Heavy steering

[desanshe]

Good Morning All:
I am not sure if my "topic desctiption"  explains but here goes

I ride a 99 Valk IS and I use her to ride with a 8 member precision riding team.  I do very well with all of the manuvers with the exception of ones that require rapid left to right tank slapping turns.

There is a very heavy spot and the end of each turn left or right and I find it very difficult in pulling the bike out of a full locked left of right turn. and vise versa.

We run our bikes at 1100 RPM and when we go into a 19-20 ft 360 degree turn, the bike just seems to want to fall into that hole and you really have to ride it through.  I do not have any problem recovering from these as it is just a single movement to get out.  It is the rapid side to side ones that bugger me up.

I guess my question is....Is there anything that can be done to lighten the load felt on the far end of a left or right turn when coming out.

Other than running my tank on empty during a show to lighten the load, I am at a loss.

Can anyone out there help me

Thanks to all in advance
Roger

[BonS]

what air pressure are you running? 38-40+ will liven up your turns.

[Daniel Meyer]

You don't say what tires you're running...but if you haven't tried them, get a set of Avons. Run 'em at 46/40. It's like installing power steering.

[Grandpot]

I know I'm going to take a lot of heat for this, but here it goes...

Try a CT.  As soon as I went Darkside my low speed handling improved.  It was almost like having training wheels.  The wide flat footprint wants to stand the bike upright almost by itself.  Turning lock to lock is no problem.

OMG, I just can't wait to read the comments that are going to come flying back.

[desanshe]

I am running Dunlot E3's with 39 - 42 lbs pressure.

[Daniel Meyer]

I am running Dunlot E3's with 39 - 42 lbs pressure.

Yeah, go for the Avons. They kick the dunnies butt.

[Valker]

I have only noticed something similar when I do the MSF U-turn box (20') with a tank bag mounted. I think it is the straps kind of slowing the steering. I can still make the left to right (or vise versa) without mishap, but it feels sluggish. I have tried it with Dunlops, Avons, Metzlers, and car tires. I haven't noticed much difference in any of them. (on the u-turns I mean)

[SPOFF]

How do you search the old archives? There was a discussion about this 10 years ago. Rattlebars led the thread and it might have been the VOA board. The Valkyrie's geometry at low speeds is the reason that Two Brothers once sold an aftermarket triple clamp set. The main thing I remember about the discussion was learning that there is a reason Valks come with 35 inch wide handlebars. That much leverage is needed at walking speeds.

[Robert]

I agree with the Avons and the tire pressure. Ive heard that if you lower the triple tree clamps about 1/4 to 1/2 inch down on the forks that it makes turning easier. The last is of course change the handle bars or the risers which changes the leverage on the bars. I have not personally tried the clamps or the risers or bars but guys have reported good success with these. If you have any videos would you please post them.

[fordmano]

Not sure if this will help at all,,,, BUT,

When I changed from a MC tire to the Car/tire I started out with a 55 series tire and it changed my I/S geometry enough to make the steering fairly heavy and now that I have gone to the 65 series tire my steering is almost too soft for my likings. just that little bit of geometry change was NIGHT and DAY differences. The heavy steering was appreciated at Mid to High speeds most of the time at least when I was slabing it this taller rear tire is a bit nicer at very low speeds.