Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Tracer 900 GT unstable steering

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Workshop
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

JohnD
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 15 Mar 2019
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:23 - 15 Mar 2019    Post subject: Tracer 900 GT unstable steering Reply with quote

I have a Tracer 900GT. I got it last autumn and have done about 1600 miles. During my test ride I thought that the steering was a bit too light and it didn't inspire confidence turning in, especially on tighter bends. I got one anyway because I thought that I'd get used to it. I haven't.

I ride a lot on lanes and B roads. Through the winter these have obviously gotten wet and muddy. On these roads the Tracer is scary.

On four occasions it has gone from straight line riding at moderate speed to tank slapper in the blink of an eye. This seems to be triggered by just a small dollop of mud or a small slimy patch.

Twice I've been on the grass before getting it back together. The last time the Tracer won. It threw me onto the grass. I got it back together, got it back on the road only for it to tuck under completely a few yards further down the road.

It's not me! I've been riding these roads for 45 years on a whole range of bikes. The last time I dropped one due to mud on the road was over 40 years ago.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is this low speed instability a known feature of the bike?

I think that a steering damper might help but I can't find one for the GT. Has anyone fitted a damper to a 900GT?

Suspension settings are as recommended. I'm wondering if softer forks with less compression damping might help. Any thoughts?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

doggone
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 May 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:33 - 15 Mar 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could it be on wrong tyres, or even not the original wheels.
Subtle changes in geometry can trigger this sort of thing.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



Joined: 21 Sep 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:11 - 15 Mar 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take it to a proper suspension place, they should be able to sort it out. I can recommend MCT in Stowmarket if you are anywhere near there.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Tdibs
Traffic Copper



Joined: 16 Jan 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 17:23 - 15 Mar 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah I would spend some time and money seeing if a proper suspension setup fixes it.

I found the front end pretty wild when I test rode one too though. Bumps in the road seemed to unsettle it quite a lot when you were giving it the beans it was quite unpredictable.
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Howling Terror
Super Spammer



Joined: 05 Dec 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 17:44 - 15 Mar 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree on taking it to be checked over and setup. It'll save time.

A search on google for Tracer 900GT wobble did yield people having similar issues.

Like previously mentioned it could be many things that causes it. In my case it was the old rear suspension on one bike and a worn front tyre on another bike that didn't like particular changes in road surfaces.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Nobby the Bastard
Harley Gaydar



Joined: 16 Aug 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:20 - 15 Mar 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you checked the tyre pressures? A tank slapper is almost unheard of on a modern bike.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:36 - 15 Mar 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

The issue is almost certainly with the back end somewhere. Suspension damping, ride height, tyre pressures.

The most notoriously slap-happy bike of recent history (TL1000S) was mostly due to a badly designed suspension damper and partly due to an over-wide rear tyre.

Looking at pictures, it does have quite an oddball looking swingarm.

Also from the pictures, these come with hard luggage as standard? Have you tried riding with it off to see if it makes a difference? Top box?
____________________
“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.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 5 years, 14 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Workshop All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.06 Sec - Server Load: 0.31 - MySQL Queries: 17 - Page Size: 54.81 Kb