Correct technique in fast sweepers?

[javawocky]

haha hmmm sounds like me!

The names have been changes to protect the innocent

[slofox]

My personal theory is that the less you meddle with what the bike is trying to do, the less grief you are likely to collect.

Which means relaxing, not fighting uneven services, going with the machine, letting the bike do the work.

[Deano]

Steering head bearings are fine(checked about 500km ago). The front is basically racetech internals and ohlins springs. Done and set up by RT, albeit for someone about 15kg lighter. Don't know the oil weight.

You could try setting the sag for your weight then. It might be undersprung, forcing to use the bottom end of the suspension travel.

[riffer]

Bollocks to all of you.

I've ridden this very bike. There's nothing wrong with it, unless the tyre pressures have changed or the tyres have worn since I last rode it. I'd love to have the suspension setup Hans has got.

I think the problem has to be the nut between the headset and the seat Hans. Come around and see me - I'll give you some pointers on punting an RF through the corners.

[grbaker]

On a RF900.... f, had one for about 1.5years... couldn't get the cornering sorted... font end keep slipping out, high speed sweapers mosty but even flicky over in the tighter corners.

Went from a GSX750FL(8 years) to the RF900 and kept wondering what I was doing wrong, even swapped out tyres to better gripping ones... helped the smallest bit.

After upgrading to the nibble SV650S and learning to corner with confidence again I happend to catch with a couple of other RF900 ex-owners... we all thought it was a natural balance problem with the bike... feels like there is too much weight over the front end to start with.

No expert on the subject.. just ramblings from a previous owner of the model.

Good luck (but I wouldn't spend any real money on it).

[Metastable]

Sorry to go back to the suspension and maybe it is sorted out perfectly, but I'm just going to throw out a couple of points.

- You could have the best suspension out there and you could have terrible results if it isn't set up correctly.
- Have you had someone that knows what they are doing to dial in the suspension? (no need to answer, just saying)
- If the front forks rebound too slowly, then as you hit bumps the front can start to "pack" and basically you lose travel. A good way to test this is to put a zip tie on your fork to see if it is bottoming out. You mentioned the suspension is a bit slow.... this could be the case, even if it isn't packing, you would have to quicken the rebound.
- If the rear rebound is too slow, then that can cause you to track wide.... although this is usually seen more on an off camber corner, decreasing radius corner or tighter corner... it's hard to finish off the turn, ROYAL PIA.
- You also mentioned Racetech internals and Ohlins springs..... that kinda doesn't make sense. When you say Racetech internals, that means springs.... mind you the suspension could have been revalved... maybe that's what you mean. In this case, the suspension would be much more sensitive to setting changes. I can "pack" my front suspension by pushing down with my thumbs on the triple tree, IF I have the rebound as slow as possible!!! It has been revavled for track riding and has slightly heavier springs because it is a track only bike, set up by a guy who knows his stuff.
- Make sure the sag is set FOR YOU. Do the "bouncy" test and make sure the front and rear are coming up at the same time.

If it isn't suspension.... it's you. Now everyone here has a different opinion on riding, but if the front is vague... I'd want to throw more weight over the front, not less; however that doesn't mean holding on to the bars tighter.... stay loose..... therefore, constant throttle not increasing throttle. Also don't be on/off/on/off on the throttle... that just makes the suspension load and unload over and over and it could make it difficult to hold a steady line too.

Just my thoughts.... hope you get it sorted.

[sinfull]

Realise you have already said the bike has been set up by RT but for someone 15 kg lighter, but that is a fair amount of Hans there mate ! Wouldn't hurt to check all yr settings anyway !

http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/Ho..._motorbike.pdf

[Hans]

Bollocks to all of you.

I've ridden this very bike. There's nothing wrong with it, unless the tyre pressures have changed or the tyres have worn since I last rode it. I'd love to have the suspension setup Hans has got.

I think the problem has to be the nut between the headset and the seat Hans. Come around and see me - I'll give you some pointers on punting an RF through the corners.

You're correct. As I said in the OP. I'm asking for technique, not technical advice. Will take you up on yer kind offer soonish. Oh yeah, and the tyres are brand spanking at the moment. Barely scrubbed in.

[Hans]

On a RF900.... f, had one for about 1.5years... couldn't get the cornering sorted... font end keep slipping out, high speed sweapers mosty but even flicky over in the tighter corners.

Went from a GSX750FL(8 years) to the RF900 and kept wondering what I was doing wrong, even swapped out tyres to better gripping ones... helped the smallest bit.

After upgrading to the nibble SV650S and learning to corner with confidence again I happend to catch with a couple of other RF900 ex-owners... we all thought it was a natural balance problem with the bike... feels like there is too much weight over the front end to start with.

No expert on the subject.. just ramblings from a previous owner of the model.

Good luck (but I wouldn't spend any real money on it).

With respect, I think you're missing the point. The bike is fairly close to being perfect. What I am asking for is some technique advice to get more out of an already reasonably sorted bike.

[CHOPPA]

You're correct. As I said in the OP. I'm asking for technique, not technical advice. Will take you up on yer kind offer soonish.

As soon as someone mentions suspension around here mate its all on!

[CHOPPA]

With respect, I think you're missing the point. The bike is fairly close to being perfect. What I am asking for is some technique advice to get more out of an already reasonably sorted bike.

Like I said.... California Superbike School.... I thought i had cornering sussed and long sweepers were still a bit of a problem, they pretty much said i need to change my whole style

[Hans]

Like I said.... California Superbike School.... I thought i had cornering sussed and long sweepers were still a bit of a problem, they pretty much said i need to change my whole style

Fair enough. What might that cost? The question is a theoretical one only, since I'll be pretty broke for the next two years at least, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

[Pussy]

Take Simon up on his offer, Hans.
The components at both ends of the suspension on your bike are top notch... maybe find someone in your neck of the woods who KNOWS what they are doing have a look at the set up.
Be mindful, though, that a lot of people wouldn't know the difference between shit and putty until their windows fell out, as far as set up goes.

[SPP]

have a look here, and then here

[Duc]

Hi, the suspension is not really the issue here, except for the slightly sub-optimal front springs. This is more about my riding technique. I am aware that when the bike is not as settled as it could be, I shouldn't be fighting it but rather let it do its thing to a point. Further input?

You say that but the evidence points to the bike setup. IMHO - bike setup is very subtle but makes a huge difference. eg tyre pressure, tyre condition, shocks setup etc...

If you only experience this when the surface gets a bit gnarly..what are you doing different. Maybe you just seriously tense up?

My Ducati has no issues in the same situation and I dont do anything different. The bike manages without additional input from me.