Possible Suspension Issues?

[yellafella]

Hi all,

Here's a question for you experienced riders out there.....

There's an awesome twist 1/2 mile section next to my workplace and I usually take that backroad going to and from work. There are 4 turns and 5 elevation changes. Ok, so that's the location here's my issue:

In the chicane section where I have to shift from a right turn to a left turn, the front gets really squirelly. This usually happens halfway through the left hand turn and there's a slight elevation change.

Does this happen because my front-end is too soft? My tire pressure is at Factory recommended levels, my tire only has about 1000 miles on it, and I haven't made any modifications to the forks. I really want to resolve this issue so I can have a little bit more confidence when leaning into turns.

I hope someone know's what's happening!

[whiskeypigeon]

front end

I know when I had my stock setup the front end would move around a lot. Ever since my upgrades it hasn't been an issue.

What kind of tires are you running? How cold was it when you were riding? Did you give the tires good acceleration and braking to warm them up before going through this section of road?

[yellafella]

I usually ride about 15-20 minutes before I hit this patch of road in the morning. Ambient air temp is approx low 50's.

I'm running Bridgestone EXEDRA G547 on the front. Maybe I should think about ugrading forks and tires.... Doh...more money....I'm almost thinking I should just buy a new bike (GASP!!! Blashpemy!!)

[whiskeypigeon]

suspension

Not that I am experience enough to be giving a huge amount of advice, but I do know that the difference from the stock setup to the Wilbers setup is like night and day. It really is not too terribly expensive to do it and the results are worth it. I wouldn't go buying a new tire if you just bought that one 1K miles ago (unless someone else knows that is a weird tire).

IIRC to do my front end was a bit over $200. That was for emulators, springs, fluid, and seals. I was lucky enough to have some good people help me out, but if you are having a shop do it then the price will obviously jump.

The mod could be a lot less than getting a new bike with the same handling characteristics when your done.

[SpeedyR]

start with new tires. I don't know what the excedras are but get some good radial sport bike tires. or radial sport touring tires if you are wanting better mileage.

just about any of the new crop of tires would be good. 110/70-17 front and 160/60-17 rear are the sizes to go with.

then look into suspension modifications. stiffer springs in the front (race tech in most cases or maybe progressives) and maybe emulators if you think you'll be riding harder. then you realize how bad the rear is. rear shocks aren't cheap so you're out some more cash but then your bike will handle VERY well and you will not outgrow it.

I did the race tech thing years ago and a fox on the rear and it's lik enight and day. I rode a stock hawk a while ago and couldn't see how anyone can ride the things at more than a 5/10's pace.

my current hawk has lindeman F2 forks, ohlins rear. much nicer.

[whiskeypigeon]

tires-suspension

even if he does get new tires (which i agree, a good radial is in order) he will still need to do the forks. you said it yourself that with a stock setup you felt you could only ride 5/10's pace

i would also like to remind people of the Wilbers option. they have springs and shocks. i couldn't be happier with my setup

[dagus]

They're not cheap, though. That's why I'm still riding stock (ugh.)
When I do upgrade, it'll be a '97 CBR900RR shock I picked up (after 1995, they were the same ride height as the Hawk) and either a complete RC51 front end or Hyosung, but I'm not sure if Hyosung will work, only that they have 41mm upside-down forks!

Go with Avon (what I have) or Metzeler tires. The consensus among Hawk owners is that's the way to go.

[whiskeypigeon]

tires - suspension

yeah, the shock isn't very cheap, but its not the most expensive either (depending on which options you get). the springs are pretty much the same price as the competitors, maybe a little more, but as the saying goes.

there are several bikes out there with 41mm USD forks and i posed the question to the list months back before i did my forks. apparently the mm# still refers to the tube and not the slider. i am not sure why. so it would be like taking your 41mm fork and turning them upside-down, the slider won't fit.

i will steer anyone away from Metzler's for the street (not sure about the sportec's though). i have/had Metzler's on the Hawk and my F2. i pretty much hate them. in warm, dry conditions they are OKAY, but as soon as it cools down or gets wet out, they suck. i am riding on Bridgestone BT-014front/BT-020rear and i absolutely love them (thanks Milktree). i have heard a lot of good things about Avon so i am either going with that next or Michelin Pilot Powers.

[SpeedyR]

Re: tires - suspension

apparently the mm# still refers to the tube and not the slider. i am not sure why. so it would be like taking your 41mm fork and turning them upside-down, the slider won't fit.

i will steer anyone away from Metzler's for the street (not sure about the sportec's though). i have/had Metzler's on the Hawk and my F2. i pretty much hate them. in warm, dry conditions they are OKAY, but as soon as it cools down or gets wet out, they suck. i am riding on Bridgestone BT-014front/BT-020rear and i absolutely love them (thanks Milktree). i have heard a lot of good things about Avon so i am either going with that next or Michelin Pilot Powers.

you are right, just because it's 41mm doesn't mean that it will fit the stock triple clams...

also what metzeler tires did you try? MEZ4's? there's a huge difference between the Z4 and something like an M1 or Z6. I've used the M1's and Z6's in the rain and colder weather and never had any problems. I prefer the diablo range (have run standard diablos, diablo corsa and diablo stradas on various bikes, as well as raced on the supercorsas). but I could be very biased when it comes to tires...

Jeff

[whiskeypigeon]

Metzlers

MEz4 on the Hawk and MEz3 on the F2. The unnerving affects of riding in the rain/cold on the F2 isn't nearly as noticeable as it was on the Hawk, but it is still there. However, that could be a host of other things as well considering the suspension/geometry differences. I just know that I don't like the feeling of the front end slipping out at 65mph.

I just picked up some Hawk rims for a friend that happen to have some nice Pirelli Diablo somethings on them. I am thinking of swapping them out with my BT dressed rims before I have to hand them over.

[XS-Hawk]

for what its worth (if anyone still wants the info)

I modified my stock setup by cutting 2 links off the bottom and replacing the metal spacers at the top with PVC ones cut to the new length.

immediate improvement, when coupled with heavier weight fork oil.

it could possibly tide one over until funds improve for a proper cartridge setup.

[kennie]

Could be so many different variables.
If the elevation changes down during the left hand turn, you'll lose a little traction.
Perhaps the left hand turn has a negative camber.
Perhaps there are ripples on the surface of the road.
Obviously there are suspension issues as brought up in the prior posts.
Check out this link. SuspensionTuning, Sport Rider Mag