Handling issues with my new bike..

[Stevie B]

As i've detailed in another thread, i bouhgt a 96' TRX850 on Monday.

It had been standing for a year so is running pretty rough at the moment which i am hoping to get sorted tomorrow by getting the carbs cleaned and balanced, and new oil etc, so thats a niggle but something that can be sorted no worries..

But what is really niggling me is that i can't get used to the handling of it. I know coming from a CB1 the turn is going to feel alot different and alot more work, but at the moment it just feels wrong

For example, if i get to a small roundabout and i'm going right at it to one of the latter exits, i go to take the roundabout at a completely legal speed (say 15mph). I lean slightly to the right with a small bit of force on the right bar to let it fall in a bit (like i always did with past bikes) but there is so much opposition from the right bar i've found myself not being able to make the line i intend and instead having to straighten up and take the roundabout at a ridiculously low speed!

I tried to put my finger on what it is and i think the best way i can describe it is that the bars are wanting to actually turn in the direction of where i'm going instead staying straight and letting me lean it into the roundabout - does that make sense?

So when i go to push the bars back to straight so i can lean and not 'turn' around the roundabout, it doesn't seem to want to unless i really give it a right shove!

Does this sound to you like it's just me not used to the turn in and handling of the new bike or do you think it could be something else? Ideally it needs someone else with a TRX to test it and say what they think i guess..

It passed it's MOT yesterday so i suspect it's probably the former, but i'm not new to a 'big' bike in the sense of size, as i could quite happily get my old FZR6 round such turns & r-bouts with ease

Last thing to note is it obviously feels better on longer corners at higher speed but its still doesn't feel right, i'm still having to fight it to make the corner..

Help

Cheers
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Past: Katana 50, NSR125RR, FZR600r, CB-1 Present: TRX850

[_Will_]

Your just around the corner, let me have a ride and i'll check
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[mr.z]

Things to check,

tyre pressures
suspension settings
headstock bearings/adjustment
tyres (right profile?)

Allot could be your imagination, its probably a longer bike, obviously a fair bit heavier and completely different geometry, mr_fisty had a go on my cx and he hated it, said it took loads of effort to steer, where i'm totally used to it now..

That said a sitty up sort of bike does need to be ridden differently, the transalp i had there was no need to lean it apart from on very long tight fast bends
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[MarJay]

On the california superbike school, I was taught that if you need to hold on to the bars tightly to keep your line, then it means you're holding on too tight and you are actually fighting yourself.

Try relaxing your upper body and holding on with your legs when you ride.

Obviously its also worth checking the other stuff like head bearings and tyres etc too.
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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.

[Kal]

If its only struggling in one direction are the wheels in line and are the bars true to them?
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[iloveriding]

After riding my Bandit for a week or so and then to and ride my cruiser I feel the same sort of things as you, So its probably the change in riding styles. But I would agree with MrZ
"tyre pressures
suspension settings
headstock bearings/adjustment
tyres (right profile?)"

Sorry cant help more
Tony
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Ride Safe, Stay Safe, Be Safe, Be Seen And See All Other Idiots on the road

[Willenium]

I had a similar problem with my Cat when I bought that. Cornering on a medium bend would see me with the bars on half lock pointing in the direction I'm going. The front tyre was the wrong size and was knackered.

[Ariel Badger]

Did you remember to unlock the steering lock?
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[mr jamez]

I had a similar thing with my bike, turned out the rear wheel alignment was way off.
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NSR 125F > BROS 400 > NC30 > BROS 400 > Trumpet S4 > '97 VFR 750

[phk6]

my sv is harder in slower bends then my cb jsut sling the thing in harder.
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Current .. 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure ..
Before .. 2003 Yamaha Fazer 1000 .. 2004 Kawazaki Z1000 .. 2003 Suzuki Sv1000s .. 1999 zx6r Track Bike .. 1999 CB 500 Cup ..
/Phil

[colin1]

i reckon your tyres are squared off and need replacing

in the mean time, go round corners by hanging off like a moneky/motogp racer
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Diggs]

Does it have a steering damper? If so, try turning it right down.
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[Stevie B]

Just took it to a local garage as i wanted him to check a few things and he sat on it and said "corr that front tyre feels flat!".
So he pumped it up and now it corners like a dream!
How embarrassing that i didn't consider such a simple thing!

So thanks for all your replies guys, really appreciated, but this time it just looks like i had overlooked the simple things and assumed it was someything more complicated!

Cheers

(Vee - your welcome ot come over anytime mate, would be good to meet a few more bikers from around here! )
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Past: Katana 50, NSR125RR, FZR600r, CB-1 Present: TRX850

[hmmmnz]

lol ... hehehe what a dumb ass
glad that was a easy fix
did you get all the running problems sorted?
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[mr.z]

Oh dear, he'll be telling his mechanic mates about that one for weeks

Easy done though, first time i checked my cg tyres after it was handleing a bit "iffy" there was only 8psi in them

Have fun with the trx i still quite fancy one or a tdm, could only afford shitty high mileage ones at the time though hence having the transalp..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Trixie]

When the time comes for new boots, may I recommend a pair of Pirelli Diablos. Stick to 36 psi front, 42 rear and it'll be great!

Just get out, get the miles under your belt and give it a couple of months or so to get used to it properly.
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Dead nobodies in company cars...

[_Will_]

[Stevie B]

[Trixie]

Take some pictures of the TRX, then...I wanna see what it looks like!!!
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Dead nobodies in company cars...

[Ariel Badger]

Glad you sorted it but the word "Owned" comes to mind!
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Stevie B]