Strange (maybe) handling from my F3

davef · 05-06-2006, 10:09 PM

I've been riding the F3 more lately because of the gas prices and I have a question about a weird handling quirk. When I lean into a turn on the bike it wants to keeps leaning farther and farther. This has been happening for a while and I just replaced the rear tire with a different model and the bike still does it. All tire sizes are stock as is the suspension ride hights. It seems to me that the bike may have a geometry issue ie. the rear is too high or the front is too low. Perhaps I'm just asking too much of the bike during spirited riding and I am comparing it to my 954 (mods are in the sig) which holds its line very well. I think that replacing the front tire (120/60/17) with a 120/70/17 (like most modern sportbikes have) will lift the front a bit, perhaps eliminating the weirdness. Anyone have any input on this idea?

Thanks,
Dave

BDA116 · 05-06-2006, 10:24 PM

Are you sure the tire pressure up front is correct? How do the steering bearings feel?
Yeah, going to the 70 up front is a good idea. Just check your fender clearance when you do.

davef · 05-06-2006, 10:51 PM

Yup, tire pressure is good, I run mid to upper 30s on the street and I had the steering head bearings and the front wheels bearings replaced at about 22000 miles. The bike has ~29000 on it now.

I was wondering about fender clearence and it looks like the taller tire will fit.

Thanks for the info.
D

CBR_Rob · 05-07-2006, 7:04 PM

The problem is it is not a 954. I hadn't ridden my F3 since I got the 954 and got on it a few weeks ago to get it emissioned for registration and it had no power and handed horribly. Couldn't believe I commuted every day on it. But it is definally saving me gas money right now.

davef · 05-07-2006, 9:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR_Rob

The problem is it is not a 954. I hadn't ridden my F3 since I got the 954 and got on it a few weeks ago to get it emissioned for registration and it had no power and handed horribly. Couldn't believe I commuted every day on it. But it is definally saving me gas money right now.

Yeah, I could be spoiled by the royal 954 but the F3 was a great bike in its day and can still hold its own in the corners. Obviously power is down a bit on a modern liter bike. I can't help but think that the 600 didn't always feel this way...

HRC NICK 11 · 05-13-2006, 12:08 PM

I think what your feeling is tha differance in fly wheel weight between the two. The 600 is easier to turn and takes less pressure on the bars.

I miss the way my 600 just fell into turns compaired to the way I have to hold my RC51 into the turns.

davef · 05-13-2006, 2:58 PM

No, that's definitely not it. Once into a turn, I have to keep constant pressure on the outside bar to keep the bike from leaning more and more. And I don't remember it being that way when it was new. I bet the suspesion (with 29000 miles on it) has started to sag a bit and the bike is no longer sitting the way it should. Honestly, I should have the forks serviced (new oil and springs) and the rear shock either serviced or replaced.