Tucking feeling
Discussion
Since the weather has been warmer and lean angles have increased a bit, I have started to become less confident in the front end on my Tuono. Medium speed roundabouts etc. it just feels like the front wants to tuck all the time. It's fine at higher speeds, and fine when not leant over so much.
My other bike is a ZX7R which is renowned for having one of the best front ends in the business, I don't know if it's that which makes the Tuono feel dodgy or something else.
Where shall I start? Different tyre pressures? I plan on getting the suspension set up, is this going to help? New tyres (theres no way I'm anywhere near the limits of these though)?
The tyres are pirelli angel GT's, a sport touring tyre but they seem more than grippy enough to me, I'm not sure if its perhaps the tread moving around like I've read with some sport touring tyres?
I've still got this much unused tyre, so it's not like I'm getting near the limits of lean either:
My other bike is a ZX7R which is renowned for having one of the best front ends in the business, I don't know if it's that which makes the Tuono feel dodgy or something else.
Where shall I start? Different tyre pressures? I plan on getting the suspension set up, is this going to help? New tyres (theres no way I'm anywhere near the limits of these though)?
The tyres are pirelli angel GT's, a sport touring tyre but they seem more than grippy enough to me, I'm not sure if its perhaps the tread moving around like I've read with some sport touring tyres?
I've still got this much unused tyre, so it's not like I'm getting near the limits of lean either:
Mastodon2 said:
I wouldn't have thought it's the thread moving around, that's something more attributed to tyres with tread like this:
Funny you should say that as this is my first year on those very tyres after using Supercorsas/Diablos for a long time. So far, they haven't inspired the same confidence as the sports tyres, but they do offer way, way more grip in the damp, resisting wheelspin more than the Diablo 2s.OP - As for tread blocks moving around, it's not anything like as noticeable on the PR4s as it was on full race wets that I've used in the past, so I can't imagine the Tuono issue is that.
In short setting up the suspension properly will make it feel great.
Check tyre pressures regularly, I know having a rear tyre with slightly less air in can make the front feel like it wants to push straight on when tipping in so they are pretty critical.
It's very unlikely to be tyres IMO and I'm sure others will agree.
Check tyre pressures regularly, I know having a rear tyre with slightly less air in can make the front feel like it wants to push straight on when tipping in so they are pretty critical.
It's very unlikely to be tyres IMO and I'm sure others will agree.
patchb said:
Headstock bearings seem good, no fore and aft play, nice and smooth no notchyness etc.
I'm going to book it in at Racelab to have the suspension set up and see if that helps, even if it doesn't help this issue I want it done anyway.
You can set the suspension yourself in an hour!! Why get someone else to do it for you?? You're the one who rides it!I'm going to book it in at Racelab to have the suspension set up and see if that helps, even if it doesn't help this issue I want it done anyway.
Steve Bass said:
patchb said:
Headstock bearings seem good, no fore and aft play, nice and smooth no notchyness etc.
I'm going to book it in at Racelab to have the suspension set up and see if that helps, even if it doesn't help this issue I want it done anyway.
You can set the suspension yourself in an hour!! Why get someone else to do it for you?? You're the one who rides it!I'm going to book it in at Racelab to have the suspension set up and see if that helps, even if it doesn't help this issue I want it done anyway.
Paul at racelab is good for doing stuff you can't (He rebuilt my shock) but for actual set up get on youtube, watch a video and get a mate round.
Worst case if you have no mates I'm only 40 mins or so up the road!
assuming tyre isn't worn and headstock bearings ok then I'd set everything back to what the manual says it should be, go ride it. Then set the sag correctly for you with your riding gear on (helps to have someone to do this), go ride it again. I doubt it will ever feel as planted as a 7r - you're sat upright without so much weight over the front. If it still feels like it's going to tuck then I would dial a bit more rebound damping in on the front.
this is useful: http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspe...
my 2c
this is useful: http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspe...
my 2c
I had something similar on the F3. All looked fine until I actually felt the front tyre. I could feel a ridge on it, which made the profile like a 20p, but could see it.
It precipitated the exact symptoms you are describing.
Slow speed and it felt like the front wanted to tuck, once it went over it was fine.
It precipitated the exact symptoms you are describing.
Slow speed and it felt like the front wanted to tuck, once it went over it was fine.
Steve Bass said:
You can set the suspension yourself in an hour!! Why get someone else to do it for you?? You're the one who rides it!
This is true I never pay anyone to work on my vehicles, I guessed it was some kind of dark art but it's just twiddling some adjusters at the end of the daySteve Bass said:
The Tuono/RSV4 can be sensitive to a worn front tyre. If the profile goes off, it can give you that exact feeling, like it wants to tuck at low speeds.
Maybe check how the front tyre looks
I'd +1 on this, I've had plenty of front tyres that give vague feeling or feel a bit unstable when cornering on different bikes when worn. Certain tyres used to wear very strangely on certain bikes. Had a lot of problems with bridgestone fronts in the past - hence I stopped using them.Maybe check how the front tyre looks
OP get up a pic of the front tyre.. its all well and good showing the rear which appears to be flattened off in the centre and will affect handling. I'd be looking at front wear before spending money elsewhere first.
Edited by sjtscott on Wednesday 25th May 16:10
Tuonos are known for that feeling - I sold mine after two years of trying to get used to it.
You can dial it out with settings to some degree but lots of people who have ridden them will agree with the generally vague tippy / tucky front end. I think you either get used to it or you don't. On the plus side its probably not actually going to tuck just makes you think it is.
You can dial it out with settings to some degree but lots of people who have ridden them will agree with the generally vague tippy / tucky front end. I think you either get used to it or you don't. On the plus side its probably not actually going to tuck just makes you think it is.
Front tyre. I thought it was pretty good but looking at that it does look a little squared off.
As I say, the tyres were like that when I bought it, I thought they were supposed to be like that as if you look at photos of Angel GT's they are pretty square.
Maybe I'll chuck on a set of sportier tyres and sort the suspension and hope that helps. Any recommendations for tyres for road use, maybe the odd track day that will have more dry grip than the angels? Tyre life isn't really important.
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