bad handleing.. xb12r

[SMokyxb12r]

I have had a buell xb12r 2005 and i just cant seem to get use to the handleing of the bike.. i can ride around the neiborhood but once i get up to 45 50 miles. the bike feels funny. like a have no control. i use to ride a sv650s and never had this issue. i feel like im to tall for this bike. my knees hit the curve of the bike frame i drop the pegs one inch which helped a little but they still hit. im 6 foot 3 and 170 lbs. i also try getting new tires thinking there was just something wrong with the tire balance. but still feel the same way.

 

[Zeroflat24]

I would set the bike up for your weight. I assume your not the original owner. Once you get it set up to your weight it should smooth out. I came from a 2006 SV650s to a 2005 xb12r and it took a bit of getting used to. Also it may not be a bad idea to check all the suspension parts to verify there are no bad seals/parts.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

"Feels funny" doesnt help much. But suspension setup is dire to these machines. Need better description of your issue. When you lean it feels weird? It fights you in turns? It bounces? Your knees can move around and they should be moving. Or if it doesnt suit you gift it to me!!!

 

[sprk_sprd]

I'm yet another SV650 to Buell XB12 convert. Unlike you guys, I came from a "naked" SV and onto an XB12s (not R). Nonetheless, it took some time (not a lot) to get used to the shorter wheelbase. Smoky - I'm surprised you say it feels funny at speed (i.e. 40-50 mph). I found that it was the slow speeds that made the bike feel so skittish, almost like it wanted to fall into turns too easily. The SV has always been very flickable compared to other bikes, but these Buells with their short wheelbases are even more so. Like Zero said, look into suspension settings. Here's a good suspension thread

 

[mtnmason]

I'm 6'3" also and I too have 1" drop pegs on my 'bolt. My knees rest right behind where the frame flares out. I'm a little long in the torso - perhaps you're longer in the legs. After long rides (200 mi. or more) the only thing that bothers me are my legs. As for the handling - I bought mine seond hand and haven't really messed with the suspension. It could be better but I'm happy where its at right now.

 

[SMokyxb12r]

ya i looked around and just saw a few post about setting up the bike to my wieght but im not sure how to do that. when i say it feels funny, i mean like the bike might take off in a direction im not wanting it to or just not holding a straight line. happen to me alot the first time i took it out on the free way. now i wont go more then a few blocks. and yes i got this bike used about 6 months ago. and the owner was about 200 lbs. im 30 to 40 lbs lighter. the new tires i got were pirelle diablo sport ome.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Check your wheel bearings, and steering stem, its not uncommon, also check your engine mounts, ive expienced what your saying due to my front sub-frame having a bolt sheered. Remember your swing arm is attached to your engine trans assembly, if a mount is broken the rear will shake and wobble make ya veer in weird ways and feel unstable. Also check under lower air box, there is a mount that bolt to the head, ive broken that as well. Another mount located by your right foot, the front sub frame connects to the frame in 3 places, 1 on right side by the tank/frame bend the 2 spots on the left side behind the air scoop. Then bolts to the engine at the front.

 

[konarider94]

http://steveturnbull.co.uk/buell/thexbpages/xbhandling.htm

use one of the charts on that site. i prefer the aggressive settings and sometimes make minor adjustments but i find it works really well.

tire pressure is also very important. 36psi front and 38 rear. bad wheel bearings and/or head bearings can also contribute.

use these images to learn how to adjust your suspension but use the chart on that website i linked for the values. these are great starting points and if you use this as a baseline and still arent happy its easier to adjust from there. it generally works for most people though.

 

[SMokyxb12r]

also i dont have the owners manuel so im not sure of the setting for me

 

[oh9bolt]

Here are the stock settings.

 

[SMokyxb12r]

lot of great imformation, it makes sence because i always feel like im riding on just a front tire. maybe because the back it set way to high. maybe i can keep the bike . was thinking of saleing it and going back to sv.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Nah, you dont wanna do that. Ince youve verified the bike is solid and set your suspension up properly, i started a thread on riding technique. I use to think a lot of issues with handling where characteristics of the motorcycle, i was wrong and realized the issue was my riding style. Im still re-learning my riding habits but i improve on the daily!
Proper Riding techniques

 

[konarider94]

also i dont have the owners manuel so im not sure of the setting for me

http://steveturnbull.co.uk/buell/thexbpages/xbhandling.htm

use one of the charts on that site. i prefer the aggressive settings and sometimes make minor adjustments but i find it works really well.

 

[SMokyxb12r]

so i did the adjustments and still the bike seem to always wants to drift to the left i cant seem to find the center and feel like im trying way to hard. with my sv650s it was never a problem. ... anyone want to buy a xb12r with only 6000 miles on it?
[sad]

 

[stensg]

Have you checked all of your bearings? Steering head and wheel.

 

[SMokyxb12r]

no im not sure how.... or do any of you leave in clear lake texas that have a xb12r that would want to help me. i checked all the suspenion adjustments and just put on new tires.

 

[KBunk]

cHECK Your Rubber Mounts. If they are blown the whole bike will be Unstable.