Handles Squirrely On The Freeway

[Vmaxattacks]

I don't know if this is the right thread but I'll post it here. My bone stock '94 handles squirrely on the freeway. This is a 9500 mile bike. The front end seems really light at cruising speed as it wanders just usually on the concrete freeways with the "rain" grooving. Pretty unnerving to say the least. On other patches of asphalt and the like I can go "balls out" without a hint of wobble. Both of my tires (OEM Brigestones) are perfect. In fact, the rear is brand new. My forks are right in the triples where they belong--no raising or lowering. 10w oil in the forks and 10psi air. The rear shocks are good. I have performed the "Furbur Fix" long ago--no "bounce" from side to side. Everything is nice and snug.

I have 33psi up front and 36 in the rear tires. I am 220 clothed and usually ride solo. Aside from the alternative "high dollar" mods, what can you suggest to give me a feel of a little better stability?
I know that bias ply tires are not best suited for grooving in roadways but for now I am relegated to keep the stock skins until I find a set of RWL radials that will fit.

Thanx,
Bud

 

[Rhoy Carter]

I run 38 psi in front and 40 in the rear, you might try that and see if it makes a difference and i weigh 250.

 

[jfeagins]

I run 40psi front and rear. I run OEM Dunlops and they DO follow the rain grooves pretty severely at times, depending upon how deeply they're cut.

I bought a Rune for stability.

 

[vmax626]

I run metzlers in the front and rear and have no problems but , does your front tire have wide grooves ?
I had one on an older Honda and when I rode on those concrete grooves, It was hell keeping the front end to track properly and often damn scary.
<<Dave>>unk:

 

[COP RUNNER]

MY FRONT FORKS ARE SLID UP THE TRIPLE TREES EXACTLY 1 INCH , I HAVE , ZERO - NONE - NATA LICK OF AIR IN THE FORKS , I RUN 30 LBS. FRONT AND BACK WITH THE STOCK / FACTORY TIRES , HAVE 7,700 MILES ON IT AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WOBBLE ! I WEIGH 190 LBS. . :confused2: .. THESE DINOSAURS ARE WHAT THEY ARE ! .. BUT I STILL LOVE THEM ! .. unk:

 

[magna_dude74]

I too have a 1994, I first noticed the same thing you speak of, then I ran my hand backwards one day on the front tire and I felt the edge of every channel in the tire tread was raised. New Metzler and running 36psi with 12 psi in forks that are dropped about an inch in the trees. This helped a TON, but one of the biggest and cheapest improvements was when I changed the rear shocks factory settings. I am currently @ 2 on the bottom and 4 on top. I think I might play with it some more as she still wants to squat when I nail it. By the way we about the same.

 

[Vmaxattacks]

Well, here's an update:

I have been utilizing all of the great suggestions here and I must say it is now different like night & day!

I first started at the steering head bearings. The bounce test revealed that I was still too loose. I tightened it up nearly 3/4 turn before I got the preferential "no bounce"...s**t!! I went on to the forks. I still have them in the factory location at right even with the top triple (might lower it a bit still) and I rechecked the air pressure---got it at 10PSI. Topped of the tires (tyres for some of you )to 40PSI front and back. I then double checked my rear shock settings---5 on the bottom and 2 on the top so I left it there. Went out for a spin last night and I got no wandering on the city streets nor wobble so I figured my bearing adjustment is good. Took it on I-10 through some of the crappiest parts and it handled like a dream! (comparitively speaking) Now it is not as un-nerving to take on the freeway---not that I want to much here in the Golden State---can you say "cycle suicide"? but now I can because I remember when it was new that I could, safely do so.
Thanx again to all who chimed in!

Bud