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cavedog
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« on: March 15, 2011, 02:19:49 PM » |
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Hi all,im a new member from the UK.  .I got a valk a few month ago.I love it to bits but it seems a bit unstable at slower speeds,it seems to want to flop into corners and is quite a bit alarming,especially when 2 up.Any ideas about it welcome,thanks. |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2011, 02:25:01 PM » |
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Pratice.
My car tire helped me tremendously. If your new to the Valk, forget the car tire, for now.
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 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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Dag
Member
Posts: 1779
I have a love affair with a bumblebee
Country Rep. Norway
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« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2011, 02:28:12 PM » |
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Handling is light and completely predictable and the low speed handling is very good for a bike this big. Inexperienced passengers can be a challenge  |
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The question is not what you look at...but what you see...
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Quicksilver
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« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2011, 02:45:15 PM » |
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Check left rear wheel bearing. I had a similar sensation, kinda flops when doing a round about, very unsettling. Turned out to be left rear wheel bearing had spun in wheel and was sloppy in a slot it had worn, perhaps seized at one time, or previous owner had installed a front wheel bearing instead of a rear. Only way to check is to pull rear wheel off completely and check bearings.
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1997 Standard   |
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Chiefy
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« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2011, 02:48:05 PM » |
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Check left rear wheel bearing. I had a similar sensation, kinda flops when doing a round about, very unsettling. Turned out to be left rear wheel bearing had spun in wheel and was sloppy in a slot it had worn, perhaps seized at one time, or previous owner had installed a front wheel bearing instead of a rear. Only way to check is to pull rear wheel off completely and check bearings.
Check also your rear shock bushings. You should not be able to see the black bushing at all when you look at the bolt. If you can see the bushing, they need to be replaced. |
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 1998 Valk Standard 52,500 miles |
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2011, 02:54:24 PM » |
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Hi all,im a new member from the UK. .I got a valk a few month ago.I love it to bits but it seems a bit unstable at slower speeds,it seems to want to flop into corners and is quite a bit alarming,especially when 2 up.Any ideas about it welcome,thanks. Your description of the handling isn't typical of the Valk from my experience. A few suggestions Post this in the Tech forum (some techy folks rarely use the general forums) Give the year and model of your bike. (Standard, Tourer, Interstate) Give a better description of the handling. Any noise? Clunks? What kind of tires on bike? How much wear? Are they wearing properly? Any aftermarket additions to the bike? What are they? But give the Tech forum a try for sure. And the bearing suggestions already given are a good place to start |
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« Last Edit: March 15, 2011, 02:56:00 PM by Moonshot_1 »
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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Super Santa
Member
Posts: 1907
VRCC #27029
Houston, Texas
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« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2011, 03:04:43 PM » |
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I would check your tire pressures first. Low pressure can have a very adverse effect on handling.
I personally run 42 psi in both front and rear.
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9Ball
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« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2011, 03:04:50 PM » |
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tires, shock bushings, and steering head adjustment could all contribute to this issue....I would start there.
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6958
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2011, 05:04:44 PM » |
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I would check your tire pressures first. Low pressure can have a very adverse effect on handling.
I personally run 42 psi in both front and rear. +1 The tire pressure listed on the swingarm is TOO LOW and less than that can be scary. I Run 42 psi front and 48 psi rear. |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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Hoser
Member
Posts: 5844
child of the sixties VRCC 17899
Auburn, Kansas
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« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2011, 05:22:38 PM » |
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Check left rear wheel bearing. I had a similar sensation, kinda flops when doing a round about, very unsettling. Turned out to be left rear wheel bearing had spun in wheel and was sloppy in a slot it had worn, perhaps seized at one time, or previous owner had installed a front wheel bearing instead of a rear. Only way to check is to pull rear wheel off completely and check bearings.
left rear is the same as the fronts except 1997 . Hoser |
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I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motor sickle  [img width=300 height=233]http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/ |
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Chiefy
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« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2011, 05:34:26 PM » |
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I would check your tire pressures first. Low pressure can have a very adverse effect on handling.
