Wet roads + wind = OMG

**Squiggles** · 3rd October 2007, 20:39

tire pressures first

26 front 30-32 rear would be a good mix i think (as per the txt)

manual reccomends 28 for the rear solo, 32 for the rear with pillion, and 32 for the rear for highway riding, so about 30 with ya pack and bits on is probably a good setting

The wind you shall learn to counter

Conti's should be fine as tires, your tread was all good from memory... just keep away from the chin shen? stockers

**Ragingrob** · 3rd October 2007, 21:03

Cool yeah...hey but what if there's more pressure than that already? When I go to pump them out should I let a little air out first anyway and then pump it up to those psi's? Cause I'm sure they're really tight!

On another point, sometimes when I go over a bump like pulling from a driveway or something there's a kinda knock around about the front suspension. Feels like something's hitting together, any ideas or normal?

**Hanne** · 3rd October 2007, 21:39

I don't like the wind either, had to concentrate really hard on my way to uni today in order to stay in my lane.

Summer, hurry up!

**howdamnhard** · 3rd October 2007, 21:46

I like to run my Gn at the following tyre pressures: 28PSI front,30PSI rear.Check your rear shocks preload is the same on both shocks,midway is about right unless your pretty big or small.The guy I bought the bike off had them set to hard and the rear wheel would skip over any bumps,not so good when cornering.

.The biggest thing is to relax your arms,pretend they are not rigidly connected to your body otherwise when the wind hits your body the displacement of your body is transmitted through to your hands which in turn displaces the handle bars which in turn causes the bike to be evenmore displaced causing a kind of instability feedback loop.It is normal for the front wheel to try follow inconsistences/furrows in the road,just relax and the bike will sort itself out.Give yourself plenty of space when riding in adverse conditions and its OK to feel apprehensive the first few times,you'l get used to it,and if you feel its beyond your ability just don't go out.

**howdamnhard** · 3rd October 2007, 21:50

The Gn's front suspension is pretty soft but it would pay to get it checked out by someone in the know to.The back swing arm isn't that rigid either and can twist under hard acceleration loads but does'nt adversely affect handling to much .

**motorbyclist** · 3rd October 2007, 22:01

Originally Posted by howdamnhard

The back swing arm isn't that rigid either and can twist under hard acceleration loads but does'nt adversely affect handling to much .

this is a GN250 we're talking about right?

**dell_boy** · 3rd October 2007, 22:37

Hi
If you still have the chinese nylon tyres on the bike - recommend strongly that you get rid of them - they are dangerous in the wet - I know from experience. I have bridgestones now & the bike is so much safer in wet conditions & over grooved roads.

**motorbyclist** · 3rd October 2007, 22:39

ah i still remember my first set of pirellis

riding heaven until they needed replacing 6 months later

**bomma** · 3rd October 2007, 23:39

mate for any gn issues i suggest you pm twinkle....thus far hes managed to pass a k7 gixxer600 and me on my zx7r around corners.....he would be the right man to talk to

**HungusMaximist** · 3rd October 2007, 23:56

^ Yea I second that , he got some serious GN cornering skills.

As on the note of leather jackets vs textile.

I have recently started wearing one and I have to mention, it definitely feels way more sturdier than my pansy textile jacket. I still prefer riding in the rain with waterproof textiles over leathers. Although you will find you gotta give your leathers TLC (rainguard, leather conditioner), otherwise they can die pretty quick.

**twinkle** · 4th October 2007, 06:32

Originally Posted by bomma

mate for any gn issues i suggest you pm twinkle....thus far hes managed to pass a k7 gixxer600 and me on my zx7r around corners.....he would be the right man to talk to

flattery will get you everywhere nish

I find the gn to be hardly affected by crosswinds compared to my old gpx250, i guess its just something you get used to.

**klyong82** · 4th October 2007, 08:02

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

I haven't checked it probably for about 3 weeks and it was down 10 PSI on the front.

EDIT: You got me all excited, I thought that was you in your avatar, all naked infront of the Ducati.... Then it turns out you're a dude.... hahaha....

How the heck you lose 10 PSI in 3 weeks? There must be something wrong with that front bro. How old is the tyre?

Haha....Watch out guys Ewen preys on little kids. He gets excited when he sees kids that ride bikes....chinese excluded .....danger danger..!!

**Squiggles** · 4th October 2007, 09:10

by knock its not just the thud from dropping it into the gutter as ya leave...

i have a bit of a knock from the rear wheel, where when i put on the gas after getting off it the sprocket and bits engage with the wheel (part 15 here) http://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-gn250-19...ist/FIG53.html

No "knocks" as such from the front

just get the pressures right first... i suppose an overly hard tyre wont absorb the bumps as easily, and with too lower pressure you'd hear the rim knocking the ground if ya hit a gutter at speed