Problem with handling of SV

Hi all,

After finding out I don't have epilepsy I am keeping and riding my bike.

However, after riding my brothers rvf400 for a few days and getting back on mine. I found the sv does not turn in that well and feels heavy and clumsy when turning in. I am strong enough to move the handle bars but it always feels as if they want to come back to the centre by themselves mid-corner. However on the rvf when you turn the handle bars stay at the angle you have turned the bike.

Is this a possible problem with the sv or my bike. The forks have not been serviced in a while.

Amrik

[fizzwheel]

First thing I'd be checking is tyre pressures. Then having a look at how the suspension is setup.

Yea, could be that everytings got tired. How many miles has your bike done, and how old is it? My bike feels quite heavy aswell sometimes, i put it down to shot tyres and a tred rear shock

I would advise you the check your tyre pressures; heavy steering could be the front tyre being under-pressure; it should be 33 psi I think

Chck the tyres first, then if they are ok, we can move on to suspension problems

First thing first... the rvf is a short lighter bike so should turn quicker. But before you start panicing just check your front tyre pressure, if its low it will make it feel heavy to turn it. Depending on the brand its anything from 32-36psi.

Thanks for your replies.

I only use the bike for 'fun.' I always check the tyre pressures and I make sure it is 33/36 front and rear respectively. I have observed that the front tyre is getting low but at the legal limit. My rear tyre is quite new less than 1000miles on it.

I am a miser so my bike is a 1999 SV with 22,000 miles. No mods. Is the suspension adjustable on the 1st generation SV?

My brother and I have restricted bikes even though I have just passed the 2 years I haven't got round to taking the restrictors out. On a rideout where I knew the rode well and my brother had not been on it at all, the rvf left the sv for dead. In a straight line the rvf was quicker and the cornering on the rvf was much much better.

How often does the suspension set up need to be serviced?

[Biker Biggles]

Replace the fork oil every two years.I bet thats not been done for yonks.A worn tyre will make the handling carp.
And yes the pocket rocket 400 will handle better anyway.

Get those restrictors out quick! It makes alot of differance, especially the extra 2500 rpm's!

Anyway, get a new front tyre (one to match the rear tyre!) and think about getting new fork oil. The rear shock maaaay be tired, of it might be incorectly adjusted on the preload for you; try making it stiffer by one or two notches. I have a 1999 sv aswell, and it is a bit of a muscle to get over sometimes, specialy when its a bit cool

Matt

[Mr Speirs]

Is the front tyre squared off by any chance? I had similar issues any turned out to be squared off tyres. If your front is near the legal limit may possibly be the case. Worth checking.

[fastdruid]

The RVF turns seriously quick in comparison to the SV, even mine which is down at the front and up at the back.

IIRC the RVF is 10cm shorter than the SV!!

I nearly took a trip over the grass on my wifes RVF400 the very second corner as it turned in so quick in comparison!

Druid