Wow bike handles way better after weight loss

moto.monk

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I know the bike is way undersprung but after running around with no less then 35 lb of crap on the bike I stuff off. The turn in much better and it nose dives less. The suspension is now better on the freeway and have it set to 4/7 rings of preload on the front and max on the back. The of this weight is going to be removing the jesse racks, all my tools and air pump to the front of the bike some how. Maybe a tool pouch toward the bottom the alt rider lower crash bars so they wont turn into a crash bag. Also some of the tools towards the windscreen area.
 

Sierra1

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Hey M.M, how much do you weigh? I have ZERO knowledge on the manual preload setting(s), but maybe dial in a little more and see how she does? I'm pretty damn heavy myself, and with the preload dialed up, "I" think she handles very well. I don't know how much rebound/dampening adjustment you have, but depending on where I ride, I usually have to make several adjustments. But, it took me a while, and more than a few miles to find out the settings that I liked. :)
 
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ballisticexchris

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I will tell you the biggest difference in my bikes handling was when I removed the tank bag. It was like night and day.
 

moto.monk

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Hey M.M, how much do you weigh? I have ZERO knowledge on the manual preload setting(s), but maybe dial in a little more and see how she does? I'm pretty damn heavy myself, and with the preload dialed up, "I" think she handles very well. I don't know how much rebound/dampening adjustment you have, but depending on where I ride, I usually have to make several adjustments. But, it took me a while, and more than a few miles to find out the settings that I liked. :)
250 and the preload maxed out, I know im way off 165lb rider weight that it was tested on but I want to know what i can do for now. Also had the rebound and comp dial in but as soon as I started add stuff I could never get back to that nice floating feeling when going over bumps. I just finished removing more stuff like the alt rider passenger rack and a copy cat alt rider rear rack. I also moved on my tools to 3 packs to the front of the bike. Only thing left is alt rider bash plate and lower crash bars which would removed another 20lb+??
 
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moto.monk

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I will tell you the biggest difference in my bikes handling was when I removed the tank bag. It was like night and day.
Ive been going back and forth with running without it for weeks on in, but its so dang convenient. Yes it still pain in the ass taking it off when fueling. So far i just put light stuff on it like gloves, cleaning spray, flash light etc.
 
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ballisticexchris

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250 and the preload maxed out, I know im way off 165lb rider weight that it was tested on but I want to know what i can do for now.
Simply order up a spring from Race Tech. SESP 802251200 spring, SPSC P575512 collar, SPSC B5855N bushing. Call and ask about collar and bushing. Sometimes they include it with your spring.
 

Grumpy

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I love the handling when the tank is just a couple of liters off reserve. This has been the case with most of my past 750cc and over bikes. Also, a post Christmas diet helps as well ;)
 

Boris

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I have a Gen 1 bike and raised the forks a few mm up through the yokes. This improved the steering and for me, improvement the overall way the bike handled.

Agree that the rear suspension is not really up to the job of carrying extra weight. I find that full panniers really upset the balance, to the extent that I no longer use them, preferring to just strap a bag on the rear seat if on tour.
 

Sierra1

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Maybe my weight, sitting as high up on the bike as it does, makes me less sensitive to the bikes weight. Even when my wife is riding passenger, the ride is fine, it just doesn't change directions as quickly....duh. The only difference I feel with the boxes mounted is more wind influence, nothing in the handling department though.
 

moto.monk

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I have a Gen 1 bike and raised the forks a few mm up through the yokes. This improved the steering and for me, improvement the overall way the bike handled.

Agree that the rear suspension is not really up to the job of carrying extra weight. I find that full panniers really upset the balance, to the extent that I no longer use them, preferring to just strap a bag on the rear seat if on tour.
I've gotten rid of all aftermarket stuff with the exception of some roku straps.
 

moto.monk

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Maybe my weight, sitting as high up on the bike as it does, makes me less sensitive to the bikes weight. Even when my wife is riding passenger, the ride is fine, it just doesn't change directions as quickly....duh. The only difference I feel with the boxes mounted is more wind influence, nothing in the handling department though.
Dude your exception. The wind thing is so bad and even with soft bags I still have problems. Now it turns in easier but it still doesnt float like before but I still have to dial it in. I'm going to step it up and get rid of the alt rider skid plate and lower bars. I know some of this is for just in case but have found that I've crashed for riding like a Jack ass off road and the two tip overs. So I know the risks. The shifter gets hit of course but for the 42k miles I've ridden it and I think it's based on fear. I. Also getting rid of the alt rider fork guard which does nothing.
 

moto.monk

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OMG what do carry in your tank bag? I can tell a difference with a tank of gas but not the tank bag
Just winder gloves, liner when I need them. Then usb cables and visor cleaner. Then of course food run but that's only in there for 15 mins.
 

Checkswrecks

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I've ridden enough Teneres both ways to agee that it almost feels like a different bike without the bars, plate, luggage, etc.
 
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ballisticexchris

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OMG what do carry in your tank bag? I can tell a difference with a tank of gas but not the tank bag
This: https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/no-more-tank-bag-hurray.26974/#post-380604

It just collects crap and affects the handling to the point of danger. Not so bad on the pavement. As soon as you stand in the dirt it becomes a huge problem. When I ride standing I ride in such a way that I'm using my feet for turning and balance. I'm always trying to ride like I can take my hands off the bars. This means my crotch is sometimes toward the front of the tank near the cap. Tank bags on a bike that requires standing is a no go for me.
 

Sierra1

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To me, the Tenere feels lighter than what the specs say. Maybe it's because the bikes that I've been riding over the last 20+ years have felt heavier; some of them have actually been heavier, some have not. Maybe it's the riding position, or geometry, or a combo of both. But, I'm just not feeling the extra weight influence of the crash bars & skid plate. I don't even notice the weight when I put a case of beer in each of the boxes. Maybe the lighter the rider, the more the rider feels the weight.
 

moto.monk

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I will disagree with the tank bag and it actually acts as another contact point. However if over loaded it makes the st quite bad offroad and even on the streets especially if you have it load with 5lb+ of crap. Which I do not do the bike handles way different but for touring its works great minus the fueling which is a pain the ass because the clip is so tight. In any case the st handles much better with the 40lb+ weight drop and braking.
 
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