Bad Handling

[Soichiro]

I've had my K75 over a month now, done about 350 miles and I'm not at all happy with the handling.  I checked the tyre pressures last night before riding but it still handles like a pig.  Going into sharp bends, roundabouts etc, when I lean the bike over, it tries to sit back up again (for want of a better explanation).
Years ago, I had Suzuki GS1000.   After fitting a new front tyre, I was surprised that it didn't want to go round corners.   Turned out I had the wheel spacers in the wrong order.  Rectifying this cured the problem.
Well my K75 rides the same - it don't like corners.

I spoke to a guy in the bike club and he reckons K75 are good handlers.  Well mine ain't so what should I look for?  Any help will be appreciated.

[kennybobby]

One thing i've noticed in high speed sweepers while leaned over--the rear end wallows, weaves and bobs around like a water buffalo.  Yeah it rides like a pig for turning.

Check your wheel alignment and see how far out to the left the rear tire sticks out with respect to the front.  Sometimes there is a spacer plate at the rear that pushes it out even further.  This alignment makes it easier to steer to the right but more difficult to turn left.

[Laitch]

Well mine ain't so what should I look for?  Any help will be appreciated.

What type and size of tire do you have on the rear? What's the tread depth? How much pressure do you use in it? When is the last time you check the amount and quality of the front fork oil? Is the rear shock in good shape or does it bounce the bike if the rear is lifted and released?

[Chaos]

30 year old bike, I'd suspect old, worn, or improper tires first but as previously mentioned it could be all sorts of things

[BAMBAM1039]

rear end wallows   shock totally shot in the rear no dampening left at least thats what was wrong with mine and many others i have seen on here    GOOD LUCK

[F14CRAZY]

Get some Shinko's, fresh fork oil, and make sure your rear shock is working

[Soichiro]

New ish tyres with loads of tread.  Running at 29 front, 34 rear.
The back shock is on its way out having advisories on the MOT test to that effect.   Sounds like I need a replacement back shock then.

[Laitch]

New ish tyres with loads of tread.

My question was "what size and type of tires". You're under-inflating them if they are the stock size. 32/36 or 38/42 would be more like it. A new shock will help of course but you have more to do, as described.

"New ish"? :hehehe  You're capable of being more precise, certainly.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Put some air in your tires.  My bikes handle like shit when even one tire gets as low as yours are.  These beasts seem to like hard tires.  38 front 42 rear is what I run.  Put that in and get back to us.

[jaxon]

The Mighty Gryphon is right. Gotta check the air in there. Tires should be checked at least one a week. Losing a few pounds of psi can happen in that time frame.

[K1300S]

tire pressure first

then suspension.
-when was the last time the front fork oil was checked/changed?  what springs are up there?
-how old is the rear damper?  is the rear spring correct for your weight?

my k75s handles GREAT.  taut, precise, quick turn in.

[Soichiro]

According to the Haynes manual, the pressures are 29, 36, which is what I infkated them to.  I'll use 38, 42 as recommended by Mighty Gryphon.
BTW,  the tyres are; Continental 'GO',  110/90 and 130/90

I'll do it on the weekend when I can see what I'm doing.

[Laitch]

According to the Haynes manual, the pressures are 29, 36, which is what I infkated them to.  I'll use 38, 42 as recommended by Mighty Gryphon.
BTW,  the tyres are; Continental 'GO',  110/90 and 130/90

17" or 18"? H-rated or V-rated?

[rbm]

Also, check the rear swingarm for proper bearing preload and adjustment.  Your handling problems could be a result of the swingarm bearings not having enough preload or they are worn.  They do require maintenance from time to time.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

According to the Haynes manual, the pressures are 29, 36, which is what I infkated them to.  I'll use 38, 42 as recommended by Mighty Gryphon.
BTW,  the tyres are; Continental 'GO',  110/90 and 130/90

I'll do it on the weekend when I can see what I'm doing.

There is a sticker on the frame tube near the lift handle that has tire inflation data.  On my K75S the sticker says tire pressures are 36psi front/42 psi rear.  I run 38 front just to have a bit of cushion before the handling goes to hell.

I don't know where Haynes gets it's info, but a lot of it is generic and incorrect when you get specific with our bikes.

[Soichiro]

   Also, check the rear swingarm for proper bearing preload and adjustment.  Your handling problems could be a result of the swingarm bearings not having enough preload or they are worn.  They do require maintenance from time to time.   

Something elso to add to my to do list

[F14CRAZY]

I run my tires at the max PSI according to their sidewalls

[Laitch]

I don't know where Haynes gets it's info, but a lot of it is generic and incorrect when you get specific with our bikes.

They might have gotten it from the BMW workshop manual on our site. Converted from bar to psi, Soichiro was using the H-rated pressures from that chart in his tires but we don't know yet what size the rims are and what the tires speed rating is. I used 32/36 in my Lasertecs when traveling light and 38/42 with loaded tragkorbs. I've got no complaints about handling or mileage. I'm using 38/42 in my Sportecs all the time, just for the thrill.

[Soichiro]

Update....


Bought a rear shock for £15 on fleabay on the basis that I didn't want to fork out £250 for a remedy that didn't improve it.  The difference is amazing, it now rides like it should and no longer puts the wind up me when cornering.   The old shock must have had absolutely no damping at all for it to be so bad.

[mystic red]

That shock was £15 for a reason. Now go sink some cash into a good aftermarket shock and prepare to be amazed! :riding:

[bizzaro]

Tire pressure: I find that radials can handle the higher pressure better that bias ply.  I was running my Sport Demons at maximum pressure and I found backing off two to four pounds from the maximum recommended pressure improved handling. If I can remember, I think I am at 39 rear and 35 front. When I had radials on it, I liked them at maximum pressure.  YMMV.

[Soichiro]

That shock was £15 for a reason. Now go sink some cash into a good aftermarket shock and prepare to be amazed! :riding:

Point taken, at £15 it served it's purpose in eliminating the cause of the dodgy handling.

[youngbill]

Had a K75c,awful on corners,felt like it was flexing,now have a k75s,totally different absolutely solid.

Sent from my HTC One A9 using Tapatalk

[bizzaro]

Yea, I am pretty sure the frame configuration is exactly the same!? I could be wrong.  Maybe the bikes had different bars(riding position).  It is the same bike.  It must of had something to do with one of the tires/suspension/steering/swing arm components.  It is the same frame......................same bike. As always I could be wrong! :mbird

[Laitch]

Had a K75c,awful on corners,felt like it was flexing,now have a k75s, totally different absolutely solid.

Like Bizz mentioned, problems with front and rear suspension maintenance and tire wear or pressure on the C probably contributed to its awkward ride. I think the riding position of a stock K75S gives the rider better control, too.