Howling front tire

I have ridden Michelin City Grip tires on my last 2 Vespa’s and I don’t recall the howling I’m getting with them that I put on my Silverwing. I took the front tire off and checked the bearings and they feel free and smooth when I spin the wheel. I have pull over to feel the bearing during rides and they are never hot to touch. Has anyone else mounted the Michelin City Grip tire ever experience the howling noise?

My three Swings made a howling noise when leaned to the side, like on an off/on ramp. That is a normal sound from the bearings. Now if you are saying that the howling only started after you changed the front tire, then maybe it is the tread pattern of the tire.
Good luck!

Thank you Easyrider.

My new Michelin Power Pure make more noise in the corners, maybe the softer compound on the new design.

Thread pattern. 

I seem to have had similar howling noise from the front, to a greater or lesser degree, on all front tires I’ve used since my first Silverwing in 2003. I’ve even changed wheel bearings mid tire-life out of concern about the noise. 

The noise seems more pronounced as the tire mileage increases. And, yes, it does most noticeably occur when leaned into a turn. Though maybe those old sticky Pirellis were quieter.

first of all City Grips are not made in SilverWing front size to the best of my knowledge!! Get proper size tire, wear ear plugs if noise bothers.

Seems pretty much normal for the SW some tires are worse. I've tried a few.
Worn IRC the loudest. Best older Pirelli Diablo but can't find those anymore Michelin Power Pure are not that bad either for noise. Current tire a Metzeler FeelFree a bit of noise from day one.

I think this could be the next installment in the "Howling" movie series:

Howling 20 "The Front Tire"

Sorry I couldn't resist!!!

GHM-PM wrote:

I think this could be the next installment in the "Howling" movie series:

Howling 20 "The Front Tire"

Sorry I couldn't resist!!!

As long as your ride doesn't turn into Carrie I can put up with the howling

I read a large percentage of Americans claim their ancestry has 'a little bit of Cherokee blood'. Having done some research a lot of these claims are actually true and can be traced back to the legendary warrior and lover, Howling Front Tire.

I find front tire roar particularly bad on the Silver Wing. It varies with road surface, obviously. I suppose the swing might have acoustics in the front wheel area that transmit it up to the rider very well. I've a Dunlop on the front - and steering forces that I really dislike.

I run Shinko tires on my Silver Wing and don't have any tire noise problems.

Check the sidewall of the howling tire. Usually there's a direction-of-rotation marked on the sidewalls of a lot of scooter and motorcycle tires.

I'd be bloody annoyed if a mechanic installed my tyre the wrong way round.
It did happen once on my old Tiger and felt horrible. Fortunately I realised what was going on before any damage was done and the apprentice mechanic was suitably pilloried by his colleagues to ensure he never did it again
It could have had lethal consequences though if left that way.

I have Michelin and my front tire is fairly quiet. With plastic panels noise can be amplified. Check the tires were mounted in the correct rotation very important.