Handling advice

TimT · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Karma :

Since i've had my bike i've not been happy with the handling it's ok on slower corners but at speed going along A roads it doesn't seem to want to turn and feels like it not going to make it round even the slightest corner.
I've tried increasing the tyre pressure's by 1 psi as was recommended to me and it's helped a bit but not much i've also been told my suspension could be set to soft on factory settings as i'm quite a big lad at 17st could this be an answer to my problems?
But to top it off today i took it back to where i got it from for some advice and he said it could be my tyres as the front is feathering (whatever that is?) and that my tyres are not matched they are both bridgestones but the front is a BT010 and the back is a BT012 could that really make that much difference?
Any help would be great as i'm totally confused now!

ZaphodBeeble · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Karma :

The profiles may be a little mismatched, that will make a bit of a difference. The main problem is probably the front tyre, I expect what he means by feathering could also be termed 'fifty pence piecing'. If you take a cross section of the tyre it will have a shape like the sides of a 50p coin as opposed to being nice and round. Makes the bike horrible to lean into corners. Thumbs Up

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Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Feathering is uneven wear round the circumference of the tyre. Like where the tread is divided into blocks, it'll be higher at one end of the block thasn the other.

Can be a sign of running the tyre too soft, lots of hard braking or simply pushing the front end hard.

If it were me, I'd put any suspension adjusters back to factory settings and work from there. Make sure there is plenty of pressure in them. As an outside chance, make sure they are on the right way round (there will be arrows on the sidewall).

Double check they are the right size for your bike.

Check the wheels are properly aligned, make sure the bearings aren't grumbling and that the brakes aren't binding.

If it still diesn't turn in quick enough for you, try dropping the forks through the yokes a couple of mm. This shortens the rake angle and puts more weight over the front wheel.

Just do it by small increments, make sure the wheel can't foul the bodywork and be careful, it'll turn in quicker but it will also be more unstable and more prone to speed wobbles and suchlike.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

TimT · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Karma :

cheers for the quick answers.
sizes i'm sure are ok and it is on the correct way i've just checked.
I'll check the bearings and brakes tomorrow and see if they are ok.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Of course, doesn't mean the manufacturer is always right.

I wasn't happy with the handling on my VFR750. It's supposed to have a 120/70-17 front tyre.

My oppinion was that it had too steep a profile, meaning it got onto the softer side compound later and had a smaller area in contact with the road.

I decided to change it to a 120/60-17.
The photos speak for themselves.

I am also a larger bloke.
With the "correct" 70 section tyre
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/70sec.jpg

With the VFR owners club appoplexy-inducing 60 section tyre.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/60sec.jpg

EDIT: Oh yeah, that's feathering on the front tyre in the top picture.
It's a £100 gamble that I was right. I was, much better handling, no more feathering, no discernable instability.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

Stinky I thought my bikes are usually filthy but yours should win prizes Very Happy

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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

B_A_B · Brolly Dolly Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Karma :

If you want some seriously quick turning rubber try a set of pilot sports....they`re nuts.
I hated mine and got rid quick coz i like a bit more predictability.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

TimT · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Karma :

Been spinning the wheel today can't hear anything rubbing or grinding.
It's going in tomorrow for the bloke at the shop to give it a ride see what he thinks is wrong.

TimT · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Karma :

mechanic took it out and said all the suspension and bearings are fine so all it could be is the different tyres or the feathering which he says isn't that bad.
Both tyres have quite abit of tread left so seems a waste to change them but as i don't like the way it's handling will do. any recommendations on which tyres to go for?