SV650S K3 - Twitchy under trail braking

Hi all,

I'm after some advice on working out what it is that I need to upgrade. Here's the story...

A change of tyres gave me a massive boost in confidence as the Bridgestone 023's I am using are excellent, and as my riding improved I was trail braking later and harder into turns and leaning further... when under moderate trail braking the front end feels all wobbly and twitchy as if the tyre is sliding. It feels solely down to the tyre, however, I have been informed that it is down to the suspension, NOT the tyre. Could I get some clarification please as my knowledge stops at a fairly early level..?

=) you rule

[DJ123]

how long have you had the tyres on for, they do take a while to bed in. What was the road and weather condition like? tyre pressure? how tall are you? weight? there are a lot of factors that can create the wobbly/twitchy front end. On the pre damp controls on top of the forks, how many markers are visible?

Rear tyre about 2500 Front tyre about 500. Chicken strips were down to around 7 mm on the front and I was riding there consistantly, only when I trail braked at this level of lean did it twitch.

I only trail brake in ideal conditions.

Tyre pressures around 33F 36R (what the tyre sticker on the chain guard says).

5'8", 12 stone, most of my weight is in my legs and shoulders. My riding position is pretty great if I'm honest as I hold the tank with my knees, bent elbows and a relaxed grip on the bars. One cheek on the seat when leaning and upper body off the bike too (my body forms a parallel line with the bike if you understand what I mean)

I didn't even know that my forks were adjustable on the yoke?! I'm a noob with this bike... I can ride it fast and get good fuel consumption, that is all...

Oh and the bike has only done 8900 miles so the shock and forks are still in good shape (bought it at 8 years old with 5400miles... VERY good buy indeed !!)

Thanks for your reply

[yorkie_chris]

Forks in very good shape and it's crap under braking... errrr...

Change the fork oil and springs, IMO. Springs are soft which allows the undamped fork to collapse through it's travel and wallow.

Suspension is fine under braking when i'm as near as makes no difference vertical... it's only when i'm at 65% lean or more that it starts to worry me. Is it worth me changing oil for 15W and then get a stiffer spring too? or go for OEM springs?

I've read things about "Racetech Cartridge Emulators"... would they benefit me?

[yorkie_chris]

Try springs and oil first, emulators help, no need for racetech there are cheaper ones that are same. See how you get on with springs and oil changed.

Will give it a look... thanks guys.

Another quick question on a totally different subject... do you guys have a working sprag clutch spare? Mine's broken

sorry to hyjack, but was just wondering what an emulator is?

thanks

[yorkie_chris]

It is a valve that sits on top of damper rod of fork, it restricts flow of oil out of rod under compression and creates more damping.