suspension

Message

mrapriliafalco · #1 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Mon May 25, 2009 2:24 pm

I know their is probably a 1001 topics on this but cannot find an answer.
AT high revs in 2nd and third the bike handles really will but as soon as I go up into 4th and the bikes starts to feel unstable I lose confidence so along as I am bouncing off the limiter it feels fine but as soon as you get real speed in 4th and the revs drop the suspension feels awful
Does it need to be firmer or just need to upgrade if want better performance at high speed,seems pointless fiddling as its only when blating with my fast group of mates if not going to make much difference as like I said pretty good in 2nd and 3rd

Syltiz · #2 Post by **Syltiz** » Mon May 25, 2009 2:47 pm

Can you describe what you mean when you say the suspension feels awful?

Samray · #3 Post by **Samray** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:28 pm

Sounds as tho you are describing the point where the down force changes from the rear to a more balanced or forward point.

mrapriliafalco · #4 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:45 pm

just feels really light so lose confidence,in 2nd and 3rd with the revs really high the bike feels planted but once into a higher gear it goes light and when I hang off and put weight down on the pegs its slow in responding .

Syltiz · #5 Post by **Syltiz** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:57 pm

Sounds like the weight distribution is towards the back of bike making the front light and therefore not as responsive to steering inputs... very similar to when carrying a pillion. But I dont know why this should only happen from 4th gear onwards

It is normal for this to happen within reason under hard acceleration but not just at a higher speed per say.

What rear shock do you have and what condition is it in? My best bet is that you have the standard blue shacks shock and its now shagged.

HisNibbs · #6 Post by **HisNibbs** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:12 pm

Hard to point you in the right direction from your symptoms.

Basics would be trye pressures - 42R - 36f
Head bearing check?
Swing arm bushes check?
Wheel bearings check?
Fork oil replace?

Sag - front and rear can't remember the numbers of the top my head - it is worth upgrading the rear shock anyway to some thing with adjustable ride hight etc.
Drop the yokes down the forks - 4 to five rings showing at least. Doesn't cost and I found that the front end feels vauge until this is done.

mrapriliafalco · #7 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:27 pm

the label on the swing arm states 2.4 and 2.5 which is around 34 front 35 back is it not ??
yes its still got the original blue rear shock on it
maybe its a bit of mind set,the bike gives me loads of confidence when the revs high which is normally 2nd and 3rd but if your in a higher gear blating around country lanes in 4th the revs are not so high and the bike just feels well loose

HisNibbs · #8 Post by **HisNibbs** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:34 pm

Another thing it won't respond to weight through the pegs... but will to counter stearing. Turn bars to the right to lean and go left etc.

mrapriliafalco · #9 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:39 pm

mate reckons it just I out with 175bhp boys and always gonna struggle
Still rather be on a mighty Falco

Syltiz · #10 Post by **Syltiz** » Mon May 25, 2009 6:17 pm

mrapriliafalco wrote:mate reckons it just I out with 175bhp boys and always gonna struggle
Still rather be on a mighty Falco

If you had to data log your friends you would probably find that they never use close to the available 175bhp on the road. I've seen R1's and GSXR's overtaken on the outside by a well-ridden GS1200. The latest bike, kit and mirrored-visor does not make a rider good.

Aladinsaneuk · #11 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon May 25, 2009 6:22 pm

Ignore what the bike / book says

36/42 but check with the tyre manufacturer.( I think Michelin is the only one different)

D-Rider · #12 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:03 pm

Yes, on tyre pressures go with what the tyre manufacturer recommends and most are 2.5 bar (36psi) front, 2.9 bar (42psi) rear .... though check what your tyre manufacturer recommends.

Now, this problem of yours ... sounds a bit weird to me.

When you say it's OK up to 3rd gear but not in 4th, are you saying:

A) this is a difference at the same road speed (ie different engine revs)
Or
B) this is a difference at the same engine speed (ie different road speed)

Falco9 · #13 Post by **Falco9** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:18 pm

HisNibbs wrote:Hard to point you in the right direction from your symptoms.

Basics would be trye pressures - 42R - 36f
Head bearing check?
Swing arm bushes check?
Wheel bearings check?
Fork oil replace?

Sag - front and rear can't remember the numbers of the top my head - it is worth upgrading the rear shock anyway to some thing with adjustable ride hight etc.
Drop the yokes down the forks - 4 to five rings showing at least. Doesn't cost and I found that the front end feels vauge until this is done.

I reckon a bit lower on the tyre pressures 32F / 36R should be fine (just my personal opinion) But have you checked all the above? I'd check every bearing and bush for play (especially the head bearings) including the suspension linkages to make sure they are moving fine and are well greased. Dropping the forks will increase the speed of turn in but but will make the bike less stable at higher speeds.

Have you checked and set your static sag? If not could I strongly recommend that you do and get it right. This will then give you a base setting from which you can eliminate / change settings to get the bike to handle and feel the way you want it to. All other suggestions on what to do with compression & damping etc. that you may get given are pointless without the static sag being set to your riding weight.

F9