Center stand is scraping the road much too soon in curves

[François Brion]

I'm a new owner of a 900GT. Very satisfied so far but I noticed that when I have a passenger, the center stand is touching the road very (too) soon while taking curves at not so high speed (let's say at twice the speed suggested by the yellow panels). On all my other bikes, pegs were touching the road way before the center stand. Even if I have hardenned the front and rear suspension settings, it's still going on. Anyone experienced this or have any suggestions (but removing the stand) ?

[BBB]

It is almost certainly the spring rate too low for the combined weight of you and your passenger. If you have increased the preload to the maximum you only have two options: trim the rubber stop on the centre stand so it sits slightly higher, or more importantly a higher rate shock spring (even better, a new, better shock that has been sprung for your combined weight).

[betoney]

1 hour ago, François Brion said:

the center stand is touching the road very (too) soon while taking curves at not so high speed (let's say at twice the speed suggested by the yellow panels).

Twice the suggested corner speed = Not too high speed .  I LIKE it 😎👍

Like @BBB suggested, correct spring rate for your weight at a minimum.  And if you were to upgrade the shock, most of them have ride height adjustment to make the rear slightly higher in addition to the spring preload.

[François Brion]

1 hour ago, BBB said:

It is almost certainly the spring rate too low for the combined weight of you and your passenger. If you have increased the preload to the maximum you only have two options: trim the rubber stop on the centre stand so it sits slightly higher, or more importantly a higher rate shock spring (even better, a new, better shock that has been sprung for your combined weight).

Thx for your suggestions. I'll increase the preload and make few roadtests with another passenger that my girlfriend whom is too easy to frighten in curves  . 

[andz]

I am interested in these "yellow panels", I have a 2017 Tracer so maybe the GT has something new that I don't know about.

BTW I had to remove the centre stand to fit my Akrapovic pipe and the feelers on the pegs are also gone so when I scrape something it might be too late!

From experience, take it easy until your girlfriend is relaxed on the back, my wife is such a confident passenger I don't even know she is there.

Edited August 19, 2020 by andz

[SKYFLIX]

"Yellow panels", aka road signs.

[Manxkiwi]

Don't know if all countries are the same, but in NZ posted corner speeds are max speed for laden goods vehicles. Doubling it on a well set up road bike is quite easy 'most' of the time! There are a couple of corners I know that are a 'bit' out compared to the average.

To the OP: get a proper rear shock. Not cheap, but you'll thank me later. Cheers.

[dpippin]

I was concerned about dragging the center-stand also. So I ground about half of the rubber stop away. With the shorter stop the center-stand does not interfere with the exhaust. I also have a riding style from doing track days where I hang off a bit and this keeps the bike a little more upright. The real fix was updating to Ohlins suspension with the correct spring weight.

[andz]

18 hours ago, SKYFLIX said:

"Yellow panels", aka road signs.

🤦‍♂️

[François Brion]

20 hours ago, SKYFLIX said:

"Yellow panels", aka road signs.

Exactly. Sorry for my poor english, I'm from Québec

[François Brion]

2 hours ago, dpippin said:

I was concerned about dragging the center-stand also. So I ground about half of the rubber stop away. With the shorter stop the center-stand does not interfere with the exhaust. I also have a riding style from doing track days where I hang off a bit and this keeps the bike a little more upright. The real fix was updating to Ohlins suspension with the correct spring weight.

Thx for your answer

[harraseeket]

when hitting a dip in road mid corner often surprised to hear centerstand scrape. i am 175 lbs on stock settings and don't consider myself an elbow scraper

Edited August 21, 2020 by harraseeket

[andz]

21 hours ago, François Brion said:

Exactly. Sorry for my poor english, I'm from Québec

Don't worry, the speed signs aren't yellow where I live so I didn't click.

[betoney]

2 hours ago, harraseeket said:

when hitting a dip in road mid corner often surprised to hear centerstand scrape.

Depending on your speed, lean angle, suspension setting, cargo weight and the severity of the bump in the corner, if it was going to scrape, that's exactly when and where it would happen. 

Your shock compresses several inches, potentially even close to bottoming out with the forces of cornering, add in a soft spring, and an uneven road surface and it can be at its limit.

[Tripletrouble]

As others, the stock shock is crap when pushing hard. Too soft in general, so Saving for an aftermarket with the correct spring for your weight and riding style is the way to go.  Make sure you get the correct spring, as some, ie Ohlins, can come with a stock rate spring, so order from a decent suspension specialist.