Low Speed maneuvering issue - design or tires?

[green427]

I've only had my '95 CB750 for a few months, and have one big issue with it....during low speed cornering (parking lot speeds), the front wheel tends to want to turn all the way, making the bars hard to hold. In other words, if I only want the front wheel partially turned, the wheel 'fights' me and wants to turn more. All the other bikes I've ridden did not have this issue. I am trying to figure out if it is the front end design or the tire design....I have OEM K505's on it. Yes, my tire pressures are at OEM specs. Anyone else have this issue? 

Thanks!

[happycommuter]

Somebody else had an identical complaint, but it was never resolved.
I have no new thoughts, but I would really want to know how to cure this if I had the problem.

[CO-Zman]

....I have OEM K505's on it. Yes, my tire pressures are at OEM specs.

Thanks!

I assume they are not THE OEM's, and are of newer vintage.  If the rubber is old and hard, they can get squirrelly in turns ... don't ask me how I found that out.

Z

[green427]

I doubt the K505's are the original tires, as they still have factory green & white paint lines on the front tire....which should clear up after 17K miles, you would think..

I still need to replace the tires fairly soon as they are just starting to show signs of microscopic cracks on the sidewalls. Could not see them until I laid on the ground and studied them up close. I do not want to get OEM specs, I want to try something better.

Everyone tells me to get Pirelli radials, while many owners on this site are happy with Dunlop GT501's....so I will be doing more research all winter.

[green427]

Somebody else had an identical complaint, but it was never resolved.
I have no new thoughts, but I would really want to know how to cure this if I had the problem.

Yes, thanks for the link, that is the exact problem I am having. My V-Strom had Bridgestone Trailwings, a dual sport tire, and did not have this problem.

I wonder if Deadly had an issue with his stock tires and whether the problem went away after he put those meaty Avons on???

[Deadly]

I wonder if Deadly had an issue with his stock tires and whether the problem went away after he put those meaty Avons on???

Actually you have me scratching my head with this one.  I have never had that problem with the K505s or the Avons.

I know what would cause this to happen with a car but to have it happen to a motorcycle baffles me somewhat. If you have a center stand you might try placing your bike on it. Then grab the front wheel and see if there is any forward to back movement anywhere in the front suspension.   

It ain't much but its all I can think of right now.   

[Hondo]

Are you sure that this is a tire and or steering issue, and not a technique issue?

You might try -

- a higher front tire pressure
- fork service with new fluid
- check the steering head bearings (adjust)

and if that all passes muster, then practice low speed riding techniches.

[Deadly]

You might try -

- a higher front tire pressure
- fork service with new fluid
- check the steering head bearings (adjust)

Your right about the fork fluid, if its never been checked or changed it can cause some pretty strange things to happen.

Good thinking Hondo.   

[detdrbuzzard]

also has the forks been moved up or down in the tripple clamps

[ExTex]

Two years ago, I test rode a 2003 Nighthawk 750 with the same steering  problem.
It had only a few X000 miles on it.
So, I didn't buy it! 
I talked to my mechanic and he had no quick answer either.

Good luck and let us know what you find as the solution.

Ride Safely & Happy New Year

[coffee_brake]

Would unequal fork fluid levels cause this? Stiction from a slightly bent fork tube?

But my best guess is to check the steering head bearings using the "fallaway" test. I do not believe you can do the fallaway test with the brake lines, wheel, fender, etc. installed. My recently purchased Vmax passed the fallaway test but still rode with a death-wobble at 40 mph. Once I took the time to remove the front wheel, calipers, fender and handlebars with headlight, it was very easy to tell the steering head bearings were notched and ruined. Both time and miles will do this.
I bet your bike may be due.

No way the NH handles this badly stock. Something is wrong and you can find it.
My NH is an absolute dream at low speeds, as good as any modern bike, and I've ridden many!

[green427]

Ok, thanks to all for your replies.

The reason I brought this issue up is, my V-Strom did not have this issue, my Rebel does not, and neither did every other bike I've ridden.

This only happens at very low speeds, the bike 'wants' to 'fall over' into turns. I suspected either the 'trail' of the front end is a bit long, or the shape of the tires may have something to do with it.

I asked this question at another forum I frequent, msgroup.org, and was told that many bikes exhibit this tendency, and most people don't notice it after getting used to it.

I will be getting new tires pretty soon, and will have to do more parking lot practices in order to develop the muscle memory required to 'not notice' the issue.

 

[green427]

green427, just a bit of advice on tires, not exactly only from me, I have only been riding for 20-30 years, but, from the guys I know that have been riding over 40 years who have been nice enough to share their learned wisdom(well most of them have wisdom, some are still growing up).....



A good set of tires will do just as good if you drive like a normal mortal and don't try stupid or foolhardy stunts.

A fair set of tires will also do just as good if you ride like I do, The only time I do 65 or maybe 70-75 is on the highway on straight stretches, but, I normally ride (probably 98% of the time) on country roads doing 45-55 MPH. For me a fair set of tires wares out about as fast as the Pirelli tires, but, cost 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

My point is what works BEST for you is what matches what you do while you are driving your bike. The people I have seen saying Pirelli tires are always the best tire is not only wrong, they have money to toss away needlessly also.

This is all IMHO and YMMV. Just hoping to maybe save someone some money when it seems that everyone could save some.... :)

You are right. I don't ride like a squid or a racer, so I really don't need expensive ultra-high performance tires. If most folks here are happy with Dunlop GT501s, I will check them out.

Thanks
Jim