R1250GSA pulls to left with new tires

[jwfeller]

So I recently put new tires on my 2023 R1250GSA. I went from Michelin Anakee Adventures that came with the bike to Michelin Road 6s (since I'm currently doing all road touring type riding). I noticed right away with the new tires that it started to pull to the left. I have over a thousand miles on the tires now and the situation has not changed. I can get it to track straight if I put about 10-15 lbs of stuff in the right side case.

I don't have enough experience with this bike to know if this is not normal/acceptable. Maybe these tires just don't work well with the GSA?

I did bring it up with the dealer that installed the tires. He told me it was probably just a "characteristic" of the tires. I'm assuming he didn't want to deal with the problem.

I'm going to bring it back but thought I'd ask here first to see if the BMW owners have any thoughts.

 

[mikegalbicka]

I did bring it up with the dealer that installed the tires. He told me it was probably just a "characteristic" of the tires. I'm assuming he didn't want to deal with the problem.

I don't think any tire made would want to have a "characteristic" of pulling one way or the other! Perhaps a "characteristic" of this dealer is BS?

 

[jwfeller]

I don't think any tire made would want to have a "characteristic" of pulling one way or the other! Perhaps a "characteristic" of this dealer is BS?

Yes, that could be

 

[omega man]

Any chance the tire bead wasn’t fully seated? There is usually enough markings on the sidewall to make an accurate check.
Welcome to the forum!
Let us know how you make out.
OM

 

[r0ckrat]

While the Road6 will definitely behave differently than an Anakee ADV tire, an extreme change in tracking does sound weird.

Do the roads in your area have significant crowning or other tilt? That would be one item that might contribute if you aren't used to it.

Not likely, but possibly are you sitting slightly off center? (Have someone follow to check?)

Bead not fully seated also sounds like a very good possibility.

 

[dcslowman]

That definitely doesn't sound normal. I've run multiple sets of Road6s on my R1200GS and found them to be a fantastic and neutral tire. I've also ridden a rental R1250GS thousands of miles with the same tire and had the same positive experience. This has got to be a defective tire or some kind of installation issue. After a thousand miles you might be starting to see an asymmetric wear pattern with these kind of symptoms - any evidence of that?

Dave

 

[reg26]

Also make sure the rotation of the tire is correct. Friend has a 2015 GSA and dealer put the front tire on backwards and his handling was all messed up until the next dealer later that day on a trip caught it They flopped the tire around and all was good.

 

[jwfeller]

The bead seems seated properly, as far as I can tell.

I've determined that it is not due to any crowning or slope of the road surface. Riding on either side of a crowned road, the result is the same.

It's a fairly significant pull. I mean I really need to hang off the right side with no hands to keep it tracking straight.

Anyway, I think I'm hearing the same as what I'm thinking - not good. I'm taking it back in.

 

[jwfeller]

Also make sure the rotation of the tire is correct. Friend has a 2015 GSA and dealer put the front tire on backwards and his handling was all messed up until the next dealer later that day on a trip caught it They flopped the tire around and all was good.

Ha, I did check that too. To be fair, service dept at my dealer seems to be pretty good.
It's sure not obvious to me what could be wrong.

 

[PGlaves]

How is the bike loaded? What if anything is in the saddlebags?

 

[GTRider]

Check the front wheel to see if it has been properly installed and centered.

Best,
DeVern

 

[rhbike]

Check the front wheel to see if it has been properly installed and centered.

Best,
DeVern

I know I shouldn't underestimate the skills of someone sufficiently determined, but I'm scratching my head how one could mess up installing a front through axle wheel without disc's rubbing in the calipers and tone ring either rubbing the sensor or throwing ABS/TC errors.

 

[GTRider]

I know I shouldn't underestimate the skills of someone sufficiently determined, but I'm scratching my head how one could mess up installing a front through axle wheel without disc's rubbing in the calipers and tone ring either rubbing the sensor or throwing ABS/TC errors.

On newer bikes that don’t use loose spacers it is difficult, but not impossible if one tightens things in the wrong order or without relieving stresses. And, I have seen front wheels on later BMWs where the wheel was reversed—the brakes correctly lined up, the tone ring spinning in free air, and the owner wondering why he had flashing lights on the dash. But my all-time favorite was the /5 that pulled into the independent BMW wrench’s shop in SLC, complaining of poor fuel mileage and a noise from the front end. Both wheel bearings were seized and the axle was spinning in the forks.

So, if the wheels were the last thing worked on before the issue presented they’d be the first thing I’d check, and thoroughly.

Best,
DeVern

 

[jwfeller]

How is the bike loaded? What if anything is in the saddlebags?

The left pull is very apparent with the side cases removed. So nothing is loaded on the bike except for myself (no passenger).
So with my hands off the handlebars, the bike will pull left. I need to lean way over the right side of the bike to keep it tracking straight.

 

[jwfeller]

Thank you for your replies everyone. This really helps me out.

 

[Geekmaster]

I've heard of this issue with this tire on other forums. Google "michelin road 6 tires pull left" and you'll see a lot of reports from various bikes that seem to exhibit this same problem.

Seems odd indeed.

 

[pmolinaro]

I put a set of Road 6 GT on my 2016 R1200RT for a 7,000 mile trip out west last year. I heard about the pulling left. I can confirm the bike drifted left with the Road 6 installed. I used to run Angel GT with no issues. I have a set of Roadsmart 4 ready to go on. The tires performed great on the trip just the drift to the left with hands off the bars.

 

[mikegalbicka]

I don't think any tire made would want to have a "characteristic" of pulling one way or the other! Perhaps a "characteristic" of this dealer is BS?

I stand corrected it seems. Sad to hear but I do think this model tire has been going the wrong direction since the 4 series. At least I didn't like the 5 better than the 4 and will probably skip the 6 now.

 

[PGlaves]

I've heard of this issue with this tire on other forums. Google "michelin road 6 tires pull left" and you'll see a lot of reports from various bikes that seem to exhibit this same problem.

Seems odd indeed.

It certainly looks like this is an issue if not a feature. I read one comment that the problem seems to be the steel belt not centered in the carcass. In any event if that were my bike I would ditch the Road 6 and get something else. By now Michelin must be aware of the issue even if motorcycle dealerships might not be.

 

[jwfeller]

I've heard of this issue with this tire on other forums. Google "michelin road 6 tires pull left" and you'll see a lot of reports from various bikes that seem to exhibit this same problem.

Seems odd indeed.

Yup, did the suggested googling. There does seem to be some history with this problem. Bummer.
So is it a defect or a "characteristic"?