Hi Guys,
Not too long ago I asked your opinion whether I should take my R115OR on a track day. Most of you think that the R can give me lots of fun on the track with the known limitations (soft suspension, weight, engine power). After great riding experience this week, I'm quite sure that I will take the bike to track, but I still have one concern. The bike steering/handling is too slow, and changing line in the middle of the turn is almost impossible. Did any of you change the geometric of the bike to make it more responsive and quicker in the curves?
In other words, how can I make the steering faster?
Thank you all!
Imporve Steering and handling
Moderator: Moderators
Imporve Steering and handling
Momo1970
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Guest
Momo......remember that our bikes have two things that can't be improved upon much, that is to make it a regular track bike.
A) Weight
B) Suspension adjustability
But there are two fairly inexpensive fixes that will improve the turn in
Crank your rear shock preload to max - No cost
Replace the rear torque arm (length 386 mm) with one from the GS (length 366 mm), just get the two halves from Chicago BMW, you can use the existing bolts. - About $30 plus 20 minutes of your time to swap.
These two mods will raise the rear and shift some additional weight to the front, improving the turn in.
On the street you can reduce the rear spring preload to your liking and still benefit from an improved turn in from the torque arm.
Try it.....you'll be syrprised. Amythin thing else gets you in the $$$$$$
A) Weight
B) Suspension adjustability
But there are two fairly inexpensive fixes that will improve the turn in
Crank your rear shock preload to max - No cost
Replace the rear torque arm (length 386 mm) with one from the GS (length 366 mm), just get the two halves from Chicago BMW, you can use the existing bolts. - About $30 plus 20 minutes of your time to swap.
These two mods will raise the rear and shift some additional weight to the front, improving the turn in.
On the street you can reduce the rear spring preload to your liking and still benefit from an improved turn in from the torque arm.
Try it.....you'll be syrprised. Amythin thing else gets you in the $$$$$$
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boxermania
- Quadruple Lifer
- Posts: 3644
- Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:37 pm
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA.....aproaching retirement
Turn in
That sounds like it would also give the bike more road feedback when the throttle is closed. This condition is one of my few complaints about the R.
Whenever I have the throttle closed I get no road feel and this sometimes makes the turn entry wobbly when I roll on throttle. RTs and RSs with their fairings put more weight on the front wheel and give much better road feel. At least they do for me.
Whenever I have the throttle closed I get no road feel and this sometimes makes the turn entry wobbly when I roll on throttle. RTs and RSs with their fairings put more weight on the front wheel and give much better road feel. At least they do for me.
The rider can always shift weight forward in the saddle and lean forward to put weight on the bars to improve weight on the front. A less static solution than cranking up the preload, although that is a good idea, also. Cranking up the preload and shortening the paralever also have the effect of raising the seat a bit, maybe a good thing, maybe not, since the center of gravity changes a bit?
arkline #27
not THE Ron Kline
"No matter where you go, there you are."
not THE Ron Kline
"No matter where you go, there you are."
Handling
I try to get as far forward as possible when turning and that helps, but at least in my opinion it would help if the bike had inherently more weight on the front to begin with.
Also, and again this is my personal opinion, I'd like to have narrower handlebars. the current bars which I consider very wide, reduce steering effort and contribute to the lack of road feedback.
Also, and again this is my personal opinion, I'd like to have narrower handlebars. the current bars which I consider very wide, reduce steering effort and contribute to the lack of road feedback.