Front washing out

[speeding_ant]

I suspect this might be a setup issue, or rider issue (bad composure?), but not sure.. When leaning harder on either side the front starts washing out - it feels like the bike is steering far more on the back wheel than the front. You can see this via the unused strips on the tyres, the back is mostly used and the front doesn't match.

Hornet 250. I'm running almost new M3's. New Hornet 600 rear shock & spring with a few clicks of preload. The front has been shimmed slightly to increase preload and is running fresh oil/seals. The suspension feels much better than stock, holds more composure on rough roads. I've lowered the fork tubes in the crowns by 5mm to compensate for less sag. I'm running lower bars than standard - with less sweep back.

I have room to lower the front more, just not sure if that's the right action to take?

Any experts who know what the issue might be?

[rocketman1]

[QUOTE=speeding_ant;1130552786]I suspect this might be a setup issue, or rider issue (bad composure?), but not sure.. When leaning harder on either side the front starts washing out - it feels like the bike is steering far more on the back wheel than the front. You can see this via the unused strips on the tyres, the back is mostly used and the front doesn't match.

Hornet 250. I'm running almost new M3's. New Hornet 600 rear shock & spring with a few clicks of preload. The front has

Im not a suspension expert sorryr, but if you are running too heavy oil in the front forks, or you have to much preload, ie basically the front is too hard then that may cause the issue you have.
Also there is not enough front suspension travel will tend to make the bike understeer, plus your weight may be now pushed too far forward with lower bars upsetting the front / rear bias.
Can also promote tankslappers, been there, done that on my SV1000
Think of motards, huge suspension travel in comparison too your bike, but will probably out handle your bike.

[speeding_ant]

Thanks for the info. Running stock oil weight, and only added a few mm of spacers in there. I'm getting around an inch of sag.

I might experiment a little - I'll start with dropping the forks in the crown a bit lower to see what effect that makes. If that doesn't solve it then I'll need to remove the shims and see if it's a travel stiffness issue.

I also just recently found out my front axle is bent, something that could affect handing somewhat

[Hitcher]

Any experts who know what the issue might be?

Sounds like tyre pressures to me. Try running the front and rear tyres at the manufacturer's recommended pressures and see what happens. It's only a bog standard basic Honda, so finding a solution not likely to require an over-analysed suspension outcome.

[speeding_ant]

Sounds like tyre pressures to me. Try running the front and rear tyres at the manufacturer's recommended pressures and see what happens. It's only a bog standard basic Honda, so finding a solution not likely to require an over-analysed suspension outcome.

Good point... I run 35psi front, 39-40psi rear. Honda recommends 36 front, 42psi rear.

Not sure what difference an extra psi will make?

[Tarded]

I strongly doubt 1 PSI changes anything enough for the average rider to notice.

Try putting it back to stock then do one mod at a time. Its the only way to get useful clean data.

Its the basic method for tuning.

Multiple mods create confusion and guess work as to why its better/worse.

Dont dick with what you dont understand - general comment, not aimed at the OP here.
A good excuse to learn more and fiddle with the bike properly.

Good fun and satisfying in my not very humble opinion.

[speeding_ant]

I strongly doubt 1 PSI changes anything enough for the average rider to notice.

Try putting it back to stock then do one mod at a time. Its the only way to get useful clean data.

Its the basic method for tuning.

Multiple mods create confusion and guess work as to why its better/worse.

Dont dick with what you dont understand - general comment, not aimed at the OP here.
A good excuse to learn more and fiddle with the bike properly.

Good fun and satisfying in my not very humble opinion.

Cheers for the advice - I think I'll be doing that!

I was wondering, it could also just be my technique in corners...

[george formby]

Cheers for the advice - I think I'll be doing that!

I was wondering, it could also just be my technique in corners...

Could be. Rolling off the throttle when you should be rolling on will do it.

[speeding_ant]

Could be. Rolling off the throttle when you should be rolling on will do it.

Thought of that, but I keep a steady throttle. I tend to lean in with the bike instead of leaning off it, and I haven't really learned from anyone the correct techniques.

Any advice there?

[Banditbandit]

Thought of that, but I keep a steady throttle. I tend to lean in with the bike instead of leaning off it, and I haven't really learned from anyone the correct techniques.

Any advice there?

Not sure what you mean by "lean in instead of leaning off it". I'm not sure how your bike handles .. but I go into a corner and roll the throttle on ... my bike does not like cornering with a steady throttle .. feels a bit like you describe ... maybe go into a corner a bit slower, then roll the throttle on . and power it on as you come out so the bike pull itself upright ...


Maybe the tyres themselves don't suit the bike and your riding style ..

Your description of the tyre wear doesn't tell me much. You should not have unmatched chicken strips on the tyres - they should be the same ... but maybe a bent axle causes that - best get that fixed first.

But what does the wear pattern look like on the front tyre? Is it scuffed from braking or accelerating? Can you post pix? (and maybe pix of the back tyre as well?)

But get that axle seen to .. I'm not sure what you mean by a bent axle .. I think the wheel would not turn properly if that was the case .. but whatever you mean it doesn't sound good ... or maybe it's bent off straight up and down - which would certainly affect they way it corners .. or even runs in a straight line .. when you look at your hands on the bars is one hand getting there a litle before the other hand? (Look when you are riding, not when you are sitting still or on a stand ...)

[speeding_ant]

Maybe the tyres themselves don't suit the bike and your riding style ..

What does the wear pattern look like on the front tyre? Can you post pix? (and maybe pix of the back tyre as well?)

Sure, I'll post up pictures tonight.

[Mushu]

Thought of that, but I keep a steady throttle. I tend to lean in with the bike instead of leaning off it, and I haven't really learned from anyone the correct techniques.

Any advice there?

"Once the throttle is cracked open it is rolled on evenly, smoothly and constantly throughout the remainder of the turn" - direct quote from twist of the wrist 2

You should check it out, the book is a little better but you can watch the video on YouTube.

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[speeding_ant]

"Once the throttle is cracked open it is rolled on evenly, smoothly and constantly throughout the remainder of the turn" - direct quote from twist of the wrist 2

You should check it out, the book is a little better but you can watch the video on YouTube.

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

As far as I'm aware I do that already I've read those books and watched the videos, but I'm not going out there to race - just have a bit of fun on the twisties. I've been riding for a while, but I'm self taught. Probably have picked up a few bad habits on the way.

I suspect having someone significantly more skilled than I follow me on a ride would be helpful to see if I'm doing anything bizarrely wrong.

[steelestring]

As far as I'm aware I do that already I've read those books and watched the videos, but I'm not going out there to race - just have a bit of fun on the twisties. I've been riding for a while, but I'm self taught. Probably have picked up a few bad habits on the way.

I suspect having someone significantly more skilled than I follow me on a ride would be helpful to see if I'm doing anything bizarrely wrong.

Give it to me and I will take it for a hoon
See if it does it for anyone else?
M3s will tip in fast once you get more progressively into your lean just to also consider. Front is a bit pointy but once your get it over it feels great.

2 cents

[speeding_ant]

Front:

Rear: