"sloppy" back end?

[carlmalibu]

Hello all

I recently purchased a CB500, and moving onto it from the RS125 has been an experience to say the least.

Obviously the braking isn't as sharp (very obvious), and the acceleration is across the range, and the CB (inline 2) is considered a "boring" bike, but what I've found is it keeps feeling like the back end is slipping out. I can only describe it as sloppy.

I haven't ridden for a good 2 months before this bike (bar the scooter I drive on one of my jobs), but I feel like I have absolutely NO cornering confidence, for worry the back end is gonna drop out.

I can't explain it but whilst cornering the back end feels like its drifting ever so slightly if I lean, and I don't want to push it so I find myself cornering at real low speeds.

Is this purely a confidence thing or is it the type of bike? Is there anything I can do to help?

THANKYOU, Alasdair.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond
CB500, woop.

[craigs23]

Check your tyres, make sure they're not the confidence limiting factor at first (my RVF was worrying when I first got it due to the shagged/old tyres on it). What kind of condition are the shocks in?

[MarJay]

What condition and pressure are your tyres?

If you have crap old tyres at the wrong pressure you will find the bike feels strange.

How many miles has the bike done?
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[hmmmnz]

alot of the commuter twins out there are known for having sloppy arse ends and ride like hovercrafts, which probably isnt helped by the twin shocks on the rear,
if one has blown or is leaking then that will defently not help at all,
but first off check wheel bearings, linkage barings, tyre pressure ect.
it may be worth trying to find replacement shocks from another model bike, remember it was a bike made on a budget,
but you should with a bit of practise manage to almost get your knee down with it
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[cestrian]

Just wondering if the tyres are squared off. If you look down at the tyre, from above the tail light, is the tyre rounded, or has the central part of the tread become squared or flattened off?

[chalky143]

the handling would be shit compared 2 ur rs! and it will feel sloppy. I had tht going from my rs 2 a bandit 6! very shit handling but u get used to it. I bought i hornet 6 now and its alot better
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Current bike :: sv650 minitwin race bike
Previous bikes::cbr600 steelie race bike, 1989 Honda vfr750f, 2013 Honda fireblade, 2013 Ducati multistrata 1200s, 2012 Triumph street triple R, 1999 yamaha r6, vfr 800, ducati 600ss, vfr 400x2, ntv 650, bandit 600, cagiva mito 125, aprilia rs 50, honda c90x2, honda hornet 600x2, cbr 600, aprilia rx50, suzuki katana
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[carlmalibu]

tyres have plenty of tread in 'em, pressures/ full service done by dealership. Because it's got twin back shocks getting an aftermarket replacement is probably gonna be hard.

The suspension is amusing, you can hear it ever so slightly when going slowly.
____________________
Shine on, you crazy diamond
CB500, woop.

[MarJay]

[davidimurray]

You might want to try playing with the preload? When I got my ER5 it had just had new Hagon shocks fitted and were left at the standard lowest setting. I wound the preload up a notch to take someone out Pillion then forgot to reset them - what a difference, made the bike feel a hell of a lot better.

[lllN30lll]

I had the same problem.

checked my tires for depth and pressure, fine

checked the bearings, FOOKED!

once replaced back end was perfect
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Turbo R1
CRF450R

[dainesefreak]

Tyre pressures again from me, especially at this time of year.

[carlmalibu]

how do I check the bearings? Would it be worth getting some hagon shocks?
____________________
Shine on, you crazy diamond
CB500, woop.

[lllN30lll]

basically sit facing the side of your wheel, put your hands on top of the the tyre and pull it back and forwards towards you, there shouldn't be any play at all.

it shouldn't feel loose or make a knocking noise
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Turbo R1
CRF450R

[MarJay]

[Trixie]

Possibles are:

Wheel bearings (check as above)
Shocks (look for leaks - one or both could be shot)
Tyre pressures (can't remember exact pressures - 33f and 36r I think)
Tyre profile (check tyres - both front and back - aren't squared off and check for even wear)
Wheel alignment (could be out - check with a plank of wood)

Personally I didn't have too much of a problem with the handling on my CB apart from the lack of ground clearance. It'll never handle like a sporty bike, but for what the bike is I think the handling is fine.
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[shaba2000]

I had similar problem. I checked everyhting above and to be hoenst it was none of them but it gave me peace of mind which also boosted my confidence. then i took a trip to southampton and my confidence now back up..

But for peace of mind you can always go and get it checked.. once you get the all clear then just work up the confidence...

thats how i did it.
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kawasaki Ninja-zx6r 1997 (f3)

[Marci]

They handle fine! Throw em around like anything else... seriously, I can lob the CB500 round a roundabout with me knee on the deck faster than I could ever get the Mito round... if you're having problems with handling it's definitely in the setup of the bike as the bike can take whatever you throw at it. Sooo many folks slate the CB500 and consider it boring, but in all honesty it's a superb bike... outhandles and outpaces it's newer incarnations...

The problem is the feedback you get from the bike is different. You're position on the bike is different. If you were sat on the RS the same way (ie: take the pegs off the RS, move em forward and down a bit, then whack on a set of renthal bars) you'd probably find the backend feels very similar on both bikes... majority of it will be a confidence thing... it feels different and you need to get used to it... but as recommended, check tyre pressures, ensure rearshocks are set up correctly and in good condition, check alignment, chain tension, and all the other usual suspects (preferably in that order)

Personally I'd say you likely need new rear shocks - common on the CB500... mine still has it's originals badly in need of replacing, and to keep the rearend steady have them set on the 4th notch up (1 down from the "stiffest" setting) and it corners like it's on rails.

Braking - change the lines for braided, check the pads. You'll never out-break the RS - the CB weighs at least 50kgs more - but when setup correctly it can still spit you over the bars if you grab too much front...

Then go out and spend some time getting to know it's little foibles etc... once you get used to it you'll find you can toss it around all over the place at speed without issues.
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