Sprint feels squirrely

[ProudRAT]

Ok, got an issue that has been plaguing me a little this spring. My Sprint feels a little squirrely on turn in and through the turns this year for some reason. I do not recall the bike feeling like this last year so I am a little puzzled.

Bike is stock but for bags (which were there last year) and now trident exhaust (felt squirrely before I installed the exhaust).

Stock tires with 4300 miles on them (somewhat square in the rear with about 4 inches of tread contact with bike sitting vertically). Pressures are set at 38 front and 36 rear. Front is not cupping and looks to be wearing fine.

I weigh about 225 without gear. Preload on rear is set, if I remember correctly, 6 clicks from full preload and the front is about 3/4 of being completely full preload.

Am I feeling the squared tires. I think I am becaue what I am noticing is I am ok with slight lean and full lean. She settles down fine but it is that 70% inbetween that she just won't settle down and hold stead.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments?

Thanks, Chris.

[86gn]

The stock Bridgstones are bad enough when they are new. With over 4k on them my guess is the tires.

[cricket1]

Chris,

The stock Bridgecraps are probably most of the problem, but you might try lowering your front pressure to 33-34.

The MAX. pressure is 36 Front, 42 Rear, so 38 front is too much. (36 on the rear should be just about right for you, at least one up.)

[NikosR]

What they said. Rear tyre may be squaring up. Pressures are strange. Front / Rear pressure ratio is no good for road riding. Also check your steering head bearing tightness.

[DrTriumph]

I just recently changed my air pressure in my front tire to 2 over stock settings, and my rear tire to 2 under stock settings, which I think is 38/40. I find this works very well for my style of riding and keeps things planted solid. I did this after a mechanic pointed out the slight scalloping on my front tire. He stated this was from running under-inflated front pressure which allows the center of the tire to press in slightly and wear extra on the sides near the center. this made sense to me, though I would try it and if it did not feel right I could always go back to the stock settings. Also running just slightly under for the back tire allows the rubber to spread out a bit on the road and not have the center heat up as much so less center only wear.

[MVP44]

Cricket1 has it - that flat spot will unsettle your feel as you are leaning in, but the bike will still feel planted further over but if you adjust slightly you will be in that nowhere land contact patch where flat meets round. Also I agree your front is too high psi run it around 34 and give it a try.

[duckie]

+1 on the squared off rear and over inflated front.

You should check your tire pressures when the tires are hot for optimum pressures as the pressure will increase when they get hot so if you set your tires at their maximum when they are cold they will be over inflated once you are at running temp - of course you have to be proactive with your tires pressures as the tires won't warm up as much on a really cold day or a gentle ride compared to a hot day and an aggressive ride / trackday...

[DaveM]

Yup I think you guys got it pretty covered.

Too high a pressure in the front compared to the rear and MAX pressures are 36 & 42 psi rear.

Your pressures are all wrong.

add a squared off tyre and you will get a bad handling bike.

Pressures are very important & so are the the right type of tyres for your riding and conditions.

DaveM

[monkinwitz]

check all wheel bearings as well mine is starting to feel the same i think tire pressure is the problem though

[stinger]

Those Bridgestones are notorious for "cupping" which makes the bike feel "chattery" in turns. Quite an unnerving feeling..

I put on some Continental Road Attacks yesterday and it's a world of difference just riding around town