| Author | Message | ||
     Marcodesade |
Let me begin by saying that I have never set up my suspension and that it has always been a little on the stiff side. Yes, I know I need to get it done. Yes, I'm afraid to do it myself  . Yes, it's the next thing I'm going to do. That said, the suspension has been the same since I got the bike, and this season I've noticed a new and completely different behavior when cornering. After I've leaned into a turn, the front wheel tries (hard) to turn in - essentially trying to stand the bike up! In other words, it's fighting against the countersteer - the bars try to turn right in a right-hander, or left in a left-hander. It happens across a wide range of speeds, lean angles, and conditions - city streets, freeway offramps, and in the canyons - and equally strong when turning in either direction. It's getting so I really have to work to keep my line. I did add a GPR stabilizer around Christmas (set toward the stiffer side), but this is definitely new - certainly started no earlier than this summer, and it seems to be getting worse. I have made no other modifications to the bike or its settings in that time. Can someone tell me if this is a suspension/fork problem? If so, exactly what is the likely error? | ||
| D_adams |
Check your tires. Odd wear and incorrect pressure will cause problems. If it really is the suspension, the list is pretty long on what could be wrong. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Tires are indeed the first thing that comes to mind especially since you say it's getting worse over time. Cup your whole hand over the tire and you will most likely feel the change in the profile. I've been through a few tires on this machine and currently have been using a set of Dunlop RoadSmart. Very pleased and I ain't holding anybody up in the corners (on the street)no sliding and good wear. As far as your suspension goes, it's really not rocket science, soften everything up, take a couple of hours and ride and fiddle with the settings. Bounce the bike up and down in the driveway while fooling around with the settings and you'll feel what they do. You'll figure it out, just one step at a time and take notes. | ||
| Jules |
+2, feel the profile of the tires (especially the front) they do go off and have a huge impact on front end feel.. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
What you're experiencing seems to be more or less normal behavior on the 1125 for round-profile tires like the Diablo Corsa IIIs. My '08 1125R felt similarly until I replaced the Corsas with a set of Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs. Switch to the 2CTs and if this problem isn't instantly resolved, I'd be extremely surprised. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Front tire. I've just turned 8,000 and still on original front tire. I'm noticing your same symptoms. | ||
| Tbowdre |
tire PSI checked lately? | ||
| Sl33py |
Front Tire x2000. The "dive in" feeling says low air to me. check your air - if run low too long they likely are also cupped and won't be right ever again. I need to soften my suspension as well, but no diving unless low air or front tire is bout shot. GL! | ||
| Marcodesade |
Ha ha, thanks doctor(s). Although the pressure is good, I'm down near the bottom of the tread on both shoulders, and the tire profile is a distinct V. On the upside (ego-wise), this is the first tire that I've worn to a V instead of squaring off the center (I do a lot of commuting and am really still learning my way through the twisties). I've also eliminated the entire chicken strips on the rear tire; also a first. Still time to fix the suspension though. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
All bikes that wear their front to a V-profile will exhibit the handling behavior you described. The 1125R will do that and mine does it EVERY TIME I wear out my front tires. My XB did that too. My VFR does it too. | ||
| Nm5150 |
I agree about the tires but I have had two track days in the last two weeks and can't understand why people are saying this bike is sprung too hard.I had the settings from the book set for 170# and I weigh 160 without my gear.If I didn't enter a curve perfectly the bike would try to turn in all at once and be real squirmy on the way out under heavy throttle.I got some advice and increased the preload and compression dampening front and back and the rebound in the front.I also ran the steering damper 7 clicks from none and the bike felt much more stable.Next time out I think I will make a few laps and try a little bit stiffer front end and maby one more click of pre load in the rear with some more rebound.I only mention this because it is the opposite of what I have read here. | ||
| Ratbuell |
People say it's sprung hard for the STREET. Difference. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Nm5150 +1 get used to it under stress and tune from there, repeat as necessary. | ||
| Cataract2 |
People say it's sprung hard for the STREET. That's what she said. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
It is sprung hard for streets. I find compression damping to be more firm on roads that have a lot of bumps (not potholes). Road undulations that occur very close together, like concrete freeway slabs that haven't been properly leveled really upset it. On a smooth road with few bumps, it's heaven...very responsive. | ||
| Marcodesade |
Rogue, I find exactly the same thing. I'm pretty happy in the canyons (except where the pavement is worn out in patches), but the freeway is just awful. The fact that I recently added HIDs just accentuates how bad the bike is "hopping" --- other vehicles (everything from bikes to semis) have stable headlights, while mine are dancing up and down all over the road. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I hear yah. I have to find the smoothest lane to get relief. Buell's owner's manual clearly states to reduce a harsh ride is to turn down compression damping. I have it set at minimum and it's still fairly harsh on bumps. Funny thing is, hitting a BIG bump doesn't upset the bike or me. It's those successive little bumps/andulations that really "shake" me up. | ||
| Bigevildoer |
As others have said, check the tires first and foremost... Saw Fleshrocket's post about the Michelin Power 2CT's -- personally, I can't stand mine. The rear is exceptionally twitchy and really slides/skips over any kind of road paint whatsoever (lots of it here, as there are tons of traffic circles etc). Soon as summer comes round (this season is pretty much done - another month to go) again these tires are gone and going back to Pirelli's... | ||
| Marcodesade |
I switched the rear tire this time to the Diablo Rosso (DR II I think) and I'm pretty happy with it. It's at least as grippy as the Corsa III, seems like it's going to last longer, and was a little cheaper to boot. Now that I see the whole problem was the front was worn out, I'm inclined to switch it over as well. Just out of curiosity though, how much do the P2CT's go for? I usually buy from Motorcycle Superstore, and it looks like I can get the set for about $250. | ||
| Dannybuell |
http://www.jakewilson.com/home.do |
