Squirrely Back End

[BOX6]

Is it just me and my recent history of riding various BMW boxers (low center of gravity) or does the back end of the Triple have a tendency to get squirrely in the twisties? Dealer has checked suspension settings, tires, etc, so doubt that's the issue. Maybe it's just me, but I've ridden plenty of sportbikes of all makes? Love my 01/S3 in general, but I find this sort of annoying when I want to get aggressive?

[DaveM]

Box,
naturaly Robbo and 'is motley crew of Speed Triple 'ooligans here will no more than me a Sprint rider...........

But something will definitely not be cushti if you have a squireel up your rear end!

Those thing handle well I would be checking for inferior gripping tyres or wrong pressures or maybe your rear shocker has gone to lunch or the swing arm bushes.

I have an '04 Sprint with slightly moded suspenders and this is absolutely rock solid, out handling some sports bikes in bumpy mountain roads (guys I know well who are superior in ability normally to me and on superior powered full sports bikes except for suspension set up).

My Sprint on BT 002 race tyres handles like a Rhino on heat.

The Speed Triples have superior good quality suspension than the Sprint and are lighter.

If you have a loose rear end I suspect it is the tyres you are using or your suspension is either nackered or not set up to suit your weight etc.

Tyres and their pressures also can make a huge difference.

my 2cents worth, The Speedy boys will have plenty to say and help you with.

please ignore me if I've just told you how to suck eggs :wink:

Well Rob and crew over to you guys;


DaveM

[BOX6]

Not the tires, pretty sure about that. and my guy says he has the suspension right, though he may not. i suspect i've got a tired shock or just haven't mastered the nuances of this ride yet.

Worth an Ohlin or better to have stock shock brought back to life for a fraction of the price. This is my only complain for an otherwise stellar bike.

[DaveM]

Hi Box,
ok then it could be a tired rear shock.

I recently had my standard Showa budget item cut open and rebuilt to suit my weight and riding style.

You will be told by many that the stock Showa unit is not rebuildable.

But a decent motorcycle supension specialist CAN rebuild it.

Mine was done by RAD Shocks in Brisbane for about $172.00 AUD including removal and refitting. I had this doen at about 30,000kms and my original unit was getting the pogo stick syndrome rather badly by this stage.

The Showa unit was revalved, new oil and gas and a 5mm spacer fitted to the stock spring to help with my 220lbs+ body weight (that's not geared up in full leather either).

It has made an incredible difference, my riding mates are very impressed as they try to keep up on bouncy bends!

If you can afford a new unit well good for you, there are plenty around, Ohlins is prolly the best and most expensive.

See what the boys here say first they will know more about your bike than I do.

good luck mate!

DaveM

[DaveM]

Bump,
how about some of you guys tryin ta help out Box6 here?

DaveM

[shrunkenhead]

need more info.
What tires? how old are the tires?
How many miles on the bike?

I'm assuming it's not you hamfisting the throttle, right?

[BOX6]

A brief history of the bike.

Picked up last fall off a guy for cheap who only had it briefly and didn't seem to know much about it. I think the original owner did, who put 20K on it, as the bike is in mint condition cosmetically and my tech said it was sound under the hood as well after he did a major service and tweaked the suspension to fit me. Came with some lame clips ons (brand unidentifiable) I replaced with stock bars.

It now has 22K and I think probably a spent shock. Have had Ohlins on other bikes and know how much difference they can make. First S3 for me, though, so not sure what they will do here relative to just rebuilding a stock shock? Also don't want to drop that kind of wad on a new shock for a used bike unless it will make a major difference in performance. Not sure of the mileage on current tires but they are in good shape and pressure is correct. Are they the best tires for this bike? Someone who knows more about S3s can tell me.

Rear is a Michelin 180/55 ZR 17
Front is a 120/55 ZR 17

In general the back end of this bike just doesn't feel as stable as it should be. The only S3 I've ridden so have nothing to compare it to. My tech tells me these are not the tightest chassis in the world to begin with so not to go crazy. Perhaps, but I'd like to get as much out of this bike as it will allow.

I can be hamfisted doing wheelies from one stoplight to another, but not in the twisties. Don't think that is the issue.

[kuhlka]

The rear on my 03 has been just fine with Michelin Pilot Powers, Pirelli Diablo Corsas, and now these Metzler Sportech M3's (although I like them least).

Several things will probably make your rear slide out;

A - Too stiff on the rear shock + too much gas mid turn = trouble.

B - Tires which have been through too many heat cycles regardless of how much tread is left. Keep in mind, unless you're running Michelin Pilot Powers or stickier, you'll get some slip if you're really gassing it through a turn.

C - Road debris like sand, dust, dirt, gravel, rain that you maybe didn't notice or perhaps your tires are still fairly new but haven't ever been ridden on the edge. New tires will be slick until you scrub them in on the road. Your first couple turns leaned way over will feel squirrely until they scrub in, then you're good to go.

D - Tire pressure. The higher your tire pressure, the less contact patch you'll have. If you're running 40+psi on the street, expect to have your tire slidding and skidding around more often. If you're running excessively low for wheelies (<30psi) then that too will give a weird feeling mid-turn as more of the tire is slopping around and not acting like a radial.

Otherwise, you're giving far too little info on your tires, riding skills, and the road conditions to know what your situation is. I've got nearly 20k on my 03 with LOTS of wheelies and stoppies and I'm not having my rear end slide out...

[kuhlka]

You're not trailing the rear brake through turns at a high rate of speed are you?

[wookie]

Does the rear "feel" squirrly or does it actually step out.

If it only feels squirrly then it is probably the rear shock.

How much do you weigh? The speedy has pretty good rear shock, but not if you are over about 190lbs. The suspension, especially, if a few years old is not good for a heavier rider.

You can upgrade the spring, but the damping probably won't keep up with a stiffer spring. An Olins might be in your future.

If it is stepping out, when does it happen...e.g., when you hit some bumps mid corner?