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Old 20-04-09, 11:23 AM   #1
madness
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Default Handling feels rubbish now!

I got back from a France trip last Monday having covered 2200 miles, all of which carrying luggage.

When I rode the bike again on Saturday without luggage, it felt awful. At first I thought my front tyre was flat. I only did a 30 mile round trip, but the bike felt twitchy and unstable.

I'm only about 10 1/4 stone and left didn't bother increasing the preload for France. I've never adjusted the preload or adjusted the sag since getting the bike.

Now, I'm pondering whether it's just a case of getting used to riding the bike unloaded again or whether it's highlighting that I've actually got too much preload on my rear shock.

Any opinions
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Old 20-04-09, 11:25 AM   #2
jimmy__riddle
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

im no expert, but maybe squared off tyres?
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Old 20-04-09, 11:27 AM   #3
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

Check tyres (squared off and pressures). Stick some weight on the back, see if it makes things feel better?
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Old 20-04-09, 11:31 AM   #4
ThEGr33k
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

Got to love the square tyre's

Id advise setting up sag also. Nothing better than having that right!!!
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Old 20-04-09, 11:34 AM   #5
philbut
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

Although it could be just you are used to the bike with luggage. I found the same after going touring, took a while to get used to it again. You might have the sag set too low (ie you need to eat more pies ) so with the extra weight on the back you could have been operating in the correct region of the spring - and now you've removed it it doesn't fel as nice. Square tyres are always a possibility too mind.
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Old 20-04-09, 11:49 AM   #6
dizzyblonde
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

It'll take a while just to adjust back to how crap British road surfaces are too!
Square tyres is probably the answer. Although riding about with a load of luggage on the shock could be possible. Mine went like a pogo stick though!
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Old 20-04-09, 01:11 PM   #7
madness
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

Tyre's not squared off and pressure is okay. Perhaps I just need to get used to riding without a load again. I might try reducing the preload a bit though and see how it feels.
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Old 20-04-09, 01:12 PM   #8
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

Quote:
Originally Posted by madness View Post
Tyre's not squared off and pressure is okay. Perhaps I just need to get used to riding without a load again. I might try reducing the preload a bit though and see how it feels.
Do the sag, do it, do it, do it!
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Old 20-04-09, 01:24 PM   #9
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

Quote:
Originally Posted by madness View Post
Tyre's not squared off
2200 touring miles with luggage? I'd say they must be!
Remember the OEM shocks have a shelf life..
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Old 20-04-09, 01:39 PM   #10
the_lone_wolf
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Default Re: Handling feels rubbish now!

Sounds like your centre of gravity might have got knocked off balance on the long trip, you haven't knocked the bike hard recently have you? Any Suzuki dealer should be able to fix it for a small fee
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