Why does my bike...

Triple · 01-21-2010, 08:48 AM

...

MILK · 01-21-2010, 08:52 AM

Have you tried turning it off, then turning it back on?

Kerry_129 · 01-21-2010, 08:59 AM

First things I'd check:
- cupped/squared-off tires (particularly the front); can look fine at first glance, but cupping/feathering in particular can cause some very jacked-up handling
- steering head bearings; lift front w/ stem stand, feel for notchy or loose action when pivoting & pull wheel front-to-back, feeling for looseness
- wheel bearings; spinning freely?
- rear wheel alignment; adjusted chain or replaced tire recently? I think it would have to be off pretty badly to feel as you described, but it's worth a check

karl_1052 · 01-21-2010, 09:28 AM

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ho...els/index.html

Also check out some of these troubleshooting ideas.
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0...ble/index.html

It might be time for refreshing the suspension.
Get some springs set for your weight, and redo your front forks.

BobTheBiker · 01-21-2010, 09:36 AM

has your bike been crashed recently? if so, check all your suspension components, particularly the forks for bends/damage, along with the wheels themselves for bending.

how old are your tires? has it been lowered any? if it has, you may have to adjust the front forks a little to square them up in the triples.

askmrjesus · 01-21-2010, 09:59 AM

Sounds like steering head bearings, assuming your tires are ok.

You might also be low on blinker fluid.

JC

pauldun170 · 01-21-2010, 10:22 AM

Turn the bars back and forth and see if you feel a "notch" in the middle.

Sounds like bearings.

Tmall · 01-21-2010, 10:25 AM

Your steering bearing can mess with how your ride feels. And since it is gradual, you don't really notice it.

Mine were clunking, I had em changed and the bike felt like I'd spent 2000 dollars freshening up the suspension, and I barely noticed since it was gradual. I just thought I wasn't feeling comfortable on the bike.

marko138 · 01-21-2010, 10:27 AM

When my steering head bearings got loose it felt like a warped rotor when I'd hit the brakes hard.

CrazyKell · 01-21-2010, 11:00 AM

I had something similar happen on my first bike. It was the steering head bearings.

01-21-2010, 08:48 AM	#1
Triple uncomfortably numb Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: JOH-JAH! Moto: WR250R & Bonneville Posts: 409	Why does my bike... ... Last edited by Triple; 02-19-2010 at 11:04 AM..

01-21-2010, 09:28 AM	#4
karl_1052 sergeant hatred Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa Moto: The bus Posts: 2,723	http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ho...els/index.html Also check out some of these troubleshooting ideas. http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0...ble/index.html It might be time for refreshing the suspension. Get some springs set for your weight, and redo your front forks. __________________ My wife was afraid of the dark...then she saw me naked and now she's afraid of the light.

01-21-2010, 09:59 AM	#6
askmrjesus Soul Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Everywhere, all the time. Moto: '0000 Custom Turbo Cross (with jet kit). Posts: 6,481	Sounds like steering head bearings, assuming your tires are ok. You might also be low on blinker fluid. JC __________________ The way things are going, they're gonna crucify me.

01-21-2010, 08:52 AM	#2
MILK The cows want you dead. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,087	Have you tried turning it off, then turning it back on?

01-21-2010, 08:59 AM	#3
Kerry_129 Semi-reformed Squid Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 531	First things I'd check: - cupped/squared-off tires (particularly the front); can look fine at first glance, but cupping/feathering in particular can cause some very jacked-up handling - steering head bearings; lift front w/ stem stand, feel for notchy or loose action when pivoting & pull wheel front-to-back, feeling for looseness - wheel bearings; spinning freely? - rear wheel alignment; adjusted chain or replaced tire recently? I think it would have to be off pretty badly to feel as you described, but it's worth a check

01-21-2010, 09:36 AM	#5
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	has your bike been crashed recently? if so, check all your suspension components, particularly the forks for bends/damage, along with the wheels themselves for bending. how old are your tires? has it been lowered any? if it has, you may have to adjust the front forks a little to square them up in the triples.

01-21-2010, 10:25 AM	#8
Tmall Aspiring Rapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Moto: '12 CB1000R Posts: 3,569	Your steering bearing can mess with how your ride feels. And since it is gradual, you don't really notice it. Mine were clunking, I had em changed and the bike felt like I'd spent 2000 dollars freshening up the suspension, and I barely noticed since it was gradual. I just thought I wasn't feeling comfortable on the bike.

01-21-2010, 11:00 AM	#10
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	I had something similar happen on my first bike. It was the steering head bearings.