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SirFallalot |
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SirFallalot Trackday Trickster
Joined: 25 Oct 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 19:55 - 18 Oct 2021 Post subject: Not confident/shit at riding my new, superior bike |
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Heya, it's my first long one.
I had a feeling I was faster/smoother/more composed, generally better, riding my CB750 than the zx9r, the latter only making up in acceleration.
This weekend I took a trip with my friend and we swapped bikes (ZX9R with K1300S), although powerful it had felt heavy when I previous took it around town so I thought it was going to be hard to handle.
We tried pillion and no pillion on both, fast roads slow roads etc. By the end of the weekend, the 3 of us agreed I ride the K1300S much better. Sure it was "harder" on twisties, but still I managed it better than the nimble ninja and felt much more relaxed/confident.
I'm a bit at a loss here. I did intent to get some tuition but have not researched much beyond IAM, would be interested in other things if anyone has suggestions.
In general it's like I forgot how to apply the "generic twist of the wrist rules"/how to ride a bike.
I tend not to accelerate too much on straights and brake early to give myself time to think through (also because my brakes don't inspire confidence, upgrade is in the works), but then I still turn in early, get too close to the separation, constantly adjust the line, arms tense up, I'm all over the fucking place...
The pillion said it felt like I was afraid of the bike, but I had no problem with a bigger and meaner one but she might be right. The one thing I don't like on the ninja is the footpegs (could be further back and a tad down), but how could that one thing completely ruin the riding? Is it that it's too sensitive (back raised is raised, but honda has dropped forks and feels "similar") and I'm used to something heavy handed? What can I do to fix this, additionally to keeping on riding?
Thoughts/similar experiences? ____________________
Lexmoto Valiant 125; 94 CB400; 96 CB750F2; 81 CB750 (restoring, lol not gonna happen); 2001 ZX9R(It's about to go :c); 2012 R1200R; 2015 R1200RS
Last edited by SirFallalot on 20:00 - 18 Oct 2021; edited 3 times in total |
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Nobby the Bastard |
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Nobby the Bastard Harley Gaydar
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :
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notbike |
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notbike Formerly known as notabikeranymore
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
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arry |
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arry Super Spammer
Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha |
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 21:50 - 18 Oct 2021 Post subject: |
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Meef wrote: | Get the suspension set up. |
This - but before this, i.e. if you haven't already, at least make sure the suspension is currently at standard settings. If a previous owner has dicked around with it and basically screwed it up, it will potentially feel horrendous. Hinged in the middle, unable to hold a line through a corner, uncomfortable - running wide coming out of bends because it's squatting (so the back end compresses, the front end extends, the wheelbase increases meaning the bike lengthens, resulting in often dramatic understeer), etc. etc.
Also, before you shell out £50 quid for a set up, are you sure when your fork oil was last changed and what the bike's interval is for that (2 years / 15k miles?)? There's no point putting your forks through a set of major adjustments if the oil in them has separated into thin gruel at the top and thick gloop at the bottom because it's been in there for 20 years. Unlikely as that seems, it's not impossible.
It's also possible that the rear suspension linkages and bushes could use a greasing, and even the swing arm bearings. A bike can feel horribly unconfident and intractable through corners if something's awry in those areas - especially the latter. My zx9r tried to kill me twice - one of the swing arm pivot bearings was shagged.
So I would say before getting a set up, ensure that all those variables are properly accounted for because no amount of tweaking front fork spring tension / compression / preload / sag / etc. etc. etc. can properly correct problems of a more basic kind. However, if/when those issues are sorted, a good suspension set-up could well prove to be the making of the bike. They're great fun when set right, and usually do exactly what you think they're going to. It doesn't hurt that they're always up for a thrashing either - as you'll know, the whole bike is happiest up around 7k. And there's plenty more above that if you dare. Great bikes imo. ____________________ "Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."
Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125 |
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SirFallalot |
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SirFallalot Trackday Trickster
Joined: 25 Oct 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 00:18 - 19 Oct 2021 Post subject: |
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Thanks for the advice guys.
I've not touched the settings actually as I thought it was "ok" (I wouldn't know better), I will check what the defaults are and look up the guide. As for getting a "setup", is this done at track days only where you can test between laps, or can you go somewhere else?
The PO was an aerospace engineer and maintained/modded it very well, so I imagine the fork oil isn't that old, but for the low cost it doesn't hurt to replace, you're right, I'll take a look at the rear linkages/bushes as well.
Next time I'll try to remember to keep a relaxed pace and see how it feels. The first rides when following some of my slower friends, the bike did feel very easy and fun, I had to hold back not to "run them over", keeping it at low revs like a granny. It's when leading/by myself that this becomes a huge problem.
Interestingly my friend found the bike both comfortable and like a "surgical scalpel/precision tool" He is taller and heavier than me (alike PO), and maybe that's enough to make a big difference on position and suspension. He has been riding for a long time so I trust his judgement but after the K1300 and ZZR14 I'm not sure he'd know if it was right or wrong. Ironically in the end we didn't want to go back to each others bike. In addition maybe I'm too heavy handed, making the bike unstable which in turn makes me nervous, which makes it move unstable etc etc in addition to suspension.
Interesting you found the rearsets made such a big difference, maybe they would help massively. I've done some research on the zx9r forums but apart from the Buel footpegs, which leave the brake and shifter in place, and couple hundred custom rearsets, I've not found a cheap option to "just tryout", I've not decided whether I want to shell out that much yet. ____________________
Lexmoto Valiant 125; 94 CB400; 96 CB750F2; 81 CB750 (restoring, lol not gonna happen); 2001 ZX9R(It's about to go :c); 2012 R1200R; 2015 R1200RS |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha |
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha |
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 06:57 - 19 Oct 2021 Post subject: |
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SirFallalot wrote: | I've not touched the settings actually as I thought it was "ok" (I wouldn't know better), I will check what the defaults are and look up the guide. As for getting a "setup", is this done at track days only where you can test between laps, or can you go somewhere else?
The PO was an aerospace engineer and maintained/modded it very well, so I imagine the fork oil isn't that old, but for the low cost it doesn't hurt to replace, you're right, I'll take a look at the rear linkages/bushes as well. |
This is reassuring! I can't imagine the fork oil will be too knackered - but it would be good if there was some record of when it was last changed.
I can't see whereabouts in the UK you are. I live near York and there are at least two dedicated bike suspension specialists within striking distance. I rode over to Leeds to get a set up that cost £40 earlier this year. I described how and where I ride, what I wanted from the set up (plush ride without sacrificing accuracy, w/ a preference for technical B-roads that are difficult to ride much beyond 60-70 mph, etc. - that kind of thing). I gave info about the bike - model, mileage, etc. And the job itself took about 20 minutes iirc. Maybe less. Well worth it. ____________________ "Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."
Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125 |
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ThunderGuts |
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ThunderGuts World Chat Champion
Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :
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SirFallalot |
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SirFallalot Trackday Trickster
Joined: 25 Oct 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 10:40 - 19 Oct 2021 Post subject: |
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The tyres (Pirelli Diablo) must have around ~2.5k miles as they were practically new when I got the bike, they're wearing evenly (my CB were squared off so I know the tip over feeling ) I run them at 36F 42R.
Instead of rearsets I found these brackets that'll just relocate the whole thing, will probably need extending the brake reservoir support and shifter link but this looks like the best solution, 1 inch back and down.
Does anyone here make these? Supporting the local economy and all
ThunderGuts I don't find it patronizing in the least, I'm the one asking for help! And you're right. ____________________
Lexmoto Valiant 125; 94 CB400; 96 CB750F2; 81 CB750 (restoring, lol not gonna happen); 2001 ZX9R(It's about to go :c); 2012 R1200R; 2015 R1200RS |
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Ayrton |
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Ayrton World Chat Champion
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Posted: 11:32 - 19 Oct 2021 Post subject: |
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https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=98832
it's a zip file, it contains a scan of an ancient copy of Bike magazine. It is a generic guide to how to set up a multi adjustable sportsbike, or at least get into a very close ballpark. I've used it a few times and it bloody works.
Do this before you pay someone. ____________________ British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha |
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
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MarJay But it's British!
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MarJay But it's British!
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Blah blah |
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Blah blah Scooby Slapper
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UncleFester |
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UncleFester World Chat Champion
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Posted: 17:50 - 19 Oct 2021 Post subject: |
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Thrash and ZX9/K1300 on a public road ..... Have folk really thought this statement through. That'd be useful for a chunk of 1st and maybe 2nd at the most. What you gonna do with the other 4 gears
So for me with 140bhp to play with, i reckon i rarely use 50% max of what's on offer and it rarely goes above 6k in the lower gears and rarely above 4k in the higher ones. There isn't the road space and i don't have the talent.
I think bigger heavier less 'dropped bar' bikes change your riding focus - which without you realising it makes you relax the way you ride and the way you expect the bike to ride. ____________________ Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800. |
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to v or not to v |
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to v or not to v World Chat Champion
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notbike |
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notbike Formerly known as notabikeranymore
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ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
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to v or not to v |
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to v or not to v World Chat Champion
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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Skudd Super Spammer
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 2 years, 202 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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