Front end handling issue - Risers

[smudger64]

Hi
Apologies if this is covered elsewhere but i couldn't find anything!

I fitted some 20mm Touratech risers and now have an issue with the way the bike handles. I did have to remove two of the washers to get them to fit correctly. Whist they are far more comfortable (i'm 6'1") the front just now feels very vague. I was two up with luggage in France last week and completely lost confidence in the corners (not helped by the compulsory French farmer mud of course). I lent into a roundabout and it fell in so quickly I involuntarily put my foot down.
The tyres are about 2000 miles old, with correct pressures (Tourances). The forks are set at 4.8mm in the yokes and the rear pre-load was a few clicks off all the way to max., ESA was on Sport.

I have had the comfort seat slightly reshaped to allow me to sit an inch further back and with the bars now further forwards I wonder whether the front doesn't have enough weight over it? It seems to want to tramline on every crack in the road and its very light on the steering. It was fine at speed though, but then I have a laminar lip on the touring screen that is meant to increase downforce slightly. The bike is 13 plate and fully serviced.

I wondered whether dropping the forks a few mm would held to load the front a little more but have read some comments about that making it turn in quicker and that's part of the problem.

Has anyone else had this issue and what's the view on dropping forks? If I can't sort it I can always bin the risers but they made quite a difference to my hands and arse!

Cheers!

 

[SuperTed]

Hi Smudger,
I have had similar problems with my 2008 800GS. My issue was going down a twisty road and the front just felt a bit vague.
Then I had the dearly beloved on the back on a damp road at speed and the front was trying to meet the verge on the outside of every bend. Diagnosed as not enough weight on the front so the preload is now up ten clicks permanently.
The cause of the problem for me is the Conti TrailAttack2's that I'm running. They are a really good tyre, but are somewhat lacking in wet conditions.
So having put the risers on your bike, and then sitting further back you have taken a fair amount of weight off the front.
I have a favourite twisty road in my part of Essex (the B172 from Abridge through Theydon Bois to the the Wake Arms Roundabout) that I use to try out changes to the bike. I would suggest having a razz down your favourite road with the bike as-is. Then taking the risers off and giving it another go and see if it makes a difference, and if so how much. You will then have a pointer as to which way to go to solve the problem.
Stephen

 

[frenchy3]

I have Conti trail attack 2 tyres fitted and although it is the first big bike i have owned in many years i was rather dissappointed with the way it tried to push wide on every turn. I assumed it was the 21 inch front wheel but i have ridden many mid sized trail bikes with 21 inch front wheels and they all handled a lot better. My bike has stiffer weight ohlins fork springs and the comfort seat which forces you into the tank but i havent touched the rear shock yet.

Hi Smudger,
I have had similar problems with my 2008 800GS. My issue was going down a twisty road and the front just felt a bit vague.
Then I had the dearly beloved on the back on a damp road at speed and the front was trying to meet the verge on the outside of every bend. Diagnosed as not enough weight on the front so the preload is now up ten clicks permanently.
The cause of the problem for me is the Conti TrailAttack2's that I'm running. They are a really good tyre, but are somewhat lacking in wet conditions.
So having put the risers on your bike, and then sitting further back you have taken a fair amount of weight off the front.
I have a favourite twisty road in my part of Essex (the B172 from Abridge through Theydon Bois to the the Wake Arms Roundabout) that I use to try out changes to the bike. I would suggest having a razz down your favourite road with the bike as-is. Then taking the risers off and giving it another go and see if it makes a difference, and if so how much. You will then have a pointer as to which way to go to solve the problem.
Stephen

 

[smudger64]

Hi SuperTed
Don't know that road, mines the B1022 between Tiptree and Colchester

I'm pretty certain it is the combination of the seat mod and the risers so I will try what you've suggested just to be sure and then think about dropping it a few mm in the yokes. Hopefully that will settle things a little but if not the risers will go!

 

[frenchy3]

My fork tubes are as far out of the triple clamp without hitting the handlebars,i imagine this helps a bit.

Hi SuperTed
Don't know that road, mines the B1022 between Tiptree and Colchester

I'm pretty certain it is the combination of the seat mod and the risers so I will try what you've suggested just to be sure and then think about dropping it a few mm in the yokes. Hopefully that will settle things a little but if not the risers will go!

 

[SuperTed]

Hi Smudger,
We have friends in Tiptree and know the B1022. Very nice road to have on your doorstep.
Maybe dropping the yokes down the forks and keeping the risers will get the handling sorted and still have the comfort improvement you were after.
Here's hoping you get it sorted to your liking.
Happy Christmas.

 

[shaunj]

Personally on my '08 I found it always felt vague with the 'correct' front tyre pressure, dropped them down a few psi and felt much better (28-30psi if I recall)

 

[frenchy3]

Good idea,mine is 32 psi front and 36 psi rear(solo riding) and i think the preload on the rear end needs cranking up a bit.

Personally on my '08 I found it always felt vague with the 'correct' front tyre pressure, dropped them down a few psi and felt much better (28-30psi if I recall)