Why won't my bl**dy bike go 'round corners?!!!!

[saints7]

Let me set the scene...

J2 ZX6 with 3,900 miles on it , me 12st, suspension at stock settings, tyres Dunlop 207's (original I think).

Had the bike about 9 months and changed to it from a 600 Bandit.

When I picked it up it felt almost alive after the Bandit.

Handling was sharp and while it was a bit different from the Bandit I got used to it pretty quickly.

Just lately I have absolutely no confidence in it when going around fastish corners - it just seems vague and almost as if it is going to drop in. It's almost impossible to hold a constant line as well.

Goes like a rocket in a straight line though

Bumpy roads are a total nightmare.

Tyres are not too bad but are probably due for replacement soon once I get my head around what to go for.

I'm no Valentino Rossi (more Francis Rossi!) but surely even I can get a ZX6 round a bend!!!

Is it me, the tyres, suspension or what?

Anyone else got any ideas as its doing me 'ead in and I'm fast going off the bike.


Help please!!!!

[Bendy]

Checked your tyre pressures and wheel alignment?

Anything happened that's messed with your head?

[RealNinja]

If your tyres are near their end, you may have squared them off (or the person before you) which mean that the bike will tip in so far and then 'step' over the square bit and drop quickly onto the rest of the tyre.

It can be quite unnerving

Have you checked the tyre pressures?

If they are below what they should be (even as little as 5psi) the bike will run wide in corners and feel soft generally.

If your tyres are squared, you will be able to feel them if you run your thumb over the tyre form side wall to side wall, it should be a constant curve, but if it's squared you will feel a ridge (normally about 1/4 of the way across and possibly another 3/4's across)

There's nothing you can do about the squaring though i'm afaid, it's new tyres or live with it!

EDIT: are you absolutely certain the shock settings are stock? If the bike has had it's ride height lowered at the back without compensating at the front, it will feel flat instead of tipped foward, and consequently more difficult to push into turns.....
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[saints7]

Cheers Guys,

Touch wood I've not had any moments that could have messed with my head. (Yet!)

Tyre pressures are as per the book - 36/41 psi.

Suspension setting are stock as far I can tell and a friendly mechanic at my local shop also said they seem to be stock.

The rear does look a bit square if i'm honest but doesn't seem much different to when I picked it up.

Any recomendations as to what tyres would help get things back - BT014 or Dunlop 208's for example?

All suggestions gratefully received

[cc123]

It's all in your head man!
All 6R's feel bumpy in corners, the suspension settings, even standard, are rock hard....

It's also got a 60 profile front tyre so sometimes it feels like it's dropping in. Well thats how mines feels. I'm only starting to find massive lean angles again after my smash.

Although squared off tyres and low tyre pressure won't help your case.
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[cunni]

I went out on my TL1000R last night and it was the first time this year that I had the opportunity to do some scratching at my favourite islands.

but I couldn't manage it, similar problem, I can get the bike over and go round, but not to the edge of the tyres, i can't get my knee down and the whole bike feels weird. It felt like the front end was too heavy, as if the weight were being thrown forwards.

I'm wondering if maybe I've lost my nerve and am decelerating going round the island, hence the problem, but I was consciously trying to accelerate. I was entering the islands so slow, braking from miles away.

What's happening? I still wonder if the bike is ok after a lowside I had which bent the rear wheel, but the repair shop have checked it all and test rode it and say it's all fine!

It feels very much the same as this when I'm two up, on any corner.

Am I missing something?
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[MarJay]

[RealNinja]

I don't know anything about he Bridgestones, but I can thouroughly recomend the Dunlops!

I have 208RR's on my ZX7R and I have never had a slip or twitch from them yet.

I am told the standard 208's are as good and last longer.

207RR's are good too (and cheap) but none of the RR's are very good in the wet.

Incase you are wondering the RR's have a sharper profile than the F's, enabling faster turning in speed (something you need on a ZX7R!), but they can make the front end a bit twitchy on lighter bikes
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You will become my force of retribution. Where you tread, doom will follow. Go now and claim your destiny

[ash t]

Where are you looking when you go round the bend???

Are you looking down, at the road closely in front?? Looking as far along the road as you can helps!! Like on a corner, just watch the road emerge.
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[Suzuki]

Just push the thing down there harder!

Oh, and get a new set of boots on her. BT014's are excellent
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[Milo]

I'm lacking cornering confidence and have done for a couple of years now.

Just need to follow someone I think so I know it is actually possible to go round corners that fast...though things are improving now I've got the Hornet.

Will definitely have to start meeting up and going for ride outs.
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[Suzuki]

[numark1]

I have 010's on my J2. Only had a slip once and managed to control it. Had them on my GSXR400. Fav tyres so far. They need reaplacing soon and i've hear the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa's are really good.