blackbird weave

[shadylee]

Since the warmer weather has arrived I've been cornering harder on my new Honda only to find it weaving around when banked over, almost light a slow tanks lapper just not as violent.

The tyres are literally square from the previous owner . would this be a likely cause?

[Freakuk]

It would be a good place to start what about tyre pressures, then think about suspension linkages, wheel bearings, headstock bearings, swingarm pivot, drive train and so on..

[shadylee]

Tyres 42 front and back as per manual

[dingocooke]

It'll be the tyres, they normally handle very nicely

[Hooli]

shadylee said:

The tyres are literally square from the previous owner . would this be a likely cause?

Sounds likely, followed by the stuff mentioned above.

[catso]

shadylee said:

The tyres are literally square from the previous owner . would this be a likely cause?

I think you've answered your own question here.

But even if the cause is something else then you won't know until you've fitted new tyres...

[TommyBuoy]

Hooli said:

shadylee said:

The tyres are literally square from the previous owner . would this be a likely cause?

Sounds likely, followed by the stuff mentioned above.

Square tyres are horrid to ride on (unless you're going straight).

I remember the bike I learnt on had slightly square tyres and the feeling off going over the 'cliff' feels like the bike will fall over.

[sjtscott]

They appear sensitive to firstly front tyre pressure and worn fronts too.
Since you say its set to receommended 42psi all round its not that. Likely to be the wear. What tyres does it have on at the moment?
Is it running the rear shock 6mm shim at all?

[Clinton Baptiste]

Sorry to thread hijack, what tyres do you guys recommend for the bird?

[catso]

Clinton Baptiste said:

Sorry to thread hijack, what tyres do you guys recommend for the bird?

Err, round ones...

[sjtscott]

Clinton Baptiste said:

Sorry to thread hijack, what tyres do you guys recommend for the bird?

There's a ton of threads on this topic I've certainly replied to before here on BB.

Something by Michelin or Dunlop Sport Touring based so PR2 and up and Roadsmart 1 and up.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

Tyre manufacturers tend to recommend the harder-wearing tyres for the Blackbird because of its weight (Bridgestone use the GT suffix I think).

I run 42 and the back and 36 at the front, which apparently flies in the face of accepted internet wisdom, and mine goes around corners fine! So more likely to be the square tyres than the pressures.

[mpusch]

Sounds to me like squared off tires. I've ridden on them once from the PO when I bought the bike. When you're leaned over at the angle where you're right on the "right angle" of the tire it feels terrible. It feels like it's trying to decide if it wants to be on the flat, middle part of the tire, or just on the outside edge of the tire. Get em switched out, makes a big difference.

Edited by mpusch on Wednesday 23 April 19:07

[black-k1]

If it's not the tyres (most likely problem and easiest to check) then it'll probably be the head bearings.

When, in the past, the head bearings were end of life I would find it impossible to hold my chosen line through a bend, which sounds not unlike your description.

[rev-erend]

I only had a test drive years ago when they were new .. but found it had to be dragged into a corner. It is a big beast, replace any old crap tyres and check the wheel bearings ..

Its a monumentally fast bike in the right hands..