Need some advice

[BlueRider461]

I recently purchased my 09 FZ6 in June and have already 1800 miles on it. It has great power and is really comfortable but I dont think it turns that well in tight canyons. My friends all have sport bikes and they seem to turn way better than the FZ.

I rode a 09SV650S today which was totally different and the power and turning was really different and more confident in the corners. Without dropping another 3K or more to get out of my bike and get the SV are there any things that would improve the turing.

1. New tire 2. Lower the forks etc...

Thanks

 

[RJ2112]

I recently purchased my 09 FZ6 in June and have already 1800 miles on it. It has great power and is really comfortable but I dont think it turns that well in tight canyons. My friends all have sport bikes and they seem to turn way better than the FZ.

I rode a 09SV650S today which was totally different and the power and turning was really different and more confident in the corners. Without dropping another 3K or more to get out of my bike and get the SV are there any things that would improve the turing.

1. New tire 2. Lower the forks etc...

Thanks

The biggest thing wrong with the FZ6 is the springs in the fork. Many replace the entire assembly; you can make HUGE improvement just by getting the appropriate springs installed for your weight, and intended use.

Word to the wise.....

If your 'friends' are running away from you, let them.

Go play on a track, instead.

 

[BlueRider461]

agree, no need to try to keep up but just ride at my pace and level. I just dont feel the bike turns well in the tight canyons.

thanks

 

[Azz]

I don't know how old or worn the tyres are on it, but my front was really dodgy when I first got it, and I felt the same thing in tight spots, after getting a new one (the back is still alright), It was heaps different, and really easy to move, I don't have to throw it in anymore.

Could be different for you, but if you've got old tyres, getting new ones is always great fun .

Then if it isn't enough, you could go the suspension route.

 

[RJ2112]

agree, no need to try to keep up but just ride at my pace and level. I just dont feel the bike turns well in the tight canyons.

thanks

Steering 'feel' depends on a lot of different things that are all related. Some relates to chassis geometry, some to the condition of the tires, some to the condition of the bearings in the whole system.

1) Check the tire pressure. Inflate them to the appropriate pressure, based on your weight.

2) Have someone help you check to see how much 'sag' you have when you are on the bike.

With a bike as new (1900 miles) as yours, the odds of having a funky bearing is pretty low.

If you have not already attended a training course of some kind, may I humbly suggest you do so?

I'd be willing to bet you are starting to feel that you have a handle on what the bike is capable of....... you are in fact entering the greatest period of danger you will face with that bike. I know this, from you feeling more confident on the SV compared to the FZ.

The SV has a much 'slower' and 'even' sort of power delivery.... it's more difficult to upset the chassis because you have less power to jack the suspension around with. If the chassis stays stable, the bike will track in the corners better. No matter how you get there, smooth is key to going fast. Less is quite often, more.

Finding out if your rear shock is set correctly for your weight will play a big part in how the bike steers.

As you start to push harder and harder to go faster, you are going to find out where the edge of traction is...... it can be a brutal experience, especially if (as we almost all have found out) you don't really understand how close to the edge you have been skating.

As the MSF is fond of saying, "The more you know, the better it gets."