Hi, I am looking on buying a 2002 VFR which I test rode. Bike is in really nice condition and has 6700 miles on it. During the test ride I let off the steering stem at 60 mph...and got a bit scared. The steering started to wabble a lot. Any idea what could cause this? Should not be a steering head bearing issue at 6700 miles. Is this typical or something to worry about? My Suzuki VStrom doesn't react like that I let go off the steering, even at higher speeds. Please help me....fast THX JusV
Jussi Your problem could be front tyre pressure incorrect or a badly worn front tyre. I have a 99 800FIX and when the front tyre gets just about finished the steering will shake. Saying that its worth checking the head and wheel bearings as well. Ian :
The 750 certainly did this as soon as the front tyre was part worn, you only noticed it with hands off and if you even lent forward (hands still off it would reduce or stop). Apparently it's a standard feature on that model : to do with weight distribution. Dropping the yokes down the forks by 5-10mm helps this and also sharpens up the steering. Only heard about this after I'd traded up my 750 to a VTEC and haven't had any such problems with the two I've owned (an '02 and an '03). As hatzyian says it could be down to front tyre condition or pressure, if that doesn't solve it then I suggest you walk away from the deal as it could have been in an accident, only a minor prang can easily bend the forks which might well give the symptoms you describe.
wobble be gone my 94 VFR would wobble as you described. the dealer told me that it was normal and due to uneven front tire wear and the result of not having the damping provided by your arms on the handlebars. still, it's annoying. i replaced the stock roller bearings (which looked pretty crappy to me) with a nice set of tapered bearings and, VOILA, the wobble has been gone for two years now.
Yes I know of this, it is a trait of the bike, but tire wear, inflation, style of tire all play into it. the fix if it drives you nuts is the taperd roller bearings. mine's not bad enough, only does it hands off coming through 40mph decelerating then all hell breaks lose so I don't do that any more, funny thing is it only takes one finger to take it away.
I have also noticed this, but I have noticed that this seems to happen with my front tire being slightly inderinflated. However from experince, I can say there are several things that can cause front end wobbles. The number 1 malfunction is the forks and triple clamp. Having to quick of steering also can cause this. If your bike has been in accident, your may need to have the frame look at. Years ago, I dump my ZX-7 and no matter what I did to keep my bike from developing a front end wobble at 80 mph, I just couldn't fix it. Finally, I followed the advise from one of my racer friends and took my bike to the "Frame Man" in Sacramento. I don't know what he did, but he made several corrections that made it ride better than new. In fact for curosity sake, I took my ZX up to 150 mph and it was like riding on glass. The Frame Man had me replace the sliders on my forks since that was one of the few parts he could not touch. When I ask what he does to get the bike so straight, he replied "that he blue prints each frame to better than new spec's and beefs up the weak areas of the frame, sub-frame and swing arm". The method he uses was a secret.
