Excessive pull to the inside around corners?

[Wookies-S10]

Hey all! Happy New Year from Australia

Wanted riders opinions on this...

I'm finding that as I initiate a turn at slower speeds (e.g. going through some tight twisting corners around 20-45kph or even roundabouts) that the steering wants ro continue pulling into the corner and I find myself having to counter steer a little the opposite way against the turn. I know the S10 likes to fall into the corner but this just feels very excessive and unnerving in the wet.

Is this a common trait? Tyre pressures are fine, I'm using Michelin Anakee Adventures with quite a bit of tread left. Triple tree bearings only have about 8k and no sensation of a notch on the race. 2014 model.

Ryan from Fortnine (youtube) indicated he felt the S10 wanted to fall into the corner but a friend of mine tried my bike today and he said he really had to fight it to turn at first and then "counter turn" the turn. He rides a 1200 GSA so that says a lot to me if he has to fight it.

Any opinions or possible causes? Or is this just the S10's M.O. ? Had the bike for 3 years now and it's been like this from day 1.

Regards
Paul

 

[Sierra1]

My last two sets of Bridgestones were pretty neutral. I switched brands and the tires handled extremely different. Quicker turn in, but still stable. If you could find someone with the same tires, and try theirs . . . .

 

[Wookies-S10]

My last two sets of Bridgestones were pretty neutral. I switched brands and the tires handled extremely different. Quicker turn in, but still stable. If you could find someone with the same tires, and try theirs . . . .

Very few riders here with S10's. Mostly you see 1200 GS BMW's...and they have a unique setup. Often get a "WTF was that" look from riders as they pass by.
May have to just play a bit with the rake and trail angle and see if that's help or not.

 

[Strummer]

When I purchased the bike brand new I had the same problems.
I then played with forks and rear settings and I managed to sort out...
Felice anno nuovo from Italy

 

[Gerard]

A GS1200 riding mate borrowed my bike for a few day and felt too, that it wants to fall into corners. I know what he means but i see it as one of the strong points of the S10. From remembrance, my FJR had the same characteristics and never found it to be an issue.

 

[Squibb]

This sounds like it could be steering head bearings torqued down slightly too tight.

I find my S10 steering is pretty neutral normally, unlike my FJR which has always needed a little encouragement to pick it up coming out of a corner, always more noticeable with cold tyres.

 

[cyclemike4]

Hey all! Happy New Year from Australia

Wanted riders opinions on this...

I'm finding that as I initiate a turn at slower speeds (e.g. going through some tight twisting corners around 20-45kph or even roundabouts) that the steering wants ro continue pulling into the corner and I find myself having to counter steer a little the opposite way against the turn. I know the S10 likes to fall into the corner but this just feels very excessive and unnerving in the wet.

Is this a common trait? Tyre pressures are fine, I'm using Michelin Anakee Adventures with quite a bit of tread left. Triple tree bearings only have about 8k and no sensation of a notch on the race. 2014 model.

Ryan from Fortnine (youtube) indicated he felt the S10 wanted to fall into the corner but a friend of mine tried my bike today and he said he really had to fight it to turn at first and then "counter turn" the turn. He rides a 1200 GSA so that says a lot to me if he has to fight it.

Any opinions or possible causes? Or is this just the S10's M.O. ? Had the bike for 3 years now and it's been like this from day 1.

Regards
Paul

Hello Wookies-S10! I had the exact same issue with my bike when I first got it. It still is top heavy and wants to fall into corners especially at slower speeds. Tires really do make a huge difference in that exact trait you described. I have had some that would just fall over and others that felt better. The biggest issue I had with my bike was the ergonomics of the machine were just way too spread out for me! I tightened all the reaches to the bars and pegs. With the original set up trying a tight turn at slow speeds pulled my body so far out of position that I could not properly counter weight the bike and maintain proper pressures at the foot pegs and knees and keep weight off the bars. After making it fit me better it is great. of course I have put 100,000 miles on it so I have also gotten used to it as well. I don't feel the motor does nearly as well at low rpm's as my four cylinder bikes that I have owned does and that hurts at low speeds full lock. Any way my main point pay attention to what tires you have and make sure the ergo's are set up well for you.

 

[Wookies-S10]

When I purchased the bike brand new I had the same problems.



I then played with forks and rear settings and I managed to sort out...



Felice anno nuovo from Italy



[/Do yoQUOTE]

When I purchased the bike brand new I had the same problems.

I then played with forks and rear settings and I managed to sort out...

Felice anno nuovo from Italy

thanks for the info , do you recall what you did with the forks? Any adjustments to how high they were positioned in the triple tree?

 

[Wookies-S10]

This sounds like it could be steering head bearings torqued down slightly too tight.



I find my S10 steering is pretty neutral normally, unlike my FJR which has always needed a little encouragement to pick it up coming out of a corner, always more noticeable with cold tyres.

I thought that too but checked and it was spot on. It's not so much trying to get it back out of the turn but as you come in to the turn, it feels like the geometry continues to force the handle bars into the turn even more so you have to fight it before you get a quarter of the way through. It's very weird

 

[cyclemike4]

thanks for the info , do you recall what you did with the forks? Any adjustments to how high they were positioned in the triple tree?

I have no idea what Strummer did to his bike but on my bike it came with the forks set up very stiff and my shock soft. It was squatted in the back and felt like a chopper. If you have ever ridden one you will know what i am talking about. Any way I softened the forks to let them settle and stiffened the rear. I also lowered the triple trees on the forks as low as i could get them on the fork tubes to help out. Although after I moved the handlebars and seat to help with my reach I have raised the triple clamps back to the top of the forks.

 

[Wookies-S10]

Hello Wookies-S10! I had the exact same issue with my bike when I first got it. It still is top heavy and wants to fall into corners especially at slower speeds. Tires really do make a huge difference in that exact trait you described. I have had some that would just fall over and others that felt better. The biggest issue I had with my bike was the ergonomics of the machine were just way too spread out for me! I tightened all the reaches to the bars and pegs. With the original set up trying a tight turn at slow speeds pulled my body so far out of position that I could not properly counter weight the bike and maintain proper pressures at the foot pegs and knees and keep weight off the bars. After making it fit me better it is great. of course I have put 100,000 miles on it so I have also gotten used to it as well. I don't feel the motor does nearly as well at low rpm's as my four cylinder bikes that I have owned does and that hurts at low speeds full lock. Any way my main point pay attention to what tires you have and make sure the ergo's are set up well for you.

Thanks, that helps. It originally had Pirelli Angle GT's and I don't recall it being so evident then, but maybe the Anakee Adventures have a bigger effect than I thought.

I cannot believe the S10 would have such an amazing reputation if this was how they steered.

I know the previous owner had the forks sit a few more millimetres above the top of the triple tree than standard but he was touring with his wife 2-up for 5 months through Europe. He built and raced vehicles and this apparently made the front steer more lively for their situation. It would have had an effect on the rake and trail so this could be part of the problem....time to start playing I think .

The best way I can describe it is as if, at the point of turning in to the corner, an elastic band has suddenly been attached to the fork and the crash bar and is pulling the steering even more into the turn, so I then have to fight against it.

 

[Wookies-S10]

I have no idea what Strummer did to his bike but on my bike it came with the forks set up very stiff and my shock soft. It was squatted in the back and felt like a chopper. If you have ever ridden one you will know what i am talking about. Any way I softened the forks to let them settle and stiffened the rear. I also lowered the triple trees on the forks as low as i could get them on the fork tubes to help out. Although after I moved the handlebars and seat to help with my reach I have raised the triple clamps back to the top of the forks.

I've had the upgraded suspension professionally setup for my weight including spring rate, pre-load for sag etc but we didn't go as far as setting up fork angles, triple tree height...and that made a big difference....I'm starting to suspect triple tree height on the forks and tyres. Not ready to but a new set as tyre prices in Australia right now are just stupid high.
I'm just over 6" with long arms, so I took off the bar raisers as they did not suit and mostly I feel pretty happy with the ergonomics but maybe I need to make more adjustments.
It's difficult... what feels good to me right now, may still be very short of its potential...

 

[Strummer]

I have no idea what Strummer did to his bike but on my bike it came with the forks set up very stiff and my shock soft. It was squatted in the back and felt like a chopper. If you have ever ridden one you will know what i am talking about. Any way I softened the forks to let them settle and stiffened the rear. I also lowered the triple trees on the forks as low as i could get them on the fork tubes to help out. Although after I moved the handlebars and seat to help with my reach I have raised the triple clamps back to the top of the forks.

I did the same but I didn't touch the triple tree.
The rear shock was way too soft and I played ( a lot) around with the forks' settings.
I also agree with the tires choice , some are more "likely" to make feeling the bike incline to fall...
Hope this makes sense

 

[OldRider]

Mine did that after I installed a set of lowering links and slid the forks up a little higher in the triple trees. Put everything back stock and problem went away.

 

[WJBertrand]

Hey all! Happy New Year from Australia

Wanted riders opinions on this...

I'm finding that as I initiate a turn at slower speeds (e.g. going through some tight twisting corners around 20-45kph or even roundabouts) that the steering wants ro continue pulling into the corner and I find myself having to counter steer a little the opposite way against the turn. I know the S10 likes to fall into the corner but this just feels very excessive and unnerving in the wet.

Is this a common trait? Tyre pressures are fine, I'm using Michelin Anakee Adventures with quite a bit of tread left. Triple tree bearings only have about 8k and no sensation of a notch on the race. 2014 model.

Ryan from Fortnine (youtube) indicated he felt the S10 wanted to fall into the corner but a friend of mine tried my bike today and he said he really had to fight it to turn at first and then "counter turn" the turn. He rides a 1200 GSA so that says a lot to me if he has to fight it.

Any opinions or possible causes? Or is this just the S10's M.O. ? Had the bike for 3 years now and it's been like this from day 1.

Regards
Paul

Have you tried applying a bit more throttle? That’ll counteract the feeling of falling in, especially with a bike like the Super Ténéré which has a load of engine braking. I think most bikes with neutral steering will tend to “fall in” without throttle applied.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Don in Lodi]

How flattened out are the tire centers? Sounds like you're fall off a flat center strip.

 

[Wookies-S10]

Tyre still has a great shape on the front, almost no visible flattening and wear is pretty even across the entire front wheel. This weekend I'm going to play around with triple tree height and tyre pressures....see how that goes!

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . will tend to “fall in” without throttle applied. . . .

I refer to that as falling over.

 

[Wookies-S10]

I refer to that as falling over. 



[/QQUOTE]Yep......although that's not the issue I'm having.

 

[Sierra1]

Yep......although that's not the issue I'm having.

I didn't think it was, I'm just a smart ass.