Handling

[sagalout]

Hi there,

Finally got out for my first decent ride on the new S3. Overall I love it - the engine especially is lovely and theres a real character to th ebike that you just dont get with modern bikes.

Just one question about handling. I should say that I'm coming from a sportsbike background, and that be the problem. My previous bike was a ZX12R, beofre that a GSXR750 / ZX9R etc. At first the handling seemed awful. Really heavy yet front end , tracks imperfections in the road, and when banked over the front and rear just seem kind of wallowy, as if its not tracking in a straight line.

By the end of the ride it seemed better, so I think a lot of this is just learning a new and very different bike, but I'm still not sure if theres an underlying problem. Thinking about whats happening, I think the main issue seems to be that when I lean the bike the front wheel wants to turn in (the slower I'm going the more this happens), so I countersteer to try and maintain a lean angle, but for some reason it just doesnt feel smooth and I feel like I'm putting in constant corrections, which is probably causing the almost weaving effect. Now this could all be pilot error. I'm finding the wide bars (its been fitted with Renthal style) to give a bit too much leverage, but I have ridden big heavy bikes before, including a 955 Tiger, and never had this much of a 'conversion' issue before.

I'm also wondering if the forks have been dropped the correct amount through the yokes - can anyone tell me what the original and optimum amount of fork should be showing above the yokes? I've put the front suspension settings to the default from the handbook.

Also, according to the manual I should have a preload and damping adjuster under the seat, but I dont. The rear shock doesnt feel too bad though (it absorbs our potholed roads nicely but is probbaly a bit underdamped) but just seems odd that its running what I assume is the original shock and its not adjustable.

Any advice much appreciated

[sailfish]

Which brand/model tires are you on?
What is the condition of the tires (i.e., squared off rear, cupped front)?
What are your tire pressures?

[Vox T]

I had handling problems with mine when I first got it. The forks were too high in the triple tree and the front suspension rebound dampening was set way too stiff. The forks should be pulled through 28mm.

[Berniebikes]

I'd be careful assuming that 28mm up is correct.
That's true only up to VIN 29155. Above that the fork is level, unless someone swapped forks off of a trophy or sprint and then it is 20 or 25mm up.....

[sagalout]

Cheers for the replies.

Bike is on BT21's. Condition seems fine with little wear. Slightly squared but nothing major. Tyres are 36/42psi

[Vox T]

Originally Posted by Berniebikes

I'd be careful assuming that 28mm up is correct.
That's true only up to VIN 29155. Above that the fork is level, unless someone swapped forks off of a trophy or sprint and then it is 20 or 25mm up.....

My Triumph factory workshop manual states 28mm for the 1995 Triumph Speed Triple.

[KitNYC]

All good info here...

After much discussion, I started running 33/38 instead of 36/42 and found it to be an improvement.

I don't know specifics about the BT021s, but I do know they're not on a lot of people's favorite tire lists and they're often referred to as "slipstones."

The Renthal bars are an "upgrade" a previous owner put on there. Regardless of how you or anybody else feels about them, the bike was designed to be used with fairly sporty clip-ons, and going back to those may well fix the feeling of too much leverage.

Put up a pic of your rear shock if you can; the Speed Triple should have an adjuster next to the battery for preload and another adjuster next to the right rear footpeg for something else. If you don't have the adjusters, you either have the less adjustable shock from the Sprints and Tridents or a 3rd-party unit.

Finally, I think everyone should consider having their suspension resprung if they weigh significantly more or less than 170 pounds, then having sag properly set. I can hardly begin to describe the transformation these fairly simple things will bring about.

Cheers,
-Kit

[KitNYC]

Originally Posted by Vox T

My Triumph factory workshop manual states 28mm for the 1995 Triumph Speed Triple.

I don't think we know what year the bike in question is. Sagalout, you may want to fill out your profile info so we know more about what you ride and where you are.

Regardless, the height of the forks in the triple trees absolutely does vary by model and VIN. I'm not sure if the 29155 cutoff is the '95/'96 model year break or just an arbitrary number.

Cheers,
-Kit

[darthandy]

Originally Posted by sagalout

Cheers for the replies.

Bike is on BT21's. Condition seems fine with little wear. Slightly squared but nothing major. Tyres are 36/42psi

Ummm...I'd be rather leery of even a "slightly squared off" tread. Even a slight squaring off can have a noticeably detrimental effect on handling, particularly as regards tracking through long sweeping turns. Some bikes seem to be more adversely affected than others and I believe that includes bikes with a high centre of gravity (such as the earlier T3's) or those with fairly wide rear tires. Naturally, a combination of the two would multiply the effect. Kit's suggestion of a little less pressure (if you're riding solo) would allow a little easier flexing of the tread which would help to overcome the effects of the "squaring", although I'm not certain that would work well at a pace above , say 7/10s.

[KitNYC]

Forgot to mention- check your fork seals! Last time my bike felt a bit off, I noticed a pool of oil next to the front tire the next morning...

Cheers,
-Kit