Suspension-- Tire wear issue - Sportbike Addicts

Drew13 · 08-20-2008, 08:16 AM

Hey guys, I read the thread in this section on sending the forks out and I may do that. Defan told me that the stock suspension isnt cutting it. The bike should hold its line in the turn but mine wants to run wide and I'm forcing it to hold. Which results in a front tire like this: (one day on the tire)

What do you guys think? Could it have been tire pressure instead? I don't know much about suspension and I've only ridden my stock bike so I wouldn't even know what to look for. Except I can't be buying a new tire every track day.

How difficult is it to remove your forks? I can take my wheels off now, which is pretty sweet.

Any idea on turnaround when you send them out? I guess I'll shoot them an email as well.

GUess the track from the tire and pic??

lateapex · 08-20-2008, 09:10 AM

Follow what DeFran said and get the fork done. Removing the forks is no big deal, they slide out of the upper and lower triple clamps. Just mark the location of the handlebars so you can put them back in the same spot, use whiteout or a white tire pen and draw a line on the bar clamp and the upper triple. Ther may be other minor stiff that needs to be removed but it's a easy job. The hard part is looking at the bike with no forks on it :-)

This time of year the suspension guys are not as busy as in the spring so the turnaround time should be quick.

IrocRob · 08-20-2008, 09:54 AM

Definately get the forks done. I rebuilt my own with RaceTech springs
and an Ohlins valve kit and it is well worth the money. While the bike is
apart you may as well get the rear shock rebuilt also, if you haven't
already upgraded that.

Turn around time should be pretty quick if they have all the required
parts in house, the actual work takes just a few hours to complete.

Chris · 08-20-2008, 10:24 AM

Are you using tire warmers? Are you chopping the throttle while in the turn or at neutral throttle? Might be pushing the front trying to enter to fast.Slow in fast out.

**ronaldo9** · 08-20-2008, 10:58 AM

Drew, Troy (Landshark) shimmed my rear shock and flushed the forks and that helped me dramatically at Beaver Run bc I had the same problem. Maybe try that before sending your forks out. Nevertheless I hear its a great thing to do to get suspension work done. I'm still on my stock 600 as well.

***Cakes206*** · 08-20-2008, 10:58 AM

Was the stock suspension ever set to your weight to begin with? Our suspensions are pretty damn good out of the box. What psi were you running?

***carl_g*** · 08-20-2008, 01:18 PM

If you are running wide in the turns the back end is squatting forcing the bike to be like a chopper and not want to turn. You might want to check the ride height and preload on the rear shock first

Jake · 08-20-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew231506

Defan told me that the stock suspension isnt cutting it.

I didn't see that one coming.

Drew13 · 08-20-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Are you using tire warmers? Are you chopping the throttle while in the turn or at neutral throttle? Might be pushing the front trying to enter to fast.Slow in fast out.

I am not using tire warmers, I just take it easy a couple of laps. I def don't chop the throttle while in the turn. As far as entering to fast...I can't answer that. You going to be at Shennandoah Aug 30/31? Maybe you can check me out?

Quote:

Was the stock suspension ever set to your weight to begin with? Our suspensions are pretty damn good out of the box. What psi were you running?

Yep Cakes, did it myself. Turned out I didn't have to touch a thing...measured out perfect.

But again the key words are "did it myself" My PSIs: I started the day 29/29 cold. Was around 32 hot...and tried taking a little bit out before last session.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew231506
Defan told me that the stock suspension isnt cutting it.

I didn't see that one coming.

It was sorta funny that my buddy's rear was wearing funny and Defan told him "It's a CBR problem, needs a new shock." Then I went over and he said, "It's a gixxer problem...." But I'm sure he's good at what he does and I may go that route.

Hmmmm...guess I should pick something...

Jake · 08-20-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew231506

It was sorta funny that my buddy's rear was wearing funny and Defan told him "It's a CBR problem, needs a new shock." Then I went over and he said, "It's a gixxer problem...." But I'm sure he's good at what he does and I may go that route.

I would suggest going to Washington Cycle Works first.

JimRBlue · 08-20-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

I would suggest going to Washington Cycle Works first.

I would suggest the same..

High_Revs_17 · 08-20-2008, 08:28 PM

+3...WCW's very proactive with "bike problems".

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimRBlue

I would suggest the same..

Chris · 08-20-2008, 08:58 PM

I'll be at beaver for the sunday and I'll be at summit for the ccs races.I can help you set the stock suspenion up.I was going fast on stock suspenion and my tires didnt look like that and im a big guy..lol I had the same problem with my old gixxer and it was me not the bike.I was entering to fast and coasting through the corner off the gas causing all of the weight on the front wheel.Once i learned about neutral throttle it all went away.

brianfults51 · 08-20-2008, 09:11 PM

my tire did the same thing, but it was only on the left side. now if you were at shenandoa the left side of the front takes a beating. i think that my tire was to hot on the left side. maybe a little more air would help us both. this only happened to me when i really started pushing it really hard. i was at 31, 31 hot, i will try 31,32 next time. try air preasure frist befor spending time and money on shocks, just my 2 cents

Drew13 · 08-20-2008, 10:13 PM

I found this little blurb on the WERA site...maybe I'll try a little higher pressure next time. "At Miller we had to run the front Pro's at 35-36psi hot to get them to stay together, rears we ran anywhere from 27-30psi hot depending on the track temp"