i have a question about leaning when turning and keeping the bars straight

[SETH_TERRILLION]

i have an 03 xb9sl i dont know if its just me or what but when i lean on my bike the handlebars and forks want to automatically turn. say im turning right but just wanna lean in the turn instead of actually turning my handlebars, my bars just wanna automatically turn right, i have to push against the way im turning to keep me from eating shit, my friends ducati monster doesnt do that the bars stay wherever i want them too, im just wondering if its normal and just a buell thing or if there is actually a problem, sorry if it doesnt make sense or if i sound ignorant lol thanks

 

[RyanExtra]

Interesting, mine dont do that.

 

[snrusnak]

I never find myself fighting the bars. Actually they should turn the OPPOSITE direction of the lean, slightly.

Maybe a problem with your steering neck bearings? Or you're leaning on the bar?

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

damm i knew something wasnt right...

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

i know the neck bearings would cause a wobble but not necessarily what im dealing with... shit im in a pickle lol

 

[victormonopoly]

Sounds like unnecessary drag. Like the front tire is under pressured.

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

i have the tire pressures set to what the specs on the bike say, 36 in the front and 38 in the rear

 

[Draxsonimy]

+1 mr. monopoly

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

maybe some sort of sepo in the tire, maybe i need new tires? i did notice that the tire is worn more on the right than it is on the left like the previous owner only made right turns with it..

 

[Draxsonimy]

I make harder left turns on my bobber but mainly because the pipes hang on the right side.

don't think its really too uncommon to favor a cornering direction.

are the preload adj. the same on both forks?

 

[Rhino1]

After double-checking the tire pressure, I would look to replacing the tires; uneven tire wear could certainly cause this "falling in" feeling.

And just to be sure, you are counter steering when turning, right?

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

i basically have to counter steer cuz if i dont my forks will forcingly fall in into the turn

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

i suppose ill get a new tire see that fixes the problem, maybe im just being a wuss lol

 

[Bolty]

If you are getting new tires I have heard good things about shinkos, both in the real world and online. I have the Conti race attacks and they are awesome only on warm, dry, clean pavement, on everything else they suck.

 

[Blastonia]

Sounds to me like the steering bearing needs adjusted/tightened.

 

[firefighter1c57]

classic sign of a under inflated front tire

 

[winnetka]

+1 check tire pressure. You can feel a difference of about 2 pounds of pressure.

Also check the suspension and make sure it's set close to (or exactly to) the factory settings.

I think I know what you are talking about (assuming there is nothing wrong with tire pressure or anything else). The Ducati Monster has a solid feel in the turns. It almost resists your input at the bars, or at least it feels that way.

The XB9 feels completely different. Mine likes to turn-in too tight if I'm not careful. It's a very flickable bike. It has a steeper rake, lower center of gravity, and is designed for turning and flickability. It's a better turning bike and that's what you are feeling.

Be smooth on the handlebars and you'll get used to it. I added a steering stabilizer and that helped to smooth out the control input at the bars.

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

thanks for the input guys [up]

 

[user_deleted]

all of the above and might i add that the bike is going to go where you're looking. look as far off in the distance in the turn as you can and that is where the bike will go. it is amazing how it works when you practice it.

 

[netty2424]

Also keep your throttle control in mind. While learning and gaining experience, you need a constant to smooth increase on throttle to maintain a nice smooth controlled turn. If you come into a turn and just let off the throttle, could cause you to feel that 'falling in' feeling mentioned above. Keeping smooth throttle control through a turn will prevent your front from diving in. It helps keep your bike wanting to stay up right, whereas dumping the throttle coming into a turn or in the middle of a turn will cause the bike to naturally want to fall over if speeds aren't correct.

Couple that with the good advice given above, should have that issue corrected.