R1 setup problems.

[Darkman]

Went on a trip last weekend to Whakatane. Beautiful roads and weather up there. Starting to get use to my bike but have a few problems. One of the problems I have is I keep running wide, bike does not tip in as good as my CBR600rr did. Also sometimes going through corners the back wheel starts to spin out or something..feels like I’m riding on Ice. This it the fastest bike I have ever owned, but I found myself the slowest on it.Can’t even keep up with dirtbikes. Just don’t enjoy it as mush as my previous bike because something isn’t right. Was told that it could be my tire pressures. I am running 38 in the back and 34 in the front. Was told to run 36 back 32 front.
What pressures do you run on and could my problems be due to wrong suspension setup?

Oh yeah...cheers for the guys at Tony Reese Yamaha for helping me out on Monday morning...much appreciated!!

[skelstar]

Were is the trip report buddy? Don't hold out now!

[Scotty]

did you have a bit of weight on the back, two of the chaps i ride with own r1's they say the dont cary passangers well and hate pack rack's. They seam to very light in the front.

[beyond]

Hiya Darkman,

You are riding a bike with lots of horsies waiting to break loose. Ya need a real smooth throttle hand out of the corners unless you like laying rubber.

Other than that, your suspenders aren't set up right and you can remedy that here:
http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/Guides/...nsionSetup.htm

I don't know what tyres you are running but they could be too hard for your bike. I mean the compound, not the pressure. My mate rides an R1 and uses Pirelli Super Corsas with no problems and he is fast.

I am assuming your tyres are warmed up when you say they are spinning up on corners? If so, they sound like a hard compound or your suspension isn't allowing the bike to hunker down out of a corner in the rear.

[Darkman]

I am still running with the standard tires it comes out with..dunlop, something or other. Do not do sudden twists of the wrist, just rolling on the power..the guys I was riding with went at least 15kms/hour faster than me around 55km/h corners with no problems.
Want to change to softer sport tires soon, just not sure what yet.
oh yeah..had a bit extra weight on the bike..bout 10kg spread out on the bike..tank bag, back pack and tail pack.

[Shaun]

What year is it

[Crasherfromwayback]

The tyres are past half worn they're fucked anyway.
The first third of modern tyres work well, the next third so-so, and then they're ready for the bin.
Also.....modern sports bikes are set up for riders of average weight and ability, and a lot of people turn perfectly good motorcycles into evil handling piles of shit fiddling with them.
If you're around 75kgs, try the stock settings on fresh tyres with 32/34 psi and see how it feels. fresh fork oil won't hurt either.
Aye.

[Darkman]

What year is it

2006..it has a longer swingarm than the others.

[dss3]

I can tell you the settings I use to race with.... Step 1, put all settings to factory standard... step 2... go race.

Asked Tony what he reckoned for standard suspension... basically it was just harden up all the compression settings...

I don't know jack about suspension though... just go ride the things.

[Ralph]

Since it's a new bike I assume the tyres are in good condition, manufacturers don't usually but crap tryes on a new bike, ok there is better available sure but I would but your problems down to the suspension set up being all wrong for you, it shouldn't be that bad even with standard settings.
Check out the attachments, these are what I used to set up my bike and is bloody brillent now.
I've also attached some recommended settings for your bike, I know everyone rides differently but Hey what have you got to loose. Took me a couple of days so put some time aside.
Hope this helps.
With tyre pressures on the Dunlops for road use I suggest 34F/39R

[2much]

As the others have said, sort out your suspension settings. Also consider lifting the forks up thru the triple clamps, I found that helped the turn in heaps when going to a 100 from a 600. I ended up with 15mm above the top triple clamp.

[Karma]

I can tell you the settings I use to race with.... Step 1, put all settings to factory standard... step 2... go race.

Works for most people I'd assume, but I'm a fair bit heavier than your average bike rider, especially when riding a japper.

What's your average jap bike rider weigh? like 70-80kgs?

[Sparky Bills]

You wouldnt have that problem on a Honda
Next time your passing by, stop in with the bike and ill have a look. It felt ok, when i rode it. Just a bit of tweeking here and there and you'll be sweet.

[slowpoke]

So how does it handle without shite strapped all over it?
Extra weight on YOUR back or on the back of the bike (pack rack or strapped to pillion seat) is a loooong way from the bikes centre of gravity and will have a big effect on handling.
As per dss3's comments (and performance on the track), along with my own test ride, they handle pretty sweetly straight outta the box.
I can only suggest you check the settings are as per standard. If they are, and you're still not happy, check out the million and one sites on the web detailing specific model suspension setup and see if something strikes your fancy.

[Korea]

I have limited R1 riding experience, but I thought it was a weapon!
Here's a couple of ideas I had...
Compared to the 600, R1 needs to be 'put' into the corner a bit more - all in the steering, don't try to muscle it in - I hear they bite.
Running wide? Are you on the throttle too early? After stepping off the 600 onto bigger bikes with more midrange I found that I tend to dial in the throttle too much too soon which makes me run wide.
My 2p...