80+ MPH Front Tire Steering Oscillation?

supertireguy · Oct 22, 2005

It's not an up/down oscillation I would attribute to an imbalanced tire but more of a steering oscillation.

Just checking to see anyone else also experiences this slight front tire oscillation at or above 80mph.

Not sure if I should attribute it to the wind on the mirrors/handguards or the short 17mm triple clamp offset.

Chas · Oct 22, 2005

Possible problems: 1) Steering head bearings too loose or too tight. 2) Wheels require balancing, especially so with single rimlocks. 3) Tire and/or wheel out of round.

The 17mm triple clamps should actually increase high speed stability from the increased trail.

Taffy · Oct 23, 2005

could be that the bike is changing shape at 80+. the front end may be being lifted. suggest you try rebalancing yourself on the bike at these high speeds and see if anything helps. may be worth pulling the front guard off. also align the rear wheel using a piece of string down the sides. if you're not sure how to do this-come back to me.

swingarm bearings can be another reason-they're always going unless you pull apart and repack. when i used to road race the joke was that "if it started at the front then the problem was at the back!"

regards

Taffy

Grok · Oct 24, 2005

If everything else checks out, try one of these. Made a big difference for me.

Simon · Oct 24, 2005

By oscillation I assume you're describing a slight weave rather than the type of rapid shake you get from an imbalanced tyre?

If so, it is entirely normal and can be tuned out by tyre selection, adjustment of tyre pressures (could be either front or rear on both counts), steering damper, suspension adjustment or you just ignore it and ride.

In addition, as taffy says, look at the rear - some of these motards came set up like ***** at the rear shock and a little fettling will make a huuuuge difference to stability and feel.

As I have also said before, if you're not running a 5" rear rim, an upgrade will also really help to remedy this problem.

Cheers,
Simon

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80+ MPH Front Tire Steering Oscillation?

supertireguy

Chas

Taffy

Grok

Simon

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