Suspenion, front running wide

Hi all,

I find the front on my vfr runs wide in corners and is generally not stable, everywhere I look it says lack of front rebound damping, obviously the vfr doesn't have this adjustment, what do you suggest?

cheers

 

You really need to dismantle the forks and give them a good clean, and replace the oil.
Specially if you don't know how old it is, or what weight oil is in there.
While there, its a good idea to replace the badly undersprung standard springs, unless you're not very heavy.
Try a 10 grade oil filled to the right amount and see how it goes.
You increase reboud damping by increasing oil weight.

 

What's the condition of your tires and have you checked your tire pressure?
Just a thought.
John

 

Check head bearings for looseness/notchiness.

 

Belray 7w HP

 

Remember: running wide on corner exit has NOTHING to do with the front and everything to do with the rear:

Front End = corner entry
Rear End = corner exit

 

So would that mean the rear is to soft? I have the same problem...

I know from reading a book that you should be able to push the bike down, mid bike, and both front and rear should respond accordingly. If you catch my drift...

 

Sag should be between 30 and 35mm difference between fully extended and with rider weight. If it isn't add or remove pre-load to get it in the ball-park. If you have to add or remove 3 or more clicks from the rear shock, or 3 or more full-turns on the front forks... you'll have to re-do your "fully extended" measurements, as you are now extending your forks by adding so much pre-load.

After that, all you have is rear rebound damping. Too little rebound damping = wallowing, too much = squatting. Wallowing meaning a slight or severe kick up or lurching at the apex, squatting meaning your rear isn't extending back enough to keep the bike's wheelbase in line causing you to run wide.

I suggest the cheap route...
1. Dump out the fork oil, and replace it with new oil. Do not change any settings or components.
2. Set your front fork height back to stock (just the width of the fork cap should be above the clip on tops).
3. Set the sag to 28-35mm front and rear.
4. Set your rear damping to - 0 + (if it's 7 clicks total, put it on click 4).

Go ride it.

Now you'll only have 2 quick and easy things to adjust... 1 fork height, 2 rear rebound. Only adjust the rear 1 click at a time, don't go crazy... and only adjust the front suspension by about 5mm at a time. Do not do both at the same time. I suggest going through the rear first (as it's the quickest and can be done on the side of the road during a ride) and seeing how you fair... if that doesn't solve it, set it back to the middle setting and then begin lowering your forks 5mm at a time. You probably won't want to go more than 15mm above the clipons. Once you get the turn in you like... go back to the shock adjustment.

Chances are you'll find something you like... but if you don't you'll need to re-spring and re-valve.

I'm sure Jamie will chime back in with some magic.

OH, and as for pushing down on the peg and having both front and rear dive evenly... that's if the compression damping is equivalent, which it probably won't be and is completely non-adjustable. So don't let that be a gauge.