Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue

DEPO · 05-19-2007, 05:04 PM

Went for a longer trip today. I know that I have selected the correct bike for the task. I love this bike.....

But, I need to do something about how light the front end feels at speed.
While zipping down the freeway 75-80 MPH the front end feels very loose and if I loosen the grip will start to shake. If a gust from a truck comes by it shakes a little. It is very little shake, but still soemthing I would like to address.

Know I know the first thing people on here will say is get a steering damper. It is something that will help, but a well set suspension should take care of it also. What do I need to do the front settings to help take that wiggle out? Pressure of the tires is good....... Pre-load? Compression? Rebound? I am not sure which to do. Your advice is well appreciated.

Hammer · 05-19-2007, 05:20 PM

Couple of questions:
Were you 2 up?
Bags loaded?
Alone?
Girlfriend aboard?

DEPO · 05-19-2007, 05:23 PM

By myself..... bags had a couple of items, but not much weight, maybe 10 pounds.

Hammer · 05-19-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEPO

By myself.....

There is your problem, get a GF and strap her over the bars. Problem fixed.

DEPO · 05-19-2007, 05:31 PM

Cock-Knocker!

evl_twn · 05-19-2007, 05:42 PM

It might be somewhat inherent to that type of bike. A friend of mine just got a Triumph Tiger, and he was complaining about the same thing.

ConqSoft · 05-19-2007, 06:03 PM

The same thing happened to my XX when Givi bags were loaded. It was because the rear suspension wasn't up to handling the weight, so the front end got light. I never got around to upgrading the rear suspension to correct it, but it worked for others.

How much do you weigh, and what are the weight limits of the bike? A suspension upgrade may be in order.

abtech · 05-19-2007, 06:18 PM

You can try lengthening the forks (dropping the legs into the tubes a bit) to increase the trail, but the real solution would be to get the correct springs front and rear. I would wager the rear spring needs to be increased first.

seamus · 05-19-2007, 09:22 PM

Everybody got you before me.

Sounds like the front end is light.

CBRVFR · 05-20-2007, 12:16 AM

Does the bike feel better when you consciously put more weight on the front? These guys are probably right, but make sure your steering head bearings are correctly preloaded.

05-19-2007, 05:04 PM	#1
DEPO Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): Track 954 and Uly Bagger Posts: 711	Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue Went for a longer trip today. I know that I have selected the correct bike for the task. I love this bike..... But, I need to do something about how light the front end feels at speed. While zipping down the freeway 75-80 MPH the front end feels very loose and if I loosen the grip will start to shake. If a gust from a truck comes by it shakes a little. It is very little shake, but still soemthing I would like to address. Know I know the first thing people on here will say is get a steering damper. It is something that will help, but a well set suspension should take care of it also. What do I need to do the front settings to help take that wiggle out? Pressure of the tires is good....... Pre-load? Compression? Rebound? I am not sure which to do. Your advice is well appreciated.

05-19-2007, 05:20 PM	#2
Hammer For Sale Join Date: 12-17-2006 Location: Indiana Age: 39 Bike(s): 05 Suzuki 600 Posts: 5,031 Images: 12	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue Couple of questions: Were you 2 up? Bags loaded? Alone? Girlfriend aboard? __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

05-19-2007, 05:23 PM	#3
DEPO Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): Track 954 and Uly Bagger Posts: 711	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue By myself..... bags had a couple of items, but not much weight, maybe 10 pounds.

05-19-2007, 05:31 PM	#5
DEPO Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): Track 954 and Uly Bagger Posts: 711	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue Cock-Knocker!

05-19-2007, 05:42 PM	#6
evl_twn CAN CRUSHER Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Central Illinois Age: 40 Bike(s): worm gear Posts: 1,664	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue It might be somewhat inherent to that type of bike. A friend of mine just got a Triumph Tiger, and he was complaining about the same thing.

05-19-2007, 06:03 PM	#7
ConqSoft Join Date: 12-25-2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 36 Bike(s): None Posts: 694	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue The same thing happened to my XX when Givi bags were loaded. It was because the rear suspension wasn't up to handling the weight, so the front end got light. I never got around to upgrading the rear suspension to correct it, but it worked for others. How much do you weigh, and what are the weight limits of the bike? A suspension upgrade may be in order.

05-19-2007, 06:18 PM	#8
abtech Believe Join Date: 12-14-2006 Age: 58 Bike(s): 66 Puch Scrambler Posts: 3,369	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue You can try lengthening the forks (dropping the legs into the tubes a bit) to increase the trail, but the real solution would be to get the correct springs front and rear. I would wager the rear spring needs to be increased first. __________________ Now in stereo AAA doesn't only refer to the Auto Club . . . and Seamus is awesome

05-19-2007, 09:22 PM	#9
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,564	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue Everybody got you before me. Sounds like the front end is light. __________________ Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. --- Thucydides

05-20-2007, 12:16 AM	#10
CBRVFR Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-13-2006 Age: 55 Bike(s): VFR750 SV650 TZ250 Posts: 5,111	Re: Advice on Set-Up... Small Issue Does the bike feel better when you consciously put more weight on the front? These guys are probably right, but make sure your steering head bearings are correctly preloaded. __________________ "...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass." Our own Mr.2nd Amendment, explaining the difference. Perfectly. Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

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