At 40 mph and above, I am hearing a low whining noise in the rear when I lean the bike, and it is more pronounced when I lean to the left. It sounds a little like when you drive over a metal grate on the street or a bridge, but much lower. I have 11,000 miles on the tire and it has worn well, no cupping or uneven wear and appears to have plenty of tread left. Looking for thoughts on what it may be.

Thanks

 

If you're sure that the tire is in excellent condition ( run your palm forward and backward on the tread ) with no feathering or high spots I'd check out the wheel bearings

 

I had the same issue on my '13 Road Glide. Tires were getting worn, so I changed both tires and while at it had the shop replace front/rear stock bearings with All Ballz bearings. Whining noise on left leans is now gone....
Not sure if it was the tire or the bearings....

 

I had the same issue on '14 Street Glide with 15k miles. Changed tires and noise is gone. Apparently, Dunlop 180's are famous for this. Is that what you have on the rear?

 

I have a 2016 road King. Had the same problem - quite a loud whining between 75 and 82km/h (45-50mph) when leaning to the left. It drove me mad on long left handers where the speed limit was 50mph.

Took it to my independent workshop, the month before my warranty ran out to check it out in case it was something needing a warranty fix by the dealer. He said it was tyre noise. I have to admit I was doubtful that that much noise wasn't something more nasty, but trusted him and left it. Turns out he was right.

6 months later, had both tyres changed - the stock ones lasted 19,000 miles - and the noise was completely gone.

They were the standard d407 etc... tyres. Unfortunately I got both tyres changed at once and never isolated if it was the front, rear or both causing the noise.

 

tire cupping

 

+1....pretty common.

 

It's either tires or her...............

 

When I switched over from Lops to Mitchillens, the brand new rear howels at a certain speed if I lean it over. Almost think it has quit after some miles have gone on it, however. With that many miles on rear, it's probably the transition ridge between the worn flat area and the sidewall you rarely get on. When mine gets like that, handling in the turns gets terrible enough, I just put new tire on.

 

+2 Both sets of my OEM Dunlop's did it. I just lived with it. But I've got a pair of American Elites to put on very soon.