`Flighty` front end

Baronvonbomb said:

i was out for a `spirited`:devious ride today. The front end was getting a bit twitchy and i think the bike could do with more weight on the front.

I`m happy with the way the bike handles and turn-in etc and don`t really want to mess it up.

I have 3 rings showing on the forks ( ohlins ). Is going to 4 rings on the front going to make it turn-in too quick and ruin the stability?

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Pulling the forks through more or raising the rear is going to increase the turn in speed and cost you stability, try click less rebound, how static sag have you on the bike?

i get this problem 2 m8, especially on "spirited" rides. the front end even tends to give a slight shake clicking into 6th with a handful of throttle and feels slightly light. ive been looking for a solution to this too as it happens! its not a mojor problem but its slightly un nerving and dont want to get thrown into a 'slapper at 150+!

I once had this problem many years ago on a Gixer 750 SRAD. I had one when they`d just come out, and the thing used to slap-away at the front when I gave it a handful.

I always remember that Suzuki, at the time, were advocating tyre pressures of 36 front, 36 rear, but now and again, you drop on very genuine people in this life, that will give you proper advice instead of ripping you off.

What I mean by this is that I rang a guy (somewhere in the North-East, name escapes me), who sold steering-dampers (among other parts) for a living. Now he could have sold me a steering damper there and then, and I would probably have been blissfully unaware, but instead, he told me to ignore Suzuki`s advice on tyre pressures, and to put 42 psi in the rear, whilst remaining with 36 in the front.

Honestly, I cannot tell you the difference this made, and I would never have believed it. The bike went from a bucking bronco, to super-sharp road lazer in the space of 6psi. Awesome !!!!!!!

So gents, the moral of my ramblings is always to try the simplest things first, rather than dropping the forks etc (which can make quite radical changes to the geometry).

And if you`ve already tried this, then just ignore the ramblings of an inane old git like me............! :biggrin

i run 42 psi in my rear tyre:thumbup

I had the same problem. It also felt vague. Lower to 4 rings and see how it feels. check the Preload at both ends. Front about 25mm. Rear about 10mm. This is with you sat on the bike.:thumbup

see a suspension man if you have the money. Tbh if the front end never gets light you aren't riding hard enough! What tyre pressures do you run? Has the bike been set up or changed from original settings? What's your location? Both southern cross and griff can help with suspension for only a little extra on top of your usual service price. . .

Baronvonbomb said:

I run 36 / 42 in the tyres. I`ve tried 32/38 before and 36/42 feels alot better. I don`t know my exact sag figures yet. I have 8.5 turns from soft on the front and the rear is untouched from the factory. I think 10mm rear rider sag is way too hard. My static sag is about 10mm on the rear and about 25mm on the front.

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Your static sag is in the right ballpark, these bikes front ends ride better a bit softer, i run mine at 28mm front and 13 rear, my tyres are michekin 2ct's and they are run at 34/37 as recommended by Michelin, those pressures do seem a bit high.

If you are riding it hard and have lowered the gearing the front will give a few kicks and wobbles etc. these are OK as long as they are not really violent and are controlled easily.

I get the feeling you are a pretty competent rider and more than likely know all this already.

If you come back to 8 turns of preload this should put your sag at about 27-28mm i reckon, it will also have the effect of increasing the turn in as well and putting more weight over the front whilst softening it a bit, if your rebound is right that is the next thing i would do, all this assuming the rear is set right, if it is not the rear has a big bearing on how the front behaves.

If your rear compression is to soft it will allow the front to go light under acceleration, suspension is a complex subject and what works for me may well not work for you, all i am doing is giving you some pointers to try, take note of all your settings before you start so if you make a **** up you can go back to them at least.

i have 4 rings showing front and very happy with the handling
you can view video of bike in action here > http://www.flickr.com/photos/44008476@N06/4045653045/
there are various factors that will affect your front end handling ie. tyre pressure and condition as well as type, shock damping and especially rebound setting

I won't bother telling you wot my settings are as I weigh naff all the bike has been set up for me which I think is very inportant no matter how little or how much you weigh the other thing is I do notice it that I only need to drop 1 or 2 psi (i run 36 42) and the bike doesn't handle these bikes are very highly tuned and the slightest inperfection makes a big difference.

I agree that these bikes are highly tuned in the handling department and the only imperfection on my bike has to be sadly admitted as me.

These bikes are capable of so much more given the right rider and road conditions, sadly I have too few skills to take the bike anywhere nears its limits.

Millemille said:

I won't bother telling you wot my settings are as I weigh naff all the bike has been set up for me which I think is very inportant no matter how little or how much you weigh the other thing is I do notice it that I only need to drop 1 or 2 psi (i run 36 42) and the bike doesn't handle these bikes are very highly tuned and the slightest inperfection makes a big difference.

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Your tyre pressure's seem a little high mate, i'm not sure what my suspension setting's are, (i'll have to have a look when I get home), but I only run 33.5 front and 36.5 rear. The tyre itself is the first part of the suspension really, if the pressure is to high it will make the ride harsher and more prone to skipping about over our crap British roads. Maybe you should try the lower pressure's and ride the same road in the same way before you start playing with the suspension stettings. :thumbup, it's much easier, and there's less chance of "cocking it up" :biggrin.

Deffently 36 42 i've tried different pressures and it handles like a wheelbarrow of spuds.

I run 36/36 on the Dunlop Qualifiers which for me is about perfect any higher pressure on the rear produces some interesting results !.

Baronvonbomb said:

I run 36/42 on my bike and run almost standard suspension settings.

My bike felt rubbish riding it to work the other day, the pressures had gone down to 32/36. Putting it back to 36/42 felt much better.

It`s all personal preference. 36/42 is for me:thumbup

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Strange :dunno . Mine feels good on the factory recommended settings.

Anyone else running higher than recommended psi on their 04 > model's ?.

here is a manual on Ohlins rear shock, describing settings etc. , makes for interesting
reading
http://www.motorsportsspares.com/files/general_information.pdf

Remember that different brands & sizes have varying initial pressures.

I run 32/36 in the Rennsports & look for a 10% rise in pressures after a brisk ride. (FYI - 36 was too soft for the last track day I rode.)

I'm assuming you checked the steering head bearings - those 3rd gear wheelies can loosen them up...