| Author | Message | ||
     Logangm86 |
ok just got my xb12s i previously had a shadow and it was first bike. at the end of owning it i rode it very hard. now im finding on the xb that if i shift a little too hard it lifts the weight off my front tire and then gives off this headshake? is this normal? am i doing something wrong or just something that i will learn to not do with time? | ||
| Ttags |
me too, one front end colission, one toyota corolla less on the road, and around $3000 into the bike to repair it. if you find a really good way to fix this issue, please PM me... | ||
| Josh_ |
You are pulling on the handlebars. Use your legs and don't hold on with your hands and that won't happen. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
i'm far from an expert, but i experienced this problem for the first time on a demo xb12scg at the track day during homecoming. one of the AWESOME instructors told me that it was due to accelerating too hard before leveling the bike completely after a corner. getting the front end light or completely off the ground is fine if you're accelerating level and in a straight line, but without a steering dampner it can cause "headshake", and eventually a full tank slapper if you do it while leaning. i've never seen them on a buell but some people use a type of strap attached to the bottom of the forks, and wrapped over the top. it's kept just tight enough to lift the front end immediately under acceleration, so that the front suspension doesn't carry weight and push the front wheel up even harder. i assume the strap idea doesn't do anything for longevity of the fork seals though. another good tip i got from this track day instructor was seating position. if you shift more bodyweight over the front end of the bike you can accelerate harder without lifting the front wheel. the easiest way i can explain it is instead of simply leaning your butt and body to the inside of the turn, slide and rotate your body at the same time, so that your crotch is on the rear inside corner of the tank. point your body at about a 45* angle opposite of the direction you're turning, which will place your shoulders about parallel with your direction of travel. hope this helps. it's easier to see an example in person ;]  compared to my X1 daily rider, the XB series are so much more nimble and forgiving, but MUCH more dependent on proper rider position. once you find the riding style that makes you the most comfortable, the motorcycle will do all the work for you. - AHH I want an XB! | ||
| Blake |
"me too, one front end colission, one toyota corolla less on the road, and around $3000 into the bike to repair it. if you find a really good way to fix this issue, please PM me..." Easy! Learn how to ride a motorcycle. Seriously though, it sounds like you are trying to blame your collision on the motorcycle. That would be lame. | ||
| Blake |
In general, it's preferred to lean more into the turn with the upper body. Mighty Mick is likely doing a LOT more than merely negotiating a turn in the photo above. | ||
| Blake |
And finally... my brilliant counsel on this issue is... What Josh said. ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) I cannot agree more, Josh. | ||
| Packrat |
To the untrained eye, it would appear that Mr Doohan is well on his way to low-sidin' that Honda  | ||
| Bigdaddy |
We should probably post some kind of disclaimer about what happens when normal humans try to emulate Doohan  | ||
| Edgydrifter |
I have a nice hunk of scar tissue in my elbow that could serve as such a disclaimer. | ||
| Bombardier |
On street tyres - yes. On the rubber he's running - pure fun!! | ||
| L8_br8ker |
Riding a motorcycle requires a lot of body english (subtle adjustments in orientation, and position), these small inputs become natural over time, and improve for most riders with experience. Cruiser bikes do not require as much in the way of sublte input, and they do not respond to it as much as sportbikes do. Sportbikes depend on all of your input to negotiate the roadway, and they reward good input with amazing handling, they also have the potential to over-respond with exclaimation! to poor input. The first thing to do to improve all responses on a sportbike is get your suspension set up for your weight, and riding style, its very important. Once thats done, make a mental note of the bikes' response in a given situation, and adjust your input to get the best outcome, in a short time, that will become your natural way to handle the situation. As Josh said make note of what your doing with both hands, and legs, that will speed the learning curve a bit. The one thing that causes headshake most commonly (when it isn't the rider) is steering head bearings being worn out, they take only one minute to check, when setting suspension. hope this helps a bit. |
