Slow speed handling

[Bluepete]

Hi,

I only bought my VTR 3 weeks ago so I'm getting used to it still. One thing that bothers me is slow speed handling. The bike feels a little twitchy (it might be the new riders nervousness). I'm thinking that the first place to start is the tyres, they are Pirelli Corsas with good tread but a little squared in the centre and also I have no idea how old they are. Does anyone agree with my thoughts or do I have to start looking into suspension set up etc?

PS At speed the bike is as solid as a rock.

[Kev L]

I would check pressures in the tyres, consider changeing them for new ones if they are squared off and if it still twitchy then look at suspension settings. The VTR is quite a stable bike as standard, so much so that people put spacers in the shock and drop the forks to speed up the turn in.
Good luck with it.

[agentpineapple]

hi mate
if there a little squared of you will notice the bike drops quickly and unervingly onto its side when lent over, not a nice feeling, new tyres will help, even if its just with confidence levels....

[budd]

I agree with the above comments, get the basics right before starting on the suspension, first check and set tyre pressures, next check condition of the tyres if squared off it will effect the handling and feel, your only option here is to replace, then move on to the suspension inspect all the linkages/ bearings etc for wear and tear any free play or seized linkages will play havoc with the handling, once your sure everything is in tip top condition you should have a bike that feels very much like it did when it rolled off hondas production line, at this point you should ride it a bit I know it sounds silly but you need to get to know how the bike feels, get used to it before rushing into major changes. All the info for tweaking your bike can be found on this forum or indeed the US superhawk forum, good luck with it.

[Bluepete]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll start searching for some new rubber.

[benny hedges]

I have no idea how old they are. .

there will be a 4 digit number on the side of the tyre.... eg 1110 denotes week 11 2010
had a look at vtrkidda's tyres last week and his were 1107, ie long past their best.

a good side to side burnout will sort the squaring til you get some new ones on

[leevtr]

Is this your first twin ??

Slow speed, maybee wrong gear and very reactive throttle ??

Just a thought

[sirch345]

I agree check tyre pressures first. Standard 36psi front and 42psi rear. If it's not been done for a while balancing the carbs is another thing that helps to smooth things out a little.

Chris.

[tony.mon]

Check to see what spacer has been fitted under the top shock mount; some people try to go too large, especially if the forks have been dropped through the yokes as well.

I'd suggest putting everything back to standard settings at first then add the mods back in one at a time to see what difference each one makes.

From standard, with correct tyre pressures, if it still doesn't feel right then new tyres is a must before you start playing.

[AMCQ46]

also check that the steering head bearings aret over tightened. if it has had taper rollers fitted [a good mod] then you must NOT follow the instructions in the service book on setting process, this will seriously over tension the bearing and lead to a very strange low speed weave.

the setting process is in another thread i replied to in the last week

[Stephan]

agree with checking/replace of steering head bearings

[Bluepete]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I've not been on the site for a while, I don't have much time available at the minute.

Whilst I've been offline, so to speak, I did some thinking and arrived at the problem - knackered steering head bearings! I replaced them with taper roller bearings and what a difference. The bike is totally different handling wise, and since I changed them and got back riding my confidence is growing by the day.

A big thanks for all of you who gave me advice regarding tyres suspension head bearings etc. I still need to change the tyres, this is next on my list after pay day.

By the way is there anyone on the forum who is living in France (Grenoble or Lyon area)?

Thanks again
Pete