Handling

[drrummer]

Hey folks

I have my Bird about a year now. Due to winter we hade I have only driven it about 3 out of those months. A

Anyway. I have driven bikes for years and never felt uncomfortable on them. I am well able to drag them around country roads and bends and dont feel like they are gonna kick out or anything.

With the Bird however, I dont feel she handled corners that well. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the suspension or the air pressure in the tyres. Other than that the only thing I can think is that either the bike is just a big lump of a bike that doesnt corner as easily as the smaller bikes Ive had or Im just getting old and sensible and taking it slower.


Any ideas ?

[aj]

.

62 and i don't have a problem... mine handles perfectly....despite being a big lump
but then again... i'm use to it

...but

i'm sure a smaller lightweight would fall in easier and feel quicker in the corners

as for the rest of it...

tyre pressure should be 42psi front and back...
what tyres do you have on
how old in miles is your suspension unit (and front springs) ..
20k is about the limit for the OE fitment...


regards
aj

[drrummer]

Yeah - have 42psi in the tyres.

There is 34000 km on the clocks.

Does that mean I need to do something with the shocks ?

[iainm9438]

yea, i agree with AJ.
i thought mine handled like a crock but as soon as i put very low milage standard rear shock in and some new fork springs, then it was ok.

[TRIPPO]

.

I'm an old coooooooont and i don't have a problem... mine handles perfectly....despite being a big lump
but then again... i'm use to it ...but

i'm sure a smaller lightweight would fall in easier and feel quicker in the corners

as for the rest of it...

tyre pressure should be 42psi front and back...
what tyres do you have on
how old in miles is your suspension unit (and front springs) ..
20k is about the limit for the OE fitment...


regards
aj

You got foooookin Ohlins on ya tvat bound to handle good

[yorkiebiker]

6mm spacer under rear shock makes all the difference to turning in ( to go the cheap route ) but very effective,also proggressive fork springs make a big difference ( drop forks by 10mm with this ).Make a big differnce to the

[aj]

You got foooookin Ohlins on ya tvat bound to handle good

best mod i've ever done ... no need for spacers (beeen there) or fork mods etc etc
all you need is 700 squid...



regards
aj

[aj]

Yeah - have 42psi in the tyres.

There is 34000 km on the clocks.

Does that mean I need to do something with the shocks ?

only you will know.... easy option is to ask someone else with an to try it out to compare....
there is a teckknicull test with measurements
but waxxie will tell you all about compression and rebound parameters... forgotten all that stuff...
( he's our principal tecknonurd... )

several options if they are foooked...
jaws rebuild and new springs.
new OE from david silver.. and springs
second hand off fleebay.. risky
new off fleebay
k-teck, hagon, ohlins etc... with new springs..

all depends on yer budget...

regards
aj

[MaXX2]

I'd suggest slipping a spacer in, try adjusting the damping on the rear shock (they don't automatically self-destruct at 20k miles) and, unless it's been done during servicing (1 will get you 20 it hasn't), a simple fork oil change will make a huge difference to the front.

I'd try these 'tu'penny' options first, before sending an early warning to the bank manager

[drrummer]

Okay so. I'm confused. I need to do what - just put a spacer in the rear shock ?

[aj]

Okay so. I'm confused. I need to do what - just put a spacer in the rear shock ?

..

stage 1...

see if yer shock is beyond adjustment first... if it's fooked a space will not help yer damping
if it isn't then the spacer may help you turn is quicker.. that's all it will do

if yer front end is sloppy get the oil changed...
(and see if the springs are fooked at the same time... if they are change them)

stage 2

if front SPRINGS are fooked put a new spring and oil in...(+ NEW seals)
if the rear unit is fooked then change it

regards
aj

[drrummer]

Okay - Im ringing the mechanic on Monday.


Thanks for the tips lads.

[Chrisevans41]

Hi drrummer, how did it go with the mechanic?
What optuion, if any, did you opt for.
How is the handling now?

Cheers