How can I make the steering easier / lighter? (ZX6R)

[robracer]

Cath swap bikes and try them out in both circumstances?

My offer is still on the table Cath, we can swap & make back to back comparisons, this time dont baby the rocket

[photomike666]

Could it be seating position? If the 08 has a more racey seating position it will throw you onto the bars more making the steering heavier. Try getting back a little more and dropping you elbows on the 08 and see if that helps?

[Strika]

Just to clarify, you are speaking of the pressure required on the bars to make it tip in yeah? Not that it actually runs wide once at full lean?? If so then.......perhaps it is tyre pressures Cath? The later model is the track bike..yeah? If so, you are most likely running your tyres at track pressures.....28-30psi, whereas, the roadie is more likely to be run at 32-36Psi. It does make a big difference in steering feel. Try it on your roadie just for shits n giggles. Go for a ride with your normal pressures, then drop them to 28-30 and see if it makes the steering feel similiar? that's my best guess without looking at or riding the bike.

[tim]

She rode jus's bike and it felt the same..... I think it's a known trait of the 07 08s...........

(Because of steering head angle and low center or gravity.....?)

[Cath]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I haven't been ignoring this thread - just reading along and making plans.
The first thing I want to try is jacking her arse up, skyhigh. Seems like that's the consensus, and also a pretty easy change to start with. That will get done before the PI track day, so we'll see how that goes, before looking for more changes.

It's not tyre pressures Strika. Same effect / heaviness in turning on mine with track pressures and Justin's with road pressures.
I'm pretty sure it isn't the seating position either Mike, but I will keep it in mind next time I'm out on her and experiment a little to make sure. Thanks for the suggestion at least - I like trying cheap and easy fixes the most and dropping elbows is about as cheap as they come!
IsleofNinja: I know I haven't checked it. Will speak to my chief pit biatch and see if he has Thanks for the idea

If lifting the rear doesn't work, I guess it's motard bars and becoming a groupie of someone who raced them

[oldmanmike]

If money were not an issue, ..... a lightweight wheel rim . (marchesini, dymag etc)

[tim]

Got an update on this after PI Cath? Sounds pretty positive.

[csgup1]

I had the same issue on the 04 zx10. i think the biggest difference is the tyres.

I was running a set of pirelli corsas 190/50 with the forks dropped by 5 mm and the bike felt really sluggish.

I changed the tyres to power 2ct's with a 190/55 rear and the bike turns on a dime now. ive raised the forks back to standard as well and it still turns quick.

i would highly suggest going to a 180/55 rear on a tire that has a steep profile if that suits your riding like the pilot powers. you will be amazed at the difference.

[Wattie]

what heppens when you runn off the side of your 180?

[MadKaw]

what heppens when you runn off the side of your 180?

You fit a 200 wide rear, like the supersport guys do...

there bikes must steer like a truck...

[Wattie]

what heppens when you runn off the side of your 180?

You fit a 200 wide rear, like the supersport guys do...

there bikes must steer like a truck...

oh cool...


but i'll be fine, i read on onother website, that 2mm drop in the forks completly transformed the bike, holds a line, and everything, a class above the standard bike!

so i will be doing this mod to fix the problems with my bike. should make me quicker

[Cath]

Tim, it felt like it was turning more easily, but I didn't want to comment until I get it back to EC, so I can *really* tell how much it's changed and whether it needs more work or not. But, so far, things are promising. I'll post a full update, with all the changes after the 12 Dec EC trackday
To be honest, the magic of PI, the fun of my new sprockets and chasing the Robs were taking up so much of my attention, the turning was a little ignored!

csgup1, different tyres might help, but since I've ridden both bikes on several tyres, I know that's not the biggest portion of the problem. Thanks for the suggestion though - once I've got it turning easier, I'll also investigate how the tyres affect it further.

[MadKaw]

what heppens when you runn off the side of your 180?

You fit a 200 wide rear, like the supersport guys do...

there bikes must steer like a truck...

oh cool...


but i'll be fine, i read on onother website, that 2mm drop in the forks completly transformed the bike, holds a line, and everything, a class above the standard bike!

so i will be doing this mod to fix the problems with my bike. should make me quicker

Just eat another donut and don't take a dump in the morning, that'll drop the front 2mm....

I just push the front down a bit more in the pits and its like dropping the front 20mm with the stiction in my forks..

sorry for the hijack Cath..

[Ticketyman]

After jacking it up, beware of the first fast run down PI straight. It's head might shake.

[Wattie]

my zx10 by no means turns fast, and it got pretty good headshake down the straight at PI every lap on monday. had a gusty crosswind, and as your tyring to turn to the right the front wheel getting light under the 2nd bridge, shaking like a bastard.

needed to hold on less, but then couldnt keep it where i wanted it.


day 2 was better