larry |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Ohhhhhhh, lstayner! I am sooooooo sorry. I did not mean to get personal on this site. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! So guess you just rode on those 2 "not flat" tires with screws or bolts sticking in 'em? Down here in the deep south we call that a flat! Some places just call it a tire that needs to be fixed~ |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | MaddMAx2u - 2012-10-08 8:32 PM
Ohhhhhhh, lstayner! I am sooooooo sorry. I did not mean to get personal on this site. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! So guess you just rode on those 2 "not flat" tires with screws or bolts sticking in 'em? Down here in the deep south we call that a flat! Some places just call it a tire that needs to be fixed~
One thing that I have learned over the years. Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to there level and beat you with experience. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | lstayner - 2012-10-08 9:46 PM
One thing that I have learned over the years. Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to there level and beat you with experience.
OK, I won't argue with you~!!
Edited by MaddMAx2u 2012-10-10 8:24 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Spring Hill, Tennessee | I just ordered a set of Centramatics for my Vision. The MV100-106. Found them on eBay for $226. About $80 less than from Centramatic direct. Looking forward to testing their theory of longevity! For me....it's totally worth the money if they live up to their claims. And certainly provides a level of consistency over changing balancing methods at every tire change. Install correctly initially.....never worry about any issues with balance going forward. Seems like hitting the "EASY" button to me. And.....it's only money! I'll go out and make some more! LOL |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Extreme Southern, AZ United States | Ihave a set for my next tire change Can't wait |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | UPDATE
I have 18K on the rear Commander II tire with the Centramatics. The tire is still showing plenty of wear bar yet. It looks like the front Commander II will be worn out before the rear. A friend of mine installed them on his CCT and he also really likes the ride. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | Interesting.
Centramatics are used on big rigs, but a lot more people just use the big truck version of Dynabeads or a tire balancing powder inside the tire. The beads work the best, because the powder can clump up if too much moisture gets into the tire.
Ronnie |
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Victoria Tx, TX United States | The warranty is wanker.. Ones for Big Trucks come with a Million Mile Warranty!!! Well I just learn about these for bike... I might have to try a pair!!? |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | rdbudd - 2014-01-03 11:50 AM
Interesting.
Centramatics are used on big rigs, but a lot more people just use the big truck version of Dynabeads or a tire balancing powder inside the tire. The beads work the best, because the powder can clump up if too much moisture gets into the tire.
Ronnie
I tried dynabeads on a set of tires. They work fine but the Centramatics IMHO feel better. It is hard to explain the difference until you have actually ridden with them. The bike just feels more stable. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | lstayner - 2014-01-04 7:31 AM
rdbudd - 2014-01-03 11:50 AM
Interesting.
Centramatics are used on big rigs, but a lot more people just use the big truck version of Dynabeads or a tire balancing powder inside the tire. The beads work the best, because the powder can clump up if too much moisture gets into the tire.
Ronnie
I tried dynabeads on a set of tires. They work fine but the Centramatics IMHO feel better. It is hard to explain the difference until you have actually ridden with them. The bike just feels more stable.
That's interesting. When I said "the beads work best", I meant in comparison to the balancing powder, not overall.
The Centramatics work well on the big rigs too, but VERY pricey. Beads in the tire work nearly as well and are cheap and easy to install. They just throw a bunch in the tire and then mount the tire.
Ronnie |
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | I've been using Ride On. It balances the tire a bit better than the Dyna Beads as it's a viscous gel that stays in place but soft enough to static balance throughout the tire's life unlike beads that settle to the bottom & are redistributed every time you stop & go. Nothing to possibly get stuck in the valve stem and create an air leak & has the ability to plug a puncture-as long as it's in the center band of the tire. Also nothing falling out when you change the tire. Centramatics seem awfully bulky & a lot of unsprung weight to be adding to the wheels-I'll be sticking with Ride On for now. http://www.ride-on.com/ |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| The ONLY problem that I see with the Dynabeads is that sometimes they don't flow smoothly around the inside of the tire as most tires have ridges from internal cords or strands that go from one side wall to the other. In the Dynabeads demo video they show a plastic bottle mounted on a drill, one with the Dynabeads and one without, and you can easily see how they stabilize a rotating mass, the only problem with the demo is that the inside of the bottle is smooth.
