Front End Question

[T2725]

Done 980 miles now on my new TB and am getting the feeling that the front is washing out in bends!

Previous bike was a sports bike and never encountered this no matter how hard I pushed.

I have no chicken strips on both wheels and it feels as though I'm about to ride off the edge of the front and washout on me?

What's going on and how to I adapt please to those gurus out there?

Thanks

 

[Schtum]

I have no chicken strips on both wheels and it feels as though I'm about to ride off the edge of the front and washout on me?

What's going on and how to I adapt please to those gurus out there?

You're about to ride off the edge of the front tyre and bin it......

No chicken strips on the rear = fine. No chicken strips on the front = pushing it very close to the limit - been there, done that. Either get your arse off the seat a bit more to keep the bike more upright in the corners or back off a bit. It's not a sports bike.

 

[Mr K]

Lower the front pre-load a notch.

 

[T2725]

I know the EXP tyres are a much shallower profile than sports rubber. Maybe I should consider the PR3's when I need some new rubber!!

Has anyone else encountered riding off the edge of the front?

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I know the EXP tyres are a much shallower profile than sports rubber. Maybe I should consider the PR3's when I need some new rubber!!

Has anyone else encountered riding off the edge of the front?

Not since I last rode an old RG Gamma 250

I use Conti trail attacks and they're fine. Can scrape the stands in the bends and still have chicken strips left

 

[patzx12]

You are going through "the change" there is a transition period from Jap sports bike to GS riding, the GS is renound for its handling. dont push it back off and give yourself time to get used to the bike.

 

[slydog]

strips

no chicken strips on the front . no wonder it feels like the fronts gonna wash out adjust your riding to suit ya bike mate . no need to be dragging ya knee or ya stands round the twisties

 

[APE]

I have no chicken strips on both wheels and it feels as though I'm about to ride off the edge of the front and washout on me?


Thanks

And nothing touches down ? I'm surprised you're getting to the edge of both tyres and not touching a peg or toe. Would check your suspension as this 'about to wash out' feeling doesn't sound right to me.

Would switch to pure road tyres in any case - get the Roadsmart 2 that should be out soon in the GS front tyre size.

 

[T2725]

Thanks guys.

To those that have made a transition from sports bike to a GS, what adjustments have you made to your riding style?

 

[APE]

Don't chase the revs - use the torque - and trust the handling

 

[Giles]

Thanks guys.

To those that have made a transition from sports bike to a GS, what adjustments have you made to your riding style?

Don't chase the revs - use the torque - and trust the handling

I was a sports bike rider for donkeys years before comng to a GSA, and obviously rode with a sportsbike style. Having owned The GSA for the last couple of years ......

I sit pretty still in the saddle on the GS and dont move my arse about where as I did on sports stuff. I still move my upper body (leading from my head) a lot on fast stuff, but on the very tight and twisty nadgery back b roads I now play with a mix up that includes a bit of Off road style (sit up, flaired elbows, push the bike underneath me weighting the outside peg..).
Unlike a sports bike, you can afford to be quite 'hippy' with your GS and it likes it. Play mixing your styles and where it suits (nadgery, little roundabouts..) try a sort of super moto style.
You may hate it but give it a go ...

 

[Rasher]

I found I was close to scrubbing to the edge of the front tyres with Tourance EXP's, though normally because fo the way they tyres squidge there is a load more than you think.

When I did track days on sportsbikes I could have a rear tyre "to the edge", then go and the track and lean loads more without running off the rear tyre.

Maybe you are pushing a bit far for the DP typre tyres, I have Roadsmarts on mine and the front has a much better profile than the EXP's they replaced, as does the rear (but to a lesser degree) these definately put more rubber down when your well over.

I am just a couple of mm from the scrubbing the very edge of the rear, but still have a good 10mm of unused semi-slick front tread.

I think you also need to ride them a bit different, they have a lot less front end weight compared to sports bikes and I think they ride better with a smoother slow(er) in fast out type lines and not so good if your trying to scrub speed on the front all the way to the apex, or taking a low line.

Turn late and get back on the gas

 

[T2725]

I think you also need to ride them a bit different, they have a lot less front end weight compared to sports bikes and I think they ride better with a smoother slow(er) in fast out type lines and not so good if your trying to scrub speed on the front all the way to the apex, or taking a low line.

Turn late and get back on the gas [/QUOTE]

This is great, thanks.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Thanks guys.

To those that have made a transition from sports bike to a GS, what adjustments have you made to your riding style?

I sit more upright

 

[Giles]

I sit more upright when I'm not crashing

.
.
.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I crashed sports bikes too you know

 

[Giles]

I shouldn't take the piss! He who is without sin and all that ... I will never mention it again .....

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I shouldn't take the piss! He who is without sin and all that ... I will never mention it again .....

Oh, please don't stop taking the piss. I love a good laugh