Flighty front end @ 140k+

Still new to the naked thing but I am noticing that at speeds circa 150k the front end gets very very light and I have virtually no feel or confidence to turn. Maybe its just the aero dynamics and maybe its my setup. My previous bike was a 675 and that thing just stuck to the road, obviously.

My bike is an 07.
I havent played with the suspension yet (I've downloaded the manual but not really sure how to start - nor do I have the tool for the shock).
I have brand new Rosso Coras that were fitted on RWC. Can any suggest tyre pressure for hard street and track riding.

Cheerz

um, maybe you should slow down a bit before you try to turn

My bike is somewhat similar, but mine doesn't get very light until 100 mph. That's when the head starts to shake O.o

I fooled around with my suspension settings and I take 80+ mph turns all the time with pretty good confidence, but it hasn't solved my head shaking problem. I'm installing a steering dampener this weekend (among other things) so hopefully that'll solve it.

Flat bars might help.
I rode Fuel's bike with stock bars at Almeria last week and it was weaving quite a lot as I got to the braking area.
Mine with flat bars was more stable.

Youbhave orobably just entered into the manly portion of riding and will need a steering damper to quell the evil spirits that dwell in the smell of testosterone that now surrounds your bike.
Congradulations on reaching the level of riding that created your damping needs so quickly.
Lowrance will be by soon to get your address to send you your NotNancy sticker and written instructions on how to clean your BGC
Till fitted stay in Starbucks parking lots.

Hi Keenaz, initially you need to think if the sd it's the right bike for your purpose. It is not really comparable with the 675. One is a high speed machine the other is a stallion on steroid on the street. But never the less it should not be confidence shattering. I wasn't confident on mine until I found out my top and lower yok bolts were loose and I setup the suspension. Also consider an oil refresh on you front yorks, if it has lost it viscosity you will feel it on high speed travel a lot more than poodle around.
And if you have changed your mapping and final drive gearing so that you get more torque than from factory your front will be light on hard acceleration. And also tell the tyre fitter to balance all the way up to your speed.

Hope you get it sorted.

But in all seriosness I appreciate the feedback.
The bike is for sure what I want, and in fact it is rare (only on closed roads) that I reach those speeds. I would however like to have 100% confidence in the bike when I do cross that line though.
I'll have a fiddle around with the suspension settings and try dropping the tyre pressure today to see if that helps.
After ordering carbon Yoshi's, a CPR airbox, shorty levers and bar end mirrors this week alone I think the damper may have to wait a little ha! Still need to get some crash protection first.

Your funny, I can smell the fromunder from here. One thing that caught me off gaurd is that I just noticed that the speeds are in kilometers not miles per hour. This, unfortunatly removes you from qualifying for the NN sticker and only qualifies for the I Love the Dribble sticker. You could always lie and edit your kph's with a quick m here and there. You certainly have grabbed this bike and headed full steam ahead. the dribble also needs a little head shake to get removed and if you grip is too tight will result in your BGC needing a full dialectric regrease.
Shake on you Triumphant tromping trooper

My suspension was setup all out of whack when I first got it. Front end was too loose and rear was too tight. Return it to stock settings asap before you bin it for no reason. I had Dave Moss set mine up, and it handles like a dream now. He has setup many super dukes, so If you email him your height and weight, he might give you some magic numbers for you to start with. Or if you go to a track day, there are usually suspension gurus who will set it up nice.

http://feelthetrack.com/

No issues on my 06 but havent touched the suspension yet as only had it a few wks. Running rosso II's and have been up around 140+ mph a few times with no issues bar wind blast. Took me a while to get used to after the Benelli with no fairings but my licence is a lot safer
Found if i tuck in behind the screen a bit before entering fast 80mph+ corners the front feels a lot more settled alright. Cracking handling bike though in all fairness

I live in Perth but sent my suspension to Melbourne for servicing and the bike came back amazing!
The postage is worked out but them and if you can send it from a business a courier picks up and drops off.
They were back in a week.
I can't reccomended anyone more if you live anywhere in Oz.
Kroozetune suspension are well worth the look.