I personally run 42 psi in both front and rear. +1 The tire pressure listed on the swingarm is TOO LOW and less than that can be scary. I Run 42 psi front and 48 psi rear. It depends on the type and brand of tire also |
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1998 Valk Standard 52,500 miles |
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X Ring
Member
Posts: 3626
VRCC #27389, VRCCDS #204
The Landmass Between Mobile And New Orleans
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« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2011, 06:28:19 PM » |
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Check left rear wheel bearing. I had a similar sensation, kinda flops when doing a round about, very unsettling. Turned out to be left rear wheel bearing had spun in wheel and was sloppy in a slot it had worn, perhaps seized at one time, or previous owner had installed a front wheel bearing instead of a rear. Only way to check is to pull rear wheel off completely and check bearings.
left rear is the same as the fronts except 1997 . Hoser +1 Marty |
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People are more passionately opposed to wearing fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than bikers.  |
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16632
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #12 on: March 15, 2011, 06:45:08 PM » |
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It depends on the type and brand of tire also You can start a fairly good argument that way.
It really doesn't seem to. |
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Ratdog
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« Reply #13 on: March 15, 2011, 06:50:07 PM » |
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In addition to the others' input thus far (good), identify your rear shocks. For example, some put shorter (length) than OEM shocks on their bikes to be able to touch the ground. The change in fore/aft angle by the shorter shocks will make it a little harder to ride at slow speeds. I have taller than OEM shocks for the rear and my bike is easier to handle at slow speeds.
Also, identify whether your shocks are in good condition or are worn/leaking. Shocks in bad shape can have a negative affect on one's ability to ride with ease at a slow speed.
Another "technique" which can assist you is to ride the rear brake as you slip the clutch (increase your rpms a bit) during slow speed riding to help stabilize the bike.
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Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you. - Benjamin Franklin. If it ain't Zesty, it's only a two-tone.  |
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FryeVRCCDS0067
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« Reply #14 on: March 15, 2011, 07:42:33 PM » |
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That was exactly how I felt about my Valk when I bought her in 2004 with 6000 miles on the clock. She seemed to change from a swan to an ugly duckling in the last few feet before coming to a stop. She also seemed to "fall into" low speed turns and parking lots and U turns sucked.
Couple of things I learned here on this board helped me a lot.
Number one, I got rid of the OEM dunlops.
Number two, Don't come to a stop with the front wheel turned if you can help it. It's much more stable stopping with the front wheel straight.
Number three, let off the front brake in the final few feet of a non-emergency stop and use only the rear. Again, she's more stable that way.
Then, get the "ride like a pro" dvd which teaches the technique of slipping the clutch and pushing against the rear brake at super low speeds to increase stability. With this technique the Valk's low speed handling is superb and foot up stops at stop signs will become routine.
With smaller bikes, you can get by with riding them pretty much anyway you want. With a larger bike like the Valk, technique is everything.
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"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.'' -- Barry Goldwater, Acceptance Speech at the Republican Convention; 1964  |
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Tundra
Member
Posts: 3882
2014 Valkyrie 1800
Seminole, Florida
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« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2011, 02:57:28 AM » |
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+1 on "Ride like a pro" Then practice those techniques. It's amazing the lack of skill/control I see at every bike event, from people claiming they've been riding for many years. I've been riding from several years after I could walk and just watched the Ride like a pro DVD a couple years ago. After much practice, It has drastically improved my ridng skills and riding pleasure |
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If you can't be a good example: be a WARNING!!
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FPG52
Member
Posts: 105
1997 Pearl Sonoma Green/Pearl Ivory Cream
Rochester NY
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« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2011, 08:18:04 AM » |
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THANK YOU...I just bought my first Valk...have not even picked it up yet. Have been on this site for a short time and can't believe all the tips I am getting and knowledge of tings to look for from you folks...it is well appreciated!!!!
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take;But by the moments that take our breath away
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Mikey
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« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2011, 10:13:32 AM » |
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In my experience, if you have a brand new tire, no matter the brand, until you wear off a little of the crown, the bike will act a little funny. Found that with both rear tires I put on, the second one I fixed with a SHORT burnout  |
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Remember folks, street lights timed for 35 mph are also timed for 70 mph
VRCC# 30782
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