cornering problems

So would over riding cause the front to shake (I use that word loosely, it is a slow rhythmic head shake) while in a mi speed corner?

And getting up on the tank to put weight forward does help a bike turn. Rode San Diego mountains last weekend and was in a challenging pace by my brother. Who knows when I'm pushing too much and will slow down!

 

Well the request for a photo was more for analyzing the stance of the machine rather than the aesthetics.

 

That's funny (not laughting at you, but at the insurance company) because the Radian was manufactured using the 550 Maxim frame.

 

Not sure what you mean by "over riding".

When you want to make a bike turn a bit faster, you make attempts to steepen the steering angle. Without cutting the frame neck, this can be simply accomplished by lowering the front end (small amounts make a big difference- a 1/2" is very noticeable) via the fork position in the triple clamps. Conversely, you can also raise the rear a bit with an increase in shock preload, or longer shock(s). But beware of the driveline issues that this can lead to in extreme circumstances.

When you do successfully steepen the steering angle, however, you give up straight line stability. Like I mentioned about, my RD350 would turn on a dime and give back $.08 change...but at 75+ mph the potential for a tank slapper was real (headshake, when the front wheel wants to wag). This is scary to an experienced rider, and possibly deadly to an inexperienced one. So proceed with caution.

 

By over riding, I guess I mean too much steering input or too fast (not crazy more like not knowing the corner and having it be a 2 apex turn that tightens up) mid corner and trying to correct that mistake by other ways versus braking.
And I know all about the head shake issue, I'm STILL trying to remove the brown stained seat from my behind when I almost had a tank slapper at 80 changing lanes.... Cue the song "Oh, what a lucky man he was..."

Cheers and as always you guys are great!

 

Front shake can be caused by:

Unbalanced forks
Unparallel forks
Old/worn/cupped/etc.... tire
Bad steering stem bearings
Bad wheel bearings
Warped brake rotor
Worn swingarm bearings
Worn rear tire


Any single or combination of the above can cause that

 

I mean, not disputing any of that. That doesn't make what I said any less true...

 

The only item on that list that I don't know about see the stem bearings. Every other item is good, as they have been checked, replaced, or repaired.

I will check those bearings in the coming days.

Thanks again.

 

You could try changing the vicosity of the fork oil. I recently switch to 15wt because it was readily available compared to the recommended 20wt. Some might say to stick with the recommended weight because that's how it was designed but I do have to say, I think the front end feels a whole lot better than before. I also managed to fill both fork at the same time with the right amount of air since I have air forks. But anyways, you could try changing the fork oil and possibly testing different fork pressures if you have air forks.

 

Fork oil viscocity effects the damping rate. It won't have any effect on headshake.
15 wt is what a lot of people end up with. The specified fok oil assumes that every rider weighs the same and rides in the same way; e.g. the "average rider" that is used because manufacturers have to put something in there before the bike gets shipped.

 

I also forgot to mention I have the touring steering dampener on my seca. My dad never took it off after the fairing mounts broke. That's could be another thing ninja could try to eliminate the head shake, is to get a steering dampener. Dont know where to find one though

 

Yeah, I've been looking for a steering damper, BUT I've recently relocated to Alaska without my bike . I will return the lower 48 in September to get back to riding.
Who'd thought someone would winterize their bike in the summer?

Have fun riding this season everyone, and always be safe!

Gary