I like the idea of the Centramatics but I don't like how they change the look of the wheel. I've been averaging around 16,000 to 18,000 miles per set of Dunlop Elite 3s and next summer when it should be time to change this current set I am switch the rear tire to the Dunlop Elite 3MT which has a harder compound in the center of the tire and softer compounds on the edged for better grip when cornering. I've been told by some of my friends who still ride Goldwings (I just can't get them to switch) that they are now getting 22,000 to 24,000 miles on a set. Just so you know, I always change my tires as a complete set which usually means I have quite a bit of life left on the front tire. With extended use of the rear tire I expect that both tires will actually be worn enough to warrant changing simply due to wear now.
As mentioned earlier, the tire sealant also makes a good balancing tool but some of those sealants can corrode away the aluminum from the rim so be careful with what brand you use. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Travelin Man - 2014-01-04 4:36 PM
I like the idea of the Centramatics but I don't like how they change the look of the wheel. I've been averaging around 16,000 to 18,000 miles per set of Dunlop Elite 3s and next summer when it should be time to change this current set I am switch the rear tire to the Dunlop Elite 3MT which has a harder compound in the center of the tire and softer compounds on the edged for better grip when cornering. I've been told by some of my friends who still ride Goldwings (I just can't get them to switch) that they are now getting 22,000 to 24,000 miles on a set. Just so you know, I always change my tires as a complete set which usually means I have quite a bit of life left on the front tire. With extended use of the rear tire I expect that both tires will actually be worn enough to warrant changing simply due to wear now.
As mentioned earlier, the tire sealant also makes a good balancing tool but some of those sealants can corrode away the aluminum from the rim so be careful with what brand you use.
The Centramatics fit behind the disk brake. You really can't see them unless you are really looking for them. Tou can always tell a GW rider, but you tell tell them much  (ex GW rider myself) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | lstayner - 2014-01-04 7:46 PM
You can always tell a GW rider, but you can't tell them much (ex GW rider myself)
LOL!
They are as hard to convince that there might be something else to ride, besides their chosen ride, as Harley riders are. Maybe worse.
Ronnie |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| lstayner - 2014-01-04 7:46 PM The Centramatics fit behind the disk brake. You really can't see them unless you are really looking for them. Tou can always tell a GW rider, but you tell tell them much (ex GW rider myself) So they move the disk rotor out a little? If so how does it affect pad wear on the brakes? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Spring Hill, Tennessee | Travelin Man - 2014-01-05 12:37 PM
lstayner - 2014-01-04 7:46 PM The Centramatics fit behind the disk brake. You really can't see them unless you are really looking for them. Tou can always tell a GW rider, but you tell tell them much (ex GW rider myself) ? So they move the disk rotor out a little?? If so how does it affect pad wear on the brakes? ?
That's a fair question Travelin Man. My Vision does not have ABS. That part won't be of concern for me. I will certainly be watching the brake pad wear. Initially, I am not overly concerned.....but I will update this thread as I put some miles on mine once installed. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Spring Hill, Tennessee | ByteN2it - 2014-01-04 10:27 AM
I've been using Ride On. It balances the tire a bit better than the Dyna Beads as it's a viscous gel that stays in place but soft enough to static balance throughout the tire's life unlike beads that settle to the bottom & are redistributed every time you stop & go. Nothing to possibly get stuck in the valve stem and create an air leak & has the ability to plug a puncture-as long as it's in the center band of the tire. Also nothing falling out when you change the tire. Centramatics seem awfully bulky & a lot of unsprung weight to be adding to the wheels-I'll be sticking with Ride On for now. http://www.ride-on.com/
The Centramatic balancers only add 3oz of weight to both front and rear wheels. They do everything equally you have described in the Ride On product, except fill in a leak to the tread.
Edited by Tennessee Vision 2014-01-05 2:18 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | I went to their site & looked at 'em & I'm OK with what I'm using for now.
http://centramatic.com/Page.aspx?page=Video%20Installation%20For%20... |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Travelin Man - 2014-01-05 12:37 PM
lstayner - 2014-01-04 7:46 PM The Centramatics fit behind the disk brake. You really can't see them unless you are really looking for them. Tou can always tell a GW rider, but you tell tell them much (ex GW rider myself) ? So they move the disk rotor out a little?? If so how does it affect pad wear on the brakes? ?
Where they bolt on is a fairly thin piece of SS. I have 50K on my brakes and they look fine. This is not a new product as they have been making them for Honda's and HD for years. I am sure if there was a problem they would have found it by now. |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | I think I would be more concerned about the effect6 on the belt pulley than on the brake disc. Brakes float somewhat to center over the disc or they would not stay centered well as the pads wear but belts should be aligned. As noted on the install video, you also need to adjust the air gap for the ABS. That gap is very narrow and will be affected even by the small movement. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Spring Hill, Tennessee | Received and installed my Centramatic Wheel Balancers last week. Had a nice weekend to get some riding in Tennessee. I have nothing but the regular ole wheel weights to compare these things to, but all I can say is WOW! Just the smoothness of the handling has already made these things a worth while purchase for me! Not even the slightest vibration in the front end (which I had before with the wheel weights). The tracking in the corners was almost unbelievable. Didn't expect to be able to feel the difference like I did.
If the tiny little balls or the goo in your tire makes you happy....I say stick with it, but this Centramatic balancers do what they say. Looking forward to reporting back with some tire wear data later this year. |
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | MMM..
Edited by ByteN2it 2014-01-21 7:33 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | MaddMAx2u - 2012-10-07 8:08 PM
Yea, I don't see the advantage. My Ride on does the same thing AND keeps me from going flat, an added advantage.
Agreed. I have heard of Centramatics befroe and it seems like a PIA and a waste of big dollars. SUre, I have to use Ride On every tire change. But I also get flat protection. And on my bike, that alone can be a life saver. So I'll keep using my Ride On. All this crap works the same way to balance a wheel and each one is equally effective at balancing your tires continually, even as the tire wears. But only one that I am aware of adds flat protection and is used by a national Firm that rents motorcycles. Ride On (Eagle Rentals uses it in all their bikes so I'm told)
And for johnnyvision.......... LOL LOL
www.ride-on.com/
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | MaddMAx2u - 2012-10-07 8:08 PM
Yea, I don't see the advantage. My Ride on does the same thing AND keeps me from going flat, an added advantage.
Agreed. I have heard of Centramatics befroe and it seems like a PIA and a waste of big dollars. SUre, I have to use Ride On every tire change. But I also get flat protection. And on my bike, that alone can be a life saver. So I'll keep using my Ride On. All this crap works the same way to balance a wheel and each one is equally effective at balancing your tires continually, even as the tire wears. But only one that I am aware of adds flat protection and is used by a national Firm that rents motorcycles. Ride On (Eagle Rentals uses it in all their bikes so I'm told)
And for johnnyvision.......... LOL LOL
www.ride-on.com/
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Spring Hill, Tennessee | Well this was a great thread anyway. No matter what your opinion, this is a good product! I bought mine on EBay for $226. That's about $50 more than I have been paying for one rear tire....and it's permanent! PIA? No doubt if you don't own a torque wrench. Removing and installing both wheels is about a 3 hour job (with interruptions). Flat tires? Never thought about that before.....because in 15 years of riding I've never had one! Guess I'll be in trouble if that day ever comes?
Anyway....good information on an acceptable product for the Vision! Thank you for sharing...... |
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