2003 1150GSA - Vague steering

[Hubs]

Hi, looking for suggestions for what to check. My 1150 GSA, 33k miles, is feeling a bit vague while riding on normal roads. The sensation I can best describe as it feels like I'm riding on large gravel - slightly loose, not predictable. I even thought it felt a bit like overinflation of the tyres. So far I've checked the balljoint on the front - no discernible movement; the bevel pivots - a little worn, but a pretty small movement evident at the wheel, largely in 6 / 12 position. I've also had a good heave on the swing arm and I can't feel anything amiss at the swing arm pivot. It's not getting worse, and is less evident on completely smooth tarmac, and at higher speeds.

Bit stumped on this at the moment...

 

[MikeO]

Check your shocks for oil leaks - or at least for damping action. I had a weird handling problem on my Adv in 2004 where I was constantly stopping certain that I had a flat or broken spokes, but couldn't find anything. Turned out to be an internal failure (no outward sign) of my rear Ohlins resulting in a total loss of damping.

Mike

 

[Hubs]

Thanks Mike;

Turns out, in my excitement about looking at bearings, I had forgotten the basics. Underinflated front tyre seems to have been main cause, back up to pressure now and steering as expected. Now trying to find source of leak on newish tyre..

 

[DollyRocket]

I reckon it was the nut on the end of the handlebars wot did it

 

[Hubs]

Harsh but fair!