Ok so it seems the suspension thing, as I thought, is the first point of call.

@Count_Zero - I'll shoot him an email dropping your name if thats ok and see if he can give me any tips. Did you try the different settings that come with the manual?

@Linga - Otherwise I might check with a couple of the local forums here and see if there is a reputable group in Brissy (maybe Kroozetune might know someone). The bike is only 500klm, would it warrent a refurb/revalve? Worst case scenario I know there is a track day at Lakeside/QR coming up so could just take a squirt out there to get one of the tyre/sus guys to look over it. Think it cost $80 or something....

Thanks again guys n gals

Get one of these and be done with it simply super,,,,with the flat's yeah,,,,,,,,,,,

http://www.scottsperformance.com/Stabil ... _ID=162796

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I've had problems in the past with a high speed wobble in the past at 100-130mph. Never figured exactly what was causing it but was made worse by certain tyre types, Power Pures being one of the worst. Have lengthened the wheel base of the bike and that has helped a lot. Also suited Almeria while I was there as its a fast circuit. Steering damper did fook all to stop it although it might have been stopping it from getting completely out of hand.

I do have the forks pushed down in the yokes but I have done for quiet a while. Micheline 2CTs don't cause me any problems at all., neither do Racetec. Power Pure were the worst tyre I've tried for it.

or . . . . . . .












MTFU .

didn't hear if yu've pushed your fork tubes down inside the clamps or anything like that -
i used to get some wobbles ( Not at 145 - but well over 100 ) kinda spooky - they went away when i pushed tubes lower. AND i got better at releasing my hold on the handlebars.

cheers[/quote]

No, havent had a chance to this last week. I am going to have a look at them this week with some of the other suggestions (wheel alignement etc) and see if that helps. Sportsbikes can get well over 250klm on the back straight at QR so being limited to a 140klm top speed is not going to do me any favours![/quote]


mine are set so the top of the flat metal tube is down in the triple clamp about 3/16ths. .... from the factory the bikes usually stick about 3/16ths ABOVE the triple clamp.
i would say the total change is about an average change ( Nothing severe ) sure made a difference tho ... From what i'm hearing on the forum that's about what others have done as well and they're lik'n it.

cheers

Hi all... just my 2 cents.
I put 5000kms on my '12 SD with Michelin Pilot Road 3's on it including a track day. They were fun at the track, pushing the front, and spinning up the rears... not really fit for purpose, but very stable until I got 2 punctures at once in the rear.
I decided as I was going to the track again next weekend, I'd try some Pilot Power 3's for a bit more grip. Initial ride home, showed the bike tipped into corners MUCH faster due to the profile.
After a 2 weeks of commute and one quick run through the low speed twisties... great tyres.

Just went for first "quick run" on the Power 3's, and they are horrible at 165-170kph +. Big front end WEAVE (not head shake) and it took my chin on the headlight to settle it down.

Tyre profile has major impact on these KTM's. Just for the record, I had a SMT prior to the SD, and it came with an incorrect tyre profile. (120/60 and it should be 120/70). It weaved terribly at speed and pushed wide with the 120/60, when I got new tyres (same model tyres), and the correct front... problem went away!

My bike is on 'standard' suspension settings.
Did some reading, and will drop the pressure to 31psi in the front and 34 in rear, (had 33psi F 36R) and have set bike to 'Sport' settings to try and reduce the rear end squat under power and high speed.

Will report back after test ride. Have to get it sorted, as I'm going to track this Sunday!

I run 30-30 psi,,,,cold,,,,

I had big wobble problems when I first rode my 05 sd. Not a problem at all now and the yokes are dropped down the forks not vice versa.
1st thing set up your suspension sag....there is loads of info on here about it.
Next thing is practising a soft touch on the bars...the bike tracks true and settled until the rider upsets it. Grip with your knees and brace your stomach let your hands relax and just push the bars to turn . Took me a while to get it, this bike is sensitive to input on steering and throttle but once you are accurate it is very rewarding...peace