Shit tyres, bike setup or me

[bEN_]

This is really starting to piss me off now, had a decent week down here with the weather so i've been out as much as i can really.
After about 10-15 mins of cruising around i tend to build my speed up and start to have some fun, anyway when i go into a tight corner or roundabout and get a decent lean angle a few times i've felt the front tyre start to slide, i'm taking it as an early warning sign that if i push much harder i'll be on my arse but it's caught me out a few times and it's starting to knock my confidence, i can't understand whats causing it, i've only done a few basic things to check it's not obvious to me.

changed the tyre pressures to what i was used to from 33psi to 36psi
(what it recommends in the manual ) this changed nothing apart from making the front feel lighter going into corners.

checked both tyre sizes so the profiles weren't dodgy, 120F 180R

tyres have loads of life left, they are Dunslops 208RR's even though they shouldn't be the issue

So then i thought it could be something i'm doing wrong, body position etc?

i might see if dropping the forks or adjusting the rear suspension helps, i don't feel it move when i sit on it because i weigh fuckall but i'll check properly tomoroww, any help appriciated it's doing my head in, i wish i was struggling for grip at the back, at least thats fun.
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2010 Ducati 848 Dark

Lamp Post Enthusiast

[stinkwheel]

Maybe you're just trying to lean further than is necessary?
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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.

[bEN_]

I don't think it's that because i don't even try to get my knee down, i think it might be my body position more than anything, dug up a few old mags and from pictures i've seen it looks different to what i'm doing. i just suck atm
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2010 Ducati 848 Dark

Lamp Post Enthusiast

[Fastkwak]

[stinkwheel]

Don't think about it too much. Balance the bike by pressing on the pegs, loose grip on the bars, keep your head up looking where you are going and repeat after me: "Smoooth, smooooth, smoooth.".

Try sticking your elbows out (helps me, no idea why).

If you are thinking about leaning the bike over, you're concentrating on the wrong thing and will keep looking at the ground next to you. Concentrate on looking where you are going and keeping the throttle action smooth, the corner will happen by itself.
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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.

[Deckx]

its not the tyres, i had a set of 208rr's on my zx6 and really liked them
The back always let go before the front but you still had a feeling of control.

Remember when i got the the bike first with the 208's, it felt a bit funny at the front but added more front pre-load, think i got about 6 lines showing as well as dropping down the forks 6-7 mm.

Sounds like your suspension needs sorting, go to Sportsrider.com, they have rough guides of settings for your particuliar bike.

Think 36psi is too high, i normally run my tires at track pressures 30/ 31 but i ride mostly on track..but when i ran with 34 + on the road it felt way too hard with zero grip.. could try 32 back and 33 front and see what that feels like...

[MattEMulsion]

[mistergixer]

If it's a new bike, and you're running the original Jap spec OE Dunlops, then yes, they are shit, and i would advise you to get shot of them.
Aftermarket European spec 208s are a great tyre - i always used them on my SRAD600, and now use qualifiers on my 750.
The 208s will slide gently prior to actually letting go, which i think is a good thing - i like a bit of warning, instead of just a sudden loss of grip.
I'd focus on your riding personally, it sounds like you might be trying too hard to lean too far - the resulting mental and physical tension can rob you of your control of the bike. Relax, take it easy, focus on being smooooooth - you'll probably find yourself going faster, i know i certainly do!
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Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[Type_Mo]

benn, change your dunflops for a set of conti road attacks! thats wot i did and never regretted it for a moment!
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- Typhoon ?0 - Yamaha DT125R - Aprilia SR125 - Yamaha DT125R - Honda Hornet 600 -

[Keir]

have you fiddled with the suspension? switch back to the manufacturers standard setting if you have.

other than that my money would be on your riding style as you admin your not pushing it that hard so id be inclined to think your nowhere near the tyres limits.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Reppyboyo]

Tried increasing pre-load on your forks?

[bEN_]

Found a decent setup guide that might be able to start me off in the right direction, since i got the bike i've not fiddled with anything on it.
I need to get a picture of video of myself so i can see how badly my body position is, sometimes after riding for an hour or so i get back ache to, don't think it's because im 6ft but maybe i'm riding twisted in the corners or something, whatever it is it's bugging me.
the tyres seem ok apart from the front, on the rear you can run it to the very edge yet at the front there's quite large chicken strips

the front tyre is 120/70 i think which is about right, i'll also try lowering the pressures again, i guess it's a trial and error thing but i'm convinced it's how i'm riding that is the problem.
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2010 Ducati 848 Dark

Lamp Post Enthusiast

[neatbik]

I reckon your gripping the bars too hard. As stinkwheel said, grip the bike with your legs on the tank and have a really loose grip on the bars. All you should be doing with the bars is steering the bike. Counter steer into the corner, then let the bars track round

[Scouse]

[The Tot]

It's all psychological and all to easy to blame the tyres ... well I did. Getting new tyres acted like a placebo because it gives you that feeling of confidence and security.

Get some stomp grips. I had them on the bike for a week and i notice how much less of an effort i put in whilst hanging off the bike or under braking. I've done the same sections previously and used to come home with very bad calf aches form steering input and using peg weighting to hold a line. Certainly by allowing the outside leg to grip onto the tank, you're able to shift as much as your weight into the bed as possible.

I would try and explore your riding style. Find a clear section of road and keep doing it experimenting with different styles - applied countersteering + lean, hanging off, not using your brakes etc etc... Only you can solve your problems.

Getting your suspension back to stock will help... IIRC, R6's OEM tyres were 60 section at the front - 65 can be used as a compromise. You won't be able to reach the edge of the tyre on a 70 cos of the steeper profile, so you'd probably have to hang off more to keep the bike more upright.

Only one way to tell, and that's getting new rubber when yours wear down.

Tyre choice is all down to preference so try them all. My money's on the tyres - get something more appropriate for the road and you'll have easily the best investment for your riding. If you don't like dunlops and have a distinct prejudice for them, then people will be able to recommend other tyres - i'm happy with my Dunlop Qualifiers and Roadsmarts... I suggest you read this month's RIDE - it compares the differences of riding a CBR600F-S on dunlops roadsmarts and dunlops Qualifier RR (replacement tyre for the D208RR). Rider found that on the road, the sports touring roadsmarts held the heat better and had more wear towards the edge of the tyres. I've found that on my bike i've got NO chicken strips with the Roadsmarts (sports touring), whilst on the Qualifiers, it was a constant 3-5mm band on both sides.

Hope this helps. If you factor out all the other variables, chances are you'd find THAT niggling element of your riding/bike and address it.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[binge]

Dunlop and Death start with the same letter! Get rid of them.

Also, why do you think you never see Dunlop stickers on motorbikes. Its because they don't stick! They have all fallen off. Dunlop don't make sticky things!



Do you ride rain or shine, Or are you that fair weather rider?


If you are a dry / sunny only rider, then go for the Pirelli Supercorsa's.

https://www.motomanija.com/fotoz/Gume/2006/julij/Pirelli_DiabloSuper/title_s.jpg



If you ride in the wet then I cant help because I see no enjoyment of taking a bike out on a rainy day. Id rather take the car.




Ben

[Fastkwak]

[Deckx]

[Scouse]

[Coxyzxr]

Double check those pressures and take cold readings not after riding to the garage to do it

I had the feeling of the back end nibbling out quite a bit, turns out tyre pressure was below what should of been and it makes the tyre wall flex, basicly simulates sliding out.
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !