Discussion
First of all I'm sorry for another boring thread but just after some advice/comforting...
I sold my 03 R6 yesterday which I loved from day one. Spent two years riding it and improving my riding. I knew I could ride it hard (for me, I'm no knee down hero whatsoever) and it wouldn't throw me off. Also enjoyed a couple of track days on it recently!
So the problem....I bought an 03 R1 this morning. 21,000 miles, well looked after from what I can see and all checked out fine. Now I didn't really know what to expect from a 1,000 but it is something I always wanted to try and probably won't have another chance anytime soon. I thought it might just feel like a bigger version of my R6 but something doesn't feel quite right. When I went to tip it into a bend slight or on a roundabout etc it just wanted to pull itself straight back up. It's hard to explain but the R6 was so easy to ride. Is this normal? Do you have to man handle them a bit more? The rear was also pretty bumpy even on a smooth looking piece of road.
Would it be best to check the usual tyre pressures etc and then take it for a suspension set up? Or could something be seriously wrong? Just a bit worried I made a mistake and I'm going to really miss my old bike.
Sorry for the waffling on. Appreciate any thoughts/ advice
I sold my 03 R6 yesterday which I loved from day one. Spent two years riding it and improving my riding. I knew I could ride it hard (for me, I'm no knee down hero whatsoever) and it wouldn't throw me off. Also enjoyed a couple of track days on it recently!
So the problem....I bought an 03 R1 this morning. 21,000 miles, well looked after from what I can see and all checked out fine. Now I didn't really know what to expect from a 1,000 but it is something I always wanted to try and probably won't have another chance anytime soon. I thought it might just feel like a bigger version of my R6 but something doesn't feel quite right. When I went to tip it into a bend slight or on a roundabout etc it just wanted to pull itself straight back up. It's hard to explain but the R6 was so easy to ride. Is this normal? Do you have to man handle them a bit more? The rear was also pretty bumpy even on a smooth looking piece of road.
Would it be best to check the usual tyre pressures etc and then take it for a suspension set up? Or could something be seriously wrong? Just a bit worried I made a mistake and I'm going to really miss my old bike.
Sorry for the waffling on. Appreciate any thoughts/ advice
Got the same bike, that doesn't sound quite right tbh.
It's going to be a heavy old barge compared to an r6 (having never ridden a 600 I don't know for sure) but it is chuckable with a bit of effort.
Mine had the suspension settings set up by a random numer generator, one fork full hard, one full soft.. once put back to standard it was transformed so I'd start with that, doesn't take long to put back to standard settings.
It is quite tyre sensitive, are your's squared yet? Mine would refuse to turn until I hung like a monkey, at which point it would drop straight down and be a struggle to bring back up. Round tyres gooood.
It's going to be a heavy old barge compared to an r6 (having never ridden a 600 I don't know for sure) but it is chuckable with a bit of effort.
Mine had the suspension settings set up by a random numer generator, one fork full hard, one full soft.. once put back to standard it was transformed so I'd start with that, doesn't take long to put back to standard settings.
It is quite tyre sensitive, are your's squared yet? Mine would refuse to turn until I hung like a monkey, at which point it would drop straight down and be a struggle to bring back up. Round tyres gooood.
I had an 03 R1 for 4 years followed by an 05 for another 4 so I've a reasonable idea what one should feel like. I see you're in Bristol - I'm nr Warminster if you're ever over this way and want me to have a look.
For now I'd check the tyre pressures first of all and then see what the suspension settings are set at? Also what's the tyre condition like? A badly squared off rear will obviously effect the handling. I remember mine being a very good handler, I've never owned an R6 but I'd expect the handling to maybe be a little quicker due to a shorter wheelbase but the R1 is no slouch in the bends. It may just be a case of you needing to get used to it and relaxing a bit, as its new you'll be analysing every noise id bet. Just put some miles on and get used to it
For now I'd check the tyre pressures first of all and then see what the suspension settings are set at? Also what's the tyre condition like? A badly squared off rear will obviously effect the handling. I remember mine being a very good handler, I've never owned an R6 but I'd expect the handling to maybe be a little quicker due to a shorter wheelbase but the R1 is no slouch in the bends. It may just be a case of you needing to get used to it and relaxing a bit, as its new you'll be analysing every noise id bet. Just put some miles on and get used to it
Mad Dave said:
Beaten to it on most points I see! Just realised my profile pic is of my old 03, should really change it
Yay i winEdit..
Just remembered, it WILL benefit from the forks being dropped through the yokes a couple of mm.. it is a bit slow steering as standard. very slow actually. This will help, don't go to far of course or it will get too lively
Edited by itannum990 on Monday 25th May 16:28
Thanks for the replies. Put my mind at ease a bit!
The bloke i bought it from has only done a couple of hundred miles in the last year. Just went to look at the tyres, the rear does look very squared off so perhaps it just needs riding. Just concerned I'm going to tip it past where it wants to be and it will drop but will see this week. Will check the pressures tomorrow and get the suspension looked at ASAP. I did have it done on my R6 and it made a massive difference. Like you said I think I'm over paranoid as I've just bought it!
Mad Dave I may try to get over your way the weekend if I can to see what you think if that's ok. I'll find out tomorrow how work is looking for the weekend. Thanks a lot for the offer!
The bloke i bought it from has only done a couple of hundred miles in the last year. Just went to look at the tyres, the rear does look very squared off so perhaps it just needs riding. Just concerned I'm going to tip it past where it wants to be and it will drop but will see this week. Will check the pressures tomorrow and get the suspension looked at ASAP. I did have it done on my R6 and it made a massive difference. Like you said I think I'm over paranoid as I've just bought it!
Mad Dave I may try to get over your way the weekend if I can to see what you think if that's ok. I'll find out tomorrow how work is looking for the weekend. Thanks a lot for the offer!
A badly squared off rear tyre will ruin the handling, you'll have to force it past the edge of the squared patch and then it'll feel like youve fallen off a cliff! There's no remedy except replacing the tyre. I used Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on both of mine and the Pilot Power 3s most recently and they're excellent, got a good profile.
Not sure what I'm up to next weekend yet but let me know if you're coming over and I'll happily have a look at it for you.
Not sure what I'm up to next weekend yet but let me know if you're coming over and I'll happily have a look at it for you.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff