nklr- just an observation
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- Posts: 85
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:53 am
very wiggly at 100 on the clock
First, I was very surprised at the 100. The road was very
straight-level-empty and I just could not resist giving it an extra twist.
So probably going what 75?
Now the set-up:
I sit back on the seat a bit because of leg length and arms like a tree
swinging primate.
The bike is stock other than nerfs on the front, an empty tank bag, and a
sheepskin (alaska leathers and a great idea).
The question:
Are there any changes to the suspension set-up which will help with the
front end wiggle.
Thanks for the advice,
albatross
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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- Posts: 3355
- Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2001 3:37 pm
very wiggly at 100 on the clock
Maybe give the rear a bit more preload, if your sitting back.
Tires (air/wear/type) will play in also.
Steering head bearings might need some attention also.
Just a couple ideas, besides the best advise, do not go 100 mph on a KLR.
Dooden
A15 Green Ape
--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Terry Hamrick"
wrote:
twist.> > First, I was very surprised at the 100. The road was very > straight-level-empty and I just could not resist giving it an extra
and a> So probably going what 75? > > Now the set-up: > > I sit back on the seat a bit because of leg length and arms like a tree > swinging primate. > > The bike is stock other than nerfs on the front, an empty tank bag,
> sheepskin (alaska leathers and a great idea). > > The question: > > Are there any changes to the suspension set-up which will help with the > front end wiggle. > > Thanks for the advice, > > albatross > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >
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- Posts: 72
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:10 pm
very wiggly at 100 on the clock
I'm adjusting the loose head set on my bike this weekend, because it has
wiggle (wobble) between 70 and 85. No way am I going over 85.
The way I checked it was to put the bike up on the center stand. Grab the
fork tubes at the lowest point, and see if there's any wiggle. There wasn't
much in mine, but I'm sure that it will have some effect.
Check it out. There's lots of info available if you need to adjust the head
set.
Regards,
Chuck
On 8/25/07, Terry Hamrick wrote: > > First, I was very surprised at the 100. The road was very > straight-level-empty and I just could not resist giving it an extra twist. > So probably going what 75? > > Now the set-up: > > I sit back on the seat a bit because of leg length and arms like a tree > swinging primate. > > The bike is stock other than nerfs on the front, an empty tank bag, and a > sheepskin (alaska leathers and a great idea). > > The question: > > Are there any changes to the suspension set-up which will help with the > front end wiggle. > > Thanks for the advice, > > albatross > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:56 pm
very wiggly at 100 on the clock
A racer friend suggested I raise my forks by 10mm and set my front tire
pressure at 28psi. After doing so my KLR feels a bit more stable at
speed - or it might be a placebo effect. Either way I'm happy. Also, I
think you might want to sit a bit forward to get more weight on the
front end, during those times when you are chasing the speed of sound on
your KLR.
Mike A18
KLR650 tires page:
[www.standoutnet.com/extras/mike/motorcy ... r650/tires]
-----Original Message-----
From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Terry Hamrick
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 7:31 AM
To: DSN_klr650
Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Very wiggly at 100 on the clock
First, I was very surprised at the 100. The road was very
straight-level-empty and I just could not resist giving it an extra
twist.
So probably going what 75?
Now the set-up:
I sit back on the seat a bit because of leg length and arms like a tree
swinging primate.
The bike is stock other than nerfs on the front, an empty tank bag, and
a
sheepskin (alaska leathers and a great idea).
The question:
Are there any changes to the suspension set-up which will help with the
front end wiggle.
Thanks for the advice,
albatross
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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- Posts: 712
- Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2004 7:48 am
very wiggly at 100 on the clock
I notice that Kenda 270's give the same kind of symptoms (high speed wander/wiggle) when they are worn to about 1/2 tread depth. Others have said that they don't experience this so who knows?
Some other possibilities:
Turning up the rear spring helps some machines,
-tire pressure can be really important (if low) for some machines,
-check for steering head bearing slack,
-give the wheel bearings a good check for slack. This was a common one on 4 cylinder Wings
-swing arm bearing slack
-some feel that the front fender can be a culprit but my bike's fender is the stock one and the symptom comes and goes with worn Kendas
-pavement rear ruts bother some machines but not others
-some feel that loose clothing and/or a death grip on the bars contributes. Haven't experienced but see the possibility.
- Some feel that top box or rear rack cargo can be an issue.
Some time I'll pull the Givi off with a worn Kenda and see if it has any effect when the tire is worn.
A couple of weeks ago, my KLR was really dancing on the pavement wear ruts at a bit over 145 kph (87 mph) while passing a Harley on an uphill. The uphill was why we were doing 145 rather than faster (VBG).
These Harley types who have something to prove and a macho attitude really annoy me, so I just had to show him! Oops, you don't think...... (VBG)
The speed is pretty close on my bike as the speedo has been adjusted to agree with my GPS but I tend to still go by GPS speed.
I do notice that the speedo reads about 10% high when the Kenda is worn down to 1/2. The speedo correction has to be done for a given tire circumference so I chose a new Kenda 270.
Eric the Elk really gallops with the airbox mods and 160 main jet. If he had a bit more power we could show up even more of those macho types. (VBG)
Norm
A short, chubby, old guy with a strong right wrist.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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- Posts: 85
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:53 am
very wiggly at 100 on the clock
Thanks for all the suggestions....
I'll experiment and let you know what works.
albatross
On 8/25/07, Norm Keller wrote: > > I notice that Kenda 270's give the same kind of symptoms (high speed > wander/wiggle) when they are worn to about 1/2 tread depth. Others have said > that they don't experience this so who knows? > > Some other possibilities: > Turning up the rear spring helps some machines, > -tire pressure can be really important (if low) for some machines, > -check for steering head bearing slack, > -give the wheel bearings a good check for slack. This was a common one on > 4 cylinder Wings > -swing arm bearing slack > -some feel that the front fender can be a culprit but my bike's fender is > the stock one and the symptom comes and goes with worn Kendas > -pavement rear ruts bother some machines but not others > -some feel that loose clothing and/or a death grip on the bars > contributes. Haven't experienced but see the possibility. > - Some feel that top box or rear rack cargo can be an issue. > > Some time I'll pull the Givi off with a worn Kenda and see if it has any > effect when the tire is worn. > > A couple of weeks ago, my KLR was really dancing on the pavement wear ruts > at a bit over 145 kph (87 mph) while passing a Harley on an uphill. The > uphill was why we were doing 145 rather than faster (VBG). > > These Harley types who have something to prove and a macho attitude really > annoy me, so I just had to show him! Oops, you don't think...... (VBG) > > The speed is pretty close on my bike as the speedo has been adjusted to > agree with my GPS but I tend to still go by GPS speed. > > I do notice that the speedo reads about 10% high when the Kenda is worn > down to 1/2. The speedo correction has to be done for a given tire > circumference so I chose a new Kenda 270. > > Eric the Elk really gallops with the airbox mods and 160 main jet. If he > had a bit more power we could show up even more of those macho types. (VBG) > > Norm > A short, chubby, old guy with a strong right wrist. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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- Posts: 361
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:17 am
very wiggly at 100 on the clock
*****The speed is pretty close on my bike as the
speedo
How do you do adjust the speedo ?? --- Norm Keller wrote:> has been adjusted to agree with my GPS but I tend to > still go by GPS speed.*******
____________________________________________________________________________________ Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7> I notice that Kenda 270's give the same kind of > symptoms (high speed wander/wiggle) when they are > worn to about 1/2 tread depth. Others have said that > they don't experience this so who knows? > > Some other possibilities: > Turning up the rear spring helps some machines, > -tire pressure can be really important (if low) for > some machines, > -check for steering head bearing slack, > -give the wheel bearings a good check for slack. > This was a common one on 4 cylinder Wings > -swing arm bearing slack > -some feel that the front fender can be a culprit > but my bike's fender is the stock one and the > symptom comes and goes with worn Kendas > -pavement rear ruts bother some machines but not > others > -some feel that loose clothing and/or a death grip > on the bars contributes. Haven't experienced but see > the possibility. > - Some feel that top box or rear rack cargo can be > an issue. > > Some time I'll pull the Givi off with a worn Kenda > and see if it has any effect when the tire is worn. > > A couple of weeks ago, my KLR was really dancing on > the pavement wear ruts at a bit over 145 kph (87 > mph) while passing a Harley on an uphill. The uphill > was why we were doing 145 rather than faster (VBG). > > These Harley types who have something to prove and a > macho attitude really annoy me, so I just had to > show him! Oops, you don't think...... (VBG) > > The speed is pretty close on my bike as the speedo > has been adjusted to agree with my GPS but I tend to > still go by GPS speed. > > I do notice that the speedo reads about 10% high > when the Kenda is worn down to 1/2. The speedo > correction has to be done for a given tire > circumference so I chose a new Kenda 270. > > Eric the Elk really gallops with the airbox mods and > 160 main jet. If he had a bit more power we could > show up even more of those macho types. (VBG) > > Norm > A short, chubby, old guy with a strong right wrist. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > >
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- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:16 am
nklr- just an observation
I have spent the past month, sitting on my Summer deck, healing 9
broken bones, from my May 27, windshear induced wreck in Idaho.
My deck is located between Mile Markers 221 and 222 on the Blueridge
Parkway in NC where I have a clear view of the PW.
Being bored to tears and feeling sorry for myself for not being able
to ride as I watch the 100's of Motorcycles go by each weekend, I
decided to note the number of riders wearing gear.
This past weekend Fri thru Sun Evening, I counted 400 plus bikes
with approx 90 riding 2 up.
Bikes/scooters of every make, model and year went by, ridden by
young, old and in between. Counted 15 KLR 650's.
My observations, verified by stubby pencil/eraser and pain killers:
Of approximately 490 riders observed approx. 37 were wearing ATGATT.
Approx. 85 were wearing a MC jacket of some kind. The rest were
wearing only a helmet. During the day, mostly shorts and t-shirts
sneakers, some sandals. Early morning and evening, jeans and long
sleeve shirts.
2 of the KLR riders were in ATGATT. 9 had only MC jackets on, 6 only
helmet.
According to the local Park LEO's, there is at least one accident on
the parkway each weekend. I heard some out of this world stories,
the most recent last week, where a rider swerved to avoid two deer,
not seeing the third until it landed literally in his lap/chest as
it tried to jump over his bike. Not only was the bike totalled, the
rider lost many square inches of skin. The deer also kicked the
living heck out of him, trying to get away. Unbelievable? Yes! Did
it happen? Yes! I personally know the guys father and he said that
his son had been accident free on a bike for over 20 years and while
he wears only a helmet, he is a cautious rider.
Day before yesterday, as I slowed to turn LEFT from the PW onto US
21 South a rider on a Suzuki passed me on MY LEFT on a double line.
I guess he thought my signal light had been left on accidently.
Having watched him behind me for at least 2 miles, riding so close
at times that I could not see his headlight behind the tailgate of
my pickup, I purposely flashed my brake lights several times to
catch his attention and signalled much earlier than I normally do.
I can only imagine how my wife and I would have felt, had we made
the turn as we normally do and killed the rider or how his family
would have felt.
Please folks, when you ride, PLEASE ride with All The Gear All The
Time.
Wayne Barcomb
Be back on the PW later this week.
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