Weaving!?

[Jase]

My missus just got a F650GS and on the way back from the shop it was weaving badly.. I put it down to a bit of wind and my wife being new to wide bars (previous bike Aprilia RS125).

But today - my 1150gs in for service and they give me a f650gs - boy was it weaving on the motorway at like 100km/h + !!!!

what's the deal!? is it the original tyres? they are both new bikes.....

bridgestone trailwings...

or is it lack of screen resulting in unwanted rider input on bars? I had my feet on back pegs and leaning into wind with now weight on bars (well minimal) and still weaving a bit!?

I'm thinking either

a) inherent in bike - geometry?
b) tyres - those bridgestone trialwings
or
c) lack of screen

the bikes _are_ set up ok... the wheels are in alignment - the chain is adjusted ok...

but both have <1000km if that makes any difference

HELP PLEASE!!!!

[Jase]

OK mate...

Will give that a go on the way back tonight....

oh my wife is only 5'3" and like 50kg (whatever that is in pounds - 100-110pounds???

so we left it on standard cos she's so light.... but maybe yeah will crank up the rear to at least 1/2 way between std and hard

will let you know how it goes

but still open to any other suggestions!! :)

cheers

[Stephen]

Originally posted by Jinx
Adjust the rear suspension...

What Jinx said.
Absolutely.

[Jase]

nahhh... cranked up the rear preload...

unfotunately... still weaving all over the place :(

maybe it's something to do with the fact that there is _no_ screen on this one yet....

cos it was happening to my missus and also to me on different bikes...

one was on trailwings and one was on t66's

[Timberwoof]

This is a duuuh question, but let's just make sure ... are the tire pressures set right?

[Jase]

ok... you're right I didn't read about the damping...

so quick question - how do I adjust the damping? I ask cos it's brand new - the missus's - oh and the manual is in German ;)

also - what tyre pressures to run? it's got Bridgestone Trailwings... (I rode one with Conti T66's today and it did the same thing....)

Tomorrow morning will make the following changes:

1) Preload - not far off max

2) damping (rebound) about 3 - 3.5 from max (she's only 100-110lbs)

3) tyre pressures -- well on this one I think we'll be right - but yeah should check it - cos the mechanic who just did the 20,000km service on my 1150gs (damn it feels like a NEW bike) set it up... but then again... who knows...

he said 2.2bar (32psi) front and 2.4bar (35psi) rear

sound right

(he also said 2.5bar front and 2.8bar rear for the 1150gs - at first I thought that sounded high - but damn if that baby doesn't go round corners better than ever! turns heaps faster and feels good!)

thanks for everyones help - this really helps a heap!!!

[Jase]

ok...

well then half way on pre-load

tyre pressures 32f 35r (psi)

and rebound - 3.5 off

thanks a heap all and Dr Jinx especially :)

will let you know how she goes tomorrow

cheers

[fish]

Originally posted by Jase
unfotunately... still weaving all over the place :(

Diagnosis: POS
Corrective action: trade it in on a boxer.

[Steverino]

Originally posted by fish


Diagnosis: POS
Corrective action: trade it in on a boxer.

Oh come on, give the guy a break, Jeebus

[Jase]

one small problem with that...

my missus is only 5'3" and 100-110lbs !!!

a boxer is a TAD BIG!!! understatements galore there....

she has the lowered F650GS and it's just ok for her....

[Jase]

Hey Jinx and all,

I went down this morning before she rode off and upped the pre-load... also did the rebound...

one small problem...

first turning it to hardest...

and it only went one turn!!!

maybe it was too hard???

I backed it off to 3 turns from hardest

guess the mechanic knows about this and did it before delivery?

will see how she goes today...

l8r all

[fish]

Originally posted by Jase
one small problem with that...

my missus is only 5'3" and 100-110lbs !!!

a boxer is a TAD BIG!!! understatements galore there....

she has the lowered F650GS and it's just ok for her....

Okay...whatever makes you happy. Is the R1150R too high for her? I wonder if they have lower kits?

[Gonz]

Sit back down boxers

Went for a ride with a mate on his 1150Gs, me on the 01 650GS. Rode his machine and yep a sweeeeet thing. Anyhow had to give it back before I stole it!!

Along the ride, it was wet and bloody cold, we came across this dirt stretch of road. Well in the stretch of 100 metres my poor mate riding the battle ship dropped it three times. I just cruised up no worries on the 650 with a big smile on the dial.

When we got back to the black top I was with him........go figure.

GO THE 650, BABY BM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Gonz.

[Jase]

fish - my missus likes riding her bikes - hell she won't drive a car

but her hips, back and neck are all stuffed

so she needs an extremely light bike or one with low weight and low seat and not too wide

hell looked for a bit before finding one (over 125cc) that would suit...

luckily lowered F650GS came out ok....

I would love to - as I'm sure she would - get her onto a bigger faster bike... but that usually equals taller and heavier which is no good...

end of topic

[fish]

Originally posted by Jase
so she needs an extremely light bike or one with low weight and low seat and not too wide

Gotcha. Carry on.