bmoto Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Hey all, Gotten on the motorcycle in the past few weeks, and the steering feels odd. Only two things changed: colder weather and thicker gloves. Nothing else. Mid-turn, the handlebars are giving me weird feedbac, I’ll describe below... Of note: stock suspension all around. This all came to a head this past weekend when the front end just tucked on me in a left-hand turn. Didn’t crash. I’ve researched the web and found a pretty good description of what happened: “Here is what I mean by the front end tucking. On the right hand turn - the bar instantly turns to the right about 10-15 degrees i'd say. And as that happens, the entire bike instantly leans over another 10 degrees. Almost as if it's free falling down towards a 90 degree lean.” I don’t recall my handlebars turning (may have), but the bike did drop 10 degrees and I thought I was going down. Got that from this forum: http://forums.superbikeschool.com/topic/3644-front-end-tuck/ That feeling I got both pre-and post incident steering feedback-wisewas best described in that same thread: “As far as a warning sign.... they are subtle but there. The easiest one to feel is your body weight wanting to go forward on the bike. Also, front will get a "heavy" or "digging in feeling" as you get closer to what you describe as "tucking".“ SO, yeah... I felt that digging feeling... Perhaps even the handlebars turned in more than usual? Nothing in that thread or similar ones addressed the cause of the issue to outside factors - just rider ones. And those suggestions may be valid, but... I don’t have the confidence to get harder on the throttle earlier, the bike doesn’t feel right. The forks are at the same spot they were over summer - raised 10mm. Sag - same. My weight - same. I figured that maybe the fork oil was flowing slower because of the cold - so I opened up the rebound two clicks. That didn’t address it. I haven’t gained/lost weight. Tire pressures are fine. Winter gloves didn’t do that this past spring... What should I be checking? I know I can adjust things here and there, but I’m looking for something caused by the cold or other factors that I should be prepared to adjust for. Or it could be something else? Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks in advance, B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isteve Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 How many miles on your tires? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norcal616 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 im gonna say tire wear pattern... 2012 wr250f - C-class 30+ age group 2015 fz-07- Hordpower Edition-80whp 2015 fj-09- Graves Exhaust w/Woolich tune by 2WDW @120whp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted November 27, 2017 Supporting Member Share Posted November 27, 2017 Of note: stock suspension all around. Are you set correctly on your sag front and rear? (correct spring rate?) Under normal riding conditions, do you get rear end squat under acceleration or front end dive under braking? Are you maintaining a smooth even speed through the corner? no sudden throttle chop or coasting? ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipperT Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Tire pressures. Set them to a minimum of 36 psi F&R and go ride it again. You stated tire pressures are fine, but did you check them RIGHT BEFORE you went for a ride and these symptoms appeared? Or are stating “they are fine” and the last time you checked them was last week? -Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koth442 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Tire pressure was my gut reaction. From early fall to late fall, my tires dropped ~3 psi. Just enough to make things feel wonky! '15 FJ09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky5000100 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Yea you just pushed the front due to cold tires/bad pressure. Check pressures and ease up when it's cold out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmoto Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 Of note: stock suspension all around. Are you set correctly on your sag front and rear? (correct spring rate?) Under normal riding conditions, do you get rear end squat under acceleration or front end dive under braking? Are you maintaining a smooth even speed through the corner? no sudden throttle chop or coasting? Sag is good. I'm no more ham-fisted and sloppy than usual. Yeah... the suspension drives me batty with the wallow factor - but that's not new... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmoto Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 How many miles on your tires?[span] [/span]1100 - like the rest of the bike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmoto Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 Have you adjusted your tire pressure to spec lately... say, since OA temps took a dive? Damn... damn... damn... I checked them... I checked them the other day! They were 30... 26psi just now... FARG!!! Rookie mistake. Let's see if that fixes it. Thank you for the responses, everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member britelitebob Posted November 27, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted November 27, 2017 How many tire guage do you have BLB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmoto Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 How many tire guage do you have<Ahem...> <Cough...> Three. O_o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member britelitebob Posted November 27, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted November 27, 2017 How many tire guage do you have<Ahem...> <Cough...> Three. Now there's an easy problem to solve BLB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmoto Posted November 28, 2017 Author Share Posted November 28, 2017 <Ahem...> <Cough...> Three. Now there's an easy problem to solveAgreed. Should have caught it first. Thanks for the helpful responses. b. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipperT Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Have you adjusted your tire pressure to spec lately... say, since OA temps took a dive?Damn... damn... damn... I checked them... I checked them the other day! They were 30... 26psi just now... FARG!!! Rookie mistake. Let's see if that fixes it. Thank you for the responses, everyone! Glad you got it figured out. Personally, I think we should all take 10 lbs of air out of the tires (from recommended pressure) and go for a ride to see what it feels like - followed by the same short ride with the correct tire pressures. The difference is very noticeable and we as bikers (IMHO) should all be aware of it. And btw - 3 gauges? That’s great! I’ve got the same and can never find the one I want (usually have to steal one from the wife’s car ?) -Